This might be the worst time ever to review an M2 iPad Pro. The device is over two years old, and Apple has released a redesigned iPad Pro with M4. But I recently purchased one, so I thought I’d be crazy and do it.

I recovered a significant sum of money that had been lost when a crypto broker filed for bankruptcy. Since I had recouped much of that lost money before I got this check, I decided to splurge on some new tech.

I could have bought the new M4 iPad Pro. Instead, I went with an older model. Here’s what went through my head when shopping for a new iPad in 2024 and what I think of the M2 iPad Pro a few years after its release.

It’s Been a Good Run, But So Long 2018 iPad Pro

For the longest time, my 2018 iPad Pro was my go-to device. When it launched, it was such a great machine. After Apple revised the device four times, I never saw the point in upgrading.

While the newer iPads came with new camera systems and faster processors, that never compelled me to upgrade, I kept that 2018 iPad Pro longer than any other Apple device.

I added the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard Folio before moving to the Magic Keyboard. It was such a tremendous modular computer that it could do just as much as my Mac, just differently.

It wasn’t until recently that the device showed its age. The battery would drain in hours, and I had to wait longer between pushing a button and the tablet responding.

All of this felt inconvenient, but I didn’t use my iPad like I used to. I also didn’t have the same disposable income as I used to since I’m now a stay-at-home dad. I figured I could ride this iPad for a few more years.

Then, that money I lost in a cryptocurrency bankruptcy came back. I hadn’t bought much for myself in the last year, and we are doing okay financially. My wife encouraged me to spend that money on myself.

So I did.

I bought an Apple Studio Display, put some money aside for a new iPhone and Mac Mini (I’m just waiting for the update), and wanted to update my iPad.

While I could have run that 2018 iPad to the ground, I grew jealous that Apple Intelligence wouldn’t come to my iPad. I also knew the battery wouldn’t last much longer, so I upgraded my iPad.

Why Not An M4 iPad Pro?

But I didn’t want an M4 iPad Pro.

Don’t get me wrong, the M4 iPad Pro is a fantastic device. While the design didn’t change much from the 2018 iPad Pro, it did slim down quite a bit. But I don’t find myself holding just the iPad very often. While that thinness is nice, the real benefit is the weight reduction.

Since it is much lighter than the last few iPad Pros, it makes it tempting. Upgrading to the M4 would make the device much easier to travel with, especially when placed in the new Magic Keyboard.

But that new Magic Keyboard is my major problem with the M4 iPad Pro. If I were to upgrade to the new iPad Pro, not only would the iPad be more expensive, but I’d also have to buy more accessories. I would spend much more than I wanted to because If I purchased the new iPad Pro, I would also like to buy the new Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil.

I contemplated it for a time. I could spend more money than I wanted, even trading in my current device to help offset the cost, but my usage didn’t warrant the expense. My current iPad usage only consisted of reading, watching videos, and using it as a laptop replacement when my MacBook battery was low or I wanted a different working view.

Since I’m home most of the day now, I didn’t think it would be a good use of money. So, I decided to pass on the M4 iPad Pro, although I almost bought it five times.

Why Not An M2 iPad Air

My next stop led me to the recently updated iPad Air with an M2.

I had the first generation iPad Air when it came out, but had since moved on to the Pro version since it came out. I wasn’t against buying a new iPad Air. It cost much less than a new Pro, and it came in colors, although the colors of this generation seem very muted.

My Magic Keyboard fits, saving money. While I don’t use the Apple Pencil often, I was unsure if the one I had would work or if I’d have to update to the Apple Pencil Pro to continue using it.

Living on the Pro line for the last six years spoiled me. While I would probably be fine with the Air, I thought I might miss the niceties like Face ID and ProMotion.

On my iPhone 16 Plus, I felt like I could live without ProMotion, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to return to Touch ID. Face ID is such a nice feature, and it still can feel futuristic. Of course, it is still a nicety and not a must-have.

Regardless, I wanted to see if there was something else that could fit the need I had.

Blast From The Past

The insides of the iPad Air with M2 are pretty much like an M2 iPad Pro. While the M2 iPad Pro wouldn’t have colors to choose from, it would have a ProMotion screen and Face ID, and all my iPad accessories would still work.

I turned to the internet to see if I could still find my desired device. Luckily, both Best Buy and Amazon had some in stock. Sadly, they didn’t offer new devices, but their used ones did come at a fair price.

A refurbished 256 GB M2 iPad Pro costs around $70 less than a new iPad Air with the same storage. It seemed like the perfect deal for what I was looking to do.

Great Speed Boost

I don’t regret holding on to my 2018 iPad Pro for as long as I did, but man, using this new iPad felt so speedy.

Every new iteration of the device should be faster than the last. My 2018 was so far ahead of its time that it felt fast for a long time.

However, the speed difference between the 2018 and the 2022 version is enormous. While I don’t need my tablet to be quick when I’m just reading on it, the speed has opened up the device to do more than I used my old iPad. The speed increase alone has driven my iPad usage up from what it was before.

That said, there is more power in this device than I need. I did edit a few videos on my 2018 model, but I don’t see myself doing that much yet. Still, I have found himself bringing the iPad out of the office more often. I’ve even done more writing on the tablet than I have in a long time.

Using multiple apps, with a split screen or stage manager, feels much better. While it doesn’t have any more space than before, since it can handle multiple apps so much better, it feels bigger than its size now.

Of course, I’d feel the same way if I had upgraded to the M4. My bank account wouldn’t feel as good as it does now. Would the extra processing power of the M4 affect how I use my iPad, though? I highly doubt it. The M4 would mean I could use the iPad for more years than this M2, but I’m content for the immediate future.

Since the iPad Air is sold with an M2, I feel confident that this Pro model will be supported for a while. Plus, it has all the same features as the M4, so why pay more now?

Battery life Is So Much Better

My gosh, the battery on this device blows me away. Now, don’t get me wrong; I don’t think the battery life of the iPad Pro rivals that of the old iPads. I felt like I could go a week or more with my iPad Air 1, but this feels much better than the aging battery in the 2018 iPad Pro.

Now, I can only go a day or two with the M2, but it feels so much longer than what my older model could do. Now, I can get a day or two without plugging it in.

Now, I don’t fear forgetting to plug it in after a night of using it on the couch. Knowing that the battery will last gives me more confidence in the device.

Can Do More

This iPad can also do more than my 2018 iPad Pro could. As I mentioned, many features didn’t appeal to me enough to make me feel like I needed them when the M2 iPad Pro was first launched.

For the longest time, I hooked my iPad up to the USB-C dock I had at work when I needed it. Screen mirroring worked fine then, but it wasn’t perfect. Still, it was okay for most of what I needed. Now that I’m home and have a Studio Display, I might be more likely to use it.

When these newer iPads connect to a monitor, they now seem more natural. Instead of a mirrored experience that may not fill up the entire screen, the iPad conforms to the screen. My iPad now takes over my whole Studio Display, and projects at native resolution. It all looks so much better and natural. You’ll also get more monitors since it extends the display instead of mirroring now.

I wish I had this support when I used my iPad at my old job.

Apple Pencil hover is another interesting feature of the newer iPad Pro. While I don’t draw, I find the feature intriguing. I’m sure that artists will appreciate it, but I find it interesting regarding user experience.

I haven’t used the Apple Pencil to do much other than sign documents in the last few years. However, I sat on the couch the other day and tried to write with the Apple Pencil. I tried to write part of this article using the Scribble feature, and while it did blow me away with how it can transcribe my handwriting into text, I grew frustrated trying to write between paragraphs. I’m sure if I started a document and just wrote, it wouldn’t be a problem, but trying to add a new paragraph between others, the cursor would jump around and put words where I didn’t want it to, simply because I was trying to fit it in somewhere.

Using the Pencil to interact with the Home Screen is also pretty neat. Hovering over the screen makes the Pencil act like a pointing device. I’m unsure when I would use this, but I’m grateful to have it.

So, Should You Get an M2 iPad Pro?

So, after a few weeks of using the new to me M2 iPad Pro, I’m thrilled with the upgrade. Of course, I would love to rock the new M4 version, but I’m happy that I saved so much money and feel like I have a new device.

Because of the better battery life and faster processor, I use the iPad more than before.

Should you get an M2 iPad Pro? I recommend it if you can find a good deal and want a better screen and Face ID than the iPad Air.

If you have an iPad Pro from 2018 or 2020 and you’re looking to upgrade, I wouldn’t pass up the chance to get the M2 iPad Pro if you are trying to save some money. Your accessories will still work and get a giant speed boost and a few new features. Plus, since the newest iPad Air still uses the M2, it should be compatible for a long time.

What do you think of buying tech that’s slightly older? Let me know in the comments or tag me in a Thread to let me know what I’m wrong.