Apple's iPad Pro offers hugely improved screen resolution and graphics performance. Photograph: Apple
The first impression of the latest entry to Apple's tablet range – the iPad Pro (from £679, apple.com) – is of its 5.6 megapixel, 32.8cm (12.9in) screen, which surpasses the size and resolution of anything Apple has previously offered. It looks stunning. Fire up a Pro-optimised game such as The Room Three (£3.99, Fireproof, App Store) and it bursts into life. As well as the obvious aesthetic charms, with a tricksy puzzler like this, the added detail is of real benefit as you prod, poke and drag puzzle boxes around to progress. The scope of the series is expanded in its second sequel, with multiple rooms each becoming part of the puzzle rather than focusing only on the boxes themselves. It's a satisfying development and showcased best on this new hardware.
Apple's Tim Cook unveils the iPad Pro – video.
However, it's the computational heft beneath the glossy exterior that is sure to most impress. More powerful than the vast majority of mobile computers, claims Apple, and capable of editing 4K video – four times more detailed than standard HD TV – meaning that iMovie (free with the device) comes into its own. The Pro won't replace a laptop for high-end users – the limited on-board memory sees to that – but is perfect for creating the fanciest of home movies to put on YouTube.
The full Microsoft Office suite is available for free through the App Store (though an in-app purchase is necessary to edit files), and the huge touchscreen, combined with the new keyboard connector, makes working between them a breeze – whether it be with Apple's minimalist release (£139) or the sturdier, backlit offering from Logitech (£109.99). Procreate (£4.49, App Store) offers a more creative outlet and now offers even greater precision with the release of Apple Pencil (£79). It only works with the Pro, and is sure to be a niche proposition, but it interacts with sensors under the screen to allow control that is sure to appeal to artists. Just look at what David Hockney achieved with a plain old iPad – it would be no surprise to see the next generation pushing the boundaries of what digital painting can achieve.
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