Apple iPad Pro 11" 3rd Generation 2021, M1, 8GB, 128GB, Cellular, Space Gray

A stupidly powerful chip and a gorgeous 120Hz screen make this the best tablet deal around, but the battery life is rough and iPadOS keeps the M1 on a leash. Buy it for the screen, not the laptop replacement dream.

What surprised us most is how the M1 chip, which sits at a decent 62nd percentile for CPUs in our database, still feels like it's barely breaking a sweat. The 8GB of RAM is solidly middle-of-the-pack, but iPadOS handles memory so efficiently that you'll rarely feel constrained. The real standout is that screen. At the 81st percentile, it's not the absolute best on the market, but the 120Hz ProMotion makes every animation look incredible. The battery is the weak spot, landing in a disappointing 32nd percentile, so don't expect to leave the charger at home on a long day.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is the most direct rival, offering a superior OLED screen and better battery life, but it loses on raw processing power and the tight integration you get with Apple's ecosystem. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is a different beast entirely, running full Windows, which makes it a better laptop replacement but a clunkier tablet. If you want a pure content consumption and drawing machine, the iPad Pro's display and Apple Pencil support still edge out the Surface. For pure media binging, the Xiaomi Pad 6's screen might tempt you, but its software support is a gamble.

At $500 for a certified refurbished model, this is a screaming deal for the screen and build quality alone. You're getting a premium tablet experience that still feels current for the price of a mid-range Android slab. If you can live with the so-so battery and don't need the latest M4 chip for bragging rights, this is the smart money move.

The M1 iPad Pro is still a bit of a beast, even years after its debut. The one thing to know is this: you're buying a ridiculously good screen and a chip that's still overkill for what iPadOS lets you do. It's a portable powerhouse that feels premium in hand, with a 120Hz Liquid Retina display that makes everything from scrolling Twitter to sketching in Procreate feel buttery smooth. But it's also a device that constantly hints at untapped potential, a Ferrari engine locked in a go-kart chassis because the software won't let it stretch its legs.

If you're looking for a true laptop replacement with all-day battery life, this isn't it. Go get a MacBook Air M1 instead. And if your main thing is reading ebooks in bed, the 11-inch size and mediocre battery make it a chore. A basic iPad or an iPad Mini is a much better fit for that.

Buy this if you want a premium tablet for art, note-taking, and media consumption without paying new-iPad prices. The M1 chip and 120Hz screen are a killer combo that will stay smooth for years. Just know you're buying a phenomenal piece of hardware that's perpetually waiting for its software to catch up. It's the best iPad you can get for $500, period.