M5 iPad Pro Review: Is It a Game-Changer or More of the Same?
▼ Summary
– This year’s iPad Pro is a “chip refresh” that updates internal components while maintaining the same external design to preserve accessory compatibility.
– Chip refreshes for Macs remain exciting because users occasionally need maximum performance for demanding tasks like app development or media editing.
– iPad Pro reviews consistently note that the hardware is much faster than necessary for typical tablet activities despite using the same M-series chips as Macs.
– The high cost of iPad Pros is questioned since they offer less functionality than comparably priced laptops, even with impressive speed and display quality.
– Recent iPadOS updates improve multitasking and file management but don’t utilize the full power of modern M-series chips like the M1 or M4.
The latest iPad Pro featuring the M5 chip represents what many consider an internal refresh, focusing on performance upgrades rather than external redesign. This approach maintains compatibility with the extensive accessory ecosystem while delivering notable speed improvements. For professionals considering an upgrade, the central question remains whether these hardware enhancements translate into meaningful real-world benefits given the current capabilities of iPadOS.
When Apple introduces chip updates for Mac computers, the excitement is often justified. Mac users frequently encounter situations demanding peak performance over sustained periods, whether compiling complex software, processing high-resolution media files, or running demanding games. The macOS environment, combined with powerful first and third-party applications, ensures that additional processing power delivers tangible benefits, even if the improvements accumulate gradually over multiple generations.
The iPad Pro presents a different scenario entirely. Since adopting the same M-series processors found in Macs, reviewers consistently note that the hardware significantly outpaces what the iPad’s operating system can utilize. Our previous assessment of the M4 iPad Pro highlighted this disconnect: despite exceptional speed and display quality, the device often accomplishes less than similarly priced laptops, sometimes performing tasks more awkwardly despite its technical prowess.
Apple’s recent iPadOS 26 update introduced welcome refinements to multitasking, file management, and background processes. These software improvements enhance the user experience but hardly challenge even the M1 chip’s capabilities, let alone processors with twice the power. The fundamental issue persists, the iPad Pro’s potential remains constrained by software limitations rather than hardware deficiencies.
(Source: Ars Technica)
