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Is the iPad Pro Worth It in 2026? A Designer's Honest Take

When Apple came out with the redesigned iPad Pro, I started thinking about whether it could actually fit into my workflow. It had been years since I'd used an iPad, and while the hardware looked great, the price kept me on the fence. I kept going back and forth on it: is the iPad Pro actually worth it?

What finally pushed me over the edge wasn't the specs, it was the software. With each iPadOS update, Apple kept inching the iPad Pro closer to being a real productivity tool. Eventually the right mix of features lined up with a solid deal, and I pulled the trigger.

So is the iPad Pro worth it?

Yeah, the iPad Pro is worth it. The new iPadOS is a workhorse and it doesn't disappoint. Saving and sharing files in the cloud just works now. And as a creative professional, having the ability to quickly take notes and sketch out ideas to share with my team has been huge.

But that's just scratching the surface. I'll get into my favorite features below, but first, here's some context on the specs I chose.

The iPad Pro specs I chose (and why)

I went back and forth for a while, but I ended up going with the 11" iPad Pro with a 64 GB hard drive in Space Gray. Three main reasons:

1. 1.I already have a 15" MacBook Pro as my daily driver, so the 12.9" iPad Pro felt redundant.
2. 2.I wanted to take advantage of the iPad's portability, so the smallest form factor made the most sense.
3. 3.Most of my work lives in the cloud, so I didn't feel like paying extra for a bigger hard drive. Plus, iPadOS now supports external hard drives via USB-C, so I can always plug in an SSD if I need more space.

I also picked up the Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) and the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio.

Apple Pencil

I'll be honest, I was pretty excited about the 2nd gen pencil. It was actually one of the main reasons I decided to get the iPad in the first place. The ability to take notes, draw out ideas, and share them instantly felt like magic. And yeah, I know Wacom tablets and other styluses have been around for years, but having this inside the Apple ecosystem made a big difference for me.

Apple Smart Keyboard Folio

I consider the keyboard essential. I'm typing this article on it right now. I might upgrade to the Logitech MX Keys at some point for multi-device switching, but for now the Folio case gets the job done.

My daily workflow with the iPad Pro

The iPad has become a real part of my daily routine. If you're looking for the best iPad apps for productivity, creativity, and communication, here's what I'm using.

Apple Notes

My most-used app. Paired with the Apple Pencil, it makes handwritten task capture fast and natural. Notes are searchable too, which is wildly useful.

Apple Sidecar

This lets me use the iPad as a second display when I'm traveling. It's not a full replacement for a monitor, but it's a solid mobile solution.

Procreate for iPad

If you're wondering what iPad is best for Procreate, the iPad Pro is hard to beat. Like the Apple Pencil, Procreate was a major factor in my buying decision. For creating the best digital art, it gives you power and portability in one package. It's fast and intuitive for sketching, experimenting, and sharing ideas. For my money, it's the best drawing app for iPad (hands down).

Notion for iPad

I do all my writing, planning, and task management in Notion. On the iPad it just feels right: fluid, focused, and distraction-free.

Spark for iPad

Email and calendar in one clean interface. It works great across devices, but it really shines on iPadOS with gesture support and split view.

iPad Pro vs laptop: can it replace your main machine?

For certain types of work (writing, sketching, email), the iPad Pro is fantastic. But for dev work, design tools, and video editing, a laptop still wins. Until we get native versions of pro tools on iPadOS, the iPad works best as a powerful complement to your main machine, not a full replacement.

Where it fits

The iPad Pro is now a core part of my weekly workflow. It's not my everything device, but it's absolutely earned its place in my setup for writing, brainstorming, and staying mobile.