The iPad Pro 2nd Gen: A Tech Milestone That Redefined Productivity

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ipad pro 2nd gen

Apple’s iPad Pro 2nd Gen wasn’t just an upgrade—it was a reinvention. Launched in 2017 as the iPad Pro (9.7-inch and 12.9-inch models), it introduced a radical shift: a tablet that could rival laptops in raw power while maintaining Apple’s signature elegance. The moment it arrived, tech critics and professionals alike questioned whether the iPad Pro 2nd Gen would become a workhorse or a niche gadget. Spoiler: it did both. This device wasn’t just faster; it was smarter, with a design language that influenced every tablet that followed. For creatives, engineers, and executives, the iPad Pro 2nd Gen became the bridge between portability and professional-grade performance—something Apple had struggled to perfect in earlier iterations.

What set the iPad Pro 2nd Gen apart wasn’t just its A10X Fusion chip or the introduction of ProMotion (120Hz display), but the way it forced Apple to confront a fundamental question: Could a tablet truly replace a laptop for serious work? The answer, delivered through a sleek aluminum body, a USB-C port (a first for iPads), and industry-leading Pencil integration, was a resounding yes—for those willing to adapt. Even today, its influence lingers in the way modern tablets balance power and portability, proving that the iPad Pro 2nd Gen wasn’t just a product; it was a turning point.

Yet, for all its advancements, the iPad Pro 2nd Gen also exposed Apple’s cautious approach to change. The company retained the Home button, a relic from the iPhone 7 era, while competitors like Microsoft and Samsung embraced bezel-less designs. This hybrid philosophy—innovative yet conservative—made the device a study in Apple’s ability to evolve without alienating its core user base. The result? A tablet that felt both futuristic and familiar, a rare balance that cemented its place in history.

ipad pro 2nd gen

The Complete Overview of the iPad Pro 2nd Gen

The iPad Pro 2nd Gen arrived in March 2017, marking Apple’s second generation of its flagship tablet line. Unlike its predecessor, which focused on incremental improvements, this iteration dared to redefine what a tablet could do. The 9.7-inch model, though smaller, packed the same performance as the 12.9-inch version, thanks to the A10X Fusion chip—a custom 64-bit processor with a 12-core GPU, designed specifically for creative workloads. This wasn’t just about speed; it was about enabling tasks that had previously been the domain of desktop computers, such as 4K video editing and real-time 3D rendering. The introduction of ProMotion, a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, further blurred the lines between tablet and laptop, offering smoother scrolling and lag-free interactions that felt almost tactile.

What truly distinguished the iPad Pro 2nd Gen was its ecosystem. Apple had spent years refining the iPad as a standalone device, but this model pushed it into professional territory. The USB-C port (finally) allowed for faster data transfer and Thunderbolt compatibility, while the second-generation Apple Pencil delivered unparalleled precision for illustrators and designers. The Force Touch display, though not as advanced as later iterations, was a step toward pressure-sensitive screens that would later become standard. Even the inclusion of a 4-speaker audio system and a quad-microphone setup for FaceTime HD hinted at Apple’s ambition to make the iPad Pro 2nd Gen a versatile tool for both work and entertainment. It wasn’t just a tablet; it was a statement that Apple was serious about competing in the productivity space.

Historical Background and Evolution

The iPad Pro 2nd Gen emerged from a period of uncertainty for Apple. The original iPad Pro (2015) had been a bold experiment, but it suffered from underwhelming performance and a lack of clear differentiation from the standard iPad. By 2017, Apple had learned from its mistakes. The company had quietly refined its silicon, display technology, and input methods, culminating in a device that addressed the criticisms of its predecessor. The shift from the A9X to the A10X Fusion chip, for instance, wasn’t just about clock speeds; it was about optimizing for real-world tasks like video editing and AR applications. This evolution reflected Apple’s growing confidence in positioning the iPad as a serious alternative to laptops, particularly for creatives and mobile professionals.

The iPad Pro 2nd Gen also marked Apple’s first foray into USB-C for its tablets, a move that was both practical and strategic. By adopting the same port as MacBooks and iPhones, Apple ensured future-proofing for accessories and peripherals. The decision to retain the Home button, however, was a deliberate nod to Apple’s conservative design philosophy. While competitors embraced edge-to-edge displays, Apple balanced innovation with familiarity, ensuring the iPad Pro 2nd Gen felt intuitive to both new and existing users. This hybrid approach would later influence the iPad Pro 3rd Gen (2018), which finally ditched the Home button in favor of a full-screen design. The iPad Pro 2nd Gen, then, wasn’t just a product; it was a transitional artifact, bridging the gap between Apple’s cautious past and its ambitious future.

Core Mechanisms: How It Works

Under the hood, the iPad Pro 2nd Gen’s performance hinged on the A10X Fusion chip, a beast of a processor designed to handle demanding tasks without overheating. The chip featured two high-performance cores for CPU-intensive workloads and four efficiency cores for background processes, paired with a 12-core GPU capable of rendering complex 3D models and 4K video in real time. This architecture allowed the iPad Pro 2nd Gen to outperform many laptops in benchmarks, particularly in graphics-heavy applications. The inclusion of a dedicated neural engine also hinted at Apple’s early investments in machine learning, though its full potential wouldn’t be realized until later iPad models.

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The ProMotion display, with its 120Hz refresh rate, was another standout feature. Unlike traditional 60Hz screens, ProMotion dynamically adjusted the refresh rate based on content, reducing motion blur and creating a buttery-smooth experience. This wasn’t just a gimmick; it was a necessity for tasks like digital painting or scrolling through long documents, where responsiveness directly impacted workflow efficiency. The Force Touch display, while not as refined as later iterations, introduced pressure sensitivity, allowing artists to vary line thickness or opacity with subtle finger movements. Together, these features transformed the iPad Pro 2nd Gen from a consumer device into a professional tool, capable of rivaling traditional desktop setups in certain workflows.

Key Benefits and Crucial Impact

The iPad Pro 2nd Gen didn’t just improve upon its predecessors—it redefined the possibilities of a tablet. For creatives, it became the go-to device for digital art, video editing, and music production, thanks to its raw power and precision input. Engineers and architects adopted it for CAD work, while executives used it as a portable presentation tool. The device’s impact extended beyond individual users; it influenced the entire tablet industry, pushing competitors to invest in higher refresh rates, better displays, and more powerful chips. Even Microsoft, with its Surface Pro line, had to step up its game in response to Apple’s bold move.

The iPad Pro 2nd Gen also demonstrated Apple’s ability to balance innovation with practicality. While it introduced cutting-edge features like USB-C and ProMotion, it didn’t abandon the familiar. The Home button remained, ensuring compatibility with existing apps and accessories. The inclusion of the Apple Pencil 2, with its improved latency and tilt support, further cemented the iPad Pro 2nd Gen as the ultimate creative tool. Yet, for all its strengths, the device wasn’t without flaws. The 9.7-inch model, in particular, struggled to find its niche, caught between the portability of a standard iPad and the productivity of its larger sibling.

"The iPad Pro 2nd Gen wasn’t just a tablet—it was a redefinition of what a tablet could be. It proved that Apple wasn’t just chasing the laptop market; it was setting a new standard for mobile computing." — John Gruber, Daring Fireball

Major Advantages

  • Unmatched Performance: The A10X Fusion chip delivered desktop-level performance, making it capable of handling professional-grade tasks like 4K video editing and 3D rendering.
  • ProMotion Display: The 120Hz adaptive refresh rate reduced motion blur and lag, creating a smoother, more responsive experience for scrolling, drawing, and gaming.
  • USB-C and Thunderbolt Support: A first for iPads, USB-C enabled faster data transfer, external monitor connectivity, and compatibility with a growing ecosystem of accessories.
  • Apple Pencil 2 Integration: The second-generation stylus offered improved latency, tilt support, and pressure sensitivity, making it the gold standard for digital artists.
  • Future-Proof Design: While it retained the Home button, the iPad Pro 2nd Gen’s architecture and port selection ensured longevity, allowing it to remain relevant even as newer models emerged.

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Comparative Analysis

Feature iPad Pro 2nd Gen (2017) iPad Pro 3rd Gen (2018)
Chipset A10X Fusion (6-core CPU, 12-core GPU) A12X Bionic (6-core CPU, 7-core GPU)
Display 9.7" (2048x1536) / 12.9" (2732x2048), 120Hz ProMotion 11" (2388x1668) / 12.9" (2732x2048), 120Hz ProMotion, True Tone
Ports USB-C (Thunderbolt 3), 3.5mm headphone jack USB-C (Thunderbolt 3), no headphone jack (Lightning removed)
Stylus Support Apple Pencil 2 (magnetic charging) Apple Pencil 2 (wireless charging)
While the iPad Pro 2nd Gen laid the groundwork, its successor (2018) refined the formula with the A12X Bionic chip, a more compact design (11-inch and 12.9-inch models), and the removal of the headphone jack—a controversial but necessary step toward modernization. The iPad Pro 2nd Gen’s USB-C port, however, remained a standout feature, offering backward compatibility with older accessories while paving the way for future innovations.
The iPad Pro 2nd Gen’s legacy extends far beyond its release year. Its introduction of USB-C and ProMotion set the stage for modern tablets, influencing everything from Microsoft’s Surface lineup to Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S series. Today, 120Hz displays and USB-C ports are standard across premium tablets, a direct result of Apple’s bold move in 2017. The iPad Pro 2nd Gen also accelerated the shift toward tablets as primary computing devices, particularly in industries like design, education, and healthcare, where portability and power are equally critical.

Looking ahead, the next frontier for tablets—including the iPad Pro lineage—lies in artificial intelligence and augmented reality. The iPad Pro 2nd Gen’s neural engine was an early glimpse of this future, but modern devices now integrate AI-driven features like real-time object detection and advanced handwriting recognition. As Apple continues to push the boundaries of what a tablet can do, the iPad Pro 2nd Gen remains a benchmark, proving that innovation doesn’t always require radical change—sometimes, it’s about refining the right balance between power, design, and usability.

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Conclusion

The iPad Pro 2nd Gen wasn’t just another incremental update; it was a turning point for Apple and the tablet industry as a whole. By combining raw performance with thoughtful design, Apple proved that tablets could be more than just entertainment devices—they could be serious tools for work and creativity. While later models have built upon its foundation, the iPad Pro 2nd Gen’s impact is undeniable. It challenged the notion that tablets were secondary to laptops and, in doing so, redefined what mobile computing could achieve.

For professionals who relied on it, the iPad Pro 2nd Gen was a game-changer. For Apple, it was a statement of intent: the company was committed to pushing the envelope, even if it meant taking calculated risks. Today, as we look back, it’s clear that the iPad Pro 2nd Gen wasn’t just a product—it was a milestone that shaped the future of tablets.

Comprehensive FAQs

Q: Is the iPad Pro 2nd Gen still worth buying in 2024?

The iPad Pro 2nd Gen remains a capable device, especially for tasks like digital art, note-taking, and media consumption. However, its lack of Face ID, older chipset (A10X Fusion), and no support for newer iPadOS features may limit its long-term usability. If budget is a concern, it’s a solid choice, but for future-proofing, newer models are preferable.

Q: Can the iPad Pro 2nd Gen run iPadOS 17?

No, the iPad Pro 2nd Gen is limited to iPadOS 16, as Apple no longer supports updates for devices with the A10X Fusion chip. This means access to newer features like Stage Manager and customizable Control Center is unavailable.

Q: What accessories are essential for the iPad Pro 2nd Gen?

Key accessories include the Apple Pencil 2 (for precision input), a USB-C hub (to expand connectivity), and a high-quality keyboard case (like the Smart Keyboard Folio) for productivity. A Lightning-to-USB-C adapter may also be needed for older accessories.

Q: How does the iPad Pro 2nd Gen compare to the iPad Air (2019)?

The iPad Pro 2nd Gen outperforms the iPad Air (2019) in raw power (A10X vs. A12 Bionic) and display quality (ProMotion vs. 60Hz). However, the Air offers better battery life, Face ID, and a more compact design. The Pro is ideal for professionals; the Air is better for general use.

Q: Does the iPad Pro 2nd Gen support external monitors?

Yes, via USB-C (Thunderbolt 3), but only up to 5K at 60Hz or 4K at 60Hz. For dual-monitor setups, a USB-C hub with DisplayPort output is required. Performance may vary depending on the chipset’s limitations.

Q: What’s the best way to maximize battery life on the iPad Pro 2nd Gen?

Reduce screen brightness, enable Low Power Mode, close background apps, and use Wi-Fi instead of cellular data when possible. The A10X chip is efficient, but demanding tasks (like video editing) will drain the battery faster. A 10-hour usage time is typical for mixed use.

Q: Can I upgrade the storage on the iPad Pro 2nd Gen?

No, Apple does not allow storage upgrades on iPads. The base models (64GB/256GB) were already generous for most users, but if you need more space, consider a microSD card (via a USB-C adapter) for media files.

Q: Is the iPad Pro 2nd Gen good for gaming?

Yes, but with limitations. Games optimized for the A10X chip (like Crossy Road or Asphalt 9) run smoothly, but newer titles may struggle with performance or lack optimizations. The ProMotion display enhances gaming feel, but frame rates won’t match a console or PC.

Q: How does the iPad Pro 2nd Gen handle multitasking?

It supports Split View and Slide Over, but not Stage Manager (introduced in iPadOS 16). The A10X chip handles multitasking well for basic workflows, but complex setups (like running multiple apps simultaneously) may slow down over time.

Q: What’s the difference between the 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2nd Gen?

The 9.7-inch model is more portable but lacks the larger screen real estate of the 12.9-inch. The 12.9-inch offers better productivity for tasks like video editing or large document viewing, while the 9.7-inch is ideal for on-the-go use. Performance is identical between the two.

Q: Does the iPad Pro 2nd Gen support Dolby Atmos?

No, the 4-speaker audio system supports standard stereo sound but not Dolby Atmos. For immersive audio, external speakers or headphones are required.

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