What is an Apple iPad for? When the device was launched at the start of the decade, consumers jumped on board, attracted by the large screen for surfing the web and playing games. Then mobile phone screens expanded to six inches and larger, and people decided that they’d make do with the mobile.
So, in 2014, iPad sales began to tumble. Apple stopped the rot in 2016 by making the iPad larger and moving the device into business laptop territory with the iPad Pro.
The iPad range now has five models: two ‘regular’ iPads, the small Mini 4 and the original iPad; and three iPad Pro models – 10.5-inch, 11-inch and 12.9-inch. The 10.5-inch Pro, while still being sold, has been ignored in Apple’s iPad Pro autumn refresh, which has focused on the 11-inch and 12.9-inch models.
Bigger Display
The main design change in the new Pro duo is that the display is now edge-to-edge, with the screen billed as ‘Liquid Retina’. Apple talks of “precision-milled glass, advanced pixel masking, sub-pixel antialiasing and a new backlight design”, and the devices are thinner too than the older generation. With depth of just 5.9 millimetres, the two new Pros represent cutting-edge industrial design.
Another design change is the introduction of a USB-C jack, which replaces Apple’s proprietary Lightning Connector. The more ubiquitous USB hook-up facilitates the connection of external displays, storage devices, cameras and musical instruments.
In Association with
Apple’s main desktop computing niche is the creative sector and the Apple Pencil for iPad Pro, sold separately for €135, has been redesigned to include a new magnetic charging system.
There’s a new chip too -- the A12X Bionic used in the latest iPhones -- which Apple claims can complete up to five trillion operations per second. This heft is targeted at Augmented Reality applications, which Apple expects will be the next big thing. Also with the creative crowd in mind, the new Pros can be ordered with a terabyte of storage (1,024GB).
As a come-on to business users who need to type stuff all the time, the new Smart Keyboard Folio (€199 or €219) is a snap-on front and back protective case that doubles as a keyboard. It pairs automatically and takes its charge from the iPad itself.
What about the weight? The standard 9.7-inch iPad tablet that people use for surfing or watching Netflix in their bed weighs 465 grams. The new 11-inch Pro comes in at the same weight.
The 12.9-inch Pro is a lot heavier at 630 grams, more with the Smart Keyboard attached, though still relatively lightweight if the main purpose is a portable laptop.
With screen pencil and snap cover keyboard included, the top of the line iPad now has a sticker price of €1,880 plus VAT. If your iPad is just for watching movies and catching up on the day’s news, the 9.7-inch iPad costs €300 plus VAT.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch
Pricing: €1,129 incl. VAT (64GB), €1,299 (256GB), €1,519 (512GB), €1,959 (1TB). Cellular adds €170 to cost.
iPad Pro 11-inch
Pricing: €909 (64GB), €1,079 (256GB), €1,299 (512GB), €1,739 (1TB).
iPad Pro 10.5-inch
None of the new stuff. Pricing: €749 (64GB), €919 (256GB), €1,139 (512GB).
iPad 9.7-inch
Best value for downtime and leisure. Pricing: €369 (32GB), €459 (128GB). Add on €130 for cellular.
iPad Mini 4
With a 7.9-inch screen, this one is like a heavy mobile phone (300 grams). Pricing: €449 (128GB).
