Look at the thing. It is basically a sheet of glass that somehow houses more processing power than the laptop I used three years ago. When people talk about the apple 12.9 ipad pro, they usually get hung up on the size. "It's too big," they say, or "It’s just a giant iPhone."
Honestly? They're missing the point.
The 12.9-inch model has always been the black sheep of the iPad family because it isn't really a tablet in the traditional sense. It’s a workstation that happens to be thin. If you’re buying this to scroll through TikTok in bed, your wrists are going to hate you within twenty minutes. It’s heavy. It’s awkward. But for a specific group of people—illustrators, video editors, and folks who treat spreadsheets like fine art—it’s the only device that makes sense.
The Liquid Retina XDR Reality Check
We have to talk about the screen because that is the entire reason this specific model exists. While the 11-inch version is great, it uses a standard LCD. The apple 12.9 ipad pro (specifically starting from the M1 generation) uses Mini-LED technology, which Apple brands as Liquid Retina XDR.
What does that actually mean for you?
Think about the last time you watched a movie with a dark scene on a cheap TV. The blacks looked gray, right? That’s "blooming." On this iPad, there are over 10,000 tiny LEDs behind the screen. It hits 1,600 nits of peak brightness. To put that in perspective, most high-end laptops struggle to hit 500. It’s bright enough to hurt your eyes in a dark room if you aren't careful.
But there is a catch.
Some users, including well-known tech reviewers like Federico Viticci from MacStories, have noted that in pitch-black rooms, you can still see a slight glow around white text on black backgrounds. It’s a physical limitation of the tech. Is it a dealbreaker? No. But if you’re a perfectionist, you should know that OLED—found on the 2024 M4 models—is the only way to truly "kill" that glow.
The M-Series Chip: Total Overkill?
Apple shoved the M1, then the M2, and now the M4 into these frames. It's funny, really. You have the same silicon that powers a MacBook Pro sitting inside a device that, by default, doesn't even have a calculator app for the longest time (though iPadOS 18 finally fixed that absurdity).
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The power is staggering.
You can render 4K video in LumaFusion or DaVinci Resolve faster than some desktop PCs. I’ve seen photographers dump 100GB of RAW files from a Sony A7R V into Lightroom CC, and the apple 12.9 ipad pro just eats it. No lag. No fan noise. It stays silent because there are no moving parts.
But here is the frustration: iPadOS.
It’s like putting a Ferrari engine inside a golf cart. You can go fast, but the path is narrow. Multitasking has improved with Stage Manager, but it’s still not macOS. You can't just arrange windows anywhere you want without the system trying to "snap" them into place. For some, this focus is a feature. It prevents distractions. For others, it’s a cage.
Why Size Actually Matters (For Your Back)
If you use the Magic Keyboard—which you probably will, because it’s excellent—the total weight of the apple 12.9 ipad pro combo is about 3 pounds.
That is heavier than a MacBook Air.
Let that sink in for a second. If portability is your number one priority, you are actually better off buying a laptop or the smaller iPad. The 12.9-inch is for the person who needs the canvas. Artists using the Apple Pencil need that extra room so their palm doesn't fall off the edge. Architects need to see the whole blueprint without zooming in and out constantly.
If you're a "lap typist," the top-heavy nature of the iPad Pro can be annoying. It wants to tip backward. It’s a desk device that can occasionally go to a coffee shop, not a "use it on the bus" device.
The Battery Life "Lie"
Apple always says "10 hours of battery life." They’ve said it for a decade.
In the real world? It depends entirely on your brightness. If you are outside using that XDR display at full blast to edit photos, you will be lucky to get five or six hours. The screen is a power hog. However, if you're just writing or answering emails, it'll last all day.
Charging is also a bit of a slow crawl compared to some Android tablets or even the MacBooks. Using a 20W charger is a waste of time. You really need a 30W or 45W brick to see the needle move while you're actually using it.
The Logistics of Buying Used vs. New
Right now, the market for the apple 12.9 ipad pro is weird. Because Apple transitioned to the M4 "Pro" models with OLED screens, the older M1 and M2 models are flooding the refurbished market.
- M1 Model (2021): Still incredibly fast. It has the Mini-LED screen. For 90% of people, this is the best value.
- M2 Model (2022): Adds "Apple Pencil Hover" and slightly faster ProRes video encoding. Honestly? Most people won't notice the difference.
- M4 Model (2024): It’s thinner. It has OLED. It’s expensive.
If you find a refurbished M1 12.9-inch for under $700, buy it. It will be supported by Apple for years. The performance gap between the M1 and M2 in daily tasks like browsing or drawing is almost zero.
Accessories: The Hidden Tax
You aren't just buying a tablet. You’re buying an ecosystem.
- Apple Pencil: Essential. Don't buy the cheap knockoffs if you’re an artist; they lack pressure sensitivity.
- Magic Keyboard: It’s overpriced, but the trackpad integration is what makes the iPad usable as a computer replacement.
- Paperlike Screen Protector: If you hate the feeling of plastic sliding on glass, this makes it feel like writing on a sketchbook. It does slightly blur the gorgeous screen, though. Trade-offs.
Actionable Steps for Potential Owners
Don't just walk into an Apple Store and hand over your credit card. Do this first.
First, go to a physical store and hold it. Not for ten seconds. Sit down with it. See if the 12.9-inch footprint fits in your favorite bag. Many people realize too late that it requires a whole new sleeve or backpack compartment.
Second, audit your workflow. If you rely on specialized software like VS Code, full-fat Excel macros, or complex CAD software that isn't on the App Store, the apple 12.9 ipad pro will be a secondary device, not a primary one.
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Third, check the "Refurbished" section of the Apple website or reputable sellers like Back Market. These devices are built like tanks. A two-year-old Pro model is still more powerful than a brand-new "Air" model in most meaningful ways, especially regarding the display's 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate.
The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is a niche tool. It’s a beautiful, overpowered, slightly frustrating, and absolutely singular piece of technology. If you need the space, nothing else compares. If you don't, it's just a very expensive way to watch Netflix.