This comment from a thread at MacRumors about Joanna Stern’s iPad Pro review explains a point I’ve been trying to make for awhile:
It can be frustrating to repeatedly highlight that many tech reviewers overlook that their use of a computer is not the only use of computers. Apart from digital artists, who may prefer to use an iPad over a traditional laptop for some of their work, several other mobile professionals use the iPad Pro because, for their specific needs, it provides a superior computing experience.
For instance, if you frequently scan and mark up documents for work, the iPad Pro is a better option than a MacBook Pro. Similarly, if you conduct virtual real estate walkthroughs with clients, the front and rear-facing cameras on the iPad Pro can be useful. If you’re an event producer, the iPad Pros has a better color-accurate screen and powerful audio. Finally, if you’re an architect or contractor working on-site, having a lightweight, powerful computer to conduct integrated location scans with LiDar measurements is a feature only available on the iPad Pro.
The iPad Pro is not a limited laptop; it is a high-performance tablet computer. It’s important to note that the majority of users on these forums, as well as tech journalists, are basic iPad users. Therefore, it is important to recognize that the iPad Pro may not be the ideal device for them. Fortunately, Apple offers the base iPad at a very reasonable price, which is a great alternative for those who don’t need the advanced features of the iPad Pro.