Apple iPad Pro 12.9" 2nd generation Space Gray 2017

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2nd gen still has a gorgeous display and solid Apple Pencil support, but its battery life is the worst we've tracked. At USD 300 to USD 600, it's a budget option for artists who don't mind staying plugged in. For everyone else, newer tablets offer far better battery and performance for similar money.

The A10X Fusion chip was a monster when it shipped, but our database puts its CPU performance around the 36th percentile compared to everything we've tested. That's below average by today's standards, though it's worth remembering this chip was designed to punch above its weight. For everyday tasks like web browsing, note-taking, and streaming, it still feels responsive. The 4GB of RAM helps here, letting you keep a few apps in memory without constant reloads. But push it with heavy multitasking, modern games, or demanding creative apps, and you'll feel the age.

GPU performance lands in a similar spot, around the 37th percentile. That's fine for casual games and video playback, but don't expect smooth frame rates in anything graphically intense from the last few years. The 12.9-inch display is the real star here. At 2732x2048, it's sharp and bright, and our screen ranking puts it in the top tier of tablets we've tracked. For artists using the Apple Pencil, that high-resolution panel still delivers a great drawing surface. Just know the processor underneath is working hard to push all those pixels, and it shows in demanding apps.

Stacked against the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11, this iPad Pro shows its age fast. The Tab S11 has a modern processor, better battery life, and a display that's at least as good. But it also costs significantly more, and if you're locked into the Apple ecosystem or specifically want the Apple Pencil experience, the iPad Pro 2nd gen is the cheaper entry point. The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus is another interesting alternative, especially if you want Android flexibility and a built-in kickstand for media consumption. It'll beat this iPad on battery life without breaking a sweat.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition is the one to consider if you need actual desktop software. This iPad runs iOS, which means no full desktop apps, no proper file system, and no mouse support the way a Surface offers. The Surface costs more, but it's a real computer in tablet form. The Xiaomi Pad 62779 is the budget wildcard here. It's newer, likely cheaper than the higher end of this iPad's price range, and will have better battery life. But Xiaomi's software support and build quality don't match Apple's, even on a tablet this old.

Pricing on this thing is all over the place. Our data shows USD listings ranging from USD 300 to USD 600 across two US sellers. That's a huge spread for a tablet this old, and it means you need to shop carefully. At the low end, around USD 300, you're getting a big high-res screen with Apple Pencil support for less than half the price of a current base iPad. That's genuinely compelling for artists on a budget. At USD 600, you're dangerously close to newer options that will run circles around this thing in performance and battery life.

The value equation really depends on what you're buying it for. If you want a large drawing surface and don't care about battery life or running the latest apps, the lower end of that price range makes sense. If you need a general-purpose tablet for travel, school, or work, the battery situation alone should push you toward something newer. The 256GB storage is a nice bonus at this price, but it doesn't make up for the other compromises if you're paying top dollar.

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2nd generation is a bit of a time capsule at this point. Released back when Apple was still figuring out what a "Pro" tablet meant, it packs the A10X Fusion chip, 4GB of RAM, and a 256GB storage option that was pretty generous for its day. The big draw here is that massive 2732x2048 LCD panel, which still holds up surprisingly well for media and drawing. If you're hunting for a cheap large-screen iPad that supports the original Apple Pencil, this one keeps popping up on the used market.

Who is this for in 2025? Honestly, it's for budget buyers who want a big canvas for sketching, note-taking, or watching video without paying current iPad Pro prices. The A10X was a beast when it launched, and Apple's silicon has aged better than most Android chips from the same era. But you're also buying into an older iOS experience, and that comes with real limitations. App support is thinning out, and the battery situation is, well, we'll get to that.

What makes this interesting is the gap between its strengths and weaknesses. The display and feature set rank near the top of our database, while the battery is literally dead last. That's a wild spread, and it tells you exactly what kind of buyer should consider this: someone who'll use it plugged in or for short sessions, not someone who needs all-day portability.

Skip this if you need any kind of real portability. The battery is the worst we've seen in this category, and that alone disqualifies it for travel, long workdays, or students who move between classes all day. You'd be hunting for outlets constantly, and that gets old fast. Look at a current base iPad or a mid-range Android tablet like the Xiaomi Pad 62779 if you need something that lasts through a full day.

Also skip it if you want to run modern apps or games. The A10X is below average by today's standards, and the lack of current iOS updates means app support is already fading. If you need a tablet for work with real software, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition is the better call. And if you're considering paying the higher end of this iPad's price range, just don't. That money gets you a much better new tablet with a warranty and a battery that actually works.

If you're an artist or student who wants a big screen for drawing and note-taking, and you can find this iPad Pro 2nd gen at the lower end of its price range, it's still a reasonable buy. The display is genuinely great, the Apple Pencil support works well, and 256GB gives you room for plenty of projects. Just plan on keeping a charger nearby, because the battery is not going to get you through a full day of heavy use.

For everyone else, this is a tougher sell. If you need a tablet for travel, media consumption on the go, or anything that requires more than a few hours away from an outlet, look elsewhere. The battery ranking at the 0th percentile isn't a typo. It's the single biggest reason to skip this tablet. A newer base iPad or a mid-range Android tablet will serve you better for general use, even if the screen isn't quite as big.