Apple iPad Pro 12.9" MHNH3LL/A-cr 2021, M1, 8GB, 256GB, Space Gray

The renewed Apple iPad Pro MHNH3LL/A-cr is a 12.9-inch tablet with the M1 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina XDR display, and 256GB of storage for around $514 USD. It's still one of the best tablets you can buy for the money, with performance that holds up against much newer devices. Battery life is the main weakness, but for most people, the value here is hard to beat.

The M1 chip in this iPad Pro is still a beast, even in 2025. It's the same silicon Apple put in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, and in a tablet, it's overkill in the best way. Our database puts the CPU at the 69th percentile, which sounds middling until you remember that this is a 2021 chip competing against newer silicon. In practice, it chews through 4K video editing in LumaFusion, handles massive Procreate canvases, and runs demanding games without breaking a sweat. The 8GB of RAM is fine for most workflows, though heavy multitaskers might occasionally hit limits.

The 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is the real star here. It's a mini-LED panel with 2732 x 2048 resolution at 264 ppi, and the 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate makes scrolling and Apple Pencil input feel immediate. HDR content looks incredible, with deep blacks and bright highlights that LCD panels just can't match. The screen only ranks at the 46th percentile in our database, which might seem low, but that's because newer OLED tablets have raised the bar. For most people, this display is still excellent. The battery is the weak spot, sitting at the 30th percentile. Expect a full day of light use, but push it hard and you'll be reaching for the charger by late afternoon.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is the most direct competitor, and it's a fantastic tablet. It has an OLED display that's arguably better than the iPad's mini-LED, and it comes with the S Pen included. But it costs significantly more, and Android tablet apps still lag behind iPadOS in terms of optimization for large screens. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition is a different beast entirely, running full Windows 11, which makes it a better laptop replacement. But it's heavier, more expensive, and the tablet experience is clunkier than iPadOS.

The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro and Lenovo Idea Tab Plus are budget-friendly alternatives, but they don't come close to the iPad Pro's display quality or processor performance. The Vekfulpc T60 Pro is a niche option that we'd only recommend if you're on a very tight budget. For most people deciding between these tablets, the question is simple: do you want the best tablet experience for the money, or do you need a laptop replacement? If it's the former, this renewed iPad Pro wins. If it's the latter, the Surface Pro is worth a look.

At $514 USD for a renewed unit, this iPad Pro is a genuinely good deal. You're getting a tablet that originally sold for over $1,000, with a display and processor that still hold up against much newer devices. The CAD price of $940 is less compelling, but that's more about the Canadian renewed market than the product itself. Compared to a new iPad Pro, which costs significantly more, or even a new iPad Air, this renewed M1 model offers more screen real estate and better display tech for less money. The main alternatives at this price point are the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra and the Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition, both of which are excellent but cost considerably more. If you're shopping for a 12.9-inch tablet under $600, this is one of the best values available.

The Apple iPad Pro MHNH3LL/A-cr is a renewed 12.9-inch tablet from 2021, and it sits in an interesting spot. You're getting the M1 chip, a Liquid Retina XDR display, and 256GB of storage for around $514 USD on the renewed market. That's a lot of tablet for the money, especially when you consider what this thing cost at launch. People searching for a 12.9-inch iPad Pro with M1 are usually trying to figure out if a renewed unit is worth the gamble, and based on what we're seeing, the answer leans pretty hard toward yes.

This is the big-screen iPad Pro, the one with the mini-LED backlight that makes HDR content look genuinely stunning. It's got 8GB of RAM, WiFi 6, and a Thunderbolt port, which is still more connectivity than most tablets offer even now. The 120Hz ProMotion display makes everything feel smooth, and the Apple Pencil 2 support means artists and note-takers are covered. At 295g, it's not the lightest tablet around, but for a 12.9-inch device, it's manageable.

We should be upfront: this is a renewed unit, not new. That means cosmetic imperfections are possible, and the battery might not be at 100% health. But the user sentiment data we've collected is overwhelmingly positive, with buyers reporting units that look and work like new. If you're asking whether a renewed iPad Pro M1 is good for drawing, video editing, or just general productivity, the short answer is yes, with a few caveats we'll get into.

Skip this if you need all-day battery life without compromise, because the 30th percentile battery ranking means you'll be hunting for a charger by evening. Also skip it if you're bothered by minor cosmetic imperfections, since renewed units can have small scratches or adhesive residue. If you need a true laptop replacement with full desktop software, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition is the better choice. And if you want the absolute best display tech available right now, a newer OLED tablet like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra will serve you better, though you'll pay a lot more for it.

Should you buy this renewed iPad Pro M1? If you want a big, beautiful tablet for drawing, media consumption, or light productivity, and you don't want to spend over $600, then yes, absolutely. The M1 chip is still more than capable, the display is gorgeous, and the renewed units we've seen data on are in excellent condition. The battery life is the main compromise, and you should expect it to degrade faster than a new unit, but at this price, that's a trade-off most people will happily make.

If you need all-day battery life without thinking about it, or you want the absolute latest display tech, you might be better off saving up for a newer model. But for everyone else, this is one of the best tablet deals going. The user sentiment score of 92/100 backs this up, with buyers consistently praising the value and condition of these renewed units.