Actually yes. Better sound performace and wireless charging do not deserve keynote time. There are minor improvements. The AirPods are simple product. Just like the charging mate we were waiting for two years now or the new Apple Watch bands nobody asked for.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Launches New 10.5-Inch iPad Air With A12 Bionic Chip and Apple Pencil Support, Starts at $499
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
For the price point, the Pencil 1 makes complete sense. They would have to redesign the logic board and enclosure to use the Pencil 2.
I have to politely disagree, I have the Surface Pro 6 and I will gladly be going back to full on Mac (I currently use an iMac and Surface Pro 6). As a tablet the Surface is terrible, as a laptop to type up a document in Word, it’s fine. I find Windows so annoying (the countless updates it wants to do is just one of them). Using touch on Windows is also one of the things I find annoying, I have the alcantara type cover with track pad and I use that instead of touch. The trackpad is no where near as “on par with Apple’s” in my opinion.
IOS is fine for the tablet, I can edit a photo in Pixelmator Pro on my iPad Pro and then use Pixelmator Pro on my 2012 iMac when I want. The iPad Pro isn’t a full computer like a desktop or laptop, because I don’t think it’s meant to be. Personally I think putting MacOS on an iPad would be a VERY bad idea.
Last edited:
They must be putting these out ahead of next week's event to clear the way for AirPods and something else. I'm guessing Apple's own Mac processors are coming soon. Or maybe AirPods and the ever so illusive charging pad. How about Mac Pro? Probably not, but Apple just usually quietly release stuff like this.
Makes me think it will get a redesign introduced along the new Mac Pro at WWDC.
MacBook Air and MacBook look the same but not the same
iPad Air and iPad look the same but not the same
Timmy is fxxking up the lineup again.
Apple genius is gonna be ashamed and frustrated when people go and ask about the difference of their products
iPad Air and iPad look the same but not the same
Timmy is fxxking up the lineup again.
Apple genius is gonna be ashamed and frustrated when people go and ask about the difference of their products
It’s showing at €579 here in Ireland, same in Finland & Portugal. €569 in Italy, Belgium & France. €549 in Germany, Austria & Spain. Luxembourg shows €550.19! Local VAT rates obviously causing the variations.
I always wanted an iPad Mini but this Air is way better for productivity... So I honestly don't know what to do.
The Smart Keyboard for iPad Pro 10.5 has been rebadged as "Smart Keyboard for 10.5‑inch iPad Air" (see here). It's the same product. Apple has even kept the old reviews referencing the 10.5 Pro version. So, yes, it seems the new Air is literally a repackaged 10.5 Pro.
They really are going all in on iPad. A mini, a regular iPad, a new iPad air and iPad pros (x2).
That's a lot of SKU's.
Bummed, as I was hoping to see some Mac hardware.
The focus is clearly, clearly on iOS. iPad's are nice and all, jut not really my bag.
That's a lot of SKU's.
Bummed, as I was hoping to see some Mac hardware.
The focus is clearly, clearly on iOS. iPad's are nice and all, jut not really my bag.
Which is what I said earlier in response to all the different iPad models. It confuses the hell out of the customer trying to figure out what to buy and they risk some just walking away and not buying anything.
To think, Samsung has the nerve to sell their Tab S4 (also 10.5” tablet with the same storage) for a whopping $649.
The iPad is well, just an iPad. They don’t need a keynote to refresh it.
The AirPods might gain new added features beyond wireless charging, and they might want to demo them. For example, health features.
The iPad is well, just an iPad. They don’t need a keynote to refresh it.
The AirPods might gain new added features beyond wireless charging, and they might want to demo them. For example, health features.
Apple’s approach looks to be letting Samsung totally have the entry level market seeing as the iPads basically start just below where the Galaxy Tabs leave off.
In itself a seriously upgraded Mini is okay, but it does leave the regular iPad as the line’s entry offering (which will no doubt be upgraded as usual this coming fall).
In itself a seriously upgraded Mini is okay, but it does leave the regular iPad as the line’s entry offering (which will no doubt be upgraded as usual this coming fall).
This. As a nurse, now nurse practitioner, when the mini came out it was an amazing tool for medical students, physicians and providers because you could carry it around the hospital. The hospital I was at, I saw a lot of people using them.
In my opinion you are probably better off finding a 'on sale' iPad Pro 10.5 because of the features difference. They're no doubt using the same accessories because the keyboard is listed as compatible with both.
But A10X vs A12 is not a big difference looking at Geekbench. With the older Pro 10.5 you get the flash on the back, the ProMotion, 4GB RAM along with other features including the 4 speakers.
I'm glad I got my iPad Pro 10.5 when I did and it replaced the first gen 12.9 and it was a huge speed difference and the ProMotion is something I'll never want to go back from...
But A10X vs A12 is not a big difference looking at Geekbench. With the older Pro 10.5 you get the flash on the back, the ProMotion, 4GB RAM along with other features including the 4 speakers.
I'm glad I got my iPad Pro 10.5 when I did and it replaced the first gen 12.9 and it was a huge speed difference and the ProMotion is something I'll never want to go back from...
I think it is a good release. Good iPad, good price, to have the latest CPU is great. Gap was too big between 9.7 and 11.
I was expecting USB-C. Now I wonder if the 2019 iPhones will have USB-C or not.
Btw rumors could not predict this, a new medium iPad, they were talking about update of the cheap one (which did not happen, maybe next year?).
Let's see how much RAM it has, otherwise better deal than the 10.5 Pro (was) for 150$ plus..
Touch ID version 2?
Will we see 11 Pro v2 this fall with A13X CPU? When is OLED coming to iPad?
I was expecting USB-C. Now I wonder if the 2019 iPhones will have USB-C or not.
Btw rumors could not predict this, a new medium iPad, they were talking about update of the cheap one (which did not happen, maybe next year?).
Let's see how much RAM it has, otherwise better deal than the 10.5 Pro (was) for 150$ plus..
Touch ID version 2?
Will we see 11 Pro v2 this fall with A13X CPU? When is OLED coming to iPad?
Your entitled to, but I'm still right.
I wonder how some of you cope when you go into Starbucks and see more than 5 drinks to choose from. And good luck to those of you ordering a new car when the options and configuration is endless.
Same old, same old.
We now have 5 screen sizes. 2 port types. 2 biometric authentications. 2 kinds of pencils and smart keyboards. This is exactly the kind of clutter Steve killed when he returned to Apple.
Also, what does "Air" even mean in Apple's lineup nowadays, when other devices are already slimmer and lighter?
We now have 5 screen sizes. 2 port types. 2 biometric authentications. 2 kinds of pencils and smart keyboards. This is exactly the kind of clutter Steve killed when he returned to Apple.
Also, what does "Air" even mean in Apple's lineup nowadays, when other devices are already slimmer and lighter?
Yes. Mostly the 20% VAT. With the current exchange rate, plus VAT, the USD499 Air is about £452. There’s a little less than a 6% increase to get to the Apple store’s £479 price.
The difference can probably be attributed to having a buffer for weakening of the pound and the additional UK consumer rights that give customers extra warranty beyond the one year we get here in the states.
Sure, it's not hard to follow if you're already familiar with all these products and their features / shortcomings.
But do you think an average person can tell you which of these supports the Apple Pencil 2? Or why the iPad mini is more expensive / better than the iPad despite being smaller?
This is what we mean by confusion. It's good to see Apple refresh the iPad mini and keep the same price (a rarity nowadays), but Apple's iPad and MacBook lineups have both been getting increasingly fragmented.
Lose the touchscreen, add a real keyboard, keep the cellular connection, and replace iOS with macOS. Price it at $799. Boom - easily the best selling laptop there's ever been.
I'd buy one (or two - might get one for the wife, too), and I'm pretty sure Apple would have a great margin on it.
I'd buy one (or two - might get one for the wife, too), and I'm pretty sure Apple would have a great margin on it.