Apple
iPad Pro M4
The M4 iPad Pro at $999 — extraordinary hardware still governed by iPadOS.
- GB
- 1 billion bytes
- TB
- 1 trillion bytes
- Waste
- No established final assembly sites generate waste sent to landfill as part of Apple’s Zero Waste Program
- Camera
- 12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture
The decision
Where it wins
- Features a 11.1-inch Ultra Retina XDR display with a high contrast ratio and adaptive refresh rates.
- Equipped with a powerful M4 chip, offering 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, ideal for demanding tasks.
- Includes a wide range of built-in accessibility features, enhancing usability for users with disabilities.
Where it doesn't
- The actual formatted capacity is less than advertised, leading to less usable storage space.
- The available space varies due to software and settings, making precise storage management challenging.
Key Features
- ✦11.1-inch Ultra Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology
- ✦M4 chip with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU
- ✦16GB RAM and 16-core Neural Engine
- ✦Advanced accessibility features including VoiceOver and Switch Control
- ✦Nano-texture display glass option on 1TB and 2TB models
Specifications
Structured product data, grouped by system.
Core hardware08
| Chip - 1TB Or 2TB Storage | 10-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores, 10-core GPU, Hardware-accelerated ray tracing, 16-core Neural Engine, 120GB/s memory bandwidth, 16GB RAM |
|---|---|
| Chip - 256GB Or 512GB Storage | 9-core CPU with 3 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores, 10-core GPU, Hardware-accelerated ray tracing, 16-core Neural Engine, 120GB/s memory bandwidth, 8GB RAM |
| Chip / 1TB Or 2TB Storage / CPU | 10-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores |
| Chip / 1TB Or 2TB Storage / GPU | 10-core GPU |
| Chip / 256GB Or 512GB Storage / CPU | 9-core CPU with 3 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores |
| Chip / 256GB Or 512GB Storage / GPU | 10-core GPU |
| Chip / 1TB Or 2TB Storage / Neural Engine | 16-core Neural Engine |
| Chip / 256GB Or 512GB Storage / Neural Engine | 16-core Neural Engine |
Memory & compute04
| Chip / 1TB Or 2TB Storage / RAM | 16GB RAM |
|---|---|
| Chip / 256GB Or 512GB Storage / RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Chip / 1TB Or 2TB Storage / Memory Bandwidth | 120GB/s |
| Chip / 256GB Or 512GB Storage / Memory Bandwidth | 120GB/s |
AI & acceleration02
| Chip / 1TB Or 2TB Storage / Hardware-Accelerated Ray Tracing | Hardware-accelerated ray tracing |
|---|---|
| Chip / 256GB Or 512GB Storage / Hardware-Accelerated Ray Tracing | Hardware-accelerated ray tracing |
Display & media20
| Display | Ultra Retina XDR display, Tandem OLED, 2420-by-1668-pixel resolution at 264 ppi, ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates from 10Hz to 120Hz, Wide color (P3), True Tone, Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating, Fully laminated, Antireflective coating, Nano-texture display glass option on 1TB and 2TB models, SDR brightness: 1000 nits max, XDR brightness: 1000 nits max full screen, 1600 nits peak (HDR content only), 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio |
|---|---|
| Displays | rounded corners |
| Media Engine | Hardware-accelerated 8K H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW, Video decode engine, Video encode engine, ProRes encode and decode engine, AV1 decode |
| Display / Type | Ultra Retina XDR display |
| Display / True Tone | True Tone |
| Display / Resolution | 2420-by-1668-pixel resolution at 264 ppi |
| Display / Wide Color | P3 |
| Display / Contrast Ratio | 2,000,000:1 |
| Display / SDR Brightness | 1000 nits max |
| Display / XDR Brightness | 1000 nits max full screen, 1600 nits peak (HDR content only) |
| Display / Fully Laminated | Fully laminated |
| Media Engine / AV1 Decode | AV1 decode |
| Display / ProMotion Technology | adaptive refresh rates from 10Hz to 120Hz |
| Display / Antireflective Coating | Antireflective coating |
| Media Engine / Video Decode Engine | Video decode engine |
| Media Engine / Video Encode Engine | Video encode engine |
| Media Engine / Hardware-Accelerated | 8K H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW |
| Display / Nano-Texture Display Glass Option | Nano-texture display glass option on 1TB and 2TB models |
| Media Engine / ProRes Encode And Decode Engine | ProRes encode and decode engine |
| Display / Fingerprint-Resistant Oleophobic Coating | Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating |
Power & thermal05
| Power And Battery | Built-in 31.29-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video, Up to 9 hours of surfing the web using cellular data network |
|---|---|
| Power And Battery / Battery | 31.29-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery |
| Power And Battery / Charging | Charging via power adapter or USB-C to computer system |
| Power And Battery / Web Surfing On Wi-Fi | Up to 10 hours |
| Power And Battery / Web Surfing Using Cellular Data Network | Up to 9 hours |
Physical & connectivity10
| Size And Weight | vary by configuration and manufacturing process |
|---|---|
| Buttons And Connectors | Microphone,Top button,Volume buttons,Camera,Microphone,Microphone,LiDAR Scanner,Rear camera,Rear ambient light sensor,Flash,Microphone,Smart connector,USB connector,Magnetic connector for Apple Pencil |
| Size And Weight - Wi-Fi Models / Depth | 0.21 inch (5.3 mm) |
| Size And Weight - Wi-Fi Models / Width | 6.99 inches (177.5 mm) |
| Size And Weight - Wi-Fi Models / Height | 9.83 inches (249.7 mm) |
| Size And Weight - Wi-Fi Models / Weight | 0.98 pound (444 grams) |
| Size And Weight - Wi-Fi + Cellular Models / Depth | 0.21 inch (5.3 mm) |
| Size And Weight - Wi-Fi + Cellular Models / Width | 6.99 inches (177.5 mm) |
| Size And Weight - Wi-Fi + Cellular Models / Height | 9.83 inches (249.7 mm) |
| Size And Weight - Wi-Fi + Cellular Models / Weight | 0.98 pound (446 grams) |
Platform & software01
| Apple Intelligence | available in beta on iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad models with M1 and later, with Siri and device language set to the same supported language, as part of an iPadOS 18 software update |
|---|
Other specifications23
| GB | 1 billion bytes |
|---|---|
| TB | 1 trillion bytes |
| Waste | No established final assembly sites generate waste sent to landfill as part of Apple’s Zero Waste Program |
| Camera | 12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture |
| Finish | Silver, Space Black |
| Capacity | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| Packaging | 100% fiber-based packaging, 36% recycled content in fiber packaging |
| In The Box | iPad Pro, USB-C Charge Cable (1 meter), 20W USB-C Power Adapter, Polishing cloth in nano-texture display glass option |
| Key Features | 11-inch/13-inch Tandem OLED display, M4 chip, Face ID, Thunderbolt / USB 4 |
| Available Space | varies due to many factors |
| Year Introduced | 2024 |
| Operating System | iPadOS |
| Storage Capacity | subject to change based on software version, settings, and iPad model |
| Smarter Chemistry | Arsenic-free display glass,Mercury-, BFR-, and PVC-free |
| Supported Languages | English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (Simplified) |
| Actual Viewable Area | less |
| Additional Languages | coming over the course of the year, including Vietnamese |
| Diagonal Measurement | 11.1 inches |
| Packaging / Material | 100% fiber-based packaging |
| Actual Formatted Capacity | less |
| Camera / 12MP Wide Camera | 12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture |
| Packaging / Recycled Content | 36% recycled content in fiber packaging |
| Built-In Accessibility Features | VoiceOver,Zoom,Magnifier,Spoken Content,Voice Control,Switch Control,AssistiveTouch,Siri and Dictation,Type to Siri,Real-Time Text,Audio Descriptions,Subtitles and Closed Captioning,Live Captions |
Read the record
- Source on record
- support.apple.com
The iPad Pro M4 is a high-end tablet designed for professionals and power users who demand top-tier performance and a premium display. With a 11.1-inch Ultra Retina XDR display and a powerful M4 chip, it offers exceptional visual clarity and processing power. The tablet supports a wide range of languages and includes advanced accessibility features. However, the actual formatted capacity is less than advertised, and the available space varies due to software and settings, which can be a drawback for users seeking precise storage management. The device's high price point of $999 makes it a premium option, ideal for those who can afford the latest technology and are willing to pay for it.
Hardware Dominance Constrained by Software
Built around Apple's M4 chip and available in 11-inch and 13-inch configurations starting at $999, the iPad Pro M4 pairs a next-generation processor with a Tandem OLED display inside an unbelievably thin and light chassis. The physical execution sets a clear benchmark: the Tandem OLED panel stands as the best display Apple puts in any product, delivering exceptional visual precision. Supported by Face ID, Thunderbolt / USB 4 connectivity, and blistering M4 processing speeds that outrun most laptops, the core spec sheet delivers uncompromising raw hardware capability.
In dedicated creative and technical workflows, those specs translate into immediate performance advantages. For digital artists, illustrators, and professionals who spend their day reading, annotating, and reviewing complex files, the combination of display accuracy and M4 compute power operates without friction. Media consumption occurs at the highest quality available on a mobile device, while the high-bandwidth Thunderbolt / USB 4 port handles heavy external data transfers without bottlenecking the system.
The primary trade-off is that this extraordinary hardware remains strictly governed by iPadOS. The operating system constrains file handling, background processing, and multi-window work in ways that turn straightforward desktop tasks into multi-step workarounds. Silicon performance cannot fix an operating system architecture that prevents two complex background tasks from running properly at once. Additionally, while the updated camera placement is an improvement over previous generations, it remains awkward in certain software applications.
Buyers must also calculate the true financial footprint. Once paired with essential accessories, the total package cost quickly escalates to match or exceed a MacBook Air, forcing a direct comparison with traditional desktop operating systems.
Users seeking a complete laptop replacement should skip the iPad Pro M4; anyone relying heavily on complex file structures, continuous background processing, or traditional desktop window management will hit software walls within the first month. However, for professionals whose core output centers on drawing, document review, and precise visual media, the underlying hardware remains completely unmatched.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Alternatives to consider
See all alternatives →- Another option Apple MacBook Air (M5)
Completely silent under normal load
16GB 16GB unified memory Configurable to: 24GB or 32GBDesign score 9.6/10 - Another option Apple MacBook Pro 16" (M3 Max)
Equipped with a powerful M3 Max chip featuring a 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU.
Explore its evidenceDesign score 9.8/10 - Another option MacBook Pro 16" M4 Max
Up to 36-core CPU and 80-core GPU for heavy workloads
24GB unified memory, 36GB unified memoryDesign score 9.2/10
Where to buy
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Further reading
- How to build a local AI server with used GPUs: the RTX 3090 & Tesla P40 guideGuide
- Building a Tesla P40 rig for local AI: what you're really signing up forGuide
- Running and fine-tuning open models on Windows (WSL2, DirectML, CUDA)Guide
- Optimising local LLM inference: where the bottleneck actually isGuide
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