Apple iPad 4 Pro Reviews

To say that the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition is a good tablet would be an understatement. It is clearly among the best Android slates out there and it sets the bar pretty high for all contenders. At the same time, we're amazed to see that the iPad 4 is still holding strong despite being almost one year old. Yet ultimately, which one of the two is the better pick? Well, that's hard to say and the final decision would mostly depend on each and every buyer's preferences. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition is a great tablet overall, despite being a bit plasticky. Starting at $550 for a Wi-Fi-only 16GB model, it is definitely expensive, but it offers quite a lot of value for its money. Samsung's offering excels when it comes to multitasking, not only because it packs a powerful processor backed by tons of RAM, but also thanks to its Multi Window functionality. Then there's the S Pen – a feature rarely seen on tablets out of the box, and a potentially very useful tool for productive and creative individuals. The iPad 4, on the other hand, is noticeably heavier and thicker, but has a much more premium feel. It is a well-built, good-looking machine, and it runs great with iOS 7 on board. Having access to Apple's rock-solid ecosystem of music, movies, and, of course, beautifully made apps and games, is also among its advantages. Oh, and did we mention that the iPad is cheaper? Yup, a base model iPad 4, with 16GB storage and only Wi-Fi can be had for $500. Just keep in mind that a new iPad model is expected to launch before 2014 is out, so if you feel like that's the right tablet for you, better hold on to your cash and wait for its successor to launch.

The iPad 4 is the quickest iPad yet and a solid choice for a tablet in which we can barely find fault. However, if you're not in a hurry to buy, it's worth waiting for the rumoured iPad 5, which could launch within months.

Now this is a tough pickle on our hands, seeing that there’s an obvious gap in terms of pricing with the two tablets. At the very least, the iPad 4 can be bought for $500, which is significantly easier on the pockets over the $900 cost of the Microsoft Surface Pro. On one side, we have a very mature tablet platform that’s rich with an ecosystem of useful third party apps, while on the other, we have the newcomer in Windows 8 on the Surface Pro. Although it’s lacking a healthy selection of touch/tablet optimized apps at the moment, we remind ourselves that the Surface Pro is running a full desktop operating system – meaning, we have access to a trove of software support. Here’s the deal. If you’re willing to spend the extra cash and looking for an all-in-one solution, we highly recommend getting the Microsoft Surface Pro, since it’ll basically replace a laptop – while at the same time giving us the comforts of a tablet experience too. Additionally, it’s also more versatile in the fact that it’s armed with all the components we’d typically find on a laptop, plus, it comes with a useful pressure sensitive stylus as well. Knowing that it’s still portable enough to travel around with, it’s something that’s more suited for those looking to get some serious work done on the road. No doubt, there’s more of a productivity aspect seen with Microsoft’s slate, but the iPad 4 has that awesome balance between price point, quality construction, and a lively ecosystem of apps support. As a content consumptive device, it’s perfect with its consistent performance and vast collection of multimedia content. And as we’ve seen too, it’s able to capture the better looking photos and videos. If you’re currently pleased with your computer/notebook, the iPad 4 is a perfect complementary thing to pick up – and you won’t have to fork out a fortune on it!

It’s daft to say Apple’s fourth-generation iPad is its best yet - how could it not be? If you're sure you want an iPad, fanboy or not, it's the one to go for. Still, there’s no need at all to upgrade if you have an iPad 3, of course - wait for the 5, at least. I wouldn’t go from an iPad 2 if it wasn’t for the retina display, though the new model’s performance hike is welcome. Having to cope with a new connector is less so, but new buyers won’t be overly inconvenienced, though they may baulk at the price.

Twice as fast, better battery life, same cost. What more do we need to say? The new iPad is a hit on all fronts -- but it of course won't be received that way by all. Those who just made the investment in an old, new iPad are likely going to feel a bit burned, and we feel for you. Meanwhile, those still voicing their dissatisfaction with the Lightning connector will surely lament its presence here, but to you folks we say the world is moving on and now is as good a time as any to jump on board.

The iPad was not the first tablet but it can claim sole responsibility for the explosive growth of the tablet market. Then the iPad 2 came to drastically cut the weight and double the processing power, and the iPad 3 crowned the collection with the gorgeous Retina display. With these jumps between generations in mind, the iPad 4 feels more like a 3S. That's not entirely fair though - the new chipset offers a greatly enhanced performance. And while it looks like the exact same tablet on the outside, the Lightning connector allows the tablet to share accessories with the iPhone 5. Millions of people have upgraded to the new iPhone and not having to keep double stock of accessories is more than welcome. As far as the hardware of the iPad 4 is concerned, it's one of the best 10" tablets available. It's the software that we have a bigger issue with - iOS 6 has many fine enhancements, but Android and Windows 8 RT feel like they're starting to pull ahead. Android in particular has been eroding the iPad's tablet dominance.

Frankly people, we can’t help but wonder in awe about the aggressive pricing attached to the Google Nexus 10. Sure, it might not have the premium build of the iPad 4, nor its mightier camera taking capabilities, but when it proves to be the productivity conscious tablet between the two, aided by the new enhancements of Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, it definitely screams more value for the buck. At the moment, we can agree that there are more tablet-optimized third party apps on the iPad, but as always, that gap is lessening as time passes. With a starting price point that $100 less than the iPad 4, the Nexus 10 still manages to enthrall with its magnificent high resolution display, easy video-out functionality, and battery longevity.

Incredibly quick in all departments, but battery life suffers considerably

Apple's latest iPad is the best large tablet you can buy, period.

All things considered, you’d be excused for calling this less of an “iPad 4” and more of an “iPad 3S.” Nomenclature, to be fair, is one place where Apple’s improved over the last iteration: Though the company markets the new model under the same “iPad with Retina Display" name as the previous model, the company’s also not shied away from referring to this latest version as the “fourth-generation iPad,” eschewing the third-generation’s occasionally confusing official moniker “the new iPad.”

Faster than its predecessor with better wireless support, this is still the ultimate tablet

Apple has only made minor changes on the outside of the iPad 4. The device uses the new Lightning interface. This interface is far more compact and easier to use than the 30 pin dock interface previously used by Apple. Of course, this change will be disadvantageous to users of older iOS devices (besides iPhone 5). The old charging cable will only fit with the help of an adapter, which the user will have to purchase separately. The front camera has been improved. This is a big win for video chats. The rear camera is still better for taking pictures. However, the two cameras can not capture great pictures. On the other hand, recording films is fun. An important change: the A6X chip. Apple speaks of up to 100% increase in performance (in comparison to the iPad 3). Once again, they are not exaggerating: the new SoC is very powerful and places the iPad 4 on the top of the tablet ladder. The iPad 4 puts up new records in both CPU and GPU performance tests, and in some cases, it can leave the competition quite far behind.

Current iPad 3 owners needn't bother upgrading unless you desperately want 4G connectivity. For everyone else, the iPad 4 is the quickest iPad yet and a solid choice for a tablet in which we can barely find fault.

As much as we’d love to believe that this is the successor to the iPad 3, partly due to the fact that there’s a “4” attached to its name, we figure that it’s more indicative of being an iPad 3S – since you know, it’s employing the same design as before, but with subtle hardware improvements. Sure, there are going to be some “new” iPad owners steaming with the realization that their model is outdated after 6 months, but regardless of that, it made sense for Apple to announce it now so that its product lineup is unified by offering its new Lightning docking port. Ultimately, the iPad 4 delivers on all the fronts you’d want a top-notch tablet to succeed in – thus, easily making it one of the elites in the tablet world in the moment. Heck, it even manages to take some good looking photos and videos, which are much better than most of the competition. So if you’re in the market for a premier tablet, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t put the $500 Apple iPad 4 on your list.

The third-generation iPad arguably didn’t need refreshing; in fact, if Apple hadn’t opted to change to Lightning, it could realistically have held off changing its largest tablet until early 2013, as per its typical yearly refresh cycle. That makes for a reasonably straightforward upgrade decision if you’re a 3rd-gen iPad owner. Unless you’re desperate for Lightning – perhaps you’ve also got an iPhone 5, and want to use all the same accessories rather than buy the adapter dongle – then we’re yet to see apps that really demand the potent A6X chipset. On the other hand, it widens the distance between the iPad 2 – which remains on sale as the “budget” full-sized iPad – and the iPad with Retina display. Tomorrow’s battle is the decision between the speed and glorious graphics of the iPad with Retina display, or the portability and convenience of the iPad mini. The incredible, high-resolution screen was already enough to justify the $100 premium over the iPad 2 to our mind; the future-proofing of the speed increase (and the new iPad mini, undercutting the iPad 2 by $70) is simply the coup de grâce.

The new fourth-generation iPad is the best iPad. It's the fastest iPad. But it's no longer the smallest iPad, or the most affordable. That changes the perception of Apple's larger tablet seemingly overnight: this is now the professional-level performance device, the laptop alternative. Who are we kidding? It's still pretty portable, and at $499, it's decently affordable. For those who care about the best screen and the greatest compatibility with cutting-edge apps, look no further. Others may choose the iPad Mini for its compactness. In the long run, the iPad Mini may be the most successful iPad. Today, I still think that award belongs to the larger, classic version, but by a narrow margin -- and mainly because of that Retina Display.

Although we haven't yet had our hands on the new iPad with Retina display, it's safe to say that third-generation iPad owners shouldn't upgrade. We've yet to hear anyone with an iPad 3 complain that it isn't fast enough, and the Lightning connector is - if anything - a reason not to upgrade. If you own an iPad 2, there's a much stronger case to upgrade. In fact, if you can afford to, it's a no-brainer.