Apple Unveils Thinnest iPad Pro Yet, Powered by M4 Chip

Apple on May 7 unveiled a bold redesign of its iPad Pro line.

The focus on portability is evident, with the new 11-inch model now a mere 5.3mm thin and the 13-inch model an exceptionally slim 5.1mm. Importantly, this reduced thickness doesn't sacrifice durability.

The 13-inch model also sheds nearly a quarter pound of weight, positioning the iPad Pro as a powerful yet ultra-portable creative tool. Apple continues to offer both models in neutral silver and space black finishes.

Ultra Retina XDR: Pushing Display Boundaries

The most significant upgrade to the iPad Pro is its new Ultra Retina XDR display. Employing advanced tandem OLED technology, Apple claims full-screen brightness of 1000 nits for standard (SDR) content and a peak brightness of 1600 nits for HDR content.

This should offer significantly improved visibility outdoors and richer contrast for those working with visually demanding media. Professionals in industries like film and photography, where accurate color representation is paramount, will be keen to test Apple's claims.

Additionally, the 1TB and 2TB models include an optional nano-texture glass layer. This specialized coating aims to further improve visibility in bright environments by scattering ambient light to reduce glare.

M4 Chip: Performance Evolution, AI Focus

At its core, the new iPad Pro is powered by Apple's next-generation M4 chip. It features an enhanced display engine to support the Ultra Retina XDR's features and boasts a claimed 1.5x CPU performance boost over the prior-generation M2.

The GPU offers up to 4x faster rendering in demanding apps like Octane, thanks to advancements like Dynamic Caching and hardware-accelerated ray tracing.

Apple's continued focus on AI acceleration is evidenced by the M4's new Neural Engine, said to be 60x faster than the original A11 Bionic. The company spotlights use cases such as effortless subject isolation in complex videos.

Ecosystem Enhancements and Connectivity

The iPad Pro's accessory lineup sees updates as well. The Apple Pencil Pro now includes enhanced haptic feedback and squeeze detection for quick tool switching.

A redesigned Magic Keyboard adds a function row, a larger trackpad, and a USB-C charging port to improve workflow flexibility. For connectivity, the iPad Pro includes a high-bandwidth USB-C connector (Thunderbolt 3/USB 4) with support for external displays up to 6K resolution.

Wi-Fi 6E offers the latest wireless standard, and cellular models continue to utilize eSIM for easy carrier switching on the go.

The new iPad Pro is available for order from May 7th, with in-store availability beginning May 15th. Pricing starts at $999 (USD) for the 11-inch Wi-Fi model and $1,299 (USD) for the 13-inch Wi-Fi model.

Apple's commitment to thinning the iPad Pro emphasizes its push towards seamless portability for creative workflows. The display upgrades position the device as a premium option for those in color-sensitive fields, particularly those operating in varied lighting conditions.

While creatives will welcome the M4's performance leap, the most compelling gains may be experienced in AI-powered applications, with Apple showcasing improvements in video editing and content creation.