Apple iPad Pro 12.9" 2022, M2, 8GB, 128GB, Space Gray

The 2022 iPad Pro 12.9-inch is still a powerhouse, with an M2 chip and a stunning XDR display that ranks in the 92nd percentile. At $599 renewed, it's a great value for artists and creatives who want the big screen without the new-iPad price tag. Battery life is the main weakness, and 8GB of RAM feels a little tight. If you're an artist or heavy tablet user, buy it. If you just want to stream and browse, save your money.

The M2 chip here is no slouch. With an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU, it sits in the 83rd percentile for CPU performance and 79th for GPU among all tablets in our database. That means it's well above average, a strong performer that handles everything from 4K video editing in LumaFusion to heavy Procreate files with hundreds of layers without breaking a sweat. For most people, this is more power than you'll ever actually use, which is kind of the point.

The 8GB of RAM is a bit more of a mixed bag. It lands in the 66th percentile, which is solid but not spectacular. For most iPadOS workflows, that's plenty. The OS is aggressive about memory management, so apps stay snappy. But if you're the type who keeps 40 Safari tabs open while jumping between Photoshop and a 3D modeling app, you might notice the occasional reload. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's the one spec that feels a little tight for a 'Pro' device.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is the most direct competitor, and it's a beast in its own right. Samsung's 14.6-inch AMOLED display is arguably even more stunning for media consumption, and the included S Pen is a nice touch. But Samsung's software ecosystem for creative apps still lags behind iPadOS. Procreate alone is a reason many artists stay on iPad, and the M2 chip generally outmuscles Samsung's silicon in sustained workloads.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is the other big alternative, and it's a different philosophy entirely. It runs full Windows 11, which means real desktop apps like full Photoshop and actual file management. If you need a laptop that's sometimes a tablet, the Surface is the better call. But if you want a tablet that's sometimes a laptop, the iPad Pro is more polished. The Surface also tends to cost more once you add the keyboard, which is basically mandatory. The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus and Xiaomi Pad 7 are solid budget alternatives, but they're not playing in the same performance league.

At $599 USD for a renewed unit, this is a genuinely interesting deal. You're getting a tablet that originally sold for over a grand, with a screen that still ranks in the 92nd percentile and a chip that's still faster than most new Android tablets. The catch is that you're buying refurbished, which means you're trading some peace of mind for that price cut. The Amazon Renewed Guarantee helps, but it's not the same as buying new from Apple.

Compared to the current iPad Pro lineup, this M2 model is a generation behind. But the performance gap between the M2 and M4 is honestly not something most people will feel in daily use. If you're an artist or student who wants the big, beautiful screen without paying new-iPad prices, this is a smart buy. Just budget for an Apple Pencil and maybe a keyboard case, because the base tablet alone is only half the experience.

The 2022 iPad Pro with the M2 chip is a weird beast in the best way. It's a tablet that keeps insisting it's a laptop, and honestly, for a lot of creative work, it's not wrong. This 12.9-inch model is the big-screen version, the one you buy when you want a canvas that actually feels like a canvas, not a notepad. It's aimed squarely at artists, video editors, and anyone who wants a portable powerhouse that can also stream Netflix in bed without breaking a sweat.

What makes this thing interesting is the screen. Apple calls it a Liquid Retina XDR display, and it's the kind of panel that makes other tablets look like they're showing you a slightly faded photocopy of reality. At 2732x2048 with a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, it's smooth and sharp. The M2 chip inside is the same silicon that powered some very capable laptops, so you're getting desktop-class performance in a 454g slab.

This particular unit is an Amazon Renewed model, which means it's refurbished. That's a big part of the story here. You're getting a premium tablet at a price that's a lot easier to swallow, but you're also buying a device that's a couple of generations old at this point. The question isn't really whether it's good. It's whether it's still worth your money in a world where newer iPads exist.

If you're a student or casual user who mostly wants a tablet for reading, browsing, and streaming, this is more machine than you need. The reading experience, in particular, is a weak spot. At 454g, it's heavy to hold for long periods, and the 12.9-inch size makes it awkward for one-handed use. A regular iPad or iPad Air will do everything you need for less money and with better battery life.

Also skip this if you need a true laptop replacement. iPadOS has come a long way, but it still doesn't handle file management, multitasking, or desktop-class software the way Windows or macOS does. If you need to run full desktop apps or manage complex workflows, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is the better tool. It runs real Windows, which means real Photoshop, real Excel, and a real file system.

For digital artists and illustrators, this is still one of the best tools you can buy. The 12.9-inch XDR display is a legitimate reason to choose this over smaller or cheaper tablets. The color accuracy, the 120Hz smoothness, the sheer size of the canvas. It all adds up to a device that feels purpose-built for making art. Pair it with an Apple Pencil 2 and you've got a portable studio that fits in a backpack.

For everyone else, it's a bit more nuanced. If you're mostly browsing, streaming, and doing light productivity, this is overkill. A regular iPad or iPad Air will do the job for less money. And if you need a real laptop replacement, the Surface Pro 11 is the more honest answer. But if you want the best tablet experience Apple has ever made, and you're okay with buying renewed to save some cash, this is a fantastic machine.