Apple iPad Pro: Top Business Features

Apple's big new iPad was built with productivity in mind. The 12.9-inch slate is launching alongside a couple of key accessories that will make it much better for work than your typical tablet, including a snap-on keyboard and a stylus. In other words, it's a lot like Microsoft's Surface Pro 3, a Windows-powered device that transforms from tablet to laptop with the right add-on

The iPad Pro — which runs on iOS, the same mobile operating system that powers the iPhone and other iPads — will launch in November starting at $799. Here's a quick rundown of the features that should make it good for work.

Big 12.9-inch display

The iPad Air 2's 9.7-inch display is reasonably roomy, but it still feels cramped for serious productivity tasks. Now the iPad Pro is ready to ship with a supersharp 12.9-inch, 2,732 x 2,048-pixel display that gives you a lot more room to work. It's a great size, since 13-inch laptops usually offer the best compromise between portability and productivity. And it's noticeably larger than the Surface Pro 3's 12.2-inch display.

Smart Keyboard

Most jobs require a physical keyboard; touch-screen keyboards won't cut it. That's why Apple is rolling out the new Smart Keyboard with the iPad Pro. The keyboard doubles as a screen cover for the tablet when it's not in use, then unfolds to create a kickstand to prop the device up while you type. It looks like you only get a single fixed viewing angle for the screen — compared with newer Surface tablets, which have fully adjustable kickstands — but we'll wait to get our hands on the Smart Keyboard before passing judgement. The Smart Keyboard is also really pricey at $169, compared with $129 for the Surface Type Cover.

Apple Pencil

Apple's new stylus will turn the iPad Pro into a note-taking machine. Dubbed the Apple Pencil, the active pen accessory features full pressure sensitivity to make writing on the glass display feel natural. As with the Surface Pen, there's no place on the tablet itself to stow the Apple Pencil when it's not in use. We'll also have to test-drive the accessory before we know if it supports reliable palm rejection to avoid accidental screen taps while users are writing. The pen will be sold separately for $99, which is a bit disappointing, since all Surface tablets come with an active pen in the box.

Faster performance

The iPad Pro looks ready to tackle demanding productivity tasks, thanks to the new A9X processor. Apple is promising that its new mobile processor has twice the memory bandwidth and storage performance of last year's A8X processor. Apple even showed that the device is capable of running processor-intensive apps like AutoCAD, a 3D design program for engineers.

Longer battery life

A bigger iPad means more room for the battery. Apple claims that the Pro will last for 10 hours on a full charge, which should be more than enough to get you through the longest business flights, including any layovers. Apple's smaller iPad Air 2 already has very good battery life, though, running for 9 hours and 20 minutes in our test.

Thin and light design

The iPad Pro will be thinner and lighter than the Surface Pro 3, which is good news for commuters and travelers. It weights a meager 1.57 lbs., compared to 1.76 lbs. for the Surface. And it's just 0.27 inches thick, compared to 0.36 inches for the Surface.