iPad Pro 10.5 compared to the iPad 9.7
Intro
The iPad and iPad Pro are vastly different products for what are probably vastly different people with different needs. Well I'm here to hopefully shed some light on the actual differences of the iPads and hopefully make a tough decision a little simpler.
Design
Both iPads share a similar design language with unique refinements. They both come in at 1 pound and are both “pencil thin”, however the iPad Pro is slightly thinner which gives it a slightly denser feeling in the hand. Both are thin and light enough for comfortable one handed use.
Display
The iPad and iPad Pro both have excellent displays that will not disappoint. With that said however the iPad Pro has some benefits. The iPad Pro display to put it simply is going to be brighter, more responsive, and have less glare. The iPad display’s largest drawback when compared to the Pro is probably the lack of lamination. This cost cutting measure left the display feeling hollow when tapped, reminding me of a drum and also increases glare from light.
Audio
The speakers on the iPad’s have always been a cut above the competition but the iPad Pro’s 4 speakers takes it to a whole other level. The speakers get very loud, have excellent clarity, and essential no distortion. Simply put the iPad Pro will undoubtedly immerse you in both music and movies. The iPad on the other hand while they sound good, lack the volume and clarity of the Pro and will probably have you grabbing your headphones for a higher quality media experience.
Battery
Both iPads offer excellent battery life exceeding Apple’s claimed 10 hour mark. As I type this review I have 21% left with 11 hours off usage today. However keep in mind usage varies greatly so while watching a movie you can get 12 hours, that wont carry over to Asphalt 8 or Minecraft on full brightness.
Performance
To put it simply the iPad offers great performance but the iPad Pro offers excellent performance. Neither iPad is going to leave you waiting for email, websites, or games to load but the iPad Pro takes the performance to another level. While both iPads can run Split View only the Pro guarantees a smooth experience with two demanding applications. In the thumnails below you can visually see just how much more overhead the iPad Pro offers developers and they are taking advantage of the performance with truly desktop class applications making there way onto iPad. As of now however, there isn't a single application that cant run on both the iPad and iPad Pro. The iPad Pro offers a unprecedented amount of performance for a mobile tablet but I don't think its full potential will even start to show until iOS 11 this fall.
Camera
The iPad both offer great cameras with 1080p FaceTime ability, but the iPad Pro has the edge here with the camera taken right from the iPhone 7. A practical use for the iPad’s camera will be document scanning and the Pro’s camera will simply be able to focus and snap a clear photo of documents quicker then the iPad will while offering a cleaner and sharper document in the end.
Pencil
The iPad Pro’s Pencil offers a incredible writing and drawing experience that you will only get on the iPad Pro. The iPad may have styli but it isn't even in the same ballpark of the Pencil’s precision and pressure sensitivity. If your a artist, graphic designer, calligrapher, or even a student you are going to want the Pro for the Pencil alone.
Conclusion
Both iPads offer amazing value for their respective customers because when it comes down to it these iPads are for rather different people. It really comes down to what you are trying to do with the iPad and what you hope to get out of it. Artists will flock to the Pro’s Pencil while a grandparent may prefer the smaller iPad and its more affordable price. It really comes down to the individual person and what they are looking for in a tablet. The iPad is great for those who just want a good tablet while the iPad Pro is great fro those who want a awesome mobile computer to possibly replace a laptop.
Intro
The iPad and iPad Pro are vastly different products for what are probably vastly different people with different needs. Well I'm here to hopefully shed some light on the actual differences of the iPads and hopefully make a tough decision a little simpler.
Design
Both iPads share a similar design language with unique refinements. They both come in at 1 pound and are both “pencil thin”, however the iPad Pro is slightly thinner which gives it a slightly denser feeling in the hand. Both are thin and light enough for comfortable one handed use.
Display
The iPad and iPad Pro both have excellent displays that will not disappoint. With that said however the iPad Pro has some benefits. The iPad Pro display to put it simply is going to be brighter, more responsive, and have less glare. The iPad display’s largest drawback when compared to the Pro is probably the lack of lamination. This cost cutting measure left the display feeling hollow when tapped, reminding me of a drum and also increases glare from light.
Audio
The speakers on the iPad’s have always been a cut above the competition but the iPad Pro’s 4 speakers takes it to a whole other level. The speakers get very loud, have excellent clarity, and essential no distortion. Simply put the iPad Pro will undoubtedly immerse you in both music and movies. The iPad on the other hand while they sound good, lack the volume and clarity of the Pro and will probably have you grabbing your headphones for a higher quality media experience.
Battery
Both iPads offer excellent battery life exceeding Apple’s claimed 10 hour mark. As I type this review I have 21% left with 11 hours off usage today. However keep in mind usage varies greatly so while watching a movie you can get 12 hours, that wont carry over to Asphalt 8 or Minecraft on full brightness.
Performance
To put it simply the iPad offers great performance but the iPad Pro offers excellent performance. Neither iPad is going to leave you waiting for email, websites, or games to load but the iPad Pro takes the performance to another level. While both iPads can run Split View only the Pro guarantees a smooth experience with two demanding applications. In the thumnails below you can visually see just how much more overhead the iPad Pro offers developers and they are taking advantage of the performance with truly desktop class applications making there way onto iPad. As of now however, there isn't a single application that cant run on both the iPad and iPad Pro. The iPad Pro offers a unprecedented amount of performance for a mobile tablet but I don't think its full potential will even start to show until iOS 11 this fall.
Camera
The iPad both offer great cameras with 1080p FaceTime ability, but the iPad Pro has the edge here with the camera taken right from the iPhone 7. A practical use for the iPad’s camera will be document scanning and the Pro’s camera will simply be able to focus and snap a clear photo of documents quicker then the iPad will while offering a cleaner and sharper document in the end.
Pencil
The iPad Pro’s Pencil offers a incredible writing and drawing experience that you will only get on the iPad Pro. The iPad may have styli but it isn't even in the same ballpark of the Pencil’s precision and pressure sensitivity. If your a artist, graphic designer, calligrapher, or even a student you are going to want the Pro for the Pencil alone.
Conclusion
Both iPads offer amazing value for their respective customers because when it comes down to it these iPads are for rather different people. It really comes down to what you are trying to do with the iPad and what you hope to get out of it. Artists will flock to the Pro’s Pencil while a grandparent may prefer the smaller iPad and its more affordable price. It really comes down to the individual person and what they are looking for in a tablet. The iPad is great for those who just want a good tablet while the iPad Pro is great fro those who want a awesome mobile computer to possibly replace a laptop.
