02 Nov
Blog

HP Chromebook x2 11 Review: A Chrome-Based iPad Competitor?

HP Chromebook x2 11 sitting on the tabletop (front view).

HP Chromebook x2 11

RRP $ 599.00

"The HP Chromebook x2 11 is a well-built detachable tablet with an excellent display and sufficient productivity performance and battery life."

advantages

  • Decent productivity performance

  • Solid build quality

  • Excellent advertisement

  • Battery life for good productivity

  • Payable

disadvantage

  • Limited to WiFi 5

  • Stand add-on is kludgy

  • Keyboard action is below average

The iPad has dominated the tablet world for years, with few valid competitors from other platforms. Microsoft has the Surface devices, but Chrome OS didn't have such a strong competitor. Most of its detachable tablet and 2-in-1 offerings are budget-conscious affairs.

The HP Chromebook x2 11 changes that, offering a premium option for the iPad or even the iPad Pro. It's the first detachable Chrome OS with an 11-inch 2K 3: 2 display, the first with a Qualcomm 7C chipset, and the first with optional 4G LTE forever connected internet. There's finally a Chromebook that can rival Apple's best.

I tested the mid-range HP Chromebook x2 11 with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c, 8GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage, which is $ 599. That's a solid configuration for Chrome OS, at least in terms of RAM and storage, and at an affordable price. You can spend $ 30 less on 4 GB of RAM and $ 80 more for 128 GB storage. The HP Chromebook x2 11 has a few new features, but does it all come together in one great package? That's what I thought to myself, even given the performance difference compared to the latest Intel-based Chromebooks, as well as a disappointing keyboard and stand.

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HP Chromebook x2 11 while sitting on a table.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The HP Chromebook x2 11 is made from a single block of CNC machined aluminum, so it was as solid as any other tablet I've ever handled. It corresponds to the very well built Microsoft Surface Go 3 and the Apple iPad Pro without bending, bending or twisting. The display is made of scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass 4. You will feel safe in the construction of the HP Chromebook x2 11 when you carry it and hold it in your hand.

In terms of its aesthetics, the HP Chromebook x2 11 is a silver plate with subtle accents that is simple but attractive.

Given its larger 11-inch display compared to the 10.5-inch panel of the Surface Go 3, the HP Chromebook x2 11 is slightly larger at 9.94 inches wide and 6.96 inches high – the Surface Go 3 is 9, 65 inches by 6.9 inches tall. The HP Chromebook x2 11 is thinner at 0.3 "versus 0.33" and essentially the same weight at 1.23 pounds versus 1.2 pounds.

The two tablets are roughly the same thickness and weight when you add in their detachable keyboards and, in the case of the HP Chromebook x2 11, the kickstand add-on that magnetically attaches to the back of the tablet. Overall, the HP Chromebook x2 11 is small and light enough to be wonderfully comfortable in tablet mode, while equally usable on your lap with the keyboard and stand attached – that is, it's an OK experience, but not a great experience by comparison to clamshell laptops.

HP Chromebook x2 11 sitting on the tabletop (rear view).Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Speaking of stands, I found the design a bit clunky. The Surface Go 3 has a built-in kickstand that's so much more convenient than fiddling with the HP Chromebook x2 11's add-on. Once attached, the stand was just as functional, holding the tablet firmly in place and opening at a wide angle.

The problem is that it's another piece that needs to be carried around and connected which I found a little annoying. I think I would get used to it over time, but it's just not that elegant a solution.

In terms of its aesthetics, the HP Chromebook x2 11 is a silver plate with subtle accents that is simple but attractive. It has rounded edges like many tablets today and will generally go unnoticed. The display bezels are smaller than those of the Surface Go 3, so a more modern design, similar to the iPad Pro.

There is little else to say about the appearance of the HP Chromebook x2 11. It's a simple silver tray that blends into its background. Note that you can add a pop of color by choosing between night teal (my review unit) and shaded keyboards and stands.

HP Chromebook x2 11 with two micro USB ports.

HP Chromebook x2 11 rear camera. "Aria -describedby =" gallery-3-2817660

  • 1.
    Two USB-C ports, microSD card reader and the optional SIM slot.
  • 2.
    8MP outward-facing camera.

Connectivity is limited to two USB-C ports, one of which is used to power the tablet, a microSD card reader and an optional SIM slot for 4G LTE. One weakness is that the Qualcomm chipset only offers Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0, which is a disappointment given the proliferation of Wi-Fi 6 on other devices.

The HP Chromebook x2 11 has two webcams, one at 5 MP for the user and one at 8 MP for the world. Both offer great resolution for Chrome OS applications and make the tablet a great video conferencing tool.

power

The HP Chromebook x2 11 sits on the tabletop.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c, which drives the HP Chromebook x2 11, is an 8-core ARM CPU with up to 2.4 GHz. It is said to offer good productivity performance with long battery life and always connected internet. Coincidentally, I recently got some Chromebooks with Intel 11th Core CPUs. Chrome OS runs on much faster hardware. I could certainly tell the difference between these devices and the HP Chromebook x2 11.

It's not that the HP tablet was slow. It wasn't as long as the number of open Chrome tabs didn't get too high or I didn't have too many Android apps running in the background. With a decent workflow, things were snappy enough that I didn't notice the HP Chromebook x2 11 was struggling to keep up. In Geekbench 5, it didn't do well with just 590 in the single-core test and 1,689 in the multi-core test, compared to the Asus Chromebook Flip CX5, which scored 1,190 and 4,151, and the Chromebook C536 with 1,209 and 2,849.

The Asus Chromebook Flip CM3 with its MediaTek MT8183 was slower with 299 and 1,407 respectively. Interestingly, the HP Chromebook x2 11 performs similarly to the 920 and 1,704 of the Microsoft Surface Go 3. This tablet runs the full Windows 11 – I would rate the subjective performance of the HP Chromebook x2 11 as slightly better than that of the Surface Go 3.

The HP Chromebook x2 11 only achieved 45 points in the Speedometer 2.0 web benchmark. That's on the lower end of the scale, beating the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet (another smaller detachable Chromebook tablet) at 27 and the Chromebook Flip CM3, which only hits 24 but is way behind the rest of the field. For example, the Chromebook Flip CX5 achieved the highest score in our database with 163.

Still, I found the HP Chromebook x2 11 to be a competent performer. I wrote this review using the tablet as I usually do, and I found WordPress to be just as responsive as it is on other Chromebooks I've used. The 8GB of RAM helps keep multitasking up to date, and as long as I haven't opened too many tabs or too many apps running in the background, the HP Chromebook x2 11 has easily kept pace with my workflow. It would be a great tablet for college students or a secondary device for productivity users looking for something light and portable to complement a more powerful laptop.

I've tried Asphalt 9, the Android game I use to test Chromebook game performance, and it got a little choppy at times. You should limit yourself to casual gaming unless you're okay with the occasional stutter.

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Close-up of the HP Chromebook x2 11 display.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The HP Chromebook x2 11 has an 11-inch display in the productivity-friendly 3: 2 aspect ratio, which also comes into its own in portrait mode. It's closer to the dimensions of a real sheet of paper than old school 16: 9 displays and even the slightly larger 16:10 panels. It corresponds to Microsoft's Surface line in this regard and allows for great ink input with an active pen. HP calls the display “2K” based on a resolution of 2,160 x 1,440. Call it what you will, but at 236 pixels per inch (PPI), the 11-inch display is incredibly sharp.

It's also a very colorful display that is bright and has a lot of contrast. I wish I could use my colorimeter to test the display – it doesn't work with Chrome OS unfortunately – because I think this display would do well. If I hold the HP Chromebook x2 11 next to the Surface Go 3, which has an objectively and subjectively excellent display, I find the display from HP just as pleasant as that from Microsoft.

Black text is sharp and pops on a white background, which is especially important to me as an author, and colors are dynamic without looking unnatural. Photos look great and streaming videos is a treat. The display also seemed brighter than other Chromebooks I've used lately, and held up well in even the brightest environments I've worked in – though it couldn't compete with the southern California sunshine but few laptops can do this.

HP Chromebook x2 11 display in tablet mode.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

You want a good display on a tablet given the media consumption you typically use it for, and the HP Chromebook x2 11 delivers that score. It's one of the best Chromebook displays I've used, and it's a real strength.

Two front-facing speakers provide the sound, and they produce usable sound. The volume was loud enough to share a YouTube video, with just a tiny bit of distortion and crisp mids and highs. Unsurprisingly, bass wasn't there, which makes this a sound system that is best complemented by a good pair of headphones for music and Netflix binge.

Keyboard and touchpad

HP Chromebook x2 11 case.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

I've already talked about how I don't like the kickstand add-on, so I won't go into this point any further. However, the detachable keyboard is a more traditional design. It magnetically snaps into place on the bottom of the tablet and has pogo pins to make the required connection. Like most detachable keyboards today, it can lie flat or prop up at an angle. In the latter mode, it's at a comfortable angle, although it jumps a bit when you type. In this respect, it is similar to the Surface Go 3, while the keyboard of the Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable is significantly stiffer.

I found the keyboard itself a bit small, another feature shared with the Surface Go 3. The keycaps are tiny and there isn't much clearance. The switches are also very loose, there is no biting mechanism and they suffer from a loud, rattling passage.

I wasn't a fan of this keyboard and much preferred the faster, more precise Surface Go 3 version. Like I said, I wrote this review with the HP Chromebook x2 11 and the keyboard was the only thing holding me back.

Close-up of the HP Chromebook x2 11 keyboard.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The touchpad is better, with a smooth surface and a nice size. It has solid support for the entire suite of Chrome OS multitouch gestures. The display is of course touchable and supports a USI certified active pen, which was included in my test configuration but is otherwise optional. The pen worked just as well as any other I've used, with low latency and smooth action.

The fingerprint reader built into the power button was an additional feature that I particularly appreciated and that you won't find on many Chromebooks. Chrome OS requires you to sign in with your password or PIN after restarting, but waking up from hibernation and signing in was a simple matter of pressing the power button. It was quick and reliable, and made getting back to work faster and more convenient than many other Chromebooks.

Battery life

HP Chromebook x2 11 stand seen from the side.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The HP Chromebook x2 11 is equipped with a 32-watt-hour battery that powers the energy-efficient Snapdragon 7c and Chrome OS. This combination should offer at least a full day of battery life, and that's what I was hoping for in our battery tests.

As it turned out, the HP Chromebook x2 11 did well, but not spectacularly. The HP Chromebook x2 11 lasted for 12.75 hours in our web browsing test. That's a strong score on its own and when compared to Intel laptops, but it isn't that impressive when compared to other ARM-based machines. The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet, for example, lasted an hour longer with its Mediatek Helio P60T ARM CPU, a 27 watt hour battery and a 10.1 inch display. The Lenovo Flex 5G with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx lasted 17.25 hours in this test.

You can hardly complain about the HP Chromebook x2 11 here – after all, this value shows much better than the all-day battery life, our basic standard – but I would still have liked the tablet to last a few hours longer.

Battery life is good when it comes to productivity, but it lacks it for media consumption.

In our video test, which repeats a local 1080p movie trailer, the HP Chromebook x2 11 made it to 11 hours. It's not uncommon for Chrome OS machines to last longer than the video tests while browsing the internet, which is unlike Windows and Mac OS laptops. The HP Chromebook x2 11's score was about 1.5 hours below that of the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet and a full 17 hours below that of the Lenovo Flex 5G. In fact, it's not a good score for the components, period.

Overall, the battery life is good in terms of productivity, but it is lacking in media consumption. It's not that 11 hours of video playback is awful, it's just not where I expected the HP Chromebook x2 11 to fall. Again, we're talking about all-day battery life, but not necessarily what an ARM CPU should offer.

Our opinion

The HP Chromebook x2 11 embodies the qualities that make a good Chromebook: Ease of use, efficiency and sufficient performance on low-end hardware. Its display is also excellent and a pure pleasure to use, which is welcome at a price point of $ 599.

As an iPad or Surface competitor, the HP Chromebook x2 11 is a major achievement in the world of Chromebooks. It's not perfect, as the clumsy kickstand and awkward keyboard prove, but if you're looking for a very portable Chrome OS device that can take a long time to charge, then HP's tablet should be on your short list.

Are there alternatives?

The most compelling alternative is the Microsoft Surface Go 3. Yes, it runs Windows 11 and not Chrome OS, but in terms of size, build quality, display, and performance, it's a close competitor to the HP Chromebook x2 11. It's more expensive, when it's configured for good performance and because Type Cover and Surface Pen are optional add-ons. However, if you're looking for a tablet rather than an operating system, the Surface Go 3 is a great option.

Next up is the Apple iPad – most likely the entry-level model for $ 329. It offers faster performance due to its fast ARM CPU and highly optimized operating system, and it has a great display too. It's also thin, light, and well built. Again, however, this isn't a Chrome OS device if that's what you're looking for.

The thing is, I don't know of any other Chrome OS detachable tablet that I would put against the HP Chromebook x2 11. The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet is an option, but it's significantly cheaper and feels that way in its build quality. But if you're looking to save some money and have a similarly portable device then it's an alternative.

How long it will take?

The HP Chromebook x2 11 is very well made and conveys confidence in years of productive use. Chrome OS doesn't slow down over time, so components should keep up well. You have to be content with the industry standard one-year warranty.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. The HP Chromebook x2 11 is a great little tablet that is suitable for college students or as a secondary device for more demanding productivity users. And it's an affordable alternative to the iPad Pro.

Editor's recommendations



05 Oct
Blog

Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Review: The iPad Pro’s Worthy Rival

The Surface Pro 8 with the stand extended.

Microsoft Surface Pro 8

RRP $ 1,600.00

"The Surface Pro 8 is by far the best Windows 2-in-1 you can buy."

advantages

  • Gorgeous 120 Hz screen

  • Impressive performance

  • Has two powerful Thunderbolt 4 ports

  • SSD is easily accessible

  • The Surface Slim Pen 2 is exceptional

disadvantage

  • More expensive

  • There is still a lack of mobile apps

For the past 6 years, every version of the Surface Pro has looked almost identical. And while Microsoft is taking its time with its product changes, an update is long overdue, especially for the Surface Pro.

That's exactly what the Surface Pro 8 is – and it couldn't have come at a better time. Pre-installed with the brand new Windows 11, the Surface Pro 8 feels like a device that can rival the iPad Pro. The price hike aside, the Surface Pro 8 is a near-perfect 2-in-1 that is finally a product category that is starting to realize its potential.

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The back of the Surface Pro 8.

If you haven't set up the Surface Pro 8 next to the previous year's model, you may not see the difference at first. It shares the same iconic stand, overall shape, and connects to the Type Cover keyboard in the same way.

However, the Surface Pro 8 is slightly larger and heavier than the Surface Pro 7. It's 0.04 inches thicker by 0.37 inches and 0.22 pounds heavier. This is never good when it comes to a tablet that is meant to be held with one hand.

But there are two legitimate reasons for the larger dimensions. First, the Surface Pro 8 is made from recycled aluminum instead of magnesium. According to Microsoft, this is a more sustainable method and gives the device a higher quality finish. The Surface Pro has always been a rigid device, but I'm sure switching to aluminum will help in that regard too.

The second reason for the bigger size? Well, it has a significantly larger screen. The Surface Pro 8 now has a 13-inch screen, compared to 12.3 inches on the previous model. By trimming the edges of the screen, Microsoft is pushing so much extra screen space into the device without adding too much to the overall dimensions.

On the Surface Pro 8, the keyboard is inclined upwards.

Compared to the iPad Pro, however, the additional size makes the Surface Pro 8 more difficult to use as a tablet. I'm not saying it's a chore to use the Surface Pro 8 as a tablet – far from it. But the 1.5-pound iPad Pro feels more portable in comparison and doesn't put as much strain on your wrist when you hold it with one hand.

The Type Cover, which is still available separately, has also been updated. The biggest change is that the new Surface Slim Pen 2 fits perfectly into the slot above the keyboard. It charges up here and can even be hidden if you lift the keyboard. It's nice to have a permanent place for the pen so as not to (hopefully) lose so much.

Many of these changes were first made in the original Surface Pro X, which launched back in 2018. Inch iPad Pro.

Ports

The two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the Surface Pro 8.

Microsoft doesn't have the best history with ports, but the Surface Pro 8 makes amends. The Surface Pro 8 finally has Thunderbolt 4, which is a first for the Surface Pro line. Thunderbolt 4 means the fastest transfers, the best docking experience, and the ability to connect to powerful external devices. Thunderbolt 4 can also charge and power the device.

The Surface Pro 8 includes two of these ports, along with the Surface Dock magnetic port and a headphone jack.

Unfortunately, all of these ports are on the same side, so you don't have a power port at all on the left. Like all newer Surface Pros, the Surface Pro 8 offers quick access to storage. There is a small panel under the stand that can be accessed via a SIM card eject pin. Accessing your storage doesn't get much easier.

Surface Slim Pen 2 and Type Cover

The original Surface Pen was round and heavy to simulate the feeling of using a real pen. But the Surface Slim Pen, first introduced with the Surface Pro X, is a fantastic alternative. The flat design sits comfortably in the hand and the lighter feel makes it less intimidating. The fact that it has a storage space is the icing on the cake.

But the Surface Slim Pen 2 brings an important update to the mix: haptic feedback. You have to feel something like this yourself to understand it, but the smallest haptic feedback is built into the pen to simulate the feeling of writing on paper. Slide the pen lightly over the glass and you won't notice. But if you press a little harder, you will feel the sensation of artificial friction.

The Type Cover and the Surface Slim Pen 2 are attached to the Surface Pro 8.

It's extremely subtle, but it adds a bit of realism to writing and illustrating. What's more, it's a brilliant idea that gets carried out well.

The new Type Cover looks and feels exactly like the previous model, except with a charging slot for the Surface Slim Pen 2. The keyboard and touchpad remain unchanged, which is good. The full-size keyboard is comfortable and tactile, and features the standard Surface keyboard layout.

The touchpad, on the other hand, feels precise and smooth. I always wish it was a little bigger, but considering it's a keyboard topper, it's surprisingly good.

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The display of the Surface Pro 8.

The display of the Surface Pro 8 is not only bigger, but also faster. The 13-inch panel now comes with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, even though it ships at 60 Hz. But trust me, once you're into the 120hz screen you won't want to go back. While the Surface Pro 8 isn't a gaming device, the faster screen is a quality of life improvement across the board. Animations are smoother, scrolling feels smoother and it even reduces the latency when drawing with the Surface Pen. All new animations in Windows 11 look buttery smooth. It's what the device needs to be competitive with the iPad Pro, but I hope more Windows devices follow suit.

The screen also has a slightly higher resolution of 2880 x 1920. However, it's still 3: 2 and still 267 pixels per inch. The Surface Pro devices have always had sharp screens, and this one is no different.

With a maximum of 409 cd / m², the screen of the Surface Pro 8 is brighter than the previous model. In the new “Vivid” color mode, the device offers better color saturation with 99% sRGB and 79% AdobeRGB. That's not quite as good as the Surface Laptop Studio, but it's fine for the type of device the Surface Pro 8 is intended for.

Across the board, the display feels like the main improvement on the Surface Pro 8 – and since it's a tablet, that's a big deal.

Windows 11 and software

The Start menu appears on Surface Pro 8.

The Surface Pro always had a big hitch: Windows 10. The lack of optimization for touch made the Surface Pro (and all Windows tablets) difficult.

Windows 11 goes a long way towards solving this problem. For the first time, the Surface Pro 8 feels like a usable tablet on its own. While almost everyone should still buy the corresponding Type Cover, I can only use it as a tablet and enjoy the experience. The small, gesture-based keyboard is great for one-finger typing, while grabbing and dragging windows is much easier.

It's still not an operating system designed primarily for the touch, like iPadOS, but Windows 11 has gone a long way in enhancing the tablet experience.

The only missing feature is Android apps which still haven't popped up. That leaves a void in the app ecosystem for mobile apps in which the iPad Pro excels. Even then, the inclusion of Android apps cannot magically fix the app situation for Windows tablets. Until then, the iPad Pro will always be the better tablet, even if the Surface Pro 8 has made significant strides.

Cameras and speakers

The Surface Pro has always had a great video conferencing experience thanks to its great webcam and speakers. Tablets tend to have much better webcams than laptops, and that stays here. The 5 megapixel front camera produces sharp images and smooth videos. Microsoft says it has made some tuning tweaks to keep your face in focus.

But overall, the camera does a fantastic job of smoothing out skin tones and not blurring the background. Your coworkers will thank you for switching from a laptop camera to the Surface Pro 8. Seriously, it's already happened to me.

Though you'll likely never use it, the Surface Pro 8 also includes a 10-megapixel camera on the back that can record 4K video. But again please not.

The Surface Pro 8 combines these cameras with a fantastic set of speakers. Again, tablets tend to excel in audio when compared to laptops, and the Surface Pro 8 continues to demonstrate that trend. It's the same two-watt speakers as in previous models, but now they're physically bigger. I couldn't make a head-to-head comparison, but I can say that watching videos and listening to music on Surface Pro 8 is actually fun. I can't say that about almost every laptop that isn't a MacBook Pro.

Microsoft also highlighted its "volume-dependent EQ" function, which ensures that the sound still has plenty of bass even at lower volumes. The audio has a clarity and fullness that I want laptops to have. But hey, that's just another benefit of a 2-in-1.

power

Despite the name, the Surface Pro 8 is not a real “Pro” device. It doesn't have a separate GPU and the Intel quad-core processor is standard. My configuration came with a Core i7-1185G7, the same chip you use in all sorts of 13-inch laptops and tablets. Still, Microsoft has managed to make some significant changes that will result in improved performance.

The Surface Pro 8 has a new thermal, a system that Microsoft calls "active cooling". With carbon composite heat spreaders and fans, the Surface Pro 8 remains a fairly quiet yet powerful 2-in-1. The fanless configurations are gone, however, which means that all versions of the Surface Pro 8 have the same cooling system.

The result? Well, the multi-core performance and integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics performance were both highlights, with the Surface Pro 8 taking the lead among other convertible 2-in-1 and 13-inch laptops.

This resulted in solid real-world performance in an application like Handbrake, where the Surface Pro 8 is again among the fastest of its size. Calling it the most powerful Windows tablet or 2-in-1 feels right.

Underdog Bench 5
(Single / multiple)		 Cinebench R23 (single / multiple) Handbrake (seconds) PCMark 10 3DMark time spy
Surface Pro 8(Core i7-1185G7) 1296/5041 1287/5431 185 4169 1828
ThinkPad X12 detachable (Core i5-1130G7) 1352/4796 1125/3663 188 4443 926
Dell Latitude 7320 detachable (Core i7-1180G7) 1532/5031 1246/3339 247 4410 1443
Dell XPS 13 (Core i7-1185G7) 1549/5431 1449/4267 204 3859 1589
MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo (Core i7-1185G7) 1352/4891 1360/4392 203 4872 1751

Don't expect to be able to enjoy 4K video editing on the Surface Pro 8, however. The lack of discrete graphics is a problem there. This is where the more powerful Surface Laptop Studio comes in. The performance of the M1 on the iPad Pro also shines here. The graphics performance blows the tiny integrated graphics of the Surface Pro 8 out of the water.

This applies to games as well as to the creation of content. While the Surface Pro 8's discrete graphics are more admirable for what they are, it isn't capable of playing many modern games at high enough frame rates.

Battery life

The status of the battery life of the Surface Pro 8.

Microsoft says the Surface Pro 8 can now last up to 16 hours on a single charge thanks to a larger battery. That is quite a claim. Our lightest battery life test, which repeated a local 1080p video clip until the system crashes, hit 10 hours and 48 minutes. There are many laptops and tablets that lasted longer in this review, despite being the same as the ThinkPad X12 Detachable and the Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable.

I also tested the Surface Pro 8 browsing the web and going through a series of heavy websites until the battery ran out. The Surface Pro 8 lasted for 8.5 hours here. However, if your workflow involves multiple applications, tabs, and media streaming, you can expect the battery to drain by an hour or two, depending on your tasks. That means the Surface Pro 8 is unlikely to last the entire work day without charging.

It also doesn't have the incredible standby longevity that the iPad Pro does.

Still, the Surface Pro 8 is a couple of hours better than the previous configuration. It's an area I'd like to see improvements in, but it's not a big hook for me anymore.

Configurations and price

The Surface Pro 8 isn't just a major change in the design of the line – it changes the pricing scheme too. The Surface Pro 7 started at $ 750 for a basic Core i3 configuration. This wasn't the most powerful option, but it was a cheap way to get premium hardware.

The Core i3 model is gone, and the Core i5 model now starts at $ 1,100. That's $ 200 more expensive than the previous generation and is the equivalent of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro in one fell swoop. Unfortunately, like the iPad Pro, this base model still only contains 128 GB of storage.

Microsoft tends to be among the most expensive manufacturers when it comes to adding storage and RAM. With the Surface Pro 8, Microsoft is priced exactly the same as the iPad Pro's storage options, charging $ 100 for an upgrade to 256 GB or $ 300 for an increase to 512 GB.

The Surface Pro 8 with the Type Cover closed at the top.

From then on, things get wildly expensive and unnecessary. I can't think of any reason why you'd buy the $ 2,600 model with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage – the Surface Pro 8 just isn't the type of device for this type of configuration. The $ 1,600 model I tested feels overpriced for the amount of storage you get, but the $ 1,200 or $ 1,400 configurations both seem like good options, depending on Your requirements.

And of course the Surface Pro 8 does not come with the Type Cover or the Surface Slim Pen 2. Adding these two accessories will cost you an additional $ 410.

Our opinion

The Surface Pro 8 is by far the best Surface Pro ever made. Its screen is bigger, faster and brighter, its performance is stronger than ever and even the battery life has improved. That alone will move Surface fans to upgrade.

But it's Windows 11 that really makes the Surface Pro 8 a compelling 2-in-1 device – in ways that have never been seen before. All of these changes taken together could eventually lead form factor skeptics to give it a try.

Are there alternatives?

The main competitor, the iPad Pro, is hard to beat. The Surface Pro 8 has the upper hand of running normal x86 Pro applications, but the iPad Pro is a much larger tablet app ecosystem.

The ThinkPad X12 Detachable uses a similar form factor for a cheaper price. If you really want to go cheap, the new Surface Go 3 is the real budget option.

How long it will take?

The Surface Pro 8 should last at least four or five years. Its build quality is exceptional while the features and components are all top notch. Since this is a Windows 11 product (and especially a Surface PC), it ensures that you will continue to receive timely updates in the future. The ability to simply swap out more memory is the icing on the cake.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. It's the most sensible update to the Surface Pro in a long time, and it finally feels like a worthy opponent of the iPad Pro.

Editor's recommendations



05 Nov
Blog

Apple iPad Air (2020) Review: The iPad Pro for Everyone Else

iPad Air 4

“The iPad Air 4 is the iPad Pro for the masses. It's perfectly located to deliver an exceptional tablet experience without stepping into the territory of high-end laptop prices. "

  • Excellent hardware design

  • Strong battery life and USB-C

  • Wonderful display

  • Pro-level performance

  • Magic keyboard support

  • Fast fingerprint sensor

  • Base 64 GB memory

  • Expensive upsell to 256 GB

At first glance, the new iPad Air (4th generation) looks like a perfect Goldilocks iPad. Compared to the basic iPad, it offers dramatically better specifications, a completely new design, a much better display and twice as much basic memory. At the same time, it's $ 200 cheaper than the 11-inch iPad Pro, but it looks and feels almost identical. For all practical purposes, it delivers the same core experience, including support for Apple Pencil 2 and Magic Keyboard.

Is the new $ 599 iPad Air the tablet? In fact, it is perhaps the best value you can get in an iPad today.

Hardware, design and display

Apple has done an exceptional job with the design of the latest iPad pros, so I'm not the least bit annoyed that the iPad Air is a copy. The metal case is perfectly flat on the back – apart from the unevenness of the camera – and bumps up against flat sides. It just feels fresh and modern compared to the old curvy style – especially now that it matches the design of the iPhone 12. It's also available in a wider range of colors that are far more playful than any previous iPad. While most people prefer a dull color like my Space Gray model, you can go bright if you want to express your personality a little. (The iPad Pro is initially in gray and silver.)

iPad Air 4Andrew Martonik / Digital Trends

It is reasonable to think that design is difficult for you, but it is not. The transitions from back to side are nice and smooth, and the corners have a large radius. So it's very convenient whether you support it with just one hand or hold it in landscape orientation with two. And with its extremely light 1 pound weight evenly distributed, it definitely deserves its nickname "Air".

Since face recognition is missing in the Pro, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor is integrated in the power switch. It's well positioned to use with your right index finger when holding it vertically and your left index finger when holding it horizontally. And the initial setup process makes it clear that you need to teach it both ways. After this quick tutorial, the sensor was quick and accurate. While it might not be as seamless as Face ID, it is a perfectly usable method of authentication – and it no longer requires a large screen bezel embedded in the home button.

iPad Air 4Andrew Martonik / Digital Trends

The 10.9 inch display is just wonderful. There's just enough bezel for easy thumb grabbing when needed, but it's not so big that it feels chunky. It's not the same display as the iPad Pro, but to most people it looks like it could be. It has the same pixel density, extremely low reflectivity, wide color gamut, and True Tone color matching. It's not that bright technically, but I've never had any problems seeing the screen indoors or outdoors. The fact that it is a laminated display and has incredibly low reflectivity means that you can easily use it even in direct sunlight.

The hardware is perfect and the display is just wonderful.

The only flaw, if you could call it that, that I found is a bit of a white-pink color shift when viewing the screen a little off-axis, which really only comes into play when someone sitting next to you does too tablet looks at the screen. You can also point out that this display only has a refresh rate of 60Hz, not the dynamic 120Hz pro motion of the iPad Pro. If you're used to an iPad Pro, you'll find that if you're used to a different iPad, you'll never complain because iPadOS is so fluid that it really helps make up the difference.

Another pro-level feature of the Air is its speakers. You get an equal-sized pair of speakers that are split on the sides (in landscape mode) for balanced sound that can get incredibly loud. The placement makes it nearly impossible to block out all of the sound, and the 50/50 split makes it much more immersive for video watching.

Whether it was just an easy way out or a stroke of genius, making the iPad Air compatible with existing iPad Pro keyboard accessories is a huge benefit. That means the existing $ 179 keyboard folio (which, by the way, is nicer than the one for the basic iPad) and the absurdly expensive, but absolutely amazing $ 299 Magic Keyboard work with the air. If the Air had a specific design, it would likely just get stuck with a folio and not get its own version of the Magic keyboard.

The iPad Air almost requires a keyboard – and that will get you at least $ 170.

I picked a regular folio with my Air because I think it's absurd to spend $ 300 on a keyboard for a $ 600 iPad. But I can easily make the argument that you can justify this high price tag by saving $ 200 if you can't get the iPad Pro. And if you want to use iPad Air for a semblance of work or computer-like tasks, you absolutely need a keyboard. The keyboard folio definitely does the job and I can type on it very quickly, but I wish one of the two angles was shallower. It also has the same problem as all keyboard iPads (without the Magic Keyboard) in that it can be a bit shaky when you actually use it on your lap. This is just part of trying to turn an iPad into a laptop-level productivity machine.

Another slightly cumbersome part of this horizontal first-time use is the front-facing camera, which is on the left side when docked to the keyboard. The 7 mega-pixel sensor is fine and does the job for video calling at 1080p resolution. However, if you put it on the left so it looks like you're not paying attention, it always feels weird compared to a laptop.

Software, features and battery life

We all know the details of iPadOS 14 at this point. Coming from another iPad will make you feel at home in the air. With that big screen and added power, you'll want to refresh your knowledge of the myriad of multitasking gestures on iPadOS. Without knowing how to open split view and pan around to manage multiple windows, or use the gestures to quickly switch apps and pull up the dock without going home, you're missing out on the power of this computer. While iPadOS continues to struggle with convergence, there is no real benefit to learning all of its features. Once you do, you'll be amazed at how much you can do.

iPad Air 4Andrew Martonik / Digital Trends Andrew Martonik / Digital Trends

You can certainly achieve a lot in the air thanks to the A14 Bionic chip shared with the iPhone 12. It is technically faster for single-core performance than the A12Z in the iPad Pro, but also technically a bit behind for multi-core performance. Regardless, you wouldn't know the difference – the iPad Air flies through any task. You really only run into a limitation when using an intense graphical app and scrolling through Slide Over apps – but that's just a subtle delay. This is likely because the Air only has 4GB of RAM (storage) and the 6GB of the iPad Pro.

Apple is playing a big game with the multi-camera array and LiDAR sensor on the iPad Pro, but for most people, the simple 12-megapixel single camera in the air is more than enough for the occasional snapshot. Despite the hope that the high-end cameras and depth sensing would make the iPad Pro a revolutionary AR device for gaming and interior design, it just isn't. The vast majority of people will be happy that the Air has a smaller camera curvature and the price is lower.

The only spec that actually holds the iPad Air back is its storage, which is a meager 64GB in the base model. And there's only one upgrade option: 256GB for an additional $ 150. An upsell to more storage that is 25% off the base price is really tough, especially when you look at the easy storage upgrade for something like the iPhone 12, which is only $ 50 from 64GB to 128GB.

That being said, after two weeks I'm only using 22GB of my 64GB model, but maybe I'm not the heaviest iPad user as it is a secondary device to my MacBook Pro. However, if you want to use an iPad Air like most professionals would, loading huge "Pro" apps and loads of media content, that storage can quickly go away. Alternatively, you could really lean into iCloud – that $ 150 upsell fee could cover a 200GB storage plan for more than four years.

There's more than enough power here, and battery life continues to be a strong part of the iPad.

The main advantage of using an iPad over a similarly priced laptop is the battery. IPad Air can easily handle the heaviest workday, with more than 6 hours of on time and no battery degradation measures, and there's still plenty of battery left over. Simple tasks like streaming videos or surfing barely touch the battery, and iPadOS continues to be fantastic at using very little power when not in active use. Given that very few users use the Air as their sole computing device, there is no doubt that it can be part of your device usage every day and is chargeable for several days.

And gosh – I'm way too excited about this, but I don't care – the iPad Air now charges via USB-C! Yes, now I can charge my Air with the exact same cable and charger that I use with my MacBook and Android phones. Yes, I have an iPhone, so there are Lightning cables, but my apartment is littered with USB-C cables of all lengths and types, and charging my iPad is a breeze. It also has the nudge effect of being able to charge phones from the iPad, which is really nice in a pinch.

For your high price of $ 599, you also get a 20-watt USB-C charging brick in the box, as well as a nice (albeit short) USB-C cable. But I doubt I'll ever touch her.

Our opinion

The basic iPad is a tablet that you buy as a device – something you need, but you're not excited about. The new iPad Air is a tablet that you buy as a desirable tool – you want it and will strive to get the most of its features when it arrives. And it has to chop to deal with a whole lot of what you're going to throw at it.

The hardware is superb, as is the display, and nothing about the design or the feel in your hands makes you think for a second that you saved $ 200 on an iPad Pro. Apple has perfectly tailored the parts of the iPad Pro that most people don't care about and kept everything else that makes it great, including support for Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. Pair it with a keyboard and learn about the quirks of iPadOS, and you can even turn it into a pretty powerful laptop replacement – as long as you know the limitations in the software, well beyond the ultra-capacitive specs.

The only downside for the air is the pricing if you don't need a keyboard and want to push the limits of the A14 Bionic. If this is just a tablet for media consumption and the casual browsing, then $ 599 is a steep price and you will lose the extra features of this hardware for you. But just knowing that you can do a lot more could be enough to spend the money and get this best all-around iPad model.

Are there any better alternatives?

There are only two alternatives to the iPad Air, and only one is a reasonable comparison. You can spend $ 429 on an 8th generation iPad with 128GB of storage, but honestly it's not a real competitor. The base iPad is a fine tablet for a lot of uses, but it's not in the same league in terms of performance or display quality and by no means exudes the feeling of being high-end in the manner of the iPad Air and doing Pro. It's also not compatible with Apple Pencil 2 or Magic Keyboard.

The real decision here is between the iPad Air and 11-inch iPad Pro starting at $ 799. For this money you get 128 GB of storage space as well as Face ID, a 120 Hz ProMotion display and additional cameras. Otherwise, the experience isn't that much different at the core functions and basics of what most people use the iPad for. Just like buying an iPhone 12 Pro or MacBook Pro, you're spending quite a bit more to get that last bit of extra power, performance, and features over the base model.

How long it will take?

One of the great advantages of purchasing an iPad of any tier is the great long term software support it provides. Expect iPad Air to get five more versions of iPadOS if you want to hang on to it that long. And even better, the iPad Air's incredibly powerful A14 chipset will keep these future iPadOS versions running smoothly.

Should you buy it?

Yes. If you've got your eye on an iPad Pro but don't want to spend that much money, the iPad Air is a great place to land. You'll get the most of your experience with an 11-inch iPad Pro, but you'll save a considerable amount of money.

Editor's recommendations




09 Oct
Blog

Apple Pencil 2 Review: Everyone’s New iPad Sidekick

Apple pencil no longer for graphic designers 2

Apple Pencil (second generation)

“Like a good wine, the apple stick got better with age. An improved design goes perfectly with iPadOS 14 improvements. "

  • Classy, ​​comfortable design

  • Magnetic loading is cool

  • Works great with iPadOS 14

  • Useful for more than art

  • Expensive

  • Not compatible with basic iPad

The Apple Pencil has been a go-to for digital artists and graphic designers for years. The second generation of the Apple Pencil is compatible with all iPad models. However, the model you have determines which Apple Pencil model you can use.

Given the plethora of new features made available to the Apple Pencil in iPadOS 14, we felt it was time to revisit the Apple Pencil, especially given the fact that these new features mean anyone can use the device.

Now that features like Scribble are available, should you buy the second generation Apple Pencil for your iPad Pro or the new iPad Air? We put it to the test to find out.

A natural design

The first generation Apple Pencil featured a completely round design, and while some may appreciate the look, I find that the new Apple Pencil 2 looks and feels a little more natural with its flat edge. Something about letting my index finger rest on that flat edge gives it a better grip.

Of course, the reason Apple added the flat edge has less to do with gripping the pen and more to do with charging. Gone are the incredibly unintuitive and cumbersome charging technology with which the pen is connected to the Lightning connector on your iPad. With the second generation Apple Pencil, simply place the device on the magnetic charger at the top of your iPad and it will be charged. This is also a good place to keep when you are not using it. However, if you don't stick it out of the Lightning connector when you're not using the original pen, then you're going to be crazy.

The second generation pencil is slightly thicker than your average pen or pencil, but not excessive and not enough to keep it uncomfortable. It's also pretty light without feeling cheap or thin.

The magnets in pencil and iPad keep it in place nicely most of the time. During a weekend trip where my iPad Pro and Pencil were put in and out of my backpack several times, it only came out when I didn't even want it. It stayed firmly in place the rest of the time – and it's generally a good place to keep your pencil on the go.

The only downside to the new Apple Pencil is that it only works with a few select iPad models. It works with all iPad Pro models from 2018 and with the 2020 iPad Air (4th generation). The hope is that the Apple Pencil will be universal again as soon as Apple gives the rest of its iPad line the latest flat, modern design with the base iPad and iPad Mini.

Tools for everyone

Design is an important aspect of the Apple Pencil, but perhaps one of the best things about it is that, like fine wine, it gets better with age. This has proven itself with iPadOS 14, which saw Apple introduce a variety of features that frankly make the pencil a tool for everyone – not just graphic designers.

We're focusing a little more on hardware than software in this review, so we won't go into depth about these new features. The standout feature here, however, is Scribble, which allows users to write and automatically convert it to text using Apple's fancy word-recognition technology. This works across the operating system – anywhere you can type, you can now write.

This means you can use the device to jot down while still getting searchable text afterwards. This recognition text can come into play without actually having to use Scribble. For example, you can select the writing, copy and paste, and even paste it as direct text. If you enter a URL, address, phone number, or email address, iPadOS can use that data to make calls, navigate you to an address, and so on. It's convenient.

All Apple Pencil models have the same 9 ms latency, which has more to do with iPadOS than the Pencil itself. Combined with the 120 Hz refresh rate on the iPad Pro display, you get an incredibly smooth, natural experience.

Of course, there are still features that are hardware-based and not software-based. The most obvious of these is the ability to double-tap to switch tools or turn off the device. This is a handy shortcut. You can customize the function depending on the app used. Most apps, however, switch to the eraser tool by default. It will definitely be useful for graphic designers and artists – though perhaps less so for everyone else without adjustments.

Our opinion

The Apple Pencil isn't a perfect tool, but it's getting closer. It's a little expensive, but given the new features in iPadOS 14, it has features that pretty much anyone can use.

But it's still a luxury item for those who aren't graphic designers or artists. That said, you probably don't need an Apple Pencil to take notes. You can just type your notes with a keyboard if you have one, or use the old-fashioned pen and paper. That said, even if it's a toy to some, it's a really pretty toy, and if you have the money to spend on the pencil, you probably won't regret it.

Is there a better alternative?

No. Other companies offer their own pen, e.g. B. Samsung with its S-pen. However, this only applies to Samsung devices. The second generation Apple Pencil is second to none.

How long it will take?

As long as you take care of it, the Apple Pencil should last at least a few years. It's hard to know if Apple will ever release a third generation pencil, but as long as the company updates iPadOS with new pencil features, it should become more and more useful over time.

Should you buy one?

Yes. You may need one if you're a graphic designer or an artist, but even if you're not the Apple Pencil 2, it has a number of features that you can find useful.

Editor's recommendations




03 Oct
Blog

The Best iPad (2020) Screen Protectors

The eighth generation iPad (2020) has landed, offering a great Apple tablet experience at a low price. It offers possibly the best software that you can find on any tablet manufacturer, while the long-lasting battery and huge ecosystem of useful apps are sure to please the vast majority of users. It also has a very clear and colorful 10.2-inch display that is satisfactorily rich and vibrant, although not quite as sharp as the screen you find on an iPad Pro. However, like any other touchscreen, if you accidentally drop or hit it, it can crack.

Fortunately, we've rounded up the top five iPad (2020) screen protectors you can buy right now. This maintains the iPad's pretty display in one piece, and maintains the responsiveness and level of detail of the screen.

JETech glass screen protectors

JETech screen protector for iPad 8 (2020)

The JETech Screen Protector for iPad (2020) is sold in a pack of 2 and offers all the technical data you need from a protector. It's made of glass with a hardness of 9H, which means it can withstand most scratches without showing a single blemish. The hardened glass is also very thin at only 0.33 m, which enables 100% transparency and a high degree of responsiveness. The protector is also fingerprint and dust proof, while it's designed for easy, bubble-free installation as it also comes with a stylet. Highly recommended.

Apiker glass screen protectors

Apiker screen protector for 10.2-inch 8th generation iPad (2020)

The Apiker Screen Protector is another easy-to-use and extremely reliable protection for the iPad (2020). It has a hardness of 9H and offers your iPad the greatest possible resistance to scratches and cracks that is possible with tempered glass. It's also extremely thin, and 0.3mm thick ensures that it doesn't affect the functionality of the touchscreen or interfere with the use of the Apple Pencil (if any). This also gives it 99% HD clarity and 99% transparency, while the hydrophobic coating protects your iPad from water and fingerprints. It comes with an alignment frame to make it easy for you to use it properly.

Supershieldz Film screen protectors

Supershieldz screen protector for Apple iPad 10.2 inch (2020: 2019, 8th: 7th generation)

Here is a screen protector for the iPad (2020) that comes in a high quality three-pack. It's not quite as heavy as other protectors on this list as it is made from PET film rather than tempered glass. However, it still protects the iPad from the vast majority of the abuse you are likely to throw at it. The fact that it's made of plastic rather than glass also means it's more transparent and delicate than other protectors, so you can keep using your iPad as if it wasn't even there. Be warned, however, that some buyers have warned of the difficulty of applying this protection (at least when compared to other products) as using PET film increases the chances of bubbles if you don't install it carefully enough.

Omoton glass screen protectors

Omoton screen protector for iPad 8 .: 7th generation (10.2 inch, iPad 2020: 2019)

Omoton's screen protector for the iPad (2020) is the thinnest protector on this list that is made of glass. At just 0.26mm thick, it offers as good as the greatest possible transparency and responsiveness you can expect from a glass protector, ensuring full compatibility with the Apple Pencil. In addition, it protects your iPad from everyday damage with a hardness of 9H. Unlike some protectors, there is no hole for the selfie camera, which is supposed to help protect the camera from dust and dirt. It also has a hydrophobic and oleophobic coating, which makes it resistant to water and fingerprint stains. Anyone concerned about the installation is designed to be bubble free. The slightly rounded edges make it easier to hold when applying to the iPad. Comes in a pack of two.

ZoneFoker glass screen protectors

ZoneFoker 8th Generation iPad Screen Protector (10.2 Inch, 2020)

This list is rounded off by ZoneFoker with an iPad (2020) screen protector. It is sold in packs of 2 and is another piece of tempered glass that has a hardness of 9H so it can withstand scratches from hard objects such as keys and knives. It also offers a transparency of 99.99%, ensuring that the iPad screen does not lose its gloss or color. ZoneFoker also claims that it is smoother than other protectors. Another nice feature is that it allows for repeated installations. So if you have a blister the first time you applied the protector, you can remove it and try again. Like other protectors on this list, it's also hydrophobic and oleophobic. Highly recommended and also well rated online.

Editor's recommendations




25 Sep
Blog

Apple iPad 2020 (10.2-inch, 8th Gen) Review: Great for $329

Apple iPad 8th generation 2020 rating space gray 11

"When you need a tablet at a reasonable price, the iPad should be your first choice."

  • Exceptional software with long support

  • Great battery life

  • Colorful and clear display

  • Connects to a robust Apple ecosystem

  • 32 GB of basic memory is not enough

  • Single tinny speaker

  • Still flash, not USB-C

In the technology world, “iPad” is just as general a word as “Kleenex”. As Apple's iPad product range was expanded to include the Air and Pro models, a basic iPad was retained to anchor the group. It's just the iPad. No year, no generation, no name. It's for people who go online or go to a store and say, "I want to buy an iPad today." You can have one for just $ 329.

This is Apple's 2020 iPad – the 8th generation for those who count. It's the perfect tablet for people who just want a computing device.

Hardware, display and design

Apple introduced a brand new design with the iPad Pro line and brought this design along with a beautiful new color palette to the new iPad Air. It hasn't yet achieved the economies of scale that are supposed to be included in Apple's cheap iPad – this looks and feels the same as the last few iPads. What is there to say that hasn't been repeated in years? Apple has perfected this design.

The aluminum plate has a perfectly flat back, pleasantly curved sides and a small bevel that fits perfectly on the front glass. There is no such thing as thriving. It's simply a portal to iPadOS 14. It's an appliance no different from your toaster or Keurig.

The 10.2-inch display is a step down from the iPad Air, but not in its 2160 x 1620 resolution, which produces the same density as the Air. However, you will find that this is not a laminated display. There is a visible gap between the screen and the glass cover that is different from the iPad Air, iPad Pro and any modern smartphone.

Despite this shortcoming, the screen's colors and clarity are superb, and you will only see the gap at certain viewing angles. The maximum brightness is stated as 500 nits, which is sufficient – although I have always set the brightness to 100% outdoors. The lack of lamination can cause problems outdoors, which are more reflective in daylight than most tablets.

If you don't spend a lot of time outdoors, you'll love this display.

I don't really have anything against the old-school iPad's circular Touch ID sensor for functionality, but it feels dated compared to other alternatives like a built-in fingerprint sensor or the sensor built into the side of the iPad Air on the power button. I bet this will be the last iPad with the Touch ID button.

And I hope when the switch is made the screen bezels will shrink too because they look weird. Bezels are useful for holding the tablet without touching the screen, but they don't have to be that big.

The iPad sits comfortably at 1.08 pounds and the weight is well distributed. However, you will be reminded of the age of this design again as it is heavier than the iPad Air and iPad Pro, both of which offer dramatically more features and larger displays. Regardless, it's easy to hold up the tablet with one hand in portrait mode or with two hands while watching a long video.

However, when it comes to audio, video falls short. There is only one speaker on one side, which can be easily covered by your hand and is quite thin. The back is also slippery. If you'd like to help them for an expanded display or input, you'll need Apple's tri-fold Smart Cover – that will bring you back a cool $ 50.

Software, features and battery life

iOS 14 is the biggest change to iPhone software in years, but the same can't be said for iPadOS 14. The iPad benefits the most from moving to iOS 14, as notifications and warnings don't cover the entire screen and there's a new Spotlight -Search interface. That being said, it's effectively iPadOS 13.

Perhaps the biggest new feature is Scribble, which lets you use Apple Pencil to recognize handwriting to text through the user interface. This of course requires a $ 99 accessory and is a whole different discussion.

Unfortunately, iOS 14's app library isn't here, so you can no longer manually manage the pages of apps and folders, which now seems archaic. You also have nowhere to move widgets anywhere on the home screen, which I consider a massive oversight. However, you can pin the widget area to the left third of the main home screen in landscape orientation.

Multitasking remains complicated – there's a lot of power here, but it's hard to spot and seemingly impossible to master. There's an awkward dance of gestures to bring up apps, use the split screen, and trigger floating windows with no hints of detectability – all you have to do is try things out.

iPadOS 14 seems simple, but it hides a steep learning curve for multitasking.

Apple probably knows that the typical basic iPad customer will multitask far less than those who buy an Air or Pro. However, don't let that stop you from making the most of it.

With the A12 Bionic processor and plenty of screen, there is a lot you can do when you dig into the depths of gesture controls for multitasking. And the iPad never skips a beat – with two or three apps at the same time, even with other apps in the background, it never misses a step. The iPad is clearly packed with specs to handle the high features and capabilities of an upcoming iPadOS 17, not 14.

The only place not ready for the future is storage. The base of 32 GB is simply not enough. After a few days, I had already used 23 GB – but luckily I ordered a 128 GB model. I suggest everyone do the same. It's just a shame Apple is hollowing you out for another $ 100 or 30% more to get it.

As expected, the battery life is fantastic. The 32 watt hour cell offers a long service life. Apple advertises its usual "10 hours of surfing the Internet or watching videos", which of course is by no means representative of the use of iPads. I used it a few hours a day for a full work week, keeping up with a mix of any kind of light load from social media apps, email, and messaging, and YouTube and podcasts – and I didn't have to charge anything Once. The iPad is especially good at sitting idle for hours (or days) without using a noticeable amount of power. If you're not actively using it, the iPad won't go blank.

Unfortunately, along with the relics of design and the Touch ID sensor, the iPad continues to use Lightning for charging. Let's hope this is the last iPad to use the old port and that it will connect to every other iPad (and MacBook as well as Android phone) on USB-C. It's just so much better. At least the charger in the box is now USB-C on the wall side.

The iPad has a rear camera, but it might as well not. The 8 megapixel sensor is useful for taking photos of receipts or sending an explanatory message to a friend, but that's about it. The 1.2 megapixel front camera handles video calling tasks in the app of your choice (up to 720p). The quality is roughly equivalent to that of a laptop, but lags behind a modern telephone. The ease with which you can make a FaceTime call with loved ones is more important in many ways than the quality of the camera itself.

Our opinion

The 8th generation iPad isn't exciting, but it's an exceptional tablet for $ 329. Easy to learn and use, iPadOS 14 can be extremely powerful for multitasking and light productivity work if you spend time learning. The battery life is exceptional and the display is great for the money. The hardware looks and feels old, but it's incredibly effective – and most importantly, it's built to last a long time, both physically and in terms of internal specs.

To say that the iPad costs $ 329 is a misnomer, however. For that money, you only get 32GB of storage, which is not enough. You have to spend $ 429 to get 128GB. Ouch. Basically, you need a smart cover that every iPad needs. That's $ 50 more. So it's really a total package of $ 479.

But even at $ 429, it's impossible to find a better tablet experience. Yes, if you need a keyboard to turn an iPad into a work device, consider buying a Chromebook instead of a keyboard accessory for $ 159. If you are on a budget as a tablet, nothing better than the iPad can be done.

Are there any better alternatives?

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 is cheaper and of a similar size. But iPadOS is completely superior to Android on tablets, and the app selection is so far ahead that it deserves no comparison. The Tab A 10.1 is only a better choice if you are on a very tight budget and don't need the tablet other than just to surf and watch media.

If you need your iPad for work or school, there is a good argument why you shouldn't buy an iPad. Once you get the higher storage option and the Apple keyboard, you are well within the realm of buying a laptop. A Lenovo Chromebook Duet or an Asus Chromebook Flip are better choices, but then you have to miss out on the iPad app ecosystem.

How long it will take?

Apple has an exceptional track record of updating the software on its tablets. For example, iPadOS 14 will be available from 2017 through the 5th generation iPad. You are expected to receive at least three annual software updates for this iPad, and it is clear that there is enough internal hardware to run it.

The Lightning charging port and Touch ID sensor with a physical home button are areas that feel old faster. However, these are only a minimal part of the experience compared to being able to keep using the latest software and apps for years to come.

Should you buy it?

Yes. If you don't have the budget for an iPad Air and just need a basic tablet as a secondary device for casual use, there is no better choice than the iPad. Just be aware of the potential budget scare when looking to buy the 128GB model and a smart cover for it.

Editor's recommendations




29 May
Blog

Huawei MatePad Pro Review: Tablet Thwarted by the iPad

huawei matepad pro tablet review matebook feat

"A great display and convenient features like wireless charging make the MatePad Pro desirable, but it can't beat the iPad."

  • Colorful screen with an aspect ratio of 16:10

  • Wireless charging is welcome

  • Great audio performance

  • Good multitasking / desktop software

  • Limited availability of the app

  • Mediocre camera

I recently tested the Apple iPad Pro 2020 and the Magic Keyboard. This superb tablet and keyboard have become an integral part of my daily technical routine and replace my MacBook Air and phone for longer use when I'm on the couch.

Huawei's alternative, the MatePad Pro tablet (with keyboard case), is a challenger to Apple's experience, and I was excited to see how it compares to the all-conquering iPad Pro. The MatePad Pro has a lot to offer, but Apple's iPad Pro sets a high standard for deletion.

design

The Huawei MatePad Pro has a 10.8-inch screen, is 7.2 mm thick and weighs 460 grams. The total space requirement differs from the more square iPad due to the wider aspect ratio of the screen, which makes it appear more cinematic.

This is not a heavy device, but it feels significant. Every corner is neatly rounded and the chassis itself is curved, while the weight is centrally balanced. I found this to be a disadvantage when I held it upright with one hand as the top of the tablet felt heavy when the gravity took over. The screen is surrounded by frames that still give your palms enough buffer when you hold it in landscape orientation.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Huawei uses a hole-punch selfie camera with the MatePad Pro, as we saw on some smartphones. It is located in the top corner of the screen and is very good for unlocking the face as it is not covered by the palm of your hand. It disappears quickly when you watch videos, just like on a phone. It is also a good visual indicator of which end is imminent.

Turn the tablet over and everything is very simple in design. There's a dual-lens camera, some Huawei and Harmon Kardon brands (which power the speaker system), and that's all. My evaluation tablet had a muted steel-gray color, but lighter orange and green models are also available. Take a look at the top and bottom. You only see the speaker grille and the Type C USB charging port.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The dimensions of the MatePad Pro make it easy to take with you. I took it out in a small bag when I took a couple of photos and it never felt awkward or added any uncomfortable amount of weight. Even if you wrap it in the keyboard case, it stays that way. The thin screen bezels give it the same modern look that I loved on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e, and apart from the somewhat cumbersome weight balance, the MatePad Pro is a real eye-catcher.

The keyboard case

Huawei sells you a keyboard case for the MatePad Pro if you want to do light work, but it is not a magic keyboard. Instead, think of it as the Huawei equivalent of Apple's Smart Keyboard. It is a wrapper that covers the tablet's body and screen and then opens to reveal a keyboard and provide a convenient way to support the tablet for easy viewing and typing.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The case is magnetically attached to the MatePad Pro, but the connection isn't as strong as I would like it to be. When I "opened" the case to use the keyboard, I often used the edge of the case to do it, and it usually separated from the body, which became frustrating. It doesn't feel very good either. It is a hard structured plastic rather than leather or another soft material.

There are two preset angles for the screen. The base of the tablet magnetically snaps into pre-cut grooves in the case and is far more secure than the back of the case. It will definitely not come off. I found that the two perspectives covered most eventualities, whether I was typing on a desk or watching a video on my lap.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

How about typing? It depends on whether. The keyboard is not suitable for working on your lap because the space requirement is quite small and the whole thing shakes. Put it on a desk and the experience is far more stable. The feeling is pleasant and the keys have a lot of travel. However, the sunken keyboard is small and the keys are loud.

Google's G Suite is not directly supported, and Huawei's browser is not supported by the web-based version. However, this works fine in Firefox – provided that you activate the desktop view. Huawei installs WPS Office pre-installed, and Microsoft Office Mobile is available through the Huawei App Gallery. Both can be scaled to the screen of the MatePad Pro, but Office requires a subscription to save and share documents.

I like how light the keyboard is. It adds very little volume to the MatePad Pro and is quite portable. This is not a great keyboard case for all-day use. However, if you type on an airplane or want to whip out the tablet in a cafe, that's fine.

Huawei sells the keyboard case separately for £ 129, which is about $ 160. It is also available as a package with the tablet.

Display quality

The 10.8-inch LCD screen has a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels and an aspect ratio of 16:10, making it ideal for watching movies. The slim 4.9 mm bezels ensure an excellent full-screen appearance with a rich screen-to-body ratio of 90%.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Amazon's Prime Video and the UKTV Play app are available through the app gallery. However, YouTube can only be accessed via a browser.

The quality varies frustratingly. The resolution of the screen is not high enough to play 4K content via Amazon Prime. Instead, it is downgraded to an uncomfortable level of quality. Compare the Grand Tour on the MatePad Pro with the iPad Pro 2020, and there's a rift between them. The MatePad Pro looks overwhelming.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Switch to YouTube and things couldn't be more different. Watching versions of the stunning 2K resolution videos from Carfection is great. Many episodes use the majority of the screen in the ratio 16:10 and show a wonderful color balance and dynamics.

The screen is more reflective than I would like and has often asked me to pull the curtains so that I can see the screen better. I have nothing to do with the iPad Pro.

Audio comes from four speakers. The stereo separation in landscape orientation is really good, with the language coming through very clearly. There is also a lot of bass booming in the case of the tablet.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Netflix is ​​a no-go, and the same goes for Disney + and NowTV, which keeps subscribers to these services from buying a MatePad Pro. However, Crunchyroll can be viewed through the browser.

I also found the lack of Kindle or Comixology apps frustrating as it took effort to find or create compatible files so I could read them on the MatePad. This has reduced my enjoyment of the MatePad Pro. If watching shows and films or reading books about these services is high on your list, this is not the tablet for you.

software

Just like the Huawei P40 Pro, the MatePad Pro uses Android 10, but without integrated Google services. The open source version of Android is covered with Huawei's EMUI interface and uses Huawei Mobile Services instead of Google Mobile Services. This means that there is no Google Play Store or Google Apps as well as various internal changes that make page loading impossible. Instead, you need to use Huawei's growing App Gallery Store or Amazon App Store for your apps.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The situation regarding the availability of apps has not changed since the test of the Huawei P40 Pro, and only a little since my experience with the folding smartphone Mate Xs.

Many apps that may be considered essential are missing or difficult to install. It is possible to use APK files, but there are always security concerns, and it may be unwise to use them with apps that contain payment or other personal information.

While it is not so important for a tablet to have messaging apps – which is a good thing, since notifications on the MatePad occasionally occur, which is a similar problem to the P40 Pro – the enjoyment comes instead from media and games. The MatePad Pro is restless when streaming apps. So what about games?

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Unfortunately, it's a similar story. Yes, the App Gallery has some big names, including Asphalt 9 and World of Tanks, but I can't find my other main supports like DariusBurst, Hill Climb Racer, Reckless Racing 3 or Riptide GP in the App Gallery.

Riptide GP is available in the Amazon App Store if I want to pay for it again in the past after purchasing it on Google Play. Asphalt 9 Legends is a lot of fun and looks stunning on the huge screen, while the sound is just as bright as when watching videos. I really miss the opportunity to try the other games that I really enjoy.

How about optimizations for the tablet? There is multitasking that works identically with iOS 13 on the iPad. You slide in a special launcher and then tap and drag icons to open two screens at the same time, or tap to display them as a floating window at the top. Not every app supports split screen viewing, including Firefox, if you use it as a browser. Office, WPS Office and the gallery as well as Facebook and Twitter (both installed via an APK) are fine.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The EMUI desktop mode is interesting. EMUI is activated with a shortcut in the notification shadow and is similar to Windows 10. The floating windows are practical and far more customizable than in tablet mode. I found it easier to focus on the job when using it because it feels better to use than the tablet layout. It's also quick to quit and works well with the keyboard – but not all apps work. Even WPS Office warns that some features may not be available when used in desktop mode.

There is also a pre-installed app for kids called Kids Corner. It offers a variety of security measures, from daily limits to blue light filters and a main password. Once inside, there is a painting area, a dictation machine app and a child-friendly camera app. Apps have to be added to Kids Corner manually. You need to look for kid-oriented apps in the app gallery. Although the list is long, many are localized and there were no major brands that I recognized.

My requirements for a tablet are different from those for a smartphone, but there are the same problems that affect the P40 Pro, the Mate Xs and even the Honor 9X Pro. Just as I can't get a line on my P40 Pro or can't access my WhatsApp chat backups, I can't watch Netflix or play DariusBurst on the MatePad Pro. That diminishes my enjoyment of an otherwise perfectly functioning and powerful tablet.

camera

Huawei knows a thing or two about cameras. Finally, the Huawei P40 Pro has the best Android camera available. However, tablets do not require such robust camera systems because they are mainly used indoors. The MatePad Pro has a single 13-megapixel camera on the back with an aperture of 1: 1.8, auto focus and flash. On the front is a single 8-megapixel camera with a fixed focus.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It’s not great. Huawei tried to arouse interest in the viewfinder with a highly optimized zoom slider. However, this is purely digital, so the quality is poor. Photos taken on a sunny day capture the blue sky, but have problems with overall contrast and leave shaded areas too dark. Photos in the early evening are affected in the same way.

The front camera is acceptable enough for selfies and video calls, but the placement makes it difficult to find a natural angle.

Overall there is really nothing to get upset about. It's a shame considering what Huawei can do with its cameras.

Performance and battery life

The MatePad Pro is the heart of the Huawei Mate 30 Pro and the P40 Pro smartphone. The Kirin 990 chipset is used. It is matched to 6 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage space and offers space for a proprietary Huawei memory card. MicroSD cards do not fit. Huawei has announced a 5G version, but my test model is just Wi-Fi. The battery has a capacity of 7,250 mAh and is charged via a USB cable connection of type C or wireless charging.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Benchmark apps need to be downloaded as APK files, but Geekbench 5 refused to install through the APKPure store, so I could only use 3DMark.

3DMark Sling Shot Extreme: 4,785 volcano

This is comparable to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6's score, which contains a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset. I never had any performance issues with the MatePad Pro because apps opened quickly and the operating system was not delayed.

Battery performance is decent. It took me a day and a half during my in-depth tests, which included hours of watching videos, some games, general surfing and light work, and some photos. In normal use, the battery lasts four or five days before it needs to be charged.

However, I didn't use it that way. With wireless charging, you can easily place it on a charging base when not in use and charge the battery constantly. This is a real advantage. This means that the tablet was always on hand and always charged. I didn't have to think about plugging it in overnight.

Price, guarantee and availability

The Wi-Fi Huawei MatePad Pro costs £ 499, which is about $ 610. It comes with a two year warranty if bought in the UK. It is available through Huawei's own online store and in some retail stores, including curries. The MatePad Pro is not officially available in the United States, but can be purchased as an import. The keyboard case costs £ 129 or about $ 158, and an M Pen is yours for £ 100 / $ 122. Huawei also sells the tablet, case, and pen for £ 610 or about $ 745.

Our opinion

The biggest problem with the Huawei MatePad Pro is the Apple iPad. While the MatePad Pro is a good tablet for video, gaming, and easy productivity, there is no compelling reason to prefer an iPad Air or an 11-inch iPad Pro.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. The Apple iPad is the best tablet you can buy today, and it almost doesn't matter which model you buy.

Yes, the iPad Pro 2020 is the best, but it's also very expensive. If you want the 11-inch model and smart keyboard to match the MatePad Pro and keyboard in our test, the $ 799 tablet and $ 179 smart keyboard cost a total of $ 978 .

Instead, we recommend that you buy the Wi-Fi iPad Air with its 10.5-inch screen for £ 499 or £ 479 and the Smart Keyboard for £ 179 or £ 159. This recommendation applies regardless of whether you are in the United States or the United Kingdom.

If you'd rather stick to an Android tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is recommended for $ 649 due to the higher availability of the app. The keyboard case costs another $ 179.

Do you want more options? Check out our favorite tablets from 2020.

How long it will take?

This is not a water-resistant or robust tablet. Doing so will take many years in terms of performance, screen quality, and the potential to serve as a general work machine if you also buy the keyboard case. Huawei is confident that the app gallery will fill up over time, so that the availability of the apps can also improve.

My MatePad Pro review has Android 10 with the April security update. While EMUI is receiving updates from Huawei, it is not known whether the core version of Android will change in time.

Should you buy it

No. The MatePad Pro struggles to compete with the Apple iPad Air, which is about the same price when purchased with the Smart Keyboard. It offers better access to apps, an excellent software experience with frequent updates and a similarly impressive screen.

Editor's recommendations




03 May
Blog

Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Review: Transform Your Tablet

Apple Magic Keyboard Review iPad Pro

Apple Magic Keyboard (11-inch iPad Pro 2020)

"For many users, the Magic Keyboard turns the iPad Pro into a real laptop alternative."

  • Tactile, precise typing experience

  • Responsive trackpad

  • Perfectly weighted for desk or lap

  • Productivity increases significantly on the iPad Pro

  • An expensive accessory

  • The screen angle setting is limited

These words are written on a magic keyboard that is connected to an iPad Pro. It is the third full product review I wrote using Apple's new keyboard accessories for the iPad Pro (2020). It has comprised at least 7,000 words since it arrived about a week ago. At the moment I am also typing with the iPad Pro and the magic keyboard on my lap and not at my desk.

Does this all mean that the iPad Pro has found the accessories that can really make it a laptop alternative? That may still be a stretch, but it was certainly never closer. I have been living with the iPad Pro with and without Magic Keyboard for a few weeks now and can say with certainty that this keyboard stands out from all previous competitors.

This is what it looks like. If you haven't decided to buy a new iPad Pro yet, check out our iPad Pro (2020) review.

design

You notice the weight of the Magic keyboard for the iPad Pro the second it arrives. Even in the box, it's a tough thing, and once it's unpacked, it's actually heavier than the iPad Pro itself. I used the 11-inch version with the 11-inch iPad Pro and together they weigh 2, 34 pounds, which is just a hair lighter than the 13-inch MacBook Air 2020. Don't buy this combination if you want to save weight in your pocket, as that's not really the case.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends.com

This weight gives you security. It doesn't feel weak in any way, which makes it well suited for the round. There's no annoying flex that slows typing, and the heavily cushioned hinge holds the tablet securely in the position you choose. With the weight comes the air of quality, and while this would not be desirable in the iPad Pro itself, it is in the keyboard. When closed, the package is approximately 19 mm thick, while the 2020 MacBook Air is 21 mm thick.

Due to the current restrictions, I wasn't able to carry the iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard around in my pocket, so I can't judge their suitability as a pendulum tool, but I have no reason to doubt a convenient companion. What I know is the material from which the keyboard case is made – a pleasantly tactile plastic with a soft handle – that picks up all the fluff, dust and crumbs on the bottom of your bag. It already takes up enough dirt and fingerprints when sitting at home, and inevitably gets dirty when dragged around.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends.com

The Magic keyboard is covered with magnets. A set in the top half holds the iPad Pro in place, and while it doesn't cover the entire back of the tablet, it does so with flaky enthusiasm. There is absolutely no risk of it slipping or falling, even with excessive shaking. Opening the case is easy and the top cover snaps into place quickly. Then set the viewing angle up to 130 degrees.

Once set, it doesn't go anywhere again, but I've found that I wanted it to go a little further back than it can take for a more dramatic viewing angle. There is also no way to use the iPad Pro "alone" with the Magic Keyboard case attached. It cannot be folded to become a 2-in-1 device. If you want to perform tablet tasks, you must first remove them from the case. The Magic Keyboard is designed to bring the iPad Pro as close as possible to a laptop, and it doesn't differ at all.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends.com

The floating design of the Magic keyboard looks cool. Everything holds together as if it were a coherent product and not a hybrid of two. The solid body is also perfectly weighted and balanced for use in all seating situations. It is an excellent product, and to consider it a minor accessory is bad service for the work that has done all of this just right.

keyboard

Whether on your lap or on your desk, the Magic Keyboard is a pleasure to type. The keys have a spring travel of 1 mm. If that doesn't mean a lot to you, you just need to know that they feel great. I've managed to miss Apple's yearlong keyboard wilderness, and the Magic Keyboard types are similar to an evolution of the keyboard of my beloved 11-inch MacBook Air from 2014. It didn't take any customization time, I just sat down and typed right away at full speed.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends.com

This is an essential part of the iPad Pro equipped with Magic Keyboard, which fits into your working life. I'm a "heavy guy" and found the keyboard to be quite loud, but not more than my MacBook Air. My wrists rest on the edge of the case, which is shaped so that it doesn't dig in or cause fatigue. The overall size is well judged, the keys are solid and responsive, and everything falls neatly on your fingers.

My entire Galaxy S20 test was written using the Magic keyboard on the iPad Pro. I had a deadline, so it was a risk to lock on a new device. I met the deadline and don't think I would have worked faster on my MacBook Air or desktop computer. I only wanted to switch once, and that was to edit and upload photos just because I was forced to learn a new workflow on the iPad Pro. However, I didn't give in and the iPad Pro worked just fine.

There were only a few minor irritations when typing on the Magic keyboard. The first is the placement of the alternate language button in the lower left corner. I lost the number of times I switched to a Japanese keyboard configuration instead of pressing the Shift key with my little finger. The little finger on my right hand also caused me some problems. Sometimes it extends as I type, and sometimes I accidentally tap the third suggested word in Pages on the screen, especially when it was set at its most extreme angle.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends.com

After all, the arrow keys are quite small and cumbersome to press quickly, and there is no row of function keys. The way we type is often very individual, so the irritations I've had may not affect anyone and are relatively minor. The lack of volume or brightness function keys didn't bother me, as both are accessible via iPadOS or on the tablet body itself, but traditionalists may find this annoying. Eventually I had some keyboard issues that did not work after switching apps and forced myself to close the app to make it work again. This is not always the case and will likely be fixed in a future software update.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends.com

The keys on the Magic keyboard are backlit and an ambient light sensor detects when they should be on or off. It is quite sensitive. On a cloudy day, they were lit in my living room when I don't think they're needed. The backlight was deactivated on brighter days to avoid additional stress on the battery. The last keyboard I used with an iPad was the Apple keyboard case for the first-generation iPad Pro, and the Magic keyboard is way ahead in terms of feel, ease of use, precision, convenience, and technology. Most of all, I didn't miss typing on my MacBook Air and didn't feel the need to come back to it.

Trackpad

The Magic Keyboard's trackpad is a headline builder, but has it changed the way you interact with the iPad Pro? No, and that's really intentional. Apple wanted the trackpad to expand the iPad Pro's touch-first operation, and that's exactly what it does. The 100mm x 50mm pad may not sound very large, but is well positioned and has the correct sensitivity for quick use. I haven't used it that often, but when I do, it speeds up my workflow a lot.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends.com

Example? I'm having trouble positioning the cursor and selecting text quickly and correctly on iOS, and this issue is repeated on iPadOS. When I write and edit long pieces of text, it can slow me down a lot. The trackpad eliminates the need to touch the screen, and selecting, copying, pasting, and deleting text in Pages takes no longer than on my laptop. The keyboard shortcuts are also available so that my usual laptop workflow is repeated on the Magic keyboard.

It takes one click to position the cursor instead of typing, and the action is consistent across the surface of the pad. The screen cursor is an easy-to-spot blob, and everything that can be interacted with is clearly highlighted. I mostly use pages and the trackpad integrates very well, but some functions are missing in other apps like Google Docs. For example, you can't quickly click, select, and highlight text, just activate the usual iPadOS copy / paste menu. Oddly enough, however, you can do this in the Twitter app. The Magic keyboard is still new, so additional functions may become available in third-party apps over time.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends.com

I never just relied on the trackpad and switched between use and the touchscreen to navigate and perform certain functions, just like a touchscreen laptop. However, because the screen is so close to your hands and the keyboard's space requirement is relatively small, the range is often minimal and therefore feels faster than a large laptop. Although the trackpad initially aroused the greatest interest in the Magic keyboard, it is only a small, albeit an integral part of what makes the product so good overall.

Connectivity

The Magic keyboard is powered by the iPad Pro and does not need to be charged separately. At the end of the main hinge is a single USB Type-C port that serves as a continuity for charging. This leaves the USB Type C of the iPad Pro free so that you can connect a USB hub or an external drive. However, you cannot do this at the connection of the Magic keyboard. Shame.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends.com

I used a USB hub to extract all the photos from an SD memory card for my Samsung Galaxy S20 test and transfer them to the iPad Pro for editing and uploading. I used different apps during the process and it was seamless and fast. I had no problems with the USB Type-C hub at the time, but due to the short cable and the fact that it needed to be connected to the tablet, it wasn't lying flat on the table. I would also worry that it knocks because of the way it protrudes. I would not worry if it could be connected to the keyboard's USB port.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends.com

It would also have been nice if Apple had included an extra long USB charging cable with the Magic Keyboard. Instead, it was decided not to include any cables at all. The tablet that came with the tablet is short and is not suitable for situations where a plug may not be near your work place. Yes, the battery life is long, but not infinite. Given the cost of the keyboard, this is pretty tight even by Apple's standards.

Price and availability

The Magic keyboard costs $ 300 for the 11-inch model and $ 350 for the 12.9-inch version. You can also buy it from the Apple Store and from various retailers. It is compatible with both the current iPad Pro Tablet 2020 and the iPad Pro 2018. If you have an iPad Pro 2018, there is no reason to update your tablet yet. This is great news for those who have just bought the previous model.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends.com

You need an iPad Pro for your Magic keyboard. As a package, you pay at least $ 1,100 for the 11-inch iPad Pro and Magic keyboard and at least $ 1,350 for the 12.9-inch model. For comparison, a new 2020 MacBook Air starts at $ 1,000.

Our opinion

The hardware combination of the iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard makes it an effective laptop alternative, but the software will still be an obstacle for those who have more complex work requirements. It comes closer to real, complete business than ever before. If your work requirements like mine are relatively simple, you don't have to grab your laptop often, if at all.

However, the slight lack of versatility of the keyboard case and the initially high price can make a laptop the most preferred device for you personally. Think carefully about how you use the iPad Pro every day, because at this price, a laptop can better meet your needs for less money.

Is there a better alternative?

The most logical alternative is a new MacBook Air for $ 1,000. A laptop offers everything the iPad Pro / Magic Keyboard can do, and much more. It also avoids some of the versatility problems, as there are often more ports, a longer charging cable and compatibility with almost all file types. Even the price isn't much different, and if you're only able to buy either, the MacBook Air may be the better long-term purchase depending on your work schedules.

Another alternative would be to find a 2018 iPad Pro and buy one for the Magic keyboard. You save a little money and work the same way. Outsider alternatives that may better suit your needs include Microsoft Surface Go for more than $ 400, or Surface Pro 7 for more than $ 750, or even Chromebooks like the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook for $ 1,000 2-in-1 design and Google for $ 650 Pixelbook Go.

However, the laptop is the only alternative that meets all the criteria, and the other alternatives often have to make the same or greater compromises than the iPad Pro and the Magic Keyboard combination.

How long it will take?

The iPad Pro easily lasts three to five years or even longer, depending on what you use it for. Adding the Magic keyboard only increases the lifespan. However, the keyboard has no water resistance or special durability. You should therefore make sure that nothing is spilled or dropped on it. If you are careless, a big bill may be waiting for you.

Should you buy one?

Yes. With the Magic keyboard, the iPad Pro comes closer than ever to its promise as a laptop alternative.

Editor's recommendations




22 Apr
Blog

Apple iPad Pro (2020) Review: The Definitive Tablet

Apple iPad Pro 2020 review back

"The iPad Pro 2020 is the best version of the best tablet you can buy, and no task will impress you."

  • Amazing screen

  • Versatile, easy-to-use software

  • Packed app store with tablet-specific apps

  • Neat, comfortable and light design

  • Good performance

  • Perfect for work or leisure

  • Important accessories increase costs

  • The LiDAR sensor currently has no advantage

  • Expensive against competitors

The Apple iPad is the most popular tablet in the world and that we would recommend to anyone buying a new tablet. There's a brand new version of the top iPad Pro for 2020 now, but does that mean you should buy it?

Oh well. Of course. The iPad Pro has dominated the tablet market since its launch. The 2020 iPad Pro is a small update, but it's still way ahead of its rivals.

design

I purchased the 11-inch iPad Pro for review. The only difference from the 12.9-inch version is the screen size. Even the pixel density is the same for both models at 265 pixels per inch. Quite simply, one is bigger than the other and you have to decide which one best suits your needs. The larger model is probably better for artists and anyone who is serious about working with the iPad, but it may also feel a bit too big to watch videos in bed or for general home use, which I think is great for 11- works better. Inch version.

Apple iPad Pro 2020Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The tablet is super slim at 5.9 mm and light at 471 grams, and I've never felt tired when I propped it up or put it on my lap. The weight and dimensions are exactly the same as the iPad Pro 2018, and the overall design is similar. The back of the tablet is flat, as are the sides, which are only interrupted by perforations for the quad speakers, the USB charging port type C and three buttons. It's all very industrial, especially in space gray. It cannot be called beautiful, but there is no doubt that much has been thought about doing it just right.

For example, you would think that the flat edges would feel sharp after a while. You don't. The slightly beveled edge provides comfort and the curved corners fit exactly in the palm of your hand, so you can hold the iPad Pro for hours without digging into your hands. The matte metal case has a lot of grip and doesn't draw many fingerprints, which spoils the screen and puts it in a terrible state. The narrow 6mm bezels are just the right size to hold the tablet without accidentally touching the screen.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The camera with two lenses on the back separates it from the 2018 model and brings it stylishly closer to the iPhone 11. It gives the design of the tablet character, does not protrude too much from the surface and means that the camera is more powerful here than on anyone iPad previously. Since the selfie camera is very well hidden in the thin screen bezels and the buttons are almost flush on the sides, the feeling for the camera shock is the best way to determine which end was "up".

An ergonomic problem related to Face Unlock occurs occasionally. The camera setup is in the narrow bezels. If you hold the tablet in landscape format, you can easily hide it. It is not uncommon for the tablet to accidentally go to sleep by pressing the button. You may also need to use Face Unlock to make purchases, and you'll need to readjust your grip for the cameras to work. Fortunately, there is an arrow on the screen that points to the camera location. Like the 2018 model, the iPad Pro 2020 unfortunately does not have a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

I haven't updated my iPad since the first generation iPad Pro 12.9 released in 2015. It is a tablet that I liked very much, but was often perceived as unwieldy. Switching to the 11-inch iPad Pro 2020 is like traveling back in time, as the tiny victim of 1.9-inch screen space is nothing compared to the benefits of improved design, weight reduction, and reduced space requirements. By comparing like this, you understand how slim and user-friendly the new iPad really is and how far Apple has gotten in design in a few years.

display

The iPad Pro's Liquid Retina IPS screen measures 11 inches and has a resolution of 2388 x 1668 pixels, Apple's ProMotion 120Hz technology, true tone colors and 600 nits of brightness. The iPad Pro was the ideal video partner not only thanks to the wonderfully calibrated screen, but also thanks to the abundance of available media apps.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

Although the iPad Pro doesn't show 4K video, the quality above 1080p is absolutely wonderful. The colors are perfectly coordinated – lively, bright and dynamic in equal measure, but never exaggerated or too saturated. Of course, the quality varies with the video content itself, but provided it has been filmed competently, it looks great.

The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime usually looked stunning – crisp, sharp, and full of detail. Watching Wheeler dealers via the Dplay app is not quite as nice, but not with the iPad. However, this doesn't make it any less pleasant. In contrast to a foldable smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy Fold or the Huawei Mate Xs, the aspect ratio of 4: 3 is better for watching videos, as the black bars are minimized. I preferred to watch videos on the 11-inch iPad Pro over my older 12.9-inch iPad Pro. It's just easier to use without compromising the screen size.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

One of the most striking aspects is the ProMotion 120Hz screen. If you're like me and you're from a first-generation iPad Pro or other tablet without a high-refresh screen, it's amazing to look at. There is no blurring at all, and this makes viewing menus about surfing the Internet and playing games more enjoyable. It is a wonderful addition to this stunning screen.

Disadvantage? It's a shame that the screen gets pretty greasy and doesn't clean very effectively even with special cloths. If you don't buy a case or stand for the tablet, you have to hold it or pry it against things to watch videos for extended periods of time. The compatibility of video files can also be incomplete, especially if they are run from external drives. Otherwise it is error-free.

Software and productivity

IPadOS 13.4 is installed on the iPad Pro 2020. This brings with it various improvements for iOS 13, which were published at the end of 2019 and brought the tablet closer to a laptop alternative for the first time. When used normally, it feels like the iOS it is based on, and is more suitable for the larger screen with the slide-up dock menu and other improvements. Multitasking has been significantly improved, and there are now two ways to use more than one app.

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Both are easy to use and logically set up. The first is split view, where two apps, or in some cases two views of the same app, appear on the screen at the same time. Once you've learned the swipe and tap combination to make it work, it's easy, but it's a shame that not all apps work with it. For example, you cannot open a browser window next to Autotrader. If you are swiping too fast to access the dock, you can simply exit the app instead.

Slide Over fixes the problem that not all apps work with Split View and instead hovers other app windows over a main full screen app. This is helpful because you can open many windows at the same time and then switch between them in the synopsis view. This is very helpful. I have found that using pages to write an article with a research browser window open has speeded up my workflow.

The new software also introduces USB device management. The iPad has a single USB Type-C port to which I connected a hub to provide USB Type-A ports and an SD card reader. It worked fine, read and played compatible video files from a USB stick and imported pictures and videos from an SD card. However, I found that the hub – a Vava multiport model – was drawing a lot of power from the tablet. Therefore, please note that the battery will discharge faster if you use it to work or play videos.

I like typing on the glass screen of the iPad during work. The size is correct so I can still touch the guy quickly, and the software's automatic fix is ​​activated when I make mistakes. I use Pages anyway and the quick sharing between the tablet and my Mac is very helpful. At the time of writing, I hadn't tried the new Magic Keyboard with the trackpad, which promises to really improve productivity. Without a case, the iPad Pro must be on your lap to type, which is not the most ergonomic solution. If you want to use the iPad this way, invest in a case or stand that tilts the tablet toward you.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

What else? Having widgets on the home screen is nice, rather than swiping in the left view as is required on iPhone. This leads to an excellent Apple News experience on the iPad. Here too, the 11-inch model is more suitable for reading in bed than the 12.9-inch tablet due to the space requirement. Books and comics can also be read excellently on the tablet. I could keep talking about iPadOS 13.5 and all the things I like about using the iPad Pro 2020. It's quick and easy to use, animations are nifty without being intrusive, and the app store is packed with apps optimized for tablets.

The iPad Pro 2020 without a keyboard case is a fabulous all-rounder that can play beautiful videos in one minute and is suitable for some quick e-mails and basic work tasks in the next. You can later read or play games. To use it seriously for work, you need a keyboard, but even without it, the way it is recorded and used for everything is appealing and practical, supported by the clever software and this amazing screen.

Performance and games

One of the most important changes compared to the 2018 version is the new Apple A12Z bionic processor with octa-core graphics, which focuses on hardcore work tasks such as 4K video editing. Apple claims it is faster than most PC laptops. We ran a benchmark test to see how it works:

The latest Samsung tablet, the Galaxy S6, does not even come close to this score and underlines the incredible performance of the new iPad Pro. Perhaps the least pleasing thing about the iPad is that holding the tablet is painful compared to a phone or console controller. How this affects you depends on the games you enjoy. Games that rely on swiping, like Asphalt 9 Legends, Minecraft, and Bullet Hell Monday, are better than others. Asphalt 9 also looks fantastic and the performance is undoubtedly excellent.

There's not much else to say, and that's proof of the iPad Pro's flawless performance. It undeniably beats any other tablet and is not even close. If you need a device that is faster than an iPad Pro, you need something that is not a tablet.

camera

There is a double camera on the back of the iPad Pro 2020, which is one of the most important hardware updates compared to previous models. The main lens is a 12 megapixel sensor with an aperture of 1: 1.8 and the other is a 10 megapixel wide angle lens. You get the Smart HDR function, 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second in standard and wide angle, and five microphones. In addition, the iPad Pro has a lidar sensor for measuring distances, which currently has only limited functionality. On the front is a 7 megapixel TrueDepth front camera with face unlock.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The lidar sensor is not much help at the moment. There's no obvious advantage to using the main camera, and Apple doesn't go into great detail outside of the Measure app for what you should use it for. In this way, you can quickly measure objects in the real world with the camera on the iPad. Basic shapes and elements can be recognized quickly. I think it's great that the closer you move the camera, the more detailed measurement data you can see. However, I'm not sure how often I would use it.

The camera is acceptable for a tablet and takes decent photos, but can't keep up with the iPhone 11 Pro or similarly powerful Android camera phones. The color balance is pleasant, the blue sky appears natural, the definition is good in cloudy conditions and the level of detail in close-ups. I felt that the tablet was too big to use as a camera on a regular basis. Since many tablets don't leave the house, the camera of the iPad Pro is perfectly acceptable, especially the video camera for taking quick pictures of your children or pets. However, don't be too excited about the wide-angle camera as the field of view is narrower than that of the iPhone 11 Pro and is only slightly different from the main lens.

battery

The battery in the iPad Pro lasted approximately five days with moderate daily use of approximately two hours. Charging with the included 18-watt charger took an hour to reach 47% and reached 100% in about two and a half hours. With Apple's 29W fast charger, which has to be purchased separately, the battery reached 68% in one hour and it took another hour to reach 100%.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

How quickly the battery drains depends on what you do. Of course, video requires a lot of power, and at least 35% of the battery energy is used for two and a half hours. This corresponds to about seven to seven and a half hours of total video playback, which is less than the 10 hours of video usage Apple has specified. Otherwise, after two hours of general use a day, the tablet lasted five days before it needed to be recharged.

Like the last iPad Pro, the charging port is a USB Type-C port, so the Lightning cable used for the iPhone doesn't work. The included charging cable has a USB Type-C connector at both ends and not a USB Type-A connector, which may limit the wall charging blocks you use. This means you may have to carry multiple chargers around or invest in a single new charging block.

Price, guarantee and availability

The iPad Pro we spent time with is the 11-inch version with 128 GB of internal storage. It costs $ 800. If you want the same version with a 12-9 inch screen, it costs $ 1,000. Choosing more storage increases the price to a maximum of $ 1,500 for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with 1 TB. If you want a cellular connection, the total cost of your new tablet will increase by $ 150.

Apple grants a 1-year basic warranty against manufacturing and material defects. You can also pay for the extended AppleCare warranty, which also covers accidental damage and the battery, and provides technical support for two years. The prices vary depending on the coverage and product. The iPad Pro 2020 is available from Apple's own online shop and retailers such as Best Buy, as well as from mobile operators.

Our opinion

It's not often that a product meets the criteria for being "expensive but worth it", but the Apple iPad Pro 2020 does just that. It's the best version of the best tablet you can buy. If you already have version 2018, you don't really need to update it. This underscores the fact that there is nothing drastically new here, other than more power and the promise of augmented reality functions that will be activated with the lidar sensor in the future version.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes, but it depends on how you imagine using your iPad in the next few years. There's no question that the iPad Pro 2020 is the best tablet you can buy today because it's so versatile – but it's expensive. If you want a very similar experience at a lower price, you might want to look around for an iPad Pro 2018. which can still be found for less money. The simple 10.2-inch iPad only costs $ 330 and is also ideal if you don't expect a lot of work.

However, if you want to switch from a laptop to an iPad, the extra performance is worth it in the long run. If you want an Android tablet, we are fans of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 worth $ 650 and the media-oriented Galaxy Tab S5e worth $ 400. Although we haven't tested it for a long time, the Huawei MatePad Pro 5G impressed during our practical time and certainly has an enormous amount of technology, including wireless charging and a 5G connection.

You can find more recommendations in our favorite tablets from 2020.

How long it will take?

The replacement of your tablet is not carried out as regularly as with your smartphone. Depending on how often you use your tablet and what you use it for, up to five years are roughly correct. If you plan to use the iPad Pro for work, it may need to be replaced earlier, depending on your needs. If you buy a model with more internal storage, it will last longer.

The iPad Pro 2020 is not waterproof and although it has a metal back cover, the screen is still made of glass, so it can easily break when dropped. As iPad tablets focus more on productivity, they spend more time outdoors making a case and Apple's extended warranty investments. Apple regularly delivers software updates and the iPad will be supported for a few more years. For example, iPadOS 13.4.1 is also running on my original iPad Pro 12.9 2015.

Should you buy it

Yes absolutely. It is difficult to find a common entertainment or productivity task. The iPad Pro 2020 doesn't work very well, but you'll need to buy a few accessories to get the most out of its talents, and there's little reason for last-generation owners to upgrade to it.

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