Early benchmarks of the iPad Pro 2021 with the laptop-grade Apple M1 chip reveal some serious performance.

Tests conducted on the Geekbench 5 CPU benchmark, discovered by MacRumors, revealed that Apple is not holding back the power of the M1 chip just because it is a tablet. However, it is not yet clear exactly whether Apple wants users to take advantage of all of the M1's performance in tablet form.

In an average of four Geekbench 5 results (and one more), the new M1-equipped iPad Pro scored a single-core score of 1,718 and a multi-core score of 7,284. 2020 iPad Pro with A12Z Bionic chip in our own testing, it recorded 1,126 and 4,720 in the same test. These numbers clearly show that the 2021 iPad Pro is a much more powerful tablet than its predecessor.

Comparatively, the MacBook Air M1 recorded 1,701 and 7,378 in the same test. Both this and the iPad beat the 1,091 and 6,845 scores of the most powerful MacBook to date, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with Core i9.

Tablets like the iPad are not as versatile as laptops, as they often do not come with keyboards or mice and require a case or stand to use without holding more. With that in mind, the power of the M1 iPad Pro 2021 remains impressive and may be a better choice for certain users who prefer to work with a stylus rather than a mouse or keyboard.

Nevertheless, all power needs to be put to good use. Apple did not show off any new M1-compatible iPad apps at the Spring Loaded event, but given that these apps work fine on existing iPad hardware, the question arises as to what the extra performance is needed for. Especially since the M1 Mac can run iPhone and iPad apps alongside native macOS apps. However, high benchmark scores alone are not a reason to spend $1,000 or more on a new tablet.

The 2021 iPad Pro will be available in late May; both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch models will feature the M1 chipset, along with a new Center Stage front camera and optional 5G connectivity. The larger model, however, will feature a mini LED display for sharper, more vibrant colors. We have yet to test the iPad Pro, but with these impressive specs, it could well become a new member of our best tablets list.