The Apple M4 processor debuts with an iPad Pro for the first time

Apple Silicon has always been first utilized with a Mac ever since its launch in 2020. May it be a new Macbook, a Mac Pro, or iMac, it was always first used by Mac then shared to the iPad line after. Well, a few days ago, Apple unveiled the new M4 processor and it’s first home is in the 7th generation iPad Pro.

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M4 processor

The new M4 is built on a ‘second-generation’ 3nm process that further enhances the power efficiency of the chip. It has 28 billion transistors, 3 billion more than the previous M3 with the now ‘first-gen’ 3nm process. This means there are more transistors working at the same amount of power, giving you better productivity for every wattage you spend from the battery.

The M4 can have up to 10 cores that have four performance cores and six efficiency cores. It delivers a great leap in performance over the previous M2 chip on the past iPad Pro. That translates to 1.5x better CPU performance, together with better handling of visuals and AI. It even has hardware-accelerated ray tracing for improved graphics in demanding games and other visual projects.

It’s taken further by the new Display Engine that has tandem OLED support for the Dual OLED technology in the new iPad Pro. It’s also able to compensate for brightness and color, as well as run from 10hz to 120hz ProMotion support.

2024 iPad Pro (7th Gen)

The new iPad Pro was updated to have the thinnest body yet (for the 13-inch model) and new screen technology. As mentioned, it has the new M4 processor that makes pro-level tasks easier without the heft in your bag.

The 11-inch model is 5.3mm thin, while the 13-inch is less at 5.1mm. That is less than the last iPod Nano that measured 5.3mm, and almost as slim as the bottom part of the trackpad that’s at 4.9mm. Despite that size, the new iPad Pro has higher performance and efficiency than ever before.

Both sizes of the 7th-gen iPad Pro feature the new Ultra Retina XDR Display that utilizes tandem OLED technology. The two OLED screens are combined for a brighter full-brightness setting. It’s capable of up to 1,000 nits for standard and HDR content, and up to 1,600nits in peak HDR. This allows one to work even in bright places, giving you more versatility in where you could work aside. And because of the capabilities of the new M4 processor, there’s no compromise in colors despite the additional brightness setting of the new iPad Pro. A new nano-texture glass is also an option for the 7th-gen model for the first time.

There are also slight improvements in the iPad Pro’s cameras (both rear and front), as well as its connection capabilities via the USB-C port. What’s different this time around are the new accessories that are optional with the iPad Pro.

The Apple Pencil Pro has a new sensor that can sense your squeeze near the tip, and has a function to bring up certain tools, depending on the application. Think of the feedback on the Airpods Pro. It also introduces the ‘roll’ thanks to a gyroscope inside the Apple Pencil for better control, as well as ‘hover’.

The Magic Keyboard Folio was also updated to pair up with the 7th-gen iPad Pro. The keyboard now has a function row, reminiscent of that in the Macbook Air. There’s also a larger trackpad and together with the aluminum palm rest, it really mimics the feel of a Macbook in a thinner, lighter, and removable package. The new 11-inch iPad Pro will start at PHP 72,990 while the 13-inch at PHP 94,990. The Apple Pencil Pro is priced at PHP 8,690 and the new Magic Keyboard Folio starts at PH P19,990 for the 11-inch model and PHP 22,990 for the 13-inch.