Testing Apple’s M5 iPad Pro: Future-proofing for Apple’s perennial overkill tablet

The latest iPad Pro introduces what can be described as a significant chip upgrade, known as a "refresh," while retaining the familiar design. This approach allows Apple to maintain compatibility with its extensive range of accessories. For Mac users, these updates can be quite thrilling, especially for those engaging in demanding tasks—such as developers compiling large applications or podcasters and streamers editing high-quality audio and video content. The appeal of increased speed is undeniable, even if users may not notice a substantial difference right away. However, when it comes to the iPad Pro, the scenario becomes more complex. With Apple’s transition to its M-series chips, the performance capabilities of the iPad Pro have reached astonishing heights. Reviews frequently highlight that while the hardware is exceptional, it often exceeds the performance needs of typical iPad tasks. Reflecting on a previous review of the M4 iPad Pro, concerns arose about the justification for spending substantial amounts on a tablet that, despite its impressive specifications, often struggles to compete with similarly priced laptops in terms of functionality. Since that time, Apple has rolled out iPadOS 26, which introduces enhancements in multitasking, file management, and various background operations. Yet, even these improvements are unlikely to challenge the robust capabilities of the M1 chip, let alone the much more powerful M5 chip that now powers the latest iPad Pro.