Apple iPad Pro 12.9" M2 Silver 2022

The iPad Pro M2 is a creative powerhouse with a stunning 12.9-inch XDR display and a GPU that ranks among the best in any tablet. At $680 for 512GB, it's a genuine bargain compared to launch pricing. Battery life is the main weakness, and iPadOS still isn't a full laptop replacement. Buy it for art and design work, skip it if you need a traditional computer or a lightweight reading tablet.

The M2 chip here has an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU. In our database, the GPU ranks in the 91st percentile, which means it's one of the best on the market for graphics work. That's the headline. Video editing, 3D modeling, heavy illustration files, all of it runs without much drama. The CPU sits at the 67th percentile, which is solid but not earth-shattering. For a tablet, that's still plenty. For a laptop replacement, it's a reminder that Apple's newer M-series chips have moved past this one.

RAM is 8GB, which lands at the 67th percentile too. That's fine for most tablet workflows, but if you're the type to keep 40 Safari tabs open while editing a 4K video and running Procreate, you'll feel the ceiling. The 512GB storage is a strong point, ranking in the 89th percentile. That's enough room for a serious library of projects, apps, and media without immediately needing iCloud or an external drive.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is the most direct Android competitor. It has a bigger 14.6-inch screen and Samsung's DeX mode, which some people prefer for a desktop-like experience. But Samsung's software update track record and app ecosystem for creative work still lag behind iPadOS. The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus is cheaper and has a funky design with a built-in kickstand, but its performance and display quality don't touch what the iPad Pro M2 offers.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition is the real philosophical rival. It runs full Windows 11, which means real desktop apps, real file management, and no iPadOS limitations. If you need to run specific Windows software or want a true laptop replacement, the Surface is the better call. But its tablet experience is clunkier, and the app ecosystem for touch-first creative work is nowhere near as polished. The Xiaomi Pad 6 and VekfulPC T60 Pro are budget options that don't compete on performance or display quality. They're fine for media consumption, but they're not in the same league.

At $680 USD for the 512GB model, this is a different conversation than it was at launch. You're getting a display that ranks in the 92nd percentile, a GPU in the 91st, and connectivity in the 90th. That's a lot of high-end hardware for under $700. The feature set overall sits at the 97th percentile, which means almost nothing else in the tablet world matches what this offers.

The trade-off is battery life. It ranks in the 32nd percentile, which is mediocre. If you're buying this as a portable device you'll use away from a charger all day, that's a real consideration. But if it's mostly living on a desk, a stand, or in a studio, the value proposition is hard to beat. Compared to the Surface Pro 11th Edition or the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, you're often paying more for those alternatives without a clear performance jump.

The iPad Pro M2 is Apple's flagship tablet, and it's been around long enough now that the hype has settled into something more useful: a clear picture of what this thing actually is. It's a 12.9-inch slab of glass and aluminum with Apple's M2 chip inside, the same silicon that powers some MacBooks. That alone tells you where Apple's head is at. This isn't just a bigger iPhone. It's a laptop alternative that refuses to run macOS, for better and worse.

Who's this for? Artists and designers, mostly. Our data puts it at 79.1 out of 100 for art and design, which is the highest score in its category. The Apple Pencil 2 support, the 120Hz ProMotion display, and the sheer GPU muscle make it a genuinely great drawing and editing device. Productivity lands at 73, entertainment at 72.2. Reading is the weak spot at 59.8, which makes sense. A 682g tablet with a 12.9-inch screen is not a cozy e-reader.

The interesting bit is the price. We're seeing it at $680 USD for the 512GB model, which is a lot less than the launch price. That changes the math. At full retail, this was a tough sell against laptops. At $680, it starts looking like a serious deal for the right person.

If you're buying a tablet primarily for reading, e-books, or casual web browsing, this is not the device for you. The 682g weight and 12.9-inch size make it awkward to hold for long periods, and the reading score of 59.8 reflects that. A smaller iPad or an e-reader would serve you much better.

Also skip this if you need a true laptop replacement with a full desktop OS. The Surface Pro 11th Edition runs Windows 11 and handles real desktop applications, file systems, and multitasking in ways iPadOS still can't match. And if battery life is your top priority, look elsewhere. The 32nd percentile battery ranking means you'll be reaching for the charger more often than you'd like.

If you're an artist, illustrator, or video editor who wants a portable device with a best-in-class display and GPU, the iPad Pro M2 at $680 is an easy recommendation. The Apple Pencil 2 experience alone is worth the price for a lot of people, and the 512GB storage means you won't be juggling files constantly. The 12.9-inch XDR display is genuinely stunning for color work, and ProMotion makes everything feel responsive.

But if you're a student or office worker who mostly needs a laptop for documents, spreadsheets, and web browsing, think twice. The battery life is below average, and iPadOS multitasking still feels cramped compared to a real desktop OS. You'd be better served by a MacBook Air or a Surface Pro. And if you want a tablet for reading or casual couch use, this is overkill. The weight and size work against it, and the reading score of 59.8 tells the story.