Apple iPad Pro 2nd Gen (12.9-inch, 2017)

Slim and incredibly light ; Awesome screen and speakers ; Excellent performance ; Good on-the-go typing experience

Not as portable as other iPads ; Most will still need a proper computer ; No iOS optimisations for the big screen

The iPad Pro has a large, 10,307mAh battery that Apple claims will last for 10 hours. That’s the same figure quoted for the iPad Air 2 – and, based on my testing, is pretty much on the money.

Laptop-level power. Surprisingly light. Plenty of screen real estate.

Expensive. Apps don't quite complete most workflows.

But by and large, most iPad buyers should go for the $329 non-Pro model. If you just want a thousand-dollar ultraportable laptop, meanwhile, should take a look at the Razer Blade Stealth, the new Microsoft Surface Laptop, and the older, but still...

Improved display ; Powerful processor ; Better camera ; Large screen ideal for pros and creative types

Expensive ; Accessories not included ; PC power, but with the limitations of a mobile OS

Premium laptop-class performance; Long battery life; Amazingly bright, speedy display; Improved Pencil input; Stellar, booming sound; iOS 11 has a lot of promise ; Smart Keyboard needs a touchpad; Lengthy recharge time ; The 12.9-inch iPad Pro boasts...

Smart Keyboard needs a touchpad; Lengthy recharge time ; The 12.9-inch iPad Pro boasts the best screen and performance we've ever seen in a tablet, but we'd suggest waiting for the final version of iOS 11 to arrive before you splurge.

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro boasts the best screen and performance we've ever seen in a tablet, but we'd suggest waiting for the final version of iOS 11 to arrive before you splurge.

Expansive, bright 12.9-inch screen ; iOS 12 has tablet-focused perks ; Tests prove its laptop-beating power

Expensive at any level ; Dimensions make it cumbersome ; iOS 12 still has limitations

The iPad Pro 12.9 is the tablet equivalent of a gaming laptop. It’s incredibly powerful, undeniably fast, and a visual treat every time you turn on the noticeably improved screen. iOS 12 gives it a few new multi-tasking powers. It’s big to carry around...

great display ; high-quality workmanship ; decent speakers ; fast long-range Wi-Fi ; fast CPU ; decent battery life

no support for Galileo-GNSS ; pressure-sensitive case ; only one year of warranty ; despite claims to the contrary, display does not support P3 ; storage slower than with the predecessor ; long charging time ; no quick charge

On paper, the iPad Pro 12.9 is no more than a larger iPad Pro 10.5, but in real-life it is quite a bit different in several aspects. The well-calibrated display with its exceptionally accurate color accuracy in particular was very impressive; the...

Beautiful display image quality ; Bass-rich, immersive sound ; Day-long battery life ; Laptop-competitive performance ; Great camera for when you need it ; Split-screen works better than on 10.5-inch model

Just too big for casual tablet usage ; With accessories, starts getting extra expensive, fast ; iOS still doesn't feel particularly optimized for tablets ; Audio recording when shooting video doesn't sound great ; Lengthy recharge times

Wonderful creative tool ; New dock works really well ; Files app is welcome ; Ace Apple Pencil enhancements

If you think it's huge, maybe you need the 10.5-inch instead ; Can't replace full functionality of desktop apps

iOS adds some genuinely useful features to the iPad Pro 12.9, especially around Apple Pencil. And the dock is superbly implemented.

The original Apple iPad Pro was a stunning machine and despite the relatively minor upgrade, the 2017 model is simply incredible. It’s faster, feel more fluid in use than before and remains every bit as good as the original.