IPad Pro 11 3rd Gen (2021): Review, Specs, And More

by Alex Braham 52 views

Hey everyone! Today, we're diving deep into the iPad Pro 11 3rd Generation (2021). This tablet isn't just an upgrade; it's a powerhouse that blends performance, portability, and a stunning display into one sleek package. Whether you're a creative professional, a student, or someone who just loves top-notch tech, this iPad Pro has something for you. We'll cover everything from its groundbreaking M1 chip to its beautiful Liquid Retina display, so you can decide if it's the right tablet for your needs.

Unboxing and First Impressions

When you first unbox the iPad Pro 11 (2021), you're immediately struck by its premium feel. The aluminum unibody design is cool to the touch and feels incredibly sturdy. It's remarkably thin and light, making it easy to carry around, whether you're commuting, traveling, or just moving from room to room. The review unit comes in the classic Space Gray finish, which looks sleek and professional. The bezels around the display are slim, maximizing the screen real estate without making the tablet feel too fragile. Setting up the iPad Pro is a breeze, especially if you're already in the Apple ecosystem. The familiar iOS interface is intuitive, and you'll be up and running in no time. The initial setup process includes options for restoring from a previous backup, setting up Face ID, and configuring your Apple ID. One of the first things you'll notice is the stunning Liquid Retina display. Colors are vibrant, and the ProMotion technology makes scrolling and animations incredibly smooth. The display is also incredibly responsive to touch, making it a joy to use with the Apple Pencil.

Display: A Visual Feast

The Liquid Retina display on the iPad Pro 11 3rd Gen is a true highlight. It boasts a 2388 x 1668 resolution, resulting in a pixel density of 264 pixels per inch (ppi). This means everything looks incredibly sharp and detailed, from text to high-resolution images and videos. The display also supports P3 wide color, which provides a broader range of colors for more accurate and vibrant visuals. Whether you're editing photos, watching movies, or playing games, the colors pop off the screen. One of the standout features of the display is ProMotion technology. This dynamically adjusts the refresh rate up to 120Hz, depending on what you're doing. When you're scrolling through web pages or playing fast-paced games, the higher refresh rate makes everything incredibly smooth and responsive. When you're reading static content, the refresh rate lowers to conserve battery life. The display also has excellent brightness, reaching up to 600 nits. This makes it easy to use outdoors, even in direct sunlight. The anti-reflective coating further enhances visibility by reducing glare. Overall, the display on the iPad Pro 11 (2021) is one of the best you'll find on any tablet. It's bright, vibrant, and incredibly smooth, making it a joy to use for any task.

Performance: M1 Chip Unleashed

Under the hood, the iPad Pro 11 (2021) is powered by Apple's M1 chip. This is the same chip that powers some of Apple's Mac computers, and it brings a massive boost in performance compared to previous iPad Pro models. The M1 chip features an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU, delivering incredible processing power and graphics performance. Whether you're editing 4K videos, playing graphics-intensive games, or multitasking between multiple apps, the iPad Pro handles it all with ease. In benchmarks, the M1 iPad Pro outperforms many laptops. It's capable of handling demanding tasks like video editing, 3D modeling, and software development. The M1 chip also brings significant improvements to machine learning tasks. The Neural Engine in the M1 chip accelerates machine learning algorithms, making tasks like image recognition and natural language processing faster and more efficient. The iPad Pro 11 (2021) comes with either 8GB or 16GB of RAM, depending on the storage configuration. The 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models come with 8GB of RAM, while the 1TB and 2TB models come with 16GB of RAM. This ensures that the iPad Pro can handle even the most demanding workloads without slowing down. The M1 chip is also incredibly energy-efficient, allowing the iPad Pro to deliver all-day battery life. You can easily get through a full day of work or school without needing to recharge.

Camera and Audio

The camera system on the iPad Pro 11 (2021) is another area where Apple has made significant improvements. It features a dual-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 12MP Wide camera and a 10MP Ultra Wide camera. The Wide camera is great for capturing everyday photos and videos, while the Ultra Wide camera allows you to capture more of the scene in a single shot. The camera system also supports Smart HDR 3, which enhances the dynamic range of your photos, bringing out more detail in both the highlights and shadows. The iPad Pro also features a LiDAR Scanner, which measures the distance to objects in the environment. This enables more accurate augmented reality experiences and improves the autofocus performance of the camera in low-light conditions. On the front, the iPad Pro has a 12MP Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage. Center Stage automatically adjusts the frame during video calls to keep you in the center of the screen, even if you move around. This is a great feature for video conferencing and online learning. The audio quality on the iPad Pro is also excellent. It features four speakers that deliver rich, immersive sound. Whether you're watching movies, listening to music, or playing games, the audio quality is top-notch.

Software and Features

The iPad Pro 11 (2021) runs on iPadOS, which is Apple's operating system designed specifically for iPads. iPadOS is based on iOS, but it includes features that are optimized for the larger screen and the unique capabilities of the iPad. One of the key features of iPadOS is multitasking. You can run multiple apps side-by-side in Split View or Slide Over, making it easy to work on multiple tasks at the same time. iPadOS also supports the Apple Pencil, allowing you to take notes, draw, and annotate documents with precision. The Apple Pencil integrates seamlessly with iPadOS, and it offers a natural and responsive writing experience. Another great feature of iPadOS is its support for external storage. You can connect external hard drives, SSDs, and USB drives to the iPad Pro to access and transfer files. This makes it easy to work with large files, such as videos and photos. iPadOS also includes a Files app, which allows you to manage your files and folders. The Files app supports iCloud Drive, as well as third-party cloud storage services like Dropbox and Google Drive. The iPad Pro 11 (2021) also supports 5G cellular connectivity, allowing you to stay connected on the go. With 5G, you can download and stream content at blazing-fast speeds.

Accessories: Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard

To get the most out of your iPad Pro 11 (2021), you'll want to consider purchasing some accessories. The two most popular accessories are the Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard. The Apple Pencil (2nd generation) is a must-have for creative professionals and students. It allows you to take notes, draw, and annotate documents with precision. The Apple Pencil attaches magnetically to the side of the iPad Pro and charges wirelessly. The Magic Keyboard is a keyboard case that transforms the iPad Pro into a laptop-like device. It features a full-size keyboard, a trackpad, and a floating cantilever design. The Magic Keyboard provides a comfortable and efficient typing experience. It also has a USB-C port for charging the iPad Pro. The Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard are both sold separately.

Pros and Cons

To summarize, here's a quick rundown of the pros and cons of the iPad Pro 11 (2021):

Pros:

  • Blazing-fast performance with the M1 chip
  • Stunning Liquid Retina display with ProMotion technology
  • Excellent camera system with LiDAR Scanner and Center Stage
  • All-day battery life
  • Support for Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard
  • 5G cellular connectivity

Cons:

  • Expensive, especially with accessories
  • iPadOS can still feel limited compared to macOS or Windows
  • No headphone jack

Conclusion

The iPad Pro 11 3rd Generation (2021) is an outstanding tablet that offers a compelling combination of performance, portability, and features. The M1 chip delivers incredible performance, making it capable of handling even the most demanding tasks. The Liquid Retina display is stunning, and the camera system is excellent. While it's expensive, especially with accessories, the iPad Pro is a worthwhile investment for creative professionals, students, and anyone who wants the best tablet experience. If you're looking for a powerful and versatile tablet, the iPad Pro 11 (2021) is definitely worth considering. So, what are your thoughts on the iPad Pro 11 (2021)? Let us know in the comments below!