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Attention, power users. Apple just updated its iPad Pro with its new M5 chip, which is also coming to a new 14-inch MacBook Pro and a 2025 version of the Vision Pro.
The M5 iPad Pro, available in 11- and 13-inch models, offers 3.5 times the AI performance compared with the M4 iPad Pro. Apple is positioning this as the top tablet to buy if you’re looking to use AI tools like image-generation apps. It tested AI video upscaling in DaVinci Resolve, for example, and found performance was 2.3x faster compared with the M4 iPad Pro.
Alongside other upgrades for gaming and a generally faster CPU, there are also improvements to memory that make multitasking on the tablet smoother. Apple says its new tablets have over 150GB/s of unified memory bandwidth, a nearly 30% increase compared with the previous generation. This tablet is almost six times as fast as an iPad Pro M1, which launched in 2021.
(Credit: Apple)
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity tech are also coming to the iPad Pro via the new N1 chip, also found in the latest iPhones. There’s also a C1X modem for cellular versions of the iPad Pro, which Apple says will provide a 50% improvement in data performance and a battery life boost when connected to mobile networks.
Other features include an Ultra Retina XDR display on both models, with 1,000 nits of brightness, which increases to 1,600 nits when viewing HDR content. The tablet is also available with an optional nano-texture display glass to reduce glare. You will only need this if you’re accustomed to working on high-end design projects that require more precise color accuracy.
We don’t yet know the size of the battery in either tablet, but fast charging allows for a 50% charge in 30 minutes. To get that top speed, you’ll need to use a new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max. That costs $39 more as Apple doesn’t include chargers with its iPads.
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The iPad Pro M5 is up for preorder now on its website, and it launches on Oct. 22.
The 11-inch version starts at $999 for 256GB of storage and $1,199 for 512GB; both versions have 12GB of RAM. The 1TB ($1,599) and 2TB ($1,999) versions bump the RAM to 16GB.
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The 13-inch version starts at $1,299 for 256GB of storage and $1,499 for 512GB, both with 12GB of RAM. The 1TB version costs $1,899 and 2TB costs $2,299, both with 16GB of RAM.
These prices are for the Wi-Fi only version; the cellular variant costs an extra $200.
The M5 isn’t just for the iPad Pro. It’s also coming to the new 14-inch MacBook Pro, and a new revised version of the Apple Vision Pro.
This isn’t the rumored overhaul of the AR headset from Apple, which is reportedly on hold as the brand focuses on its smart glasses project. Instead, Apple says the M5 will deliver “faster performance, sharper details throughout the system, and even more battery life.” There’s also a new $99 Dual Knit Band to make the Vision Pro more comfortable to wear for extended periods. The new version of the Vision Pro still starts at $3,499 with 256GB of storage. It will also be available on Oct. 22.
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