If you’re a guitarist, producer, or content creator wondering whether an iPad Pro can actually pull its weight as a serious music and media machine, this will be useful.
After nearly two years with the 2021 iPad Pro (M1) (on Amazon), I’ve put it through daily use for music production, writing, and general creative work.
Here’s how it’s held up, and where it really shines for musicians.
Overview / First Impressions
The 2021 iPad Pro with the M1 chip is fast—not just “tablet fast,” but genuinely quicker than many laptops. In my case, it outperforms my MacBook Pro in most day‑to‑day tasks, especially when it comes to:
- Loading apps
- Working in Logic Pro for iPad
- Running GarageBand projects
For music production, it feels more like a compact studio workstation than a casual tablet. I use it every day and it has become a core part of my workflow.
Build Quality & Design
While this isn’t a brand‑new model anymore, the 2021 iPad Pro still feels very premium:
- Solid, rigid chassis that holds up well to daily use
- Thin and light enough to carry everywhere
- Large screen that makes mixing, editing, and arranging far more comfortable than a phone or smaller tablet
From a guitarist’s perspective, it’s great to have something this portable that still feels like a “real” workstation when you sit down to record or write.
Features & Functions for Musicians
M1 Chip Performance
The M1 chip is the star of the show. In real-world use:
- Apps launch quickly
- Projects load fast
- There’s no noticeable lag or stuttering when working in Logic Pro or GarageBand
This matters when you’re tracking ideas quickly, layering guitar parts, or working with multiple virtual instruments and effects.
Music Production
I primarily use the iPad Pro for:
- Logic Pro for iPad – full-featured enough for serious work
- GarageBand – great for quick sketches and simple demos
For a guitarist, it works really well as:
- A portable recording rig for ideas
- A scratchpad for riffs, song structures, and arrangements
- A way to capture high-quality audio without booting up a full computer
Writing & General Use
Beyond music, I also use it for:
- Journaling and note-taking
- General writing and planning
- Everyday tasks you’d normally do on a laptop
In most of these scenarios, it feels very close to using a standard computer.
How It Performs for Guitarists
While the iPad itself doesn’t “sound” like anything, the experience of using it as a guitar player is worth highlighting:
- Recording guitar tracks into Logic Pro or GarageBand is smooth and responsive.
- Monitoring and playback are reliable—no buffering issues or audio dropouts in my experience.
- Editing takes advantage of the touch screen: dragging regions, trimming parts, and arranging sections feels intuitive once you get used to it.
Typical use cases:
- Laying down quick riff ideas before you forget them
- Building full song demos with drums, bass, and keys
- Practicing along with backing tracks or your own recordings
For many guitarists, this could easily be the main songwriting and demo station.
Limitations & Things to Know
Even though I’m very happy with it, there are a few practical points to keep in mind:
- Video editing vs. laptop: I considered using the iPad Pro as my primary video editor because my MacBook Pro has gotten quite slow with video work. The iPad’s speed makes that tempting, but depending on your editing style and software needs, a traditional laptop might still be more flexible.
- Not a full desktop replacement for everyone: While it works “pretty much just as good as a computer” for many tasks, some pro workflows (certain plugins, complex file management, niche software) may still be easier on macOS or Windows.
That said, for music production and everyday creative work, I haven’t run into major roadblocks.
Final Thoughts
After almost two years, the 2021 iPad Pro with the M1 chip has proven to be:
- Extremely fast and reliable
- A genuinely powerful tool for music production
- Versatile enough for writing and everyday use
From a guitarist’s perspective, it’s more than just a tablet—it’s a portable studio and creative hub that I use every day. I don’t have many bad things to say about it; it simply does its job, and does it well.
If you’re a musician or content creator looking for a compact, powerful device for recording, writing, and general creative work, this iPad Pro is still a very solid choice.