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.