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Apple Debuts New 9.7-Inch iPad With A9 Chip to Replace iPad Air 2, Starting at $329

Dave245 said:
Why would they hold an April event when they have announced iPad today if they were holding an April event wouldn't they have just updated them all then. Also the iPad mini 2 was removed today.
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Exactly.

Why is it so difficult for so many to understand that Apple has extended the refresh cycle upwards of 2 years (rather than every 1 year)? By not "getting it" there are people who are waiting longer than they needed to and spending more as well. $175 off 4-6 months ago looks a lot better now.

The 12.9 Pro was released 16 months ago and there is nothing in the latest version of iOS that is causing the Pro to break a sweat. Apple has become quite unpredictable with its iPad release schedule and so I've encouraged people to simply find the model they like then wait for the next sale (which happens like every 2-3 weeks it seems).
 
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SactoGuy18 said:
Is it possible that Apple will announce an early April event to show off the new 10.5" "bevel free" iPad, the next-generation 12.9" iPad Pro and the 128 GB iPhone SE with an upgraded SoC and Touch ID sensor?
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Nothing will be bezel free until you see the iPhone go bezel free in the fall. And that will be just on the iPhone Edition, aka the Anniversary iPhone for over $1000.
Sorry, but the iPhone is king and nothing comes to any Apple i-line up until it debuts on the iPhone.
 
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Appleaker said:
I am sick of hearing "WWDC is always a software only event, they won't announce any hardware". That's simply not true and it's very possible.
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While I'm sick of hearing that Apple will announce something at WWDC for people to get hyped up only to be disappointed and post the same old "Apple is doomed" crap when they don't, that trend has continued for the last few years. Sure Apple has announced products in the past the last one being the Mac Pro in 2013, for the last 4 years no new products have been announced at WWDC and there is no reason to think that will change this year!
 
alexcanton said:
Angry-Steve-Jobs-300x225.jpg


Another iPad to the already messy, fragmented, unnecessarily long line up of iPads to saturate the already saturated mobile market while continuing to leave the demand of Macs behind..

I'd love to say we're losing faith Tim, but that was so long ago now.
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Hmm … seems like they're simplifying the line. There's a Mini line, "regular" iPad, and Pro models. Isn't that one less model than before? Seemed more fragmented when they had the "Air" models. I never understood the "So … you want pretty much the same thing, but a bit thinner and lighter?" deal. Overall I guess I'm just glad the price entry point is lower than ever. :)
 
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I still have my original iPad but I don't use it as much as I did before I got the iPhone 6s last year (coming from a 4s). If I was to re-buy my Apple ecosystem, I'd go: iPhone Plus, iMac, no iPad. There's really no need for it when a phablet gets most of the (media) job done IMO.
 
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alexcanton said:
Angry-Steve-Jobs-300x225.jpg


Another iPad to the already messy, fragmented, unnecessarily long line up of iPads to saturate the already saturated mobile market while continuing to leave the demand of Macs behind..
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They are simplifying the iPad line with this move. Want an iPad to play a few games, watch Netflix, etc? Buy an iPad. Want to to use iPad for work? Buy iPad Pro.
 
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Thicker, heavier and cheaper? This is what many on this site said they wanted when the MBPs came out last November. Apple may have listened ...

lightmyway said:
They are simplifying the iPad line with this move. Want an iPad to play a few games, watch Netflix, etc? Buy an iPad. Want to to use iPad for work? Buy iPad Pro.
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I agree. I also wonder if this is a short term spec bump, like the iPad 3, which was 'top of the range' for just 6 months.

If bezel-free iPhones are coming in September, bezel free iPads can't be very far away.?
 
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I think this ipad will sell like hot cakes if they put the touch id of the iphone 7 in it. That touch id is smooth and seamless for the most part. The touch id on the Air 2 and Pro lag so much. Its the little things like that which will give the impression of speed vs whatever actual improvement one has on the chip side. Simple things
 
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1applerules1 said:
My God, this is the biggest disappointment since finding out santa wasn't real
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Fact: Nobody expected anything before the store went down.
Fact: Apple sells the iPhone 7 in an additional new colour, improved the iPad Air 2 and made it cheaper, improved the Mini 4.
Fact: There is now more choice, and better products, at lower prices.

So where exactly is your disappointment coming from? Any disappointment is something that you have solely produced in your own mind. I think you should get some counselling to get more happiness from your life.
 
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Really quite happy with this. I am still happy with my iPad Air 2 (which still feels super-snappy to me), but I have a family member ready to upgrade from their original iPad with retina display (aka iPad 3), and this will be perfect, and at a significant price decrease from what the Air 2 was going for. The wifi-only 128GB model is really great value I think.

As for the downsides:

Less reflective? I don't really care, I will put a screen protector on it anyway.
Slightly thicker than the Air 2? Don't care, it'll be an upgrade to an iPad w Retina(iPad3), it'll seem thinner and lighter.

I can see why it's a bit of a mixed bag/not compelling for people with an iPad Air 2 - but remember that was the top of the line model when it originally launched, this is likely the new budget model with the new Pro model still to come. Like I said, I'm happy with my Air 2 for now, but I don't think this is really supposed to tempt Air 2 owners so much as people who until yesterday would have been buying the Air 2 to replace an older model or as their first iPad.
 
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Aston441 said:
I have no idea which iPad is which any more, and I'm 99% more informed than most consumers. Every one in a while I feel like buying one, but don't feel like spending three hours trying to figure out which to get. Then I just "whatever" out, move on, and don't spend the money.
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Allow me to break down the basics: in the 9/7" field, iPad Pro is thinner and lighter than the new iPad, has a faster processor, better cameras, smart connector, a fully laminated display, antireflective coating, wide color display, true tone display, four speakers instead of two and works with Apple pencil. The tech cutbacks will save you around $250 if you opt for the new one over the Pro. Relative to the outgoing iPad Air 2, the new iPad is thicker (the same as the original iPad Air) but cheaper and faster.
 
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Honestly, Apple is to the point where everyone is pretty happy with their iPhones and if they have one, their iPad. Software is solid (although we need more iPad differentiators in iOS to make the device more compelling). All Apple needs to fix to address the negativity that persists on this forum is to just keep all Macs updated all the time like the old days.

Keep the Mac story clear and updated, and everyone will be happy on MACRumors.
 
I see that many have mixed feelings on simply the name "iPad" for their new entry level model. Personally, I like it, but this is going to add more confusion to the 9.7 inch iPad lineup.

Here's the generation list for the 9.7 inch iPad, depending on how you classify it:

iPad (1st gen)
iPad 2 (2nd gen)
iPad (3rd gen)
iPad (4th gen)
iPad Air (either 1st or 5th gen)
iPad Air 2 (either 2nd or 6th gen)
iPad Pro 9.7 inch (either 1st or 7th gen)
iPad (???)
 
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Haven't seen this discussed...

Assuming no new Pros are coming right now, what does everyone make of the inventory shortages, which usual signal something is coming?
 
32 GB is obsolete. Should be 64 GB and 128 GB. Pro models should be 128 GB and 256 GB. As memory sizes increase, the prices remain the same or drop. I bet they could do 512 GB on the larger pro model if they wanted to. Then it would really replace a computer.
 
I do like how they advertise it as having a "an aluminum unibody construction that delivers a reassuringly solid feel."
To me, the ipad since the air 2 has felt flimsy and fragile.

I have an iPad 4 that I still use day to day and that thing is solid. I stick loose it in my weekender bag with nothing on it except a smart cover and I'm never worried about it. With the mini 4 and pro 9.7" whenever I hold it I felt like it could bend and buckle under the pressure of my grip. Nothing 'solid' about the construction of those ipads.

If anything, I'd like apple to move away from that 'too thin, fragile' feel on their products.
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garya73 said:
32 GB is obsolete. Should be 64 GB and 128 GB. Pro models should be 128 GB and 256 GB. As memory sizes increase, the prices remain the same or drop. I bet they could do 512 GB on the larger pro model if they wanted to. Then it would really replace a computer.
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the ipad could never replace a computer. I tried. it's just not built to be a standalone computer. the smart keyboard + pencil solution feels tacked on and its OS is too limiting for creation. It's a consumption first device.
 
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