The latest rumor about the iPad Pro is that it will have a processor on par with the M1 chip for the Mac. Here’s why that might matter.
A new iPad Pro might be mere weeks away, and we already know a lot about it. While it probably won’t getting a new design, Apple could be bringing a slew of important changes, including a mini LED display for OLED-like colors and power efficiency, better cameras, and 5G support. But the most important change might be a surprising one: the processor. Of course, we fully expect the iPad Pro is in line for a faster processor. Even though it’s only been less than a year since it was updated, the iPad Pro is currently the second-fastest tablet Apple makes behind the iPad Air, putting Apple’s flagship tablet in the odd position of being slower and more expensive. A new processor will give the iPad Pro its rightful position at the top of the tablet class. However, while we expected the iPad Pro to get an A14X or Z like the iPads of old, a new report suggests that Apple’s high-end tablet might be getting an even bigger-than-usual speed bump. According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the processor inside the upcoming iPad Pro will deliver performance « on par with the M1 chip in the latest Macs, » meaning it’ll be crazy fast. While desktop speeds on a lightweight tablet sound awesome, it’s also a bit of overkill. Any iPad Pro user will tell you the current chip is plenty fast enough, and even iPads from several years ago can run the latest apps and operating system without a problem. So, why would Apple feel the need to upgrade the processor beyond what an A14X would be capable of? Here are five reasons. For all of the things the iPad Pro can do, there’s still a giant hole when it comes to pro-level apps, particularly the ones Apple makes.
