How fast are the iPad Pro (2nd Gen) models compared to one another and the 9.7" iPad 5th Gen? How fast are these iPad Pro models compared to the MacBook and MacBook Pro?

In the company press release for the 10.5" iPad Pro and 12.9" iPad Pro (2nd Gen) models, Apple uses the word "performance" a whopping seventeen times, and more precisely declares:

The powerful new 64-bit A10X Fusion chip provides performance that is faster than most PC laptops shipping today, so tackling complex tasks like editing photos and 4K video, rendering 3D images or playing games feels effortless. A six-core CPU and 12-core GPU deliver up to 30 percent faster CPU performance and 40 percent faster graphics performance than the industry-leading A9X chip.

The original iPad Pro models that the iPad Pro (2nd Gen) line replaced use the Apple A9X processor, so a promised 30% increase in speed is remarkable from one generation to the next.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Pro 2nd Gen Models)

Independent benchmarks and real-world testing can not only confirm whether or not the iPad Pro (2nd Gen) really are 30% faster than their predecessors, but also determine how the performance of these models compares to the much cheaper iPad (5th Gen) models and the MacBook and MacBook Pro.

Performance Overview

For a solid general overview of the performance differences between the iPad Pro (2nd Gen) and the iPad (5th Gen) as well as Apple notebooks like the MacBook and MacBook Pro -- Everyi.com's own Ultimate iComparison makes it quick to compare side-by-side Geekbench benchmark averages for each device.

According to Geekbench 4.0, in single core and multicore tasks, the 10.5" iPad Pro and 12.9" iPad Pro (2nd Gen) effectively are identical in speed (as you would expect from reviewing a comparison of the devices), and are the following percentages faster or slower than the corresponding tablets and notebooks:

	Processor	Single	Multicore
9.7" iPad Pro	2.1 GHz Apple A9X	+31%	+88%
12.9" iPad Pro (Orig)	2.2 GHz Apple A9X	+28%	+84%
9.7" iPad 5th Gen	2.3 GHz Apple A10X	+52%	+108%
iPad mini 4	1.5 GHz Apple A8	+134%	+226%
MacBook "Core m3" 1.2	1.2 GHz Core m3	+15%	+36%
MacBook "Core i7" 1.4	1.4 GHz Core i7	-4%	+16%
MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.3 13"	2.3 GHz Core i5	-11%	-0.5%
MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.8 15"	2.8 GHz Core i7	-12%	-36%

As you can see, the Geekbench 4 benchmark confirms that the iPad Pro (2nd Gen) models roughly are 30% faster than their predecessors. It also demonstrates that they actually are faster than the entry-level MacBook and even are competitive with the 13" MacBook Pro for some tasks. Definitely impressive, not just impressive for a tablet computer, but impressive outright.

Independent Tests

Geekbench 4.0 can be excellent to measure the overall performance difference between iPad models as well as Macs, but other benchmarks also can be useful, particularly for graphics performance.

In its customary review, ArsTechnica reported that the 10.5" iPad Pro graphics performance is:

Right around 80 percent faster [than its predecessor] in all of our graphics and GPU compute tests. Now that we have better benchmarks that use Metal rather than OpenGL, it's also easier to make comparisons between the iPad Pros and the Mac lineup. The A10X Fusion holds its own with, or slightly beats, the Intel Iris GPUs in the 13-inch MacBook Pros. . . but it can't approach the level of the dedicated GPUs in the 15-inch Pros.

For gaming and video editing, in particular, Engadget found that:

Visually intense games like Monument Valley 2, Skullgirls and Telltale's Guardians of the Galaxy were no problem for the Pro either and actually seemed to get a visual boost thanks to the ProMotion screen. Even editing multiple 4K video files in iMovie was a surprisingly painless process.

Additionally, BareFeats hit both the 10.5" iPad Pro and 12.9" iPad Pro (2nd Gen) with the GFXBench benchmark and it demonstrated that these iPad models have faster graphics than the integrated graphics in the 2016 and 2017 13" MacBook Pro models.

It doesn't matter what benchmark or test you perform, the iPad Pro 2nd Gen models pop out impressive results.

Performance Video

Benchmarks and real-world tests can be helpful, but a side-by-side video can be particularly worthwhile for perspective, as well.

This video from Ordinary Apple Guy compares the iPad Pro 10.5" to the iPad Pro 9.7" that it replaced in a variety of real-world tests:

Perhaps the most noticeable difference in real-world use is the iMovie export. The iPad Pro 10.5" is significantly faster.

Performance Summary

Ultimately, Apple's boast that the 10.5" iPad Pro and 12.9" iPad Pro (2nd Gen) are "faster than most PC laptops shipping today" is not mere hyperbole. These tablets definitely are fast and competitive with many notebooks, including Apple's own. For many users, the iPad Pro clearly is capable of serving as their only computer.

Of course, particularly when configured with accessories, these iPad Pro models also can cost as much as or even more than a MacBook or other notebook computer.