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The fifth-generation iPad Pro, colloquially known as the M1 iPad Pro, is a line of iPad tablet computers developed and marketed by Apple Inc. Announced on April 20, 2021, it was available with the same screen size options as its predecessor: 11-inch (28 cm) and 12.9-inch (33 cm). Preorders began on April 30, 2021, and the product was released worldwide on May 21, 2021.[1] It comes in two colors: Silver and Space Gray.

Significant upgrades over the previous generation include the new Apple M1 processor, the addition of 5G support in cellular models, support for Thunderbolt 3 and USB4, and for the 12.9-inch model, a new mini LED Liquid Retina XDR display.[1]

History[]

The tech community was divided on whether Apple would use the M1 chip or a hypothetical A14X chip for its fifth generation iPad Pro. After Apple announced that it would use the M1, speculation surfaced that it might run macOS.[2] The iPad's general availability was temporarily constrained by an ongoing 2020–present global chip shortage.[3]

General[]

In spite of minor differences in weight and thickness due to hardware upgrades, the tablet is virtually identical to its predecessor. Weight of the 12.9-inch model has increased from 641 grams to 682 grams, while that of the 11-inch model has decreased from 471 grams to 466 grams.[4] It is compatible with the second generation Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard; Apple designed a revised variant of Magic Keyboard for the 12.9-inch model due to its change in thickness.[5]

The iPad Pro uses 100% recycled aluminum and sources at least 98% recycled rare earth element supplies. It is free of any harmful substances, as defined by Apple's proprietary "Apple Regulated Substances Specification".[6]

Features[]

Hardware[]

The fifth generation iPad Pro uses an Apple M1 SoC, which is the first iPad to utilize an M-series processor (found on the first Apple silicon Mac desktops and notebooks released in the late 2020) rather than an A-series processor.[7] The M1 features an eight-core CP] in a hybrid configuration with four high-performance and four high-efficiency cores, an eight-core[GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. The cellular model supports mmWave 5G and allows speeds up to 4 Gbit/s in ideal conditions.[8] Internal storage options include 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB.[9] The 128, 256, and 512 GB versions includes 8 GB of RAM, while the 1 and 2 TB versions are bundled with 16 GB of RAM.

The fifth generation iPad Pro debuted support of Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 with its USB-C port.[10] The latter can transfer data at up to 40 gigabits per second and can be used to connect external displays, such as the Pro Display XDR.[11] The 11-inch model has a Liquid Retina display with a peak brightness at 600 nits, which is the same as the 11-inch model of the 3rd and 4th generations. The 12.9-inch model, in contrast, boasts a mini LED HDR display called the Liquid Retina XDR display built in with a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, full-screen brightness of 1,000 nits and a peak brightness of 1,600 nits (HDR).[12] Both models support True Tone, ProMotion, 120 Hz variable refresh rate, and P3 wide color gamut.[7]

It supports a dual camera system in the back. In addition to a 12 MP wide camera with an aperture of ƒ/1.8, it has a 10 MP ultra-wide camera with a ƒ/2.4 aperture and a 125º field of view. A brighter True Tone flash is also included.[13] It features an ultra-wide 12 MP 122º-field front-facing camera that enables Apple's "Center Stage" technology, which pinpoints the positions of the users and automatically tracks the camera view accordingly, to perspectivally center them. The Wide Cameras can record videos at up to 4K and 60 frames per second.[14] All cameras have Smart HDR 3, the same HDR technology present in the iPhone 12 series. It includes the same sensors as their predecessors: Face ID, lidar, three-axis gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer, and an ambient light sensor.[15]

Accessories[]

In addition to the second generation Apple Pencil, the Smart Keyboard Folio, and the Magic Keyboard, the fifth-generation iPad Pro supports third-party external accessories such as game controllers (Sony's PlayStation and Microsoft's Xbox controllers).[10]

Apple's fifth-generation iPad Pro can also be used with many other peripherals that transform it into a versatile computer, such as a wide range of USB-C accessories, including USB-C hubs and USB-C docks.[16]

Reception[]

The fifth generation iPad Pro received mixed responses from critics. Some reviewers said that its overboosted processor was limited by iPadOS and the lack of professional macOS applications,[17][18] while others criticized the placement of its camera system.[19] The Verge criticized the lack of multiuser support like the Mac but praised its Mini-LED screen and cameras.[18]

Videos[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Apple unveils new iPad Pro with M1 chip and stunning Liquid Retina XDR display (en-US).
  2. Joe Wituschek (2021-03-23). An A14X chip appears to be destined for the 2021 iPad Pro.
  3. Shabana Arif (2021-04-30). iPad Pro 2021 pre-orders: Everything you need to know. Archived from the original on 2021-05-01. Retrieved on 2021-05-14.
  4. Martin, Chris. iPad Pro M1 (2021) vs iPad Pro (2020).
  5. Yes, the old Magic Keyboard works on the 2021 iPad Pro (en).
  6. Apple (2021-04-20). Environmental Report iPad Pro (12.9-inch). Apple.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named apple
  8. Script error: The module returned a nil value. It is supposed to return an export table.
  9. Jason Cross (2021-04-20). iPad Pro (2021): 5 standout features that make the best tablet even better. Macworld.
  10. 10.0 10.1 Mike Snider (2021-04-21). Apple iPad Pro to support latest PlayStation, Xbox game controllers. Orders for new iPad models begin April 30. USA Today. Archived from the original on 2021-05-03. Retrieved on 2021-05-04.
  11. Apple (2021-04-20). iPad Pro - Technical Specifications (en).
  12. Chris Welch (2021-04-21). Big iPad, Mini LED: why Apple's new iPad Pro display is better and brighter. The Verge. Archived from the original on 2021-04-24. Retrieved on 2021-05-15.
  13. Hartley Charlton (2021-05-05). iPad Pro 2020 vs. iPad Pro 2021 Buyer's Guide.
  14. Katie Collins (2021-04-20). iPad Pro update: Apple's tablet gets an M1 chip, 5G and Liquid Retina XDR display in 2021. Retrieved on April 21, 2021.
  15. Jason Cross (2021-04-20). iPad Pro (2021): 5 standout features that make the best tablet even better.
  16. The best USB-C hubs for the iPad Pro and iPad Air (en-US).
  17. Apple iPad Pro (12.9-Inch, 2021) (June 15, 2021).
  18. 18.0 18.1 Bohn, Dieter (May 19, 2021). iPad Pro (2021) review: the best screen, but is that enough?.
  19. Two iPad Design Flaws Apple Should Fix, It Might Actually Fix One (September 25, 2021).

External links[]

Articles[]

iPad (models)
iPad : 1st gen · 2nd · 3rd · 4th · 5th · 6th · 7th · 8th · 9th · 10th
iPad mini : 1st gen · 2nd · 3rd · 4th · 5th · 6th
iPad Air : 1st gen · 2nd · 3rd · 4th · 5th
iPad Pro : 1st gen · 2nd · 3rd · 4th · 5th · 6th
iPadOS : 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 16 · 17
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