Apple iPad Pro 10.5" 2017, A10X Fusion, 4GB, 64GB, Silver

A 7-year-old iPad with a screen that still embarrasses new tablets. Buy it for the 120Hz display and Apple Pencil, not for future-proofing.

The A10X Fusion 6-core chip lands at the 70th percentile for CPU and 68th for GPU, which sounds mediocre until you remember this thing is from 2017. It still opens apps fast, and the 120Hz display makes everything feel snappier than it has any right to. The 64GB storage is the real bottleneck, sitting at the 44th percentile. You'll fill that up fast if you're into games or 4K video. Battery life is a pleasant surprise, ranking in the top 20% of tablets we track. The 8134mAh cell easily gets you through a full day of Netflix and doomscrolling.

Against the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE, the iPad Pro wins on display smoothness and Apple Pencil latency, but loses on software updates and modern connectivity. The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro has a newer chip and more RAM, but its screen isn't as color-accurate and the software experience is messier. The Lenovo Idea Tab Plus is cheaper but feels like a toy next to the iPad's build quality. If you want a tablet that just works for drawing and media, the iPad Pro is still the one to beat at this price.

At $181 USD for a renewed unit, this is a steal. You're getting a tablet that was $649 new, with a display that still embarrasses most mid-range Android tablets. The 90-day warranty is short, but for the price, it's hard to complain. If you're in Canada, that $500 CAD price is a lot less appealing. Shop around.

The 2017 iPad Pro is the best old iPad you can buy right now, and it's not even close. That 10.5-inch 120Hz ProMotion display is still smoother than screens on tablets that cost twice as much today. It's a renewed unit, so you're getting a certified refurb with a 90-day warranty, not some sketchy eBay gamble. The A10X Fusion chip is old, sure, but it still handles web browsing, comics, and drawing without breaking a sweat.

If you need a tablet for work, skip this. The business score is the weakest area at 54/100, and the Lightning port plus old iOS will drive you nuts. Get a newer iPad or a Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE instead. If you want to play demanding games or store tons of media, the 64GB storage and aging GPU will frustrate you. Go with the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro for more power and storage.

Buy it if you want the best display and drawing experience under $200. The 2017 iPad Pro is a renewed classic that still punches way above its weight. Just know you're buying into a dead-end software ecosystem, and 64GB is tight. For most people, that's a trade worth making.