Apple Introduces Next-Generation iPad Pro With M1 Chip, Thunderbolt, 5G, XDR Display, and More

[bill-p]

I think with M1 and 8-16Gb RAM, developers will be targeting the iPad Pro and Mac line simultaneously within X-Code. I doubt that there’ll be any reason to run MacOS when the Apps will have parity.

So developers will be less likely to optimize memory usage? That's a drawback, not something to celebrate.

Unless Apple completely overhauls and lets iPadOS start running more things that exist on MacOS, like developer tools, virtualization of other OSes, etc... 16GB RAM is absolutely unnecessary and overkill. There is almost nothing that stresses even 4-6GB RAM in iPadOS currently.

 

[Bowcaps]

Apple today introduced the next-generation iPad Pro with the same M1 chip found in the latest Macs, Thunderbolt and USB4 support, 5G connectivity on cellular models with mmWave support in the United States, and more.

Apple says the M1 chip in the new iPad Pro provides up to 50% improved performance compared to the previous generation. The M1 chip's integrated 8-core GPU offers up to 40% faster graphics than the previous generation.

The new iPad Pro is available with up to 2TB of storage, which is double the previous limit.

The TrueDepth Camera system in the iPad Pro features a new 12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera that enables a 120-degree field of view for a "Center Stage" feature. It keeps you in view as you move around, panning to keep you in the shot.

The new 12.9-inch iPad Pro comes with an all-new Liquid Retina XDR display, with up to 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness and 1,600 nits peak brightness. The display consists of 10,000 Mini-LEDs, with an ultra-high 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. This new display is limited to the 12.9-inch model, and not available on the 11-inch model.

The new 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799, while the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,099. Pre-orders will begin April 30, with availability beginning in the second half of May. No specific release date was provided.

Apple also announced that the optional Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro is being released in a new white color.

This story is part of our coverage of Apple's ongoing "Spring Loaded" event today. Refresh for more details and follow along with our live blog for the latest updates. We're also live tweeting the event on Twitter.

Article Link: Apple Introduces Next-Generation iPad Pro With M1 Chip, Thunderbolt, 5G, XDR Display, and More

This looks awesome, but will it be able to run Xcode?

 

[jcshas]

I thought the iPad Pro 2020 version was an overkill.... but now with literally a DESKTOP class processor, AND 16GB of RAM (literally what most Desktop and Laptop has now), iPad Pro 2021 is insanely overkill. They better allow virtualization for BigSur for iPad Pro, otherwise, it's such a waste of power.

Totally agree with this. I haven’t even scratched the surface (no pun intended) with the capabilities of my 2020 iPad Pro (12.9). I think the iPad Pro has become even more of a niche product with every new iteration.

 

[JPack]

The CPU will likely come into contact with the case with some thermal tape, in effect becoming one giant heatsink. A YouTuber did the same with an AS MacBook Air and it performed better than the AS MacBook Pro with active cooling.

Yes, that's true if someone is willing to mod their iPad Pro. But I wouldn't be surprised if the VRM is also less robust on the iPad Pro to limit performance and heat.

 

[dk001]

Well, Tim Cruise MacGyver definitely left us all gagging.


Yet another step closer to Mac Touch reality.

While very nice, the most limiting item has always been the OS.

 

[pdoherty]

So developers will be less likely to optimize memory usage? That's a drawback, not something to celebrate.

Unless Apple completely overhauls and lets iPadOS start running more things that exist on MacOS, like developer tools, virtualization of other OSes, etc... 16GB RAM is absolutely unnecessary and overkill. There is almost nothing that stresses even 4-6GB RAM in iPadOS currently.

The fact they put the M1 and 8GB/16GB on the Pro iPads should be a strong hint that desktop-class apps and/or GUI are on the way.

 

[dk001]

Would buy it in a heartbeat if would support dual boot of iPadOS and MacOS

But I still want an AmigaOS Emulator

 

[Wando64]

I think with M1 and 8-16Gb RAM, developers will be targeting the iPad Pro and Mac line simultaneously within X-Code. I doubt that there’ll be any reason to run MacOS when the Apps will have parity.

Maybe so.
I can’t see Apple doing that with their Pro apps though.
I am a Logic Pro user and that alone means I have to have a Mac, in my case a 2012 i7 quad Mini and a 2015 i7 MBP, even though my 2018 iPad is more powerful than either of them.

 

[bill-p]

Why are people in this thread suggesting that Mac OS needs to run in virtualization? The fact the iPad will have the exact same CPU means there’s no virtualization required.

MacOS and iPadOS technically are running on the same kernel and have different kernel extensions. Theoretically, it should be entirely possible to instantly switch between iPadOS and MacOS on the same device running the M1 chip.

I suspect that's what Apple is heading toward, but... let's be realistic: if I can run MacOS with a complete touch interface on my iPad, and have perfect external monitor support, there would be absolutely no reason for me to own any MacBook at all.

 

[DarthDon]

The iPhone goes to 1200 nits peak what are you talking about.

yes - but with HDR as an exception. without vids and pics on that codec you'll never see such thing on your phone.

 

[dk001]

BOTH MODELS GETTING 16GB OF DDR4X RAM😲 only 1/2TB get 16. Other ones get 8GB

EDIT: first iOS/iPadOS product for Apple to mention how much RAM it has

Wonder why they didn't use 5 with this setup....

 

[theotherphil]

So developers will be less likely to optimize memory usage? That's a drawback, not something to celebrate.

Unless Apple completely overhauls and lets iPadOS start running more things that exist on MacOS, like developer tools, virtualization of other OSes, etc... 16GB RAM is absolutely unnecessary and overkill. There is almost nothing that stresses even 4-6GB RAM in iPadOS currently.

That’s a bit of a logical leap to say they won’t optimise memory usage. XCode does this automatically. What it will allow is apps such as X-Code to run natively on the iPad - which most definitely would stress 4-6Gb.

Being able to target both iPad and Mac with the same project is going to be a game changer for devs and this is where the true benefit of Apple Silicon is going to show. Being able to target 1Bn+ customers is going to be awesome for devs and customers alike. As you correctly pointed out, many apps won’t need all that RAM and this is good.…it’s the incentive to target both iOS and MacOS with apps that have feature parity that is important.

 

[Seanm87]

OLED doesn’t need dimming zoned because each pixel can be individually controlled, for *much* better picture quality than miniLED. This is a stop-gap technology

It can't get anywhere near that brightness for HDR though. It can barely reach 1000 nits.

 

[theotherphil]

Yes, that's true if someone is willing to mod their iPad Pro. But I wouldn't be surprised if the VRM is also less robust on the iPad Pro to limit performance and heat.

Do you think Apple is unable to think of something like this?

 

[pdoherty]

MacOS and iPadOS technically are running on the same kernel and have different kernel extensions. Theoretically, it should be entirely possible to instantly switch between iPadOS and MacOS on the same device running the M1 chip.

I suspect that's what Apple is heading toward, but... let's be realistic: if I can run MacOS with a complete touch interface on my iPad, and have perfect external monitor support, there would be absolutely no reason for me to own any MacBook at all.

So? Apple is either selling you an expensive laptop or an expensive dockable iPad Pro. Either way they got your money and have you in the ecosystem. They’re finally doing what they should have done a long time ago, and responding to the MS Surface line.

 

[asleep]

Put the Mini-LEDs in the 11" and I'll buy one.

 

[bill-p]

The fact they put the M1 and 8GB/16GB on the Pro iPads should be a strong hint that desktop-class apps and/or GUI are on the way.

Or it'll be exactly like the entirety of the last 10 years. We kept wishing for iPadOS to become "more", and Apple never gave it to us.

This WWDC will be a revelation. I am more inclined to believe Apple will just sit on it and not overhaul iPadOS.

There's one reasonable explanation for why the iPad is getting the M1 chip: it is so that Apple won't have to manufacture multiple chips for different lines of products. M1 for all "Pro" devices and A14 for all "non-Pro" devices seems like the model they are going for.

 

[JPack]

Do you think Apple is unable to think of something like this?

Think of what? The cost savings associated with a lower spec VRM?

 

[jdb8167]

MacOS and iPadOS technically are running on the same kernel and have different kernel extensions. Theoretically, it should be entirely possible to instantly switch between iPadOS and MacOS on the same device running the M1 chip.

I suspect that's what Apple is heading toward, but... let's be realistic: if I can run MacOS with a complete touch interface on my iPad, and have perfect external monitor support, there would be absolutely no reason for me to own any MacBook at all.

Virtualized macOS switching could also be instantaneous. The reason for virtualizing macOS is to keep the walled garden of the iPad Pro intact. You virtualize the OS and hardware but nothing gets out of the sandbox. MacOS has access to its own directory tree but everything else still goes through the Files application for example.

Just running macOS on the bare hardware makes this much harder. And the fact that only virtualized macOS Big Sur is available on the iPad also differentiates the iPad Pro from a MacBook. Want full access, get a MacBook. Most developers and content creators will opt for this. But everyone else that just needs access to an occasional macOS application, virtualized macOS could be the answer to 2 and 1s on Windows.

Not saying Apple is going to do this but 16 GB of RAM on an iPad Pro is ridiculous unless they do something like this.

 

[theotherphil]

Or it'll be exactly like the entirety of the last 10 years. We kept wishing for iPadOS to become "more", and Apple never gave it to us.

This WWDC will be a revelation. I am more inclined to believe Apple will just sit on it and not overhaul iPadOS.

There's one reasonable explanation for why the iPad is getting the M1 chip: it is so that Apple won't have to manufacture multiple chips for different lines of products. M1 for all "Pro" devices and A14 for all "non-Pro" devices seems like the model they are going for.

But history already refutes this when Apple moved ipad to iPadOS instead of keeping it on iOS. They already stated that iPad is a separate line and required it’s own OS. I can’t see them not changing anything with iPadOS 15.

 

[theotherphil]

Think of what? The cost savings associated with a lower spec VRM?

No, the ability to manage thermals with a bit of tape. And why would they use a low spec VRM to save a couple of $? Makes zero sense if it will compromise the experience.

 

[Tapiture]

Kind of relieved that there is nothing compelling enough to upgrade my 2020 11”. M1 is cool but I’ve never been limited by the processor / RAM on my current one. Looks like they’re going to stick with this form factor for a while longer which is sweet.

 

[JPack]

No, the ability to manage thermals with a bit of tape.

It's a marketing decision, not an engineering one. The 2020 MacBook Air (Intel) had a heatsink that didn't make full contact with the processor. Same thing with the M1 Air.

 

[RevTEG]

Very cool. looking forward to upgrading. However, I will admit that I a little disappointed that the camera didn’t move to landscape. Maybe the new “centering” feature will help. I would have also guessed Touch ID would have come to the power button.

I‘m a fan of PadOS but I’m not sure how all this extra power is needed for PadOS apps. WWDC may have some big announcement??

 

[bill-p]

So? Apple is either selling you an expensive laptop or an expensive dockable iPad Pro. Either way they got your money and have you in the ecosystem. They’re finally doing what they should have done a long time ago, and responding to the MS Surface line.

Except Apple has never wanted to make an expensive dockable hybrid tablet device. They were only interested in advertising and building the iPad Pro to become a "computer replacement" (i.e.: it should not run a "computer OS").

It makes absolutely no sense to have MacOS run alongside iPadOS on the iPad Pro because then... what's even the point of running GarageBand or iMovie or even Safari on the iPadOS side? The counterparts on MacOS side are much more powerful, much more versatile, and much more useful. It makes no sense for Apple to continue and develop touch-focused memory-optimized versions of those apps. And the same problem applies to 3rd-party developers. If people can just use the desktop versions of Lightroom and Photoshop, why does Adobe need to continue development of the iPad version?

Merging iPadOS and MacOS is a bad idea in that sense. I don't think Apple is going to do it. Which makes this move to put M1 into the iPad more of a "supply chain consolidation" move rather than a hint that iPadOS and MacOS are merging.