Apple launched the iPad Pro nearly 10 years ago, yet this fall as the M5 iPad Pro arrives powered by iPadOS 26, the company will finally have a great reason for users to go Pro.The disappointing history of iPad Pro letdowns When the iPad Pro first came on the scene in 2015, I’ll confess that I thought it was kind of ridiculous.“A 13-inch iPad? What’s the point?” Turns out, I ended up loving the iPad Pro.
I quickly made it my full-time computer, replacing the Mac.But many users who have tried iPad Pro in the last decade ended up having the same ambivalence I did at first.Many of us want the iPad Pro to be a capable computer.
But it ends up disappointing.Why? Because even with features like a 13-inch tandem OLED display, an M4 chip, cursor support, a Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil—the iPad Pro is still “just” an iPad.Which largely means: it still just runs iPadOS, a blown up iPhone operating system.
This fall, however, Apple has its best shot yet to make the iPad Pro more fully live up to its name.Thanks to the M5 iPad Pro and iPadOS 26, it’s about to be the best time yet to go Pro.M5 iPad Pro could get a big boost from iPadOS 26 With iPadOS 26, Apple has truly gone all-out to make the iPad a proper “computer.” The feature-packed update, with a special focus on productivity upgrades, takes the iPad where many power users have been asking Apple to go for years.
Don’t believe me? Here’s my colleague Ben Lovejoy: Ben was not at all sold on the iPad’s usefulness as a computer before now.His praise for what Apple’s done is significant.Right around the time iPadOS 26 arrives, Apple will also launch its most powerful iPad hardware.
The new iPad Pro will be the first Apple device with the cutting-edge M5 chip.It’s also expected to pack more RAM for upgraded performance, a second front-facing camera, and more.Apple raised the iPad Pro’s price significantly last year, when the M4 model brought a beautiful, ultra-thin redesign, the Ultra Retina XDR display, and more.
At the same time, the company debuted its first 13-inch iPad Air model.From what we can tell, the iPad Air has since been a huge hit for Apple, while iPad Pro sales have struggled.And I get it: if you’re buying an iPad for some light web browsing, watching videos, or playing games, the iPad Air is a better fit.
But now with iPadOS 26, I suspect a lot more users will consider giving full-time iPad computing another shot.And when they do, the M5 iPad Pro will arrive just in time for that attempt.Does iPadOS 26 tempt you to try using the iPad Pro full-time? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments.
Best iPad accessories
Apple Pencil Pro (now only $99, down from $129)
AirPods Pro 2 (now only $199, down from $249)
100W USB-C power adapter for fast charging
tomtoc Tablet sleeve bag for protection and style
Baseus 10ft USB-C cable for extended reach
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