Apple's new iPad Pro is thin and fast, but the software needs an update

Apple's new iPad Pro and iPad Air models launch Wednesday. I've been testing the new iPad Pro for several days, and what I found is that it's a very nice iPad.

This is an important launch for Apple. Earlier this month, the company reported a 16% year-over-year drop in iPad revenue for its fiscal second quarter. Apple hasn't rolled out a new iPad since October 2022.

The new iPad Pro is fast, with the latest M4 chip, and it has a new OLED display that's more colorful than prior screens. It's the thinnest product Apple has ever launched.

But it still runs the same iPad software, and that's starting to feel dated. The fully loaded model I tested costs about $2,499. That's before you add the $350 keyboard and $129 Apple Pencil Pro, which will help you get more out of the device.

It's time Apple makes this more than just an iPad. The software, called iPadOS, needs to catch up to the hardware.

Here's what you need to know about it.

The new iPad Pros cost $200 more than the models they replaced. I tested the larger 13-inch iPad Pro, which starts at $1,299 before storage and 5G upgrades. The 11-inch model starts at $999.

The first thing I noticed when I picked it up was its thinness. It's noticeable compared with the M1 iPad Pro I've used for the past several years. And it's lighter. That's especially nice on the 13-inch model, which replaces the 12.9-inch version. I always thought it felt too heavy and clunky to use as a tablet. It still feels big, but it's more manageable.

The new OLED screen is another highlight. It's clear and super colorful. It's similar to the OLED screen Apple has used on its iPhone Pros for years but not on iPads. The screen adapts, getting brighter in dark movies or showing scenes with explosions. And