Hey everyone! Today, let's dive deep into the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation. This device, launched by Apple, marked a significant step in tablet technology, offering a blend of power and portability that was quite impressive for its time. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a student, or just curious about older Apple products, this article will provide a comprehensive overview of what made this iPad Pro stand out.

Design and Build Quality

The design and build quality of the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation were, and still are, undeniably premium. Apple has always been known for its attention to detail, and this iPad Pro is no exception. The sleek aluminum unibody construction provides a solid and robust feel, ensuring durability while maintaining an elegant aesthetic. The device feels great in hand, though its size might take some getting used to, especially if you’re coming from smaller tablets or smartphones.

Aesthetics: The iPad Pro features clean lines and a minimalist design. The chamfered edges add a touch of sophistication, and the familiar button and port placements make it easy to use right out of the box. Available in Silver, Gold, and Space Gray, there’s a color option to suit various personal preferences. The large display is the focal point, surrounded by a noticeable bezel, which, while not as thin as modern iPads, provides ample space to hold the device without accidental screen touches.

Durability: The aluminum body isn’t just for looks; it also provides excellent structural integrity. While it’s always recommended to use a case for added protection, the iPad Pro can withstand everyday wear and tear reasonably well. The screen, however, is still glass and prone to scratches and cracks, so a screen protector is a wise investment.

Ergonomics: Holding a 12.9-inch tablet might seem daunting, but Apple has optimized the weight distribution to make it manageable. Weighing in at around 1.57 pounds (713 grams for the Wi-Fi model and 723 grams for the cellular model), it’s heavier than smaller tablets but still light enough to carry around in a bag. The size is perfect for multitasking and creative work, offering ample screen real estate for various applications.

Overall Impression: The iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation exudes quality. It feels like a premium device, and the build quality ensures it can withstand daily use. While the design might seem a bit dated compared to newer, bezel-less iPads, it still holds up well and offers a fantastic user experience. For anyone looking for a large-screen tablet with a focus on build quality, this iPad Pro remains a solid choice.

Display Features

Let's talk about the display on the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation, because it’s truly something to behold. The expansive 12.9-inch Retina display is the centerpiece of this device, offering vibrant colors, sharp details, and an immersive viewing experience. Whether you're watching movies, editing photos, or creating digital art, the display quality significantly enhances the overall user experience.

Resolution and Pixel Density: The display boasts a resolution of 2732 x 2048 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 264 pixels per inch (ppi). This high pixel density ensures that text is crisp and images are incredibly detailed. You won't notice any pixelation, even when viewing the screen up close. This is crucial for tasks that require precision, such as graphic design and photo editing.

Color Accuracy: The iPad Pro display supports the sRGB color gamut, delivering accurate and lifelike colors. This is particularly important for professionals who need to ensure color consistency across different devices. Whether you’re a photographer editing your latest shoot or a designer working on a branding project, the color accuracy of this display will not disappoint.

Brightness and Contrast: With a typical brightness of around 400 nits, the display is bright enough to be used comfortably in most indoor environments. While it might struggle a bit in direct sunlight, it performs admirably under normal lighting conditions. The contrast ratio is also excellent, providing deep blacks and bright whites, which enhance the overall viewing experience.

True Tone Technology: One of the standout features of the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation is its True Tone technology. This feature uses ambient light sensors to adjust the color temperature of the display to match the surrounding environment. This makes the screen easier on the eyes, especially during prolonged use. Whether you're reading an e-book or browsing the web, True Tone ensures a more comfortable and natural viewing experience.

Overall Impression: The display on the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation is a major selling point. Its large size, high resolution, accurate colors, and True Tone technology make it ideal for a wide range of tasks, from creative work to entertainment. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of newer iPad displays, it still offers a fantastic visual experience that holds up well even by today's standards.

Performance and Specifications

When it comes to performance, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation doesn't disappoint. Under the hood, it's powered by Apple's A9X chip, which delivers a significant boost in performance compared to previous iPad models. This chip, combined with ample RAM, ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance, even when running demanding applications.

A9X Chip: The A9X chip is a powerhouse, featuring a 64-bit architecture and a significant increase in processing power and graphics performance. Compared to the A8X chip in the iPad Air 2, the A9X offers up to 70% faster CPU performance and up to twice the graphics performance. This makes the iPad Pro capable of handling complex tasks such as video editing, 3D modeling, and gaming with ease.

RAM: The iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation comes with 4GB of RAM, which is more than enough for most users. This allows you to run multiple apps simultaneously without experiencing slowdowns or lag. Whether you're switching between different creative apps or multitasking with several browser tabs, the iPad Pro handles it all with grace.

Storage Options: The iPad Pro was available in three storage options: 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB. While 32GB might feel a bit limiting by today's standards, the 128GB and 256GB models offer plenty of space for storing files, apps, and media. Keep in mind that the storage is not expandable, so it's essential to choose the right capacity based on your needs.

Graphics: The A9X chip includes a powerful integrated graphics processor that delivers stunning visuals and smooth frame rates. Whether you're playing graphics-intensive games or editing high-resolution videos, the iPad Pro handles it all with ease. The GPU is also optimized for Metal, Apple's hardware acceleration API, which further enhances graphics performance.

Overall Performance: In real-world usage, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation feels incredibly responsive and snappy. Apps launch quickly, multitasking is smooth, and even demanding tasks are handled with ease. While it may not be as fast as the latest iPad Pro models with their M-series chips, it still offers more than enough performance for most users. It's a testament to Apple's engineering that this device continues to perform well even years after its release.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Let's explore the battery life and connectivity options of the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation. Battery life is a crucial aspect of any mobile device, and the iPad Pro delivers commendable performance in this area. Coupled with a variety of connectivity features, this iPad ensures you stay productive and connected wherever you go.

Battery Life: The iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation is equipped with a 38.5-watt-hour battery. Apple claims that it offers up to 10 hours of battery life for web browsing, watching videos, or listening to music. In real-world usage, these claims hold up reasonably well. You can easily get through a full day of moderate use without needing to recharge. For more intensive tasks like video editing or gaming, the battery might drain a bit faster, but it still offers respectable endurance.

Charging: The iPad Pro charges via the Lightning port, which is standard for older Apple devices. It takes a few hours to fully charge the device from zero, so it’s best to charge it overnight or during downtime. While it doesn’t support fast charging like newer iPads with USB-C, the charging speed is still adequate for most users.

Wi-Fi and Cellular: The iPad Pro comes in both Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi + Cellular models. The Wi-Fi model supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, offering fast and reliable wireless connectivity. The Cellular model supports a wide range of LTE bands, allowing you to stay connected even when you’re away from Wi-Fi. This is particularly useful for professionals who need to stay connected on the go.

Bluetooth: The iPad Pro features Bluetooth 4.2, which allows you to connect to a variety of wireless accessories such as headphones, keyboards, and mice. Bluetooth connectivity is stable and reliable, ensuring a seamless experience when using these accessories.

Smart Connector: One of the unique features of the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation is the Smart Connector. This allows you to connect to accessories like the Smart Keyboard without needing to pair via Bluetooth or use a separate power source. The Smart Connector provides a direct connection between the iPad and the accessory, making it incredibly convenient to use.

Overall Impression: The iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation offers excellent battery life and a comprehensive set of connectivity options. Whether you’re browsing the web, working on documents, or streaming videos, you can rely on its long-lasting battery. The inclusion of Wi-Fi, Cellular, Bluetooth, and the Smart Connector ensures that you stay connected and productive in any situation.

Camera Capabilities

The camera capabilities of the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation are quite impressive, especially considering its primary focus is not photography. Equipped with capable front and rear cameras, this iPad allows you to capture decent photos and videos, making it a versatile tool for both personal and professional use.

Rear Camera: The rear camera on the iPad Pro is an 8-megapixel iSight camera with an f/2.4 aperture. It can capture detailed photos in good lighting conditions and record 1080p HD videos at 30 frames per second. While it may not compete with the cameras on modern smartphones, it’s more than adequate for casual photography and video recording. Features like autofocus, HDR, and panorama mode enhance the overall shooting experience.

Front Camera: The front-facing camera is a 1.2-megapixel FaceTime HD camera with an f/2.2 aperture. While the resolution is relatively low, it’s sufficient for video calls and selfies. The front camera also supports 720p HD video recording, making it suitable for FaceTime calls and video conferencing.

Image Quality: In terms of image quality, the rear camera captures decent photos with accurate colors and good detail in well-lit environments. However, image quality degrades in low-light conditions, with noticeable noise and loss of detail. The front camera is adequate for video calls, but it’s not ideal for taking high-quality selfies.

Video Recording: The iPad Pro can record 1080p HD videos at 30 frames per second with its rear camera. The video quality is decent, with smooth motion and accurate colors. The front camera can record 720p HD videos, which is sufficient for video calls and casual recording.

Overall Impression: While the camera capabilities of the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation may not be its standout feature, they are still quite capable for a tablet. The rear camera captures decent photos and videos in good lighting conditions, while the front camera is suitable for video calls and selfies. If you’re not a serious photographer, you’ll likely find the camera performance to be more than adequate for your needs.

Software and User Experience

The software and user experience on the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation are smooth and intuitive, thanks to Apple's optimized operating system. When it was released, it shipped with iOS 9, and it has since received numerous updates, ensuring that it remains compatible with the latest apps and features. The combination of hardware and software creates a seamless user experience that is both enjoyable and productive.

Operating System: The iPad Pro originally shipped with iOS 9, which introduced several new features such as Slide Over, Split View, and Picture in Picture. These multitasking features were designed to take full advantage of the iPad Pro's large display, allowing you to run multiple apps simultaneously and boost your productivity. Over the years, the iPad Pro has received numerous software updates, bringing it up to the latest version of iPadOS. These updates have introduced new features, performance improvements, and security enhancements.

User Interface: The user interface on the iPad Pro is clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate. The home screen is customizable, allowing you to arrange apps and widgets to suit your preferences. The Control Center provides quick access to frequently used settings, while the Notification Center keeps you informed of the latest alerts and updates.

App Ecosystem: One of the biggest advantages of the iPad Pro is its access to the App Store, which offers a vast selection of apps optimized for the iPad. Whether you're looking for productivity apps, creative tools, or entertainment options, you'll find plenty of choices to suit your needs. Many developers have optimized their apps for the iPad Pro's large display and powerful hardware, providing a seamless and immersive user experience.

Apple Pencil Support: The iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation was the first iPad to support the Apple Pencil. This stylus allows you to draw, sketch, and take notes with precision and accuracy. The Apple Pencil integrates seamlessly with iPadOS, providing a natural and responsive writing experience. It's an invaluable tool for artists, designers, and anyone who enjoys handwriting.

Overall Impression: The software and user experience on the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation are excellent. The combination of a smooth and intuitive operating system, a vast app ecosystem, and Apple Pencil support makes it a versatile tool for both productivity and creativity. Whether you're working on documents, creating digital art, or simply browsing the web, the iPad Pro provides a seamless and enjoyable user experience.

Pros and Cons

To give you a balanced perspective, let’s break down the pros and cons of the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation:

Pros:

• Large, high-resolution display
• Powerful A9X chip
• 4GB of RAM
• Apple Pencil support
• Good battery life
• Smart Connector for accessories

Cons:

• Relatively large and heavy
• Bezels are quite thick compared to modern iPads
• Lightning port instead of USB-C
• Cameras are decent but not exceptional by today's standards

Final Verdict

In conclusion, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation remains a capable and versatile tablet, even years after its release. Its large, high-resolution display, powerful performance, and Apple Pencil support make it an excellent choice for creative professionals, students, and anyone who appreciates a premium tablet experience. While it may not have all the latest features of newer iPads, it still offers a compelling combination of power and portability. If you can find one at a reasonable price, it’s definitely worth considering.

Whether you're using it for work, creativity, or entertainment, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Generation continues to impress with its performance and versatility. It stands as a testament to Apple's commitment to quality and innovation in the tablet market. Thanks for reading, and I hope this review has been helpful!