M4 iPad Pro review: Well, now you’re just showing off

Configuration options

Beyond the M4 and the OLED screens, most of the specs are the same as the previous iPad Pro, so we won’t get into detail on most of the rest. All that’s left to cover on this front is the storage configurations. The entry-level storage capacity is now 256GB ($999 for the 11-inch, $1,299 for the 13), with possible (and pricey) upgrades to 512 GB (+$200 over base), 1TB (+another $400), and 2TB (+yet another $400).

You can also add nano-texture glass for an extra $100 to the 1TB or 2TB configurations. That option reduces screen glare while retaining some of the advantages of a glossy display. Given that Apple told users they had to be super careful about the nanotexture in the Pro Display XDR, though, I’m not sure whether to recommend it.

Finally, you can pick between Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi+5G models; 5G costs $200 extra. All told, these are extremely expensive tablets.

Design

Ultimately, an iPad is an iPad—that is to say, the basic design is well and settled. It’s a thin slate that’s almost all screen on one side, with cameras on the back and some subtle buttons along the edges. That obviously hasn’t changed here.

But the device has gotten thinner this time around. The 13-inch iPad Pro is only 5.1 mm thick, and the 11-inch is slightly thicker at 5.3 mm. (The difference isn’t that noticeable.) The devices are also surprisingly light, at 1.28 pounds (579g) for the 13 and 0.98 pounds (444g) for the 11.

I don’t think anyone was asking for a lighter iPad Pro, but it is nice. It makes the tablet a bit more comfortable to hold for long stretches of time—especially the 13-incher. It feels great to grip and use.

The materials are the same, the bezels are of a similar size to the previous models, and most of the components look the same and are positioned in the same spots.

There is one big, welcome exception: The front-facing camera is now on an edge that will be at the top when using the device in landscape mode rather than at the top of portrait mode. It’s a little baffling that it took this long to happen, but it’s finally here, and I’m glad to see it.

Unfortunately, the redesigns here have a nasty downside: The new iPad Pros do not support many of the accessories built for the prior models. If you own a case or even the Magic Keyboard from a previous model, you’ll have to buy new versions.