iPad · Apple Silicon · 2021
iPad Pro (12.9", M1)
The iPad Pro went full Mac inside (M1, Thunderbolt, up to 2 TB and 16 GB RAM) and got a stunning 1600-nit mini-LED HDR screen on the 12.9".
First iPad with the M1, Thunderbolt, up to 16 GB RAM, and a mini-LED XDR display.
iPad (10th generation) (2022)
iPad Pro (12.9", M1): key facts
When was the iPad Pro (12.9", M1) released?
The iPad Pro (12.9", M1) arrived on May 21, 2021. Apple discontinued it in October 2022.
How much did the iPad Pro (12.9", M1) cost?
The iPad Pro (12.9", M1) launched at $1,099 in 2021, about $1,275 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Apple M1 at 3.20 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB storage, 12.9" Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED, 2732×2048, 1600 nits display.
Why does the iPad Pro (12.9", M1) matter?
First iPad with the M1, Thunderbolt, up to 16 GB RAM, and a mini-LED XDR display.
Full specifications
| CPU | Apple M1 · 3.20 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 8 |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB (up to 16 GB) |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Display | 12.9" Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED, 2732×2048, 1600 nits |
| GPU | Apple 8-core GPU |
| Ports | Thunderbolt / USB 4 |
| Weight | 682 g |
| Dimensions | 280.6×214.9×6.4 mm |
| Operating system | iPadOS 14.5 |
| Released | May 21, 2021 |
| Discontinued | October 2022 |
| Launch price | $1,099 |
How the iPad Pro (12.9", M1) compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 2.0× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 3.20 GHz, the clock is roughly 1.0× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 32,800 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $1,099 in 2021, about $1,275 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
People joked it had Mac power with iPad software that couldn’t use it.
Related iPad models
Open the iPad Pro (12.9", M1) in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11