Mac or Tablet? M5 iPad Pro Review Roundup Says It’s ‘Closer to Mac Than Ever’
CUPERTINO, CA—The verdict is in for Apple’s latest flagship tablet. Tech reviewers are unanimously praising the M5 iPad Pro (launching Wednesday, October 22, 2025) as the most powerful and versatile tablet ever made, with many noting that the device is now “closer to a Mac than ever before.”
The 2025 iPad Pro, which starts at $999 (U.S.) for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch model, is not defined by a major exterior redesign but by a serious internal overhaul that accelerates Apple’s push into the era of on-device AI.
The Hardware: Speed and Subtlety
The core of the upgrade is the new M5 chip, which also powers the latest 14-inch MacBook Pro. Reviewers highlight several key hardware advancements:
- M5 Performance Leap: The M5 chip features new Neural Accelerators built into each of its 10 GPU cores, which Apple claims deliver 3.5x faster AI performance compared to the M4 chip. Benchmark tests show impressive gains, particularly in graphics workloads (up to 35% faster Metal score than M4) and specialized tasks like 3D rendering and video enhancement.
- Memory and Storage: The base 256GB and 512GB models now ship with 12GB of Unified Memory (a 50% increase over the previous generation), eliminating a major bottleneck. The internal SSD read/write speeds are also up to two times faster.
- Cutting-Edge Connectivity: The new iPad Pro is equipped with Apple’s in-house N1 wireless networking chip, enabling Wi-Fi 7 support, and the C1X cellular modem for faster 5G connectivity.
- Design and Display: The tablet retains the stunning design introduced last year, including the Ultra Retina XDR Tandem OLED display and the title of being the thinnest product Apple has ever shipped (the 13-inch model is 5.1mm thin).
The Software: The Bridge to macOS
Reviewers consistently noted that the iPadOS 26 update is the most important part of the package, finally unlocking the power of the M5 chip.
- Multitasking Mastery: iPadOS 26 introduces a dramatically improved windowing system that allows users to open and arrange multiple apps in overlapping, fluid windows, similar to the experience on macOS. This new “free-form multitasking” greatly enhances the tablet’s versatility for professional workflows.
- Productivity Tools: The software also features a massively improved Files app and expanded Apple Intelligence features like Live Translation (in Phone and Messages) and advanced text rewriting tools.
Conclusion: A Paradox of Power
The consensus is that the M5 iPad Pro is a performance monster with an unmatched display, making it the ultimate pro device for creative and power users. However, a paradox remains: despite having the M5’s incredible power, the iPad is often overkill for the app ecosystem currently available on iPadOS.
Reviewers conclude that while the M5 iPad Pro is a brilliant, future-proof piece of hardware, users are now in a genuine competition between the tablet and the M5 MacBook Pro, with the latter still holding an edge for heavy-duty desktop-class software.
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Disclaimer
The pricing (starting at $999 for 11-inch; $1,299 for 13-inch) and technical specifications (M5 chip, 12GB/16GB RAM) are based on the official announcement and early review data for the 2025 iPad Pro released in October 2025. All specifications are subject to official confirmation on the launch date. This information does not constitute financial advice.
Official Website Links:
- Apple iPad Pro: https://www.apple.com/ipad-pro/
- Apple Store (To Order/Pre-order): https://www.apple.com/us/shop/buy-ipad/ipad-pro
- Apple Newsroom (M5 Announcement): https://www.apple.com/newsroom/
