12.9-Inch iPad Pro in Short Supply Ahead of Rumored March Update

[leebroath]

IF the update to iPads does arrive in March

I'm very much looking forward to see if they upgrade the original Pro's and update the Mini

I love my mini and the size is just perfect to me, if they update this then I'll be buying...if not then so be it, if it happens it happens

 

[Appleaker]

Meanwhile the iPad Air 2's shipping date has slipped to 7-10 days, while the 9.7 iPad Pro is in stock.
I think it is pretty clear the 9.7 Pro is going to replace the Air 2, hopefully also at iPad Air 2's lower price.

Not quite.

 

[DrumApple]

Hope to see the same story but with the 12" MacBook.

 

[UltimaKilo]

The tech just isn't there yet to make the iPad as open as we want, but it's certainly getting there. The A10X will likely be a beast, but we're still a couple of generations away.

 

[44267547]

The iPad Air 2 has also been in short supply. I order them regularly though Apple Business, and it's taken 2-3 weeks to get them.

Agreed. In my area, the Air 2 is limited. I actually plan on keeping mine, regardless of what happens in March. My Air 2 is still blazing fast. If Apple brings something different to the iPad line other than Pencil Support, I may upgrade. I think others feel the same way about upgrading their iPad. Apple needs to something to break the norm if you will.

 

[lockerc18]

I have 2 old iPads and as much as I like the iPad it's crippled.
I've actually just ordered a Windows 10 tablet the other day.

Sorry Apple, we're no longer on the same page.

I have an iPad3 (along with a rMBP and iPhone6+). The iPad is slow and underpowered, and Safari is constantly blowing pages up and having to reboot them. It's gotten to the point where it's getting real close to being useless. A year ago, I had had enough, and I wasn't happy with Apple for not offering a 2-1 system. So, I got a Lenovo Yoga running Win10.

I've been very happy with the Yoga's hardware. The screen is spectacular, the Sky Lake processor and 8GB RAM have lots of get up and go, and so on. The touch screen mode is really good. But Win10 in general absolutely sucks. I've used DOS/Windows systems from day 1, and Win10 is just one more turn of the crap crank from MS. OSX is worlds better, IMO. I'd agree that a more robust touch version of IOS is needed, certainly one that lets your manage system resources like OSX does, and doesn't handicap access to them like IOS does. I don't know, I may end up craiglisting my Yoga because of Win10.

I still use my iPad3, but I am VERY interested in the rumored 10.5 inch in a 9.7 inch form factor iPad. Getting 802.11ac will be a real help in performance, and the upgraded processor will be terrific. The March announcement will be interesting.

 

[Cheffy Dave]

What's likely going to happen is that the current 9.7" iPad Pro will remain in production but be discounted by $100 (as happened before with the Air 2, Air, iPad 4 (sort of), and iPad 2). Now, one might ask why the same isn't happening with the current 12.9" iPad. Maybe the new 10"-ish iPad partially closes the price gap between the current $600 9.7" iPad Pro and the $800 12.9" iPad. Maybe Apple doesn't feel the need to keep two 12.9" iPads on offer.

They don't, the new one is a replacement for the first Gen

 

[boston04and07]

IF the update to iPads does arrive in March

I'm very much looking forward to see if they upgrade the original Pro's and update the Mini

I love my mini and the size is just perfect to me, if they update this then I'll be buying...if not then so be it, if it happens it happens

I'm in the same boat. I'll update for sure if a new mini is announced. I really need one with a 256gb storage option.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

Anyone know why the plunger post was pulled down? Usually when the admins do that, I get an e-mail. I figured with at least 20 of you liking it, and it getting pulled down, I'll give an explanation to my train of thought on it:

It seems that Mr. Cook is always teasing with "exciting things in the (metaphorical) 'pipeline'", so I put a picture of a plunger as a reference to help them clear out that "pipeline". It seems that Mr. Cook sees a lot of things that are magical, and there are either timing issues or business reasons not to release them now. The funny thing about the PC that was invented 35 years ago is the people that created it could only dream of what we have now.

Crazy stuff, like using a sensor on a camera flash for measuring pulse rate, medkit is a different animal, and that is what I'm looking for Apple to do: Get all of that magic into the world, and make the "pipe" flow again.

 

[joy.757]

It;d be nice if they modified iOS to better suit the Pro monicker.

 

[dampfnudel]

I really like the idea of the large iPad, but until they do something to advance the state of iOS on the iPad its going to be hard for it to ever be something that can more than a luxury/novelty to me. Having it run (practically) the same OS as the iPhone is something that I feel is really holding it back.

The Achilles heal of the iPad that for some reason Apple is reluctant to correct.

 

[nutriousmitten]

As I opined in the Ipad thread, I think the Air 2 replacement is the new one with out bezels, but it doesn't come out until Fall (and Ipad Air 2 is dropped then), launched around the time of the bezel-less Iphone as to not steal any design thunder. Called something new...like Ipad and Iphone "Infinity" for the screen effect.

The IPP 9.7 and 12 get spec bumps (A10 for both, true tone display for 12 model, maybe 1gb more ram for 9.7) now in March, but keep same casing and design.

 

[macmyworld]

I love my iPad Pro 12.9". Great for reading, watching movies, and games.

Really wondering what Apple will do for Gen 2. I still like the Gen 1 model.

 

[The Game 161]

More interested in the 10.5 than 12.9 rumour

 

[Tech198]

"still have a 3.5mm headphone jack, according to the blog."

Now that is something i did not expect, considering Apple make all the fuss of removing if from iPhone 7.... I wonder why Apple thinks people deserve to listen ok on ipad but need an adapter on iPhone 7 , IF its' supposed to be moving forward ?

You can still say "Apple removed it because.." from iphone "to make room for there other stuff" and the iPad is the bigger beast, so its not as important, but then in that case Apple doesn't really wanna look at USB-C seriously then,or perhaps "when we find something new to stick in when and IF the iPad ever becomes clogged up with tech, then that maybe it will be a reason to remove the headphone jack, but till we that day comes, its stays"

I can go on speculate all day ,but i won't

 

[michaelsviews]

As I opined in the Ipad thread, I think the Air 2 replacement is the new one with out bezels, but it doesn't come out until Fall (and Ipad Air 2 is dropped then), launched around the time of the bezel-less Iphone as to not steal any design thunder. Called something new...like Ipad and Iphone "Infinity" for the screen effect.

The IPP 9.7 and 12 get spec bumps (A10 for both, true tone display for 12 model, maybe 1gb more ram for 9.7) now in March, but keep same casing and design.

If thats the case then iPad air 2 maybe the way to go especially if one does not need the pro features

 

[Lesser Evets]

2-3 weeks? Must be waiting for Timmy to get back from his European adventure, so he can put them together in the stock room and ship them himself.

 

[manu chao]

"still have a 3.5mm headphone jack, according to the blog."

Now that is something i did not expect, considering Apple make all the fuss of removing if from iPhone 7.... I wonder why Apple thinks people deserve to listen ok on ipad but need an adapter on iPhone 7 , IF its' supposed to be moving forward ?

You can still say "Apple removed it because.." from iphone "to make room for there other stuff" and the iPad is the bigger beast, so its not as important, but then in that case Apple doesn't really wanna look at USB-C seriously then,or perhaps "when we find something new to stick in when and IF the iPad ever becomes clogged up with tech, then that maybe it will be a reason to remove the headphone jack, but till we that day comes, its stays"

The headphone jack is maybe 2% of the volume of an iPhone (maybe 5% of the battery volume). On an iPad, divide those numbers by four. On a MBP add another factor of four.

 

[Syberiyxx]

I am tempted to pick one up just for study notes - will be between this and a (future) Surface Pro 5.

How has peoples experience been writing code/equations? Compatibility/issues with Word/PDF documents?

My cousin has written pages and pages of equations with his iPad Pro 12.9 and says it's the best purchase he's ever made.

 

[iPhonetherefore]

I will be replacing my 4 year old rMBP with a 12.9 iPad Pro in September. If they come out in march/April then refurb ones may be available by September to save me some money. Only use my rMBP for University work now but when I graduate in sept I will go iOS only. Really like my air2 but need more screen space so 12.9 will work.

 

[sblemmy]

I have an iPad3 (along with a rMBP and iPhone6+). The iPad is slow and underpowered, and Safari is constantly blowing pages up and having to reboot them. It's gotten to the point where it's getting real close to being useless. A year ago, I had had enough, and I wasn't happy with Apple for not offering a 2-1 system. So, I got a Lenovo Yoga running Win10.

I've been very happy with the Yoga's hardware. The screen is spectacular, the Sky Lake processor and 8GB RAM have lots of get up and go, and so on. The touch screen mode is really good. But Win10 in general absolutely sucks. I've used DOS/Windows systems from day 1, and Win10 is just one more turn of the crap crank from MS. OSX is worlds better, IMO. I'd agree that a more robust touch version of IOS is needed, certainly one that lets your manage system resources like OSX does, and doesn't handicap access to them like IOS does. I don't know, I may end up craiglisting my Yoga because of Win10.

I still use my iPad3, but I am VERY interested in the rumored 10.5 inch in a 9.7 inch form factor iPad. Getting 802.11ac will be a real help in performance, and the upgraded processor will be terrific. The March announcement will be interesting.

If you're using the iPad3, I think you'd be quite surprised by how far the iPad has come. I'm currently using an iPad Air 2 with a BrydeAir keyboard as my main portable, and it's quite a capable machine. It can easily handle my mobile workflow (note taking, e-mails, editing Microsoft Office documents, annotating PDFs, using web-based programs, etc.), so I only really need to turn to my Macs to use legacy software and file storage/management. The limitations of the iPad, in my opinion, are now more of a product of iOS than hardware.

I've owned at one point or another, the iPad 2, iPad mini, and iPad4, which makes me believe that the turning point for the iPad from a consumption to a productivity device really was the A8X processor. I'm looking forward to purchasing the next generation of the iPad for Apple Pencil support.

 

[Ludatyk]

While I could appreciate a bezel free design. I just don't think the 12.9'' model is need of an upgrade right now.

I feel the same way.

The hardware is already there... it's iOS that's behind. And I believe that's what's holding back the iPad from what Apple hopes to be a legitimate replacement. We are waiting for what Apple will build upon with Split-View, that was with iOS 9 and iOS 10 didn't do much in regards to adding features to the iPad.

So, fingers crossed with iOS 11... at least that's what I'm waiting for.

 

[6836838]

The MacBook Pro's ports are far more versatile than the ports on the previous models.

And before anyone jumps on Apple for the right-side TB3 ports having half the bandwidth of the left-side ports, note that the Dell XPS's sole TB3 port is also half-bandwidth.

Please explain how USB-c is more versatile than a MagSafe adapter with respect to charging, convenience and safety.

Please explain how surface mount RAM is more versatile than removable RAM.

 

[Michael Goff]

Agreed. Plus, maybe simplify the iPad lineup. Drop the Air, and have the only difference between the 7.9 Mini, 9.7" & 12.9" be just that: the screen size. Maybe add a 11" iPad, but whatever.
[doublepost=1486653979][/doublepost]

Wouldn't mind a Mac Pro with leading edge graphics like an Nvidia Titan X, and work with game manufacturers to really show off what Macs can do.

I'm told AMD provides better performance in some of Apple's pro software. Doubt they're going to move away.
[doublepost=1486859115][/doublepost]

Please explain how USB-c is more versatile than a MagSafe adapter with respect to charging, convenience and safety.

Please explain how surface mount RAM is more versatile than removable RAM.

You can use any port on a 2016 MBP to charge while you can only use one on others. Also, the MagSafe fell out whenever I used the MBP I have while laying on the bed and shifted at all. Doubt the USB-C one will do the same.

 

[Abazigal]

Please explain how USB-c is more versatile than a MagSafe adapter with respect to charging, convenience and safety.

Please explain how surface mount RAM is more versatile than removable RAM.

Soldered ram takes up less space and allows for a thinner and lighter device.

As for USB C vs MagSafe, this is where you have to step back and look at how each technology affects the end product in its entirety. With MagSafe, you need a dedicated proprietary port which is there whether you are charging your laptop or not, and which cannot be used for any other purpose. With USB C, I can use it for charging, and when the laptop isn't charging, that same port can be used to connect to a monitor, or to a USB C peripheral, or anything requiring such a port.

So yes, if we fixate solely and narrowly on convenience and safety, MagSafe is still undeniably better than USB C, but when we consider what we gain in exchange (more versatility), it's not such a bad deal after all.