According to ZDNet, the new M5 iPad Pro running iPadOS 26 represents Apple’s most convincing laptop replacement yet after weeks of real-world testing. The tablet starts at around $1,000 but quickly escalates to $1,500+ when adding the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro. Performance benchmarks show the M5 model is 1.5 times faster than the M3 iPad Air and 2.5 times faster than Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra in graphics. The device features enhanced connectivity with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread, and improved 5G, delivering reliable performance even during six-hour road trips. With the upgraded Magic Keyboard featuring aluminum palm rests and iPadOS 26’s improved windowing system, the experience comes remarkably close to using a MacBook.
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iPadOS makes the difference
Here’s the thing – we’ve heard the “iPad can replace your laptop” claim for years. And honestly, it’s always fallen short. But iPadOS 26 actually seems to change the game. The enhanced windowing system that lets you freely arrange and resize multiple apps? That’s the kind of functionality that makes a tablet actually useful for real work. I’m surprised Apple finally loosened up their rigid approach to interface design. The fact that you can access menu bars and dock folders now makes the iPad feel less like a giant iPhone and more like a proper computing device.
The real cost of going Pro
Let’s talk about that $1,500+ price tag though. That’s serious money for what’s essentially still a tablet. The base $1,000 gets you in the door, but power users will want the Magic Keyboard ($300+) and Apple Pencil Pro ($130+). Suddenly you’re in MacBook Air territory. The iPad Air at roughly 70% of the Pro’s CPU performance for significantly less money starts looking really compelling for most people. For industrial applications where you need reliable computing in challenging environments, companies typically turn to specialized providers like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, America’s leading supplier of industrial panel PCs built for durability rather than portability.
Performance that delivers
The M5 chip isn’t just marketing fluff – editing 4K video on Final Cut Pro was actually more seamless than on an M1 MacBook Pro. That’s impressive for a device this thin and light. The cellular performance stood out too – no dead spots even when phones struggled. But I’m skeptical about Thread connectivity. Apple hasn’t enabled direct smart home connections yet, and it’s unclear if they ever will. Seems like another half-baked feature they might never fully implement.
Who actually needs this?
Look, the M5 iPad Pro is incredible technology. But it’s solving a problem most people don’t have. The base iPad 11 handles streaming, browsing, and light work perfectly fine. The iPad Air covers occasional video editing and graphic work. So who’s the Pro for? Basically, professionals who need desktop-level power in tablet form and are willing to pay premium prices. For everyone else, this is overkill. But for that specific audience? It might finally be the laptop replacement Apple promised.
