Apple iPad Pro 13 inch (M4) Review: The Ultimate Powerhouse for Creatives

The 13-inch (2024) iPad Pro with the Apple M4 chip is one of the most powerful tablets Apple has ever produced. Designed to be an all-in-one device, it aims to bridge the gap between tablets and laptops, making it an attractive choice for a variety of users, from content creators to business professionals. In this comprehensive review, we will explore the Apple iPad Pro M4 from all angles: its design, display quality, performance, battery life, camera system, and much more.

Quick Specifications:

• Display: 13-inch OLED display with Ultra Retina XDR, 1600 nits peak brightness.
• Chip: Powered by Apple M4 chip with 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU.
• Storage Options: Available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB SSD storage variants.
• RAM: 8GB RAM for base models, 16GB for higher storage configurations.
• Operating System: iPadOS 17 with new multitasking features.
• Camera: 12MP wide rear camera, 10MP ultra-wide front camera.
• Video Recording: 4K ProRes video recording at up to 60 fps.
• Battery: Up to 12 hours of internet use on Wi-Fi.
• Charging: USB-C fast charging supports 20W adapter.
• Audio: Four speakers with wide stereo sound and high-quality microphones.
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, optional 5G support, Bluetooth 5.3.
• Face ID: Secure authentication with advanced facial recognition technology.
• Apple Pencil Support: Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro (2nd generation).
• Keyboard Compatibility: Supports Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio.
• Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.2 x 0.25 inches (height x width x depth).
• Weight: 1.5 pounds (682 grams) for the Wi-Fi model.
• Color Options: Space Gray, Silver.
• Price: Starting at $899 for the base model with 128GB storage

Overview of the Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (2024)

The iPad Pro 13-inch 2024 is powered by the Apple M4 chip, which offers substantial upgrades in speed and efficiency. The device is aimed at creative professionals, professionals in need of a reliable workstation, and even casual users looking for a high-end tablet for general use. With an impressive OLED display, ProMotion technology, and improved battery life, the iPad Pro M4 13-inch offers something for everyone.

The M4 chip, built on Apple Silicon, ensures that this tablet delivers optimal performance, whether you are video editing, drawing with the Apple Pencil Pro, or multitasking with several apps at once. The tablet comes with up to 1TB of SSD storage, making it ideal for storing large files such as 4K videos, projects, and music production files.

Design and Build Quality

Apple has always been known for its meticulous design, and the iPad Pro M4 13-inch is no different. It is built with a Nano-texture glass finish that reduces glare, improving visibility, especially when used in bright environments. The design updates from previous generations are subtle yet impactful. With a slim design of just 5.1mm thick, it offers a more portable experience than traditional laptops.

The overall build quality of the device is solid, offering a premium feel in the hand, making it a true competitor to laptops. At just 1.5 pounds, this thin and light tablet is an excellent choice for users who need portability without sacrificing performance. Whether you’re on the go or using it as a mobile workstation, the iPad Pro M4 13-inch fits seamlessly into your daily life.

The use of OLED and Mini LED screens across various iPad Pro models ensures that users get the best possible display technology available. The ProMotion technology, which allows for adaptive refresh rates between 10Hz and 120Hz, ensures smooth scrolling, excellent video playback, and high responsiveness when using apps like Logic Pro for iPad or while drawing on the screen with the Apple Pencil Pro.

The iPad Pro’s design changes make it look sleek and modern, while the OLED display adds an extra layer of vibrancy and sharpness compared to older models with Mini LED screens. For creators, the ProMotion technology enables smooth transitions, making it ideal for video editing and other creative tasks.

Display Performance: OLED Technology at Its Best

Apple’s OLED display on the iPad Pro M4 13-inch is one of its most significant updates. Unlike previous models that used Mini LED, the new OLED display offers deeper blacks, brighter whites, and more vibrant colors.

The Ultra Retina XDR Display adds further enhancements in terms of color accuracy and brightness, achieving up to 1600 nits of peak brightness and 1000 nits of full-screen brightness. This is particularly useful for content creators who need accurate color reproduction for video and photo editing.

The ProMotion display, with its adaptive refresh rate of 10Hz to 120Hz, ensures that the screen updates in real-time to match the movement on the screen. This creates an ultra-smooth experience whether you are browsing through websites, watching high-definition videos, or playing graphically demanding games like Diablo Immortal.

For media consumption, the iPad Pro 13-inch OLED display offers stunning visuals. The tablet with OLED display technology enhances everything from everyday tasks to creative work, ensuring that both light and dark themes on the screen appear crisp and rich. This is especially beneficial for users who spend a lot of time viewing 4K ProRes videos, editing photos, or using AI tools for machine learning projects.

Performance: Powerhouse with the Apple M4 Chip

The performance of the Apple M4 iPad Pro is truly impressive. Powered by the Apple M4 chip, which features a Neural Engine designed for machine learning tasks, the device excels at running complex applications without lag or stutter. This M4 chip offers enhanced CPU performance, and its architecture is optimized to handle heavy-duty tasks like video editing, 3D modeling, and even gaming with ray tracing effects.

In real-world usage, the iPad Pro M4 performs excellently. From creative software like Logic Pro for iPad to Apple iPad Pro’s specs that handle ProMotion technology and hardware-accelerated graphics, this tablet stands out as a powerful tablet performance machine.

Benchmark tests, including GeekBench 6.3 and CrossMark, show that the iPad Pro M4 13-inch easily outperforms its predecessor, the iPad Pro M2, especially in multi-core tasks, CPU-heavy workloads, and rendering performance. Performance benchmarks also show that this tablet is at the top of the class when it comes to delivering quick results for professional tasks.

Battery Life: Efficiency Meets Longevity

Battery life is one of the key areas where the iPad Pro M4 13-inch excels. Thanks to the efficiency of the Apple M4 chip, battery life has been significantly improved over previous models. In real-world tests, the iPad Pro M4 lasted for up to 12 hours of continuous usage in Wi-Fi battery tests and performed similarly in cellular battery tests, making it an excellent choice for those who require a device with long-lasting power.

The M4 chip’s battery efficiency also allows the tablet to handle demanding tasks, such as editing 4K videos and using multiple apps at once, without draining the battery quickly. Users can expect a full day of productivity and creativity with the iPad Pro M4, whether for editing, writing on the iPad, or creating digital art. The battery longevity ensures that creators and professionals can work uninterrupted throughout the day.

Camera System: Advanced Imaging and Video Capabilities

The iPad Pro 13-inch M4 boasts a 12MP Wide camera, which provides excellent photo quality in various lighting conditions. The Ultra-wide camera gives users the flexibility to capture a broader field of view, making it a great option for photographers, vloggers, and content creators. Apple has also enhanced the camera performance with improvements in color accuracy and low-light performance.

The iPad Pro M4 supports 4K ProRes video recording, a feature that puts it on par with professional video cameras. Whether you’re shooting a video for social media, recording interviews, or capturing scenes for a project, the camera system ensures high-quality video footage with minimal noise and distortion.

Additionally, the front-facing camera is perfect for team calls and video conferencing. With studio-quality microphones and the iPad Pro’s ultra-wide camera, users can enjoy clear video calls with crisp audio, even in noisy environments.

Accessories: Enhancing Productivity and Creativity

Apple has designed several iPad Pro accessories to complement the iPad Pro M4 13-inch. The Magic Keyboard is one of the standout accessories, providing a laptop-like keyboard experience with a large trackpad. Whether you’re writing a report, editing a video, or just browsing the web, the Magic Keyboard enhances the iPad Pro’s multitasking efficiency.

The Apple Pencil Pro is another crucial accessory for creative professionals. With its precision and sensitivity, it is perfect for digital artists, designers, and illustrators. Combined with the ProMotion display and OLED technology, the pencil offers a seamless drawing experience that feels natural and responsive.

Additionally, external accessories like USB-C monitors and storage drives expand the iPad Pro’s functionality, making it more like a portable workstation. These accessories allow users to connect the iPad Pro M4 to their professional tools seamlessly, enhancing workflow integration for both creative professionals and productivity-focused users.

Comparison: Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) vs. iPad Air 13-inch (M2) vs. iPad mini (A17 Pro)

When comparing these three Apple tablets, it’s important to consider their key features, performance, display, and overall value. The iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) is a powerhouse with cutting-edge specifications, while the iPad Air 13-inch (M2) offers a balanced experience for creative professionals. On the other hand, the iPad mini (A17 Pro) is more compact but still powerful, ideal for those seeking portability. Below is a detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision.

Feature	iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)	iPad Air 13-inch (M2)	iPad mini (A17 Pro)
Display	13-inch Liquid Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion	13-inch Liquid Retina Display, True Tone	8.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, True Tone
Chipset	Apple M4 chip (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU)	Apple M2 chip (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU)	Apple A17 Pro chip (6-core CPU, 6-core GPU)
Storage Options	Up to 2TB	Up to 512GB	Up to 256GB
Camera	12MP Wide, 10MP Ultra Wide, LiDAR	12MP Wide, 12MP Ultra Wide	12MP Wide, 12MP Ultra Wide
Battery Life	Up to 10 hours	Up to 10 hours	Up to 10 hours
Thunderbolt Support	Yes	Yes	No
Face ID	Yes	No	No
Weight	682 grams	462 grams	293 grams
Price Range	$1,099+	$599+	$499+

Comparison Table Analysis:

1. Display: The iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) and iPad Air 13-inch (M2) offer larger screens, with the Pro model also featuring a more advanced OLED display with ProMotion. The iPad mini (A17 Pro) is the smallest, with an 8.3-inch display.
2. Chipset: The iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) leads with the powerful M4 chip, featuring a 10-core CPU and GPU, ideal for demanding tasks. The iPad Air 13-inch (M2) is equipped with the efficient M2 chip, while the iPad mini (A17 Pro) has the A17 Pro chip, offering solid performance.
3. Storage: The 13-inch iPad Pro offers the highest storage option, up to 2TB, which is ideal for heavy content creators. The iPad Air offers up to 512GB, and the iPad Mini offers up to 256 GB.
4. Camera & Features: The iPad Pro has the most advanced camera setup with a LiDAR scanner for AR. The iPad mini (A17 Pro) offers similar cameras but lacks the LiDAR scanner.
5. Portability: The iPad mini is the most portable and lightweight, making it the best choice for portability.

Which One Should You Consider Buying?

• Choose the iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) if you need the best performance, display quality, and storage capacity for professional tasks.
• Choose the iPad Air 13-inch (M2) if you’re looking for a more affordable option with good performance and a larger screen than the iPad mini.
• Choose the iPad mini (A17 Pro) if you want a portable tablet with excellent performance for everyday use but in a more compact form.

Is the iPad Pro M4 13-inch Worth the Upgrade?

For those using older models like the 2020 iPad Pro, the iPad Pro M4 13-inch presents a significant upgrade in performance, display quality, and battery life. The M4 chip delivers a major boost in performance benchmarks and can handle demanding creative tasks with ease. The OLED display and ProMotion technology also make for a better visual experience, especially for creators who need accurate color and smooth transitions.

For those on the fence about upgrading, the iPad Pro M4 offers tangible improvements that justify the switch. Whether you’re into video editing, music production, or graphic design, the improvements in both hardware and software make this model a worthy investment for 2025 and beyond.

Pricing and Where to Buy

The Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (2024) is available in several configurations. The base model with 128GB of storage costs $899, but prices vary based on storage options and connectivity, such as Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular models.

Here are some places where you can purchase the iPad Pro 13-inch:

1. Apple Store: The official Apple website and Apple retail stores offer the latest models with all available configurations. They provide a seamless buying experience, including personalized setup assistance.
2. Amazon: Amazon frequently offers discounts and fast shipping. The platform provides various models, accessories, and bundles. Make sure to buy from trusted sellers for the best deals.
3. Best Buy: Known for its competitive pricing, Best Buy offers a range of iPad Pro models. The platform also provides customer service support, extended warranties, and in-store pickup.
4. Walmart: Walmart offers competitive pricing on the 13-inch iPad Pro both online and in-store. Their discounts can help you save money on the base or higher-tier models.
5. Target: Target often offers promotions on the iPad Pro and provides a smooth shopping experience with easy returns and in-store pickup options.

These platforms offer competitive pricing, convenient delivery options, and reliable customer service. For the best value, be sure to check for seasonal deals and bundles.

Pros and Cons of the iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)

Pros

• Powerful M4 chip for seamless multitasking and high-performance tasks.
• OLED display with ProMotion offers vibrant colors and smooth visuals.
• Large storage options (128GB to 2TB) for plenty of space.
• Long battery life (10 hours) for all-day use.
• The camera system has 12MP wide and ultra-wide lenses and supports 4K video.
• Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard compatibility for productivity and creativity.
• Advanced AI and Machine Learning via the Neural Engine for fast performance.

Cons

• High price, starting at $899, especially with accessories.
• Bulkier than smaller tablets, less portable.
• No USB-C charging on all models.
• No major design changes compared to earlier models.
• Limited RAM options (8GB or 16GB) may not suit heavy professional tasks.
• Expensive accessories like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard.

FAQs: Apple iPad Pro 13 inch (M4) Review: The Ultimate Powerhouse for Creatives

Final Thoughts: A Perfect Tablet for Creators and Professionals

In conclusion, the Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (2024) with the Apple M4 chip is a top-tier tablet that offers exceptional performance, an OLED display, and powerful creative capabilities. Its camera system is excellent for both photos and videos, while the improved battery life ensures that it can handle extended work sessions. The Magic Keyboard, Apple Pencil Pro, and other iPad Pro accessories make it a versatile device for professional use.

You’re a creator, a business professional, or someone looking for an all-in-one device, the iPad Pro M4 13-inch provides everything you need in a portable, sleek package. If you’re looking for a powerful tablet that can keep up with the demands of modern workflows, the iPad Pro M4 is an excellent choice.