Versus Engine
Apple M5 iPad Pro (OLED) vs Apple MacBook Pro 16" (M3 Max)
Specs, price and the one trade-off that actually decides it — Apple M5 iPad Pro (OLED) against Apple MacBook Pro 16" (M3 Max), side by side.
Cheaper to start
Apple M5 iPad Pro (OLED)
Starts about $2,300 lower.
Rated higher
Apple MacBook Pro 16" (M3 Max)
9.8 vs 0.0 on our design scale.
Standout
Apple M5 iPad Pro (OLED)
Apple M5 chip
Apple M5 iPad Pro (OLED)
Apple's professional tablet with a Tandem OLED display and the M5 processor.
Where it wins, where it doesn't
Pros
- Stunning display
- Desktop-class performance
- Advanced eSIM technology
- LiDAR Scanner
- Support for Apple Pencil Pro
Cons
- iPadOS still limits multitasking
Specifications
- displayUltra Retina XDR
- 10-core CPU10-core CPU with 4 super cores and 6 efficiency cores
- 10-core GPU10-core GPU
- 12MP Wide camera12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture
- 5G (sub-6 GHz)5G (sub-6 GHz) with 4x4 MIMO
- 5G, Gigabit LTE, and Wi-Fi callingavailable in select markets and through select carriers. Speeds are based on theoretical throughput and vary based on site conditions and carrier
- 9-core CPU9-core CPU with 3 super cores and 6 efficiency cores
- Apple IntelligenceApple Intelligence 4
- Apple Pencil supportApple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C)
- architecture—
- battery—
- BluetoothBluetooth 6
- Camera12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture
- Cellular data plansold separately. The model you purchase is configured to work with a particular cellular network technology. Check with your carrier for compatibility and cellular data plan availability
- ChipApple M5 chip
- cpu_cores—
- Data onlyData only 8
- Digital zoomup to 5x
- Displaysrounded corners. When measured diagonally as a rectangle, the 13-inch iPad Pro is 13 inches, and the 11-inch iPad Pro is 11.1 inches. Actual viewable area is less
- eSIMeSIM 9
- fabrication_process—
- Face IDEnabled by TrueDepth camera for facial recognition
- FaceTime callingrequires a FaceTime-enabled device for the caller and recipient and a Wi-Fi connection. Availability over a cellular network depends on carrier policies; data charges may apply
- Fast-charge capableUp to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with the 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max or other USB-C power adapter capable of providing 60W or higher (adapters sold separately) 13
- FDD-LTEFDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66, 71)
- FDD-LTE BandsBands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66, 71
- Gigabit LTEGigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO
- gpu_cores—
- iPad Pro uses advanced eSIM technologyfor more convenience and security (not compatible with physical SIM cards)
- iPadOScomes with powerful features and built-in apps designed to take advantage of the unique capabilities of iPad
- M1 Max chip—
- M1 Pro chip—
- M2 chip—
- M2 Max chip—
- M2 Pro chip—
- M2 Ultra chip—
- M3 chip—
- M3 Pro chip—
- M3 Ultra chip—
- M4 chip—
- M4 Max chip—
- M4 Pro chip—
- M5 Max chip—
- M5 Pro chip—
- M5 Ultra chip—
- M6 chip—
- Media EngineHardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW
- memory_bandwidth—
- Models A3358 and A33615G NR (Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n77, n78, n79) 7
- Models A3358 and A3361 5G NR BandsBands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n77, n78, n79
- Nano-texture display glass optionon 1TB and 2TB models
- neural_engine—
- Operating SystemiPadOS
- Power and BatteryBuilt-in 38.99-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery
- processorApple M5
- SDR brightness1000 nits max
- SensorsFace ID, LiDAR Scanner, Three-axis gyro, Accelerometer, Barometer, Ambient light sensors
- Size and weightvary by configuration and manufacturing process
- TD-LTETD-LTE (Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48)
- TD-LTE BandsBands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48
- thickness5.1mm
- UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPAUMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- unified_memory—
- Up to 4K AirPlayfor mirroring, photos, and video out to Apple TV (2nd generation or later) or AirPlay-enabled smart TV
- USB-C Digital AV Multiport AdapterVGA, HDMI, DVI, and Thunderbolt 2 output supported using adapters (sold separately) 11
- Wi-FiWi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO 6
- Wi-Fi + Cellular modelsUp to 9 hours of surfing the web using cellular data network
- Wi-Fi 7available in countries and regions where supported
- Wi-Fi callingWi-Fi calling 7
- XDR brightness1000 nits max full screen, 1600 nits peak (HDR content only)
Apple MacBook Pro 16" (M3 Max)
Apple's 16-inch laptop with the M3 Max chip, a 40-core GPU and up to 128GB of unified memory at 400GB/s.
Where it wins, where it doesn't
Pros
- Equipped with a powerful M3 Max chip featuring a 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU.
- Up to 128GB of unified memory running at 400GB/s for efficient data handling.
- Supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing for advanced graphics processing.
Cons
- The high price of $3499 may limit its appeal to a broader audience.
Specifications
- display16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR (3456x2234, 120Hz ProMotion)
- 10-core CPU—
- 10-core GPU—
- 12MP Wide camera—
- 5G (sub-6 GHz)—
- 5G, Gigabit LTE, and Wi-Fi calling—
- 9-core CPU—
- Apple Intelligence—
- Apple Pencil support—
- architectureARMv8.6-A (Apple Silicon)
- battery100-watt-hour lithium-polymer
- Bluetooth—
- Camera—
- Cellular data plan—
- Chip—
- cpu_cores16-core (12 performance, 4 efficiency)
- Data only—
- Digital zoom—
- Displays—
- eSIM—
- fabrication_process3nm (TSMC N3B)
- Face ID—
- FaceTime calling—
- Fast-charge capable—
- FDD-LTE—
- FDD-LTE Bands—
- Gigabit LTE—
- gpu_cores40-core (Hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
- iPad Pro uses advanced eSIM technology—
- iPadOS—
- M1 Max chip10-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores Up to 32-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine 400GB/s memory bandwidth
- M1 Pro chip10-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores 16-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine 200GB/s memory bandwidth
- M2 chip8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores 10-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine 100GB/s memory bandwidth
- M2 Max chip12-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores Up to 38-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine 400GB/s memory bandwidth
- M2 Pro chip12-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores 19-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine 200GB/s memory bandwidth
- M2 Ultra chip24-core CPU with 16 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores Up to 76-core GPU 32-core Neural Engine 800GB/s memory bandwidth
- M3 chip8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores 10-core GPU Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 16-core Neural Engine 100GB/s memory bandwidth
- M3 Pro chip12-core CPU with 6 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores 18-core GPU Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 16-core Neural Engine 150GB/s memory bandwidth
- M3 Ultra chipUp to 32-core CPU with 24 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores Up to 80-core GPU Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 32-core Neural Engine 819GB/s memory bandwidth
- M4 chip10-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores 10-core GPU Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 16-core Neural Engine 120GB/s memory bandwidth
- M4 Max chipUp to 16-core CPU with 12 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores Up to 40-core GPU Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 16-core Neural Engine Up to 546GB/s memory bandwidth
- M4 Pro chip14-core CPU with 10 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores 20-core GPU Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 16-core Neural Engine 273GB/s memory bandwidth
- M5 Max chip18-core CPU with 6 super cores and 12 performance cores Up to 40-core GPU Neural Accelerators Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 16-core Neural Engine Up to 614GB/s memory bandwidth
- M5 Pro chipUp to 18-core CPU with 6 super cores and 12 performance cores Up to 20-core GPU Neural Accelerators Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 16-core Neural Engine 307GB/s memory bandwidth
- M5 Ultra chipUp to 36-core CPU with 12 super cores and 24 performance cores Up to 80-core GPU Neural Accelerators Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 32-core Neural Engine 1.2TB/s memory bandwidth
- M6 chip12-core CPU with 2 super cores, 4 performance cores, and 6 efficiency cores 12-core GPU Neural Accelerators Hardware-accelerated ray tracing Dual 16-core Neural Engine Up to 170GB/s memory bandwidth
- Media Engine—
- memory_bandwidth400 GB/s
- Models A3358 and A3361—
- Models A3358 and A3361 5G NR Bands—
- Nano-texture display glass option—
- neural_engine16-core (18 TOPS)
- Operating System—
- Power and Battery—
- processor—
- SDR brightness—
- Sensors—
- Size and weight—
- TD-LTE—
- TD-LTE Bands—
- thickness—
- UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA—
- unified_memoryUp to 128GB LPDDR5
- Up to 4K AirPlay—
- USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter—
- Wi-Fi—
- Wi-Fi + Cellular models—
- Wi-Fi 7—
- Wi-Fi calling—
- XDR brightness—