iPad Pro M4 13-inch

I am a professional illustrator and this iPad changed my workflow entirely. The OLED display has color accuracy that matches my calibrated desktop monitor — I had to double-check my eyes weren't playing tricks. The Pencil Pro with barrel roll added a new dimension to my brush control in Procreate. The M4's speed means there's zero lag even on enormous canvases. My one frustration is that iPadOS still feels like it's designed for consumers, not professionals. I have to use workarounds for things a Mac handles naturally. But for the actual drawing experience, nothing compares.

The hardware is staggering — the M4 chip is genuinely faster than my 2022 MacBook Pro M1 in some benchmarks. The OLED display is the best screen I've used on any device. But Apple keeps refusing to let iPadOS grow up. I can't open more than two apps side by side properly. I can't install the full version of Xcode. I can't use the file system normally. I spent $1,800 including accessories and I still find myself reaching for my MacBook for serious work. Until Apple truly commits to making iPadOS a professional OS, this is a very expensive media consumption device with great illustration support.

I travel 40 weeks a year for work as a documentary videographer and I used to lug a 16-inch MacBook everywhere. This iPad replaced it entirely for editing. DaVinci Resolve runs 4K ProRes footage in real time without dropping a frame — I had to see it to believe it. The OLED is genuinely excellent for color grading, with deep blacks and accurate colors. Getting footage from my camera is a bit clunky without a proper file manager, but with the right adapters and workflow it's manageable. The total cost including the keyboard and pencil is high, but it replaced a much heavier and more expensive laptop.