# The 2021 M1 iPad Pro Is Still One of the Best Budget Tablets for Creators Refurbished M1 iPad Pro stands out with its high performance and affordable price. - **Source:** [Lifehacker](https://brifing.si/source/f1400ced-a26b-4e58-a567-6187eca3708d) - **Published:** 2026-07-13 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f59007a1-23fd-456e-8d25-71ae718af320 ## Introduction The M1 iPad Pro, released in 2021, still offers an affordable option for creators and students in 2026. This refurbished tablet stands out with its high performance and durability. It provides a significant performance boost, especially for users upgrading from older iPads or Android tablets. ## Power of the M1 Chip Thanks to the M1 chip, this iPad Pro can handle video editing, drawing apps, and demanding workflows seamlessly. Even after five years, the device maintains its performance, offering users a fast and smooth experience. It doesn't slow down even during multitasking. ## Display and Sound Quality The 11-inch Liquid Retina display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 600 nits brightness ensures accurate color representation. ProMotion technology makes scrolling and drawing smoother. The quad-speaker system elevates the movie and gaming experience to a higher level. ## Connectivity and Accessories The Thunderbolt and USB 4 port allows compatibility with external drives, monitors, and other accessories, a feature not available in cheaper iPad models. The LiDAR scanner and ultra-wide cameras are useful for document scanning and augmented reality apps. ## Storage and Software Support The 128GB storage might not be enough for large video files or game libraries, and there's no microSD expansion option. While it supports Apple Intelligence, newer M-series iPads will receive longer software support. ## Conclusion The refurbished M1 iPad Pro is an excellent choice for creators and students, offering high performance at an affordable price. Its display quality, connectivity options, and powerful hardware keep it ahead of competitors. Finding a tablet with similar features in this price range is challenging. ## Sources covering this story - https://lifehacker.com/tech/m1-ipad-pro-stacksocial-sale-july-2026?utm_medium=RSS — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._