iPad Pro Deals & Offers

iPad Pro: Apple's Most Advanced Tablet

The iPad Pro is currently Apple’s most advanced tablet. Laying in between the size and processing power of the MacBook laptop line and the compact elegance and communications features of the iPhone 7, the iPad Pro could be the best of both worlds – or it could be the wrong choice for you. This buyer’s guide will help you determine whether to go for Apple’s finest tablet or whether there are better options to meet your requirements.

A New Generation Tablet

The iPad first appeared in 2010, a couple of years after Apple’s iPhone debuted. The Cupertino, California based company had detected that customers wanted something in between their revolutionary smartphones and more expensive high-end laptops – something they could use for gaming, word processing, video streaming and photography. Hence, they hit upon the iPad – an iOS-equipped tablet with the weight of a large phone.

The iPad proved an instant hit, selling 1 million units within a month of its launch. By 2012, Apple had rolled out the iPad 2 with an improved display and a more powerful A6X processor. After that came the 4th Generation iPad, with an HD camera and Lightning connectors, as well as the iPad Mini (with a screen size of just 7.9 inches).

Next came the iPad Air in 2013, the iPad Mini 2 - both of which sported Apple’s advanced Retina display and took low-weight, compact mobile computing into new territory. However, both the Air and the Mini were blown out of the water in sheer computing terms by the iPad Pro, which was launched in September 2015.

Coming in 9.7 inch and 12.9-inch screen sizes, with up to 256GB of internal storage, these tablets remain technologically unequalled, providing vast amounts of space for images, video and apps, and providing a platform for gaming, communication and professional activities.

What Can You do With an iPad Pro?

The iPad Pro possesses a wide range of features and capabilities, making it suitable for anyone from hardcore app developers to families who need a mobile web browser or students who need help with taking lecture notes. Here are just some of the things you can do with an iPad Pro in your backpack:

• Take HD photographs thanks to the 8MP front camera.

• Download and play music via the iTunes download platform, and enjoy the sound quality provided by four internal speakers.

• Play a wide range of strategy, action and sports games.

• Browse the web.

• Use the Apple Pencil to draw freehand diagrams and control in-game characters.

• Stream TV and movies from services like Netflix or BBC’s iPlayer

• Attach the smart keyboard to turn your iPad Pro into a functional laptop.

• Connect to your iPhone and make or receive calls via your iPad Pro.

• Produce, store and give presentations using the iPad’s range of graphics and word processing apps.

• Navigate unfamiliar cities with Apple Maps.

• Use Siri, Apple’s helper app, to access features and online services.

The Different iPad Pro Models and Bundles

The iPad Pro comes in two main versions, and there are some subtle differences between them (as well as some not-so-subtle ones). Here are the two options you’ll have to choose from:

• The 12.9-inch iPad Pro – At 12.9 inches wide, this model has the largest display of the iPad Pro range. As with the 9.7-inch variety, it features Apple’s Retina display and this matters. Retina is one of the most advanced displays for tablets and smartphones as it comes fitted with multi-touch technology. This enables you to achieve a very fine degree of control over what happens on-screen, often to a degree that other tablet manufacturers can’t match. The 12.9-inch model also comes with a remarkably high screen resolution of 2732 x 2048 pixels, four speakers (one in each corner) and a 64-bit A9X chip, which has the juice to handle demanding activities like video editing. The extra power delivered by the A9X chip (which the 9.7-inch model also uses), has also meant that the iPad Pro’s games collection has blossomed as developers have exploited its processor capabilities.

• The 9.7-inch iPad Pro – Much smaller, but hardly less powerful, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is only inferior in terms of screen resolution (but given that the screen is more compact, this isn’t generally noticeable). It’s much smaller than the 12.9-inch variety, weighing in at 437g compared with 723g, which can be a major issue for travellers and those who need to use the iPad Pro in their hands. The smaller model has also enhanced its display in one area, thanks to its True Tone display, which Apple claims will deliver better video performance by matching the brightness and contrast to conditions around the device. True Tone also applies to the camera, automatically adjusting the flash to ambient light – something that photography fans will really appreciate. In terms of battery life, the two models are roughly comparable. Although the smaller model may win out by around 2 hours, the differences aren’t massive.

Buyers should remember that the larger iPad Pro is the older of the two by one year, having arrived in 2015, and will probably be due for an update in 2017. At the moment, the 9.7-inch variety is slightly more advanced but there’s not a great deal between them.

The iPad Pro: Key Specifications

To understand what you’ll be getting if you order an iPad Pro, it probably helps to dig down into its specifications in a little more detail. Here are the key features of both the 9.7- and 12.9-inch versions:

Firstly, the 12.9-inch model:

• Dimensions: 30.5 x 22 x 0.7cm

• Weight: 723g

• Display: 12.9-inch Retina multi-touch, 16M colours, 2048 x 2732 pixels

• Processor: Apple A9X, Dual-core 2.26GHz

• RAM: 4GB

• Storage: 32/128/256GB

• Cameras: Front: 8MP and 1080p video, Secondary: 1.2MP and 720p video

• Includes a 3.5mm headphone jack

• Connections: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 4.0

• Includes a fingerprint sensor

• Battery life: Up to 10 hours

• Colours: Space grey, gold, and silver

And the 9.7-inch iPad Pro:

• Dimensions: 24 x 176 x 0.6cm

• Weight: 437g

• Display: 9.7-inch Retina multi-touch, 16M colours, 1536 x 2048 pixels

• Processor: Apple A9X, Dual-core 2.26GHz

• RAM: 2GB

• Storage: 32/128/256GB

• Cameras: Front: 12MP and 3840x2160 4K video, Secondary: 5MP

• Includes a 3.5mm headphone jack

• Connections: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 4.2

• Includes a fingerprint sensor

• Battery life: Up to 10 hours

• Colours: Space grey, gold, rose gold, and silver

iPad Air vs. iPad Pro

By now you should be pretty familiar with what the iPad Pro can do, but what isn’t so clear is how it stacks up against Apple’s other iPad models. Remember that you’ll also come across discounts for the iPad Air (and the Mini too), so are they preferable to the iPad Pro?

The short answer is, maybe. The iPad Pro is a decidedly high-end piece of kit with easily the highest price tag of an Apple tablet. It’s more powerful, has more storage space, more functionality and generally gets as close as it gets to a laptop, but in tablet form.

At first glance, it’s hard to tell the iPad Air 2 apart from the 9.7-inch iPad Pro. After all, they are both the same size. However, they aren’t the same device at all. The screen on the iPad Pro is more advanced, with less glare and the assistance of True Tone to deal with ambient light. You can use the Apple Pencil with the iPad Pro, which you cannot do with the Air 2. The iPad Pro has the same basic camera but trumps the Air on video, thanks to its 4K recording abilities. It also beats the Air in terms of processing power (with an A9X vs an A8X processor), and it also wins in terms of storage, with a 256GB option (compared with 128GM max for the iPad Air 2).

However, before you start assuming that there’s no competition, think about the price. As noted above, the iPad Air is significantly cheaper than either model of iPad Pro, usually retailing for around half the price. As you can probably tell, the features of the iPad Air 2 hardly amount to half the functionality and will suit most people just fine. You need to ask yourself whether you will really get enough out of the iPad Pro to justify the extra outlay.

The alternative is to shop around for the best possible iPad Pro deals. With a little work on price comparison sites and deal aggregators like hotukdeals, you’ll find a cut-price tablet that brings the iPad Pro far closer to the price level of the iPad Air.

Is the iPad Pro a Realistic Laptop Substitute?

For others, it’s not a question of choosing between the iPad Air 2 and the iPad Pro. For them, the decision is whether to go for a conventional laptop like the MacBook range, or to opt for a more streamlined, portable tablet. It’s not always an easy decision to make and it’s only getting harder as tablets like the iPad Pro become ever more sophisticated.

If you listen to Apple, the answer is plain: the iPad Pro is clearly a competitor and replacement for laptops. But things aren’t quite so simple. On one hand, the iPad Pro certainly approaches what a laptop can do. You can hook up the smart keyboard and prop up the device, creating a laptop style workstation. You can attach mice, run browsers, graphics manipulation apps and word processors just like you would with a laptop.

There are some major differences, though. For example, iPads come with far fewer connection ports than laptops. If you are used to using USBs and HDMI ports to connect video projectors, gaming controllers or printers, you may struggle with the wireless-based technology of the iPad range. iPads also tend to be inferior for pure office work. If you rely on word processors and are used to a keyboard and mouse setup, a laptop is still the way to go.

Storage is another issue where the iPad falls down. 256GB is great, for a tablet. However, if you are used to holding 500GB of tracks or movies on your hard disk, it will quickly feel restrictive. The lack of compatibility with external drives is also a drag but isn’t a problem with most laptops.

The truth is that many people can happily ditch their laptop and use their iPad Pro for leisure and work, but that it’s not an option for everyone. If you are accustomed to conventional laptops and need connectivity and storage space, the iPad probably isn’t the right option, at least not yet.

iPad Pro: Introduction

What Accessories are Available for the iPad Pro?

With all of Apple’s devices, how much use and enjoyment owners get out of them often depends on the range of accessories they possess. There’s a huge range of different options available for the iPad Pro and all of them can protect or enhance your device, so are well worth thinking about. Here are some of the most important:

• iPad Pro Cases – You’ll find a range of cases for both the 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (so be sure to buy one for your tablet size). When buying a case, it’s important to weigh up several factors. Most importantly, do you want to keep your tablet as light as possible? If so, a slim-line leather or plastic case will provide a basic level of protection without adding too much weight. A smart case that attaches to your iPad’s screen and folds up into a handy stand is another option. However, to really guard against drops and knocks, go for robust products like the Incipio Capture. There’s also the official Apple Case, which is fairly standard, with an attractive look and a reasonable level of protection.

• The Apple Pencil – For many people, the chance to use the Apple Pencil is the most attractive aspect of the iPad Pro. This advanced stylus has been developed solely for use with the iPad Pro (not the Mini or the Air), and is adapted to the multi-touch Retina screen. Resembling an ordinary pencil, the stylus allows you to create freehand drawings with unprecedented accuracy, control in game characters (particularly handy when moving units around in strategy games) and generally navigate iOS. It’s a beautiful accessory that could be a game-changer for creative users.

• The smart keyboard – Another key add-on for the iPad Pro, the Smart Keyboard is a must if you want to turn your tablet into a laptop substitute. It can be stored neatly when folded up, then deployed in seconds with no wires involved. The keyboard itself is made from woven fabric, so there are no keys as such, and no gaps for bits of food to get stuck in either. If you want to enhance the functionality of your iPad Pro, it’s a must-have.

• Screen Protectors – If you want to keep your iPad Pro’s Retina screen in mint condition, a screen protector is absolutely essential. You can find screen protectors in plastics like HDX or tempered glass – but be sure to buy a reputable brand like Zagg, as poorly made products could compromise the effectiveness of your multi-touch screen.

• iPad Pro Stands – A good stand is essential if you want to enjoy movie streaming, hands free gaming or word processing, and there are plenty of choices for iPad Pro users to consider. The best stands come with mounts that can be manoeuvred and manipulated into convenient positions. Make sure you purchase one that is specifically intended for use with your model of iPad Pro and not simply for generic iPads.

Gaming on the iPad Pro

Gaming is one of Apple’s priorities these days and the iPad Pro is intended to be just what tablet gamers need, but how does it really measure up to the competition, and is it the right choice for serious gamers?

The iPad Pro certainly has plenty of properties that endear it to gamers. There’s the choice of two high resolution, spacious screen sizes, the excellent processing speed, the relatively high storage space (for a tablet) and the ability to use the Pencil. This handy piece of kit has proved really useful for gamers, whether they are playing intricate puzzle games or commanding armies in war games.

However, there’s always a down side, and in the iPad Pro’s case, it’s probably about size. While both models are obviously far smaller and lighter than a laptop, they are larger than most iPhones and the smaller iPad models. Larger tablets can be tiring for gamers to hold, and larger screen sizes can be inconvenient for some types of game. So, if you adore platformers or shoot em ups, you might do just as well with a smartphone.

Another problem is that tablet gaming just can’t compete with high-end consoles and laptops in technical terms. This makes tablets like the iPad attractive for casual gamers who want a diversion for a few minutes or for gamers with a taste for simple, often retro-inspired titles, but a less appealing option for devotees of the latest version of Call of Duty.

If you do choose to buy an iPad Pro for gaming, be sure to get hold of a specialist games controller at the same time. You’ll find plenty of excellent wireless options from manufacturers like Logitech and Mad Catz, and they are a great way to broaden the range of playable game styles.

How to Get the Best Price on iPad Pro

The first thing to do is to work out which model you want and visit a store like Apple or Currys to see it in action. Ask staff about its capabilities and connections to establish that it really does do what you need it to do. But don’t get talked into a purchase. Not yet, at least.

Now, head to hotukdeals and check out the iPad Pro listings. You’ll find a wide variety of deals from major UK retailers like Currys, Argos, John Lewis and Apple, as well as online sellers like Very, Envirofone and Amazon. Check out cashback companies like Quidco as well, as they often feature offers for iPads.

When you’ve found a deal, just click through and make the purchase. You may also find bundles with the iPad, apps and accessories like the Pencil or the smart keyboard. If you need those add-ons, buying them together can be a great money-saving opportunity.

Timing your purchase can also save money. Apple’s devices aren’t cheap, but they are often discounted around Black Friday in November and the January Sales. You might also find some deals on older devices around September, before new Apple devices are rolled out in the Autumn.

With some smart shopping, you’ll find a fantastic deal on the world’s most advanced tablets.

Make Huge Savings on Your Next iPad Pro at hotukdeals

The iPad Pro is the most technologically impressive tablet around, offering high resolution graphics, great add-ons, powerful processing and access to Apple’s huge app library. If you’d like to give the tablet a try, head over to the hotukdeals iPad Pro listings and find an unbeatable tech deal today.