The IPad Pro 12.9 Has Changed the Way I Work

I’ve always been a fan of the iPad and have used several versions of the iPad Air extensively over the past four years. My use case focuses on casual reading, note-taking, and streaming video, and the iPad Air M1 does these things incredibly well.

At the beginning of last year, I wanted a portable device that would allow me to be productive on the go, and while the iPad Air’s 10.9-inch panel was sufficient, I needed something larger, so I went with the 12.9-inch Switched panel. inch iPad Pro. At first I didn’t think there would be much difference between the two other than the larger screen; Both models have powerful hardware, a similar design and the same software.

But I was wrong. The iPad Pro 12.9 is significantly better than the iPad Air; The mini-LED panel gets brighter and has much better contrast, and HDR content looks fantastic on the device. While I didn’t pay attention to it at the time, the iPad Pro’s quad speakers sound much better.

The biggest difference is the screen refresh, with the iPad Pro having ProMotion technology that allows for a frequency of up to 120Hz. On the iPad Air, the frequency is limited to 60 Hz, which is immediately noticeable when both devices are used side by side. And because of the larger size, there is a larger battery that lasts significantly longer.

The main reason for using the iPad Pro is productivity, and it’s been great in that regard. For most of the last decade, I followed the same schedule: wake up at 6 a.m., complete the day’s writing tasks, and then start my day. That is not the case now; My wife and I had a baby last year and I write whenever I find time – my ten-month-old sets my schedule.

So I had to learn to do something I’m not very good at: flexibility. I couldn’t just lock myself in my home office and write for hours, so I needed something portable. I have a lot of Windows devices, but I wanted something with a touchscreen and a modular design with lots of accessories, and that led me to the iPad Pro.

In the last 10 months, I’ve written a whopping 40% of my writing on the iPad Pro, and I didn’t think I’d be using the device so much anywhere. The screen is the ideal size – it’s almost the size of most 13-inch notebooks – and because it has Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, I was able to easily add a docking station and connect my mechanical keyboard.

But a big reason I used the iPad Pro so much was the Magic Keyboard; The $349 keyboard accessory costs more than most mechanical keyboards, but it’s great. It attaches securely, is easy to adjust, and the keyboard itself is fine; The scissor keys have a travel of 1 mm, are backlit and have proven themselves well even after almost a year of use. The trackpad is also practical and easy to use.

Basically, the iPad Pro 12.9 is ideal for my use case. Although iPadOS doesn’t offer nearly the productivity features available in macOS, that wasn’t a problem – multitasking isn’t something I’m looking for in a portable device. For the tasks I do every day – writing, editing photos, and reading – the iPad Pro is a great option. The best Android tablets have similar hardware, but most of these options are limited to Samsung, and while I tolerate One UI on phones, I have no intention of using it on a larger device.

There were weeks when I used the iPad Pro exclusively, and the only problem with that was the awkward file access within iPadOS; Otherwise, it proved to be a reliable powerhouse. The Magic Keyboard in particular unlocks the full potential of the iPad Pro, but the only criticism of it is that the fabric design doesn’t quite match the premium price. Luckily, it looks like that will change with the 2024 version of the iPad Pro.

Although this is a secondary consideration, the iPad Pro is great for creative use cases. There is no analogue to Procreate on Android or Windows, and the drawing utility is incredible. I’m into music production and iPadOS has an extensive collection of synthesizers and drum machines, and the larger screen definitely makes a difference in that regard – as does the ability to connect accessories.