This is one of the toughest reviews I've ever had to write. The starting point is this: Apple has made the best tablet on the market, full stop. It's probably the best device Apple has ever made, and given the company's history that's saying a lot.

This is a long-term review after months of use of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro for designers and artists – whether you’re a hand-drawn illustrator, a graphic or digital/UX designer, 3D artist, creative director or other creative pro. For a more general review of the iPad Pro, see our sister site Macworld .

Nearly a year and a half after the release of the iPad Air 2, Apple recently unveiled a new 9.7-inch iPad. However, this was not the iPad Air 3, but rather a new member of the iPad Pro family.

Is this the ultimate iPad? Spoiler: yes

The 9.7-inch iPad Pro is a terrific tablet, and its enhanced display, new camera and sheer horsepower make it ideal for photography, video and graphic design work. Even so, it's still very expensive -- a full £150/$200 more than the starting price of the iPad Air 2 -- and we imagine that most...

A9X processor delivers impressive performance, Brighter, more colourful display, 12MP front camera, with 4K video recording, 10 hour+ battery life

Expensive, Lacks USB port and SD card slot, Requires expensive accessories to function as a laptop, Only 2GB of RAM

When I reviewed the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, I said that I was having trouble envisioning the type of user who would choose it over a “real” computer like a MacBook Air or Pro. I still feel the same way today.

Great performance. The A9X is still a fast chip, and it’s a big upgrade over the A8X in some important ways., Characteristically great build quality., Great screen with a wide color gamut. True Tone isn’t essential, but it’s definitely nice.

Smart Keyboard is more cramped, which makes typing more frustrating., Aside from Apple Pencil support, it doesn’t offer a ton of features that the now-cheaper iPad Air 2 doesn’t also offer.

The 9.7 inch iPad Pro offers the same high performance as the full-size Pro, but in a more affordable and portable form. It's more capable than an iPad Air 2, with the new A9X processor, 32GB of RAM, and the 12 megapixel iSight camera borrowed from the iPhone 6s.

Apple is targeting the iPad Pro device category at people that it wants to rescue from the trauma of using PCs. With the iPad Pro 9.7in, it achieves this in some respects, but not all.

Last year Apple announced a whole new iPad dubbed “iPad Pro.” It was Apple’s biggest iPad out there coming in at 12.9 inches. This year, Apple came out with the same iPad Pro moniker, but with a smaller screen. 9.7 inches to be more specific.

Late last year Apple’s traditional September event took place, and the company decided to combine their iPhone and iPad launches into one keynote. At that time the iPad Air 2 was almost a year old, but there was no successor announced.