Here's Why You Really Need the Latest M2 iPad Pro If You're a Creative

You’ve probably heard all the hype about the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with an M2 chip. I had. But could it be as good as it's rumored to be? I decided to find out.

I’m an eclectic creative, and I use my iPad Pro for writing, drawing, photo editing and processing, graphic design, journaling, and as a general tool for inspiration and reference when I’m working on physical arts like sculpting and woodworking. When my 6th Gen iPad Pro (with an A10 processor) finally began to show its age, I was super excited to give the new M2 iPad Pro a try.

I’ll just say, I had one small bump, but overall, I'm not at all disappointed. But let’s take a closer look.

The Anti-Climactic Unboxing

You know the feeling. You order a new gadget and absolutely salivate until it arrives. You can’t wait to break into that box and play with your new toy. By the time the new 12.9-inch 6th Gen iPad Pro (with an M2 processor) arrived, I was absolutely beside myself. I couldn’t wait to get that thing out of the box.

Did you notice, though, that I went from an iPad Pro with an A10 processor to an iPad Pro with an M2 processor? They’re both 6th Gen. Meaning they look exactly the same. The real difference is internal. So when I pulled that little zip strip, opened up the box, and saw the same iPad sitting there (albeit newer and shinier than my well-used baby), I’m not gonna lie; I felt a little letdown. It’s an iPad. You get that and a charging cable in the box. 

Still, it’s new, so there’s a little anticipation while it’s getting all charged up and ready to use. But that’s when Apple failed me magnificently.

Turns Out, Apple’s Not Great at Everything

Apple’s good at lots of things, but somehow, I have managed to stumble on the one thing it does not do well: Transferring data from one iPad to another. 

After waiting patiently to sit down and get my new iPad all set up, I anticipated a quick transition. Boy, was I wrong. Evidently, there is a flaw in the transfer process between iPads. The new iPad gets hung up during the process and finding the solution was not a simple process. Apple does know this is a problem and offers some solutions in community threads. They don’t work. Ultimately, I found a Reddit thread that suggested creating an iCloud backup, setting up the iPad without the transfer, and then restoring the new iPad from the backup. 

That also presented some problems, because you have to disconnect the old iPad from iCloud before you can install the backup (which I wasn’t sure I wanted to do), but eventually, I made it all work. 

Whew. That was stressful.

After That Speed Bump

Finally, I got the new iPad all setup and ready to use. My first task was to see if the M2 chip really could handle the way I work. So, I opened Procreate, Photoshop, Google Drive, My Photos, and Chrome browser. Not a glitch. No bumps. No lags. No errors. I was able to switch seamlessly between all of those programs instantaneously without any issues at all. So I threw in a YouTube video for fun. Still perfect.

Since then, I’ve really worked this iPad hard. I use it in my daily work with Lifewire. I often run chat apps, a CMS, Google Apps, Photoshop, and several instances of a browser. I’ve used it in my off-time creative work, recording and editing instructional audio and video, designing and drawing in Procreate, or writing in Google Docs. And if I could complain about anything, it would be the cost of adding the Magic Keyboard that would make this tablet a complete package.

Here’s the thing, I know the Magic Keyboard will change my life, but man, is it spendy. And considering I just dropped $1100 on the iPad, that kinda hurts my feelings. Not to worry, though. I can make do with my existing Magic Keyboard for Mac and a nice stand.  

I also have the Apple Pencil 2, which is the must-have accessory if you’re looking at the M2iPad Pro for any kind of creative work. (Yes, even writing. Trust me on this.) There’s just something about the freedom of choosing between the Apple Pencil, the touch screen, or a keyboard and mouse that makes creating… well, more creative. It’s just easier to get into the flow state that results in something impressive.

Would I Recommend It?

Obviously, I’m taken with the M2 iPad Pro. But really, would I recommend it? Could it replace a laptop? Yes, and Yes. 

In fact, my poor MacBook Pro has gone lacking since the new iPad Pro arrived. I just don’t even think to grab it. I pick up my iPad automatically, and I haven’t once put it down to go back to the laptop. Professionally, I would say it’s the best $1100 I’ve spent in a long time, and yes, I do plan to add the Magic Keyboard to it, meaning my MacBook may be bound for a new home in the very near future.