Apple Launches New 10.5-Inch iPad Air With A12 Bionic Chip and Apple Pencil Support, Starts at $499

[bluecoast]

To those complaining about the confusing iPad lineup - what’s so confusing?

Basic iPad
For those that just want to do basic productivity, web, email, social and video (plus schools). The A10 is still very capable for that. Your parents or grandparents should probably get this.

iPad mini
For those that prize portability over everything but are also price conscious. Aimed at business too for precisely those reasons.

iPad Air
The mid-range. Just like the MacBook Air. If you want to do a bit of content creation and gaming get this one. The all-rounder. Most people should get this.

iPad Pro
Genuinely for Pros and for those who want the latest and greatest.

What’s confusing about that?

 

[Crow_Servo]

The only thing I wish this had was quad speakers, but I can live without them. Still debating between this and the new Mini, but I’m leaning towards the larger display. I just hope it’s not too large for me. I went from the 1st gen Air to the Mini 4, and really enjoyed how compact it is, but I play a lot of PUBG on it, so the larger display would likely come in handy.

 

[Mitochris]

Wouldn’t it make sense to have two lineups of iPads. iPad and iPad Pro in mini, normal, and large.
I would love an iPad Pro mini.

 

[joeblow7777]

Once again, it’s typical for people to know and say their car years when speaking of their car. Commercials speak of “2019 Ford Explorer.” The year is a typically used differentiator.

And as I said, those making comparisons will likely refer to this as the 2019 iPad Air, just as people call the current “iPad” the 2018 iPad to differentiate from previous models. Or they call it the 6th Gen iPad, a name that doesn’t appear on the Apple site but does appear on the (back of the) package and when you connect it to iTunes. So maybe the package and the software might identify it as the Air 3. Won’t know until someone actually has one.

 

[rui no onna]

I guess we have our confirmation. 3GB RAM. Guessing probably same for iPad mini. First time new release iPad and mini are at performance parity since 2013.

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...s-in-at-same-speed-as-latest-iphones.2173778/

 

[antonrg]

As I told you from the start, @MacRumors there was never going to be a 10.2”. They were always going to re-use the old design rather than spend all that cash on R&D for a lower-tier model. The rumor never made any sense in the first place, especially when taking history into account. (9.7” iPad which used the old Air (1) chassis).

Anyway! This model is great for us iPad Air 2 holdouts. Just a matter of time before this goes on sale at $399.

The used value of the 10.5 Pro will tank.

Exactly! Been an Air2 holdout until now. The new Air looks pretty reasonable to me.

 

[lartola]

What was she doing with it? We have an iPad mini 2 and the only major problem we have is that the lightning connector doesn’t easily accept cables anymore so it is difficult to charge.

You might want to go into settings>Touch ID & Passcode and turn on the USB Accessories toggle switch. Having it turned off, which is the default setting, prevents the use of USB accessories while the device is locked and that may be what's causing your iPad mini not to recognize some of your charging cables.

 

[Mw0103]

Once again, it’s typical for people to know and say their car years when speaking of their car. Commercials speak of “2019 Ford Explorer.” The year is a typically used differentiator. Not so for minimalist Apple.

This seems like argument for the sake of argument. Reviews and even Apple's own refurbished site identify the model year for iPads and Macs. Everything requires a little bit of research if you really want to know what you're buying. If one has not kept up on Apple Watch releases, one still needs to figure out if that Series 4 is the current model or not ("have they released a Series 5 yet?"). Even if they put the year in the name, not releasing one every year gums up the works ("I don't want a 2018 iPad Pro -- where is the 2019?"). What if I want to buy a Samsung QLED TV? What about a washing machine? Refrigerator? Oh the confusion!!!

 

[geekiemac]

I'm quite excited about this new iPad Air. I own an iPad Air 2 32 GB and I'm actually quite happy with it. It performs well with iOS 12. I've been missing a larger screen and some more storage space, though, and I'm worried it won't qualify for iOS 13 (or only at the price of significant performance drop).

So far I resisted buying a Pro as it's too expensive for my rather standard needs. But I didn't want the basic iPad due to its lower specs compared to my Air 2 (the screen). Now this new Air 2019 seems like a good way to try out the Pencil and get a better, larger screen, a general performance upgrade, more storage space, and all for a decent price (compared to Pro).

 

[PickUrPoison]

Good!

Now we have:

- The iPad;
- The iPad mini (inexplicably more expensive than the iPad)
- The iPad Air (a name no one missed and which has zero significance in the iPad line)
- The iPad Pro

They should fire their entire product naming department on the spot. How can "Air" mean one thing in the laptop line (i.e. base) and something else entirely in the iPad line (mainstream model)?

If my mom walked into an Apple Store today she would probably not understand the difference between an iPad (no name) and an iPad "Air".

This is looking ever more like the Macintosh Performa line (what is the difference between a Macintosh Performa 6410 and a Macintosh Performa 6420?). And it's 100% Tim's fault. What the ****

It might seem inexplicable, but there are some quite simple reasons the larger iPad is $329 while the iPad mini is $399:

• iPad mini has a much higher quality display. It’s laminated, has an anti-reflective coating, has P3 wide color gamut, True Tone and it’s a 326 ppi display (vs. 264 ppi for the $329 iPad).

• iPad mini has an A12 processor vs the A10 in the $329 model

• iPad mini has 64GB of storage vs. 32GB

• iPad mini has a 7 megapixel FaceTime camera vs 1.2 MP

• Other minor differences, such as iPad mini is 6.1mm thick vs. 7.5mm and has Bluetooth 5.0 vs 4.2
  

So the extra $70 from $329 entry level model to $399 mini buys a lot of upgrades, albeit with a smaller display. If you want all those same upgrades (except the 326 display ppi) in a larger display, it’s only $100 to go from the mini to the $499 10.5” Air. (The mini is actually a smaller version of the $499 iPad Air, not a smaller version of the $329 9.7” iPad. When you take this into account, the $399 mini/$499 Air makes a lot more sense.)

Re: the iPad Air, it’s actually returning to the lineup. When it was discontinued for the $329 iPad, there was a certain segment of buyers that were very unhappy with the $329 entry level device, mainly due to the lower quality display. Yet the Pro is overkill for most users.

So with a $329 entry level model, a $499 mid-tier Air with some very nice upgrades and then the $799 Pro model, the customer has more choices. And Apple makes more money

Edited to correct: I initially had an incorrect bullet indicating the $329 iPad did not have stereo speakers. But it does! So the mini and the entry level iPad both have stereo speakers. Therefore I removed that bullet.

 

[geekiemac]

It might seem inexplicable, but there are some quite simple reasons the larger iPad is $329 while the iPad mini is $399:

• iPad mini has a much higher quality display. It’s laminated, has an anti-reflective coating, has P3 wide color gamut, True Tone and it’s a 326 ppi display (vs. 264 ppi for the $329 iPad).

• iPad mini has an A12 processor vs the A10 in the $329 model

• iPad mini has 64GB of storage vs. 32GB

• iPad mini has a 7 megapixel FaceTime camera vs 1.2 MP

• iPad mini has stereo speakers and dual microphones vs. one speaker and one mic

• iPad mini has Bluetooth 5.0 vs 4.2

• Other minor differences, such as iPad mini is 6.1mm thick vs. 7.5mm

So the extra $70 from $329 entry level model to $399 mini buys a lot of upgrades, albeit with a smaller display. If you want all those same upgrades (except the 326 display ppi) in a larger display, it’s only $100 to go from the mini to the $499 10.5” Air. (The mini is actually a smaller version of the $499 iPad Air, not the $329 9.7” iPad.)

Re: the iPad Air, it’s actually returning to the lineup. When it was discontinued for the $329 iPad, there was a certain segment of buyers that were very unhappy with the $329 entry level device, mainly due to the lower quality display. Yet the Pro is overkill for most users.

So with a $329 entry level model, a $499 mid-tier Air with some very nice upgrades and then the $799 Pro model, the customer has more choices. And Apple makes more money

This makes perfect sense. In the beginning I was also a bit confused about the lineup, but thinking about it, it's perfectly logical.

 

[zla]

Lineup isn't confusing. Apple has tons of phone models and watch models available on their site. It's pretty disappointing that this is pretty much 2016 "cool"

No rounded display corners, same old boring form factor. They basically recycled the old ipad pro. So much innovation! Can't wait to see what else they've ruined with the macbook pro this generation..

 

[Populus]

Go outside, look at some trees or a lake.
Then find a coffee bar (not Starbucks) and smile at a random attractive girl (or person that you prefer)
It will be great.
No need to worry about throwing money at Apple.

The interesting part comes after smiling at a girl. It may be awkward for her and ask me what's wrong with me. Things have changed a lot in the men-women dynamics, and approaching a girl is nowadays... tricky.

Sorry for the off-topic. Technology kinda gives me the satisfaction that social life doesn't.

 

[jeremiah256]

To those complaining about the confusing iPad lineup - what’s so confusing?

Basic iPad
For those that just want to do basic productivity, web, email, social and video (plus schools). The A10 is still very capable for that. Your parents or grandparents should probably get this.

iPad mini
For those that prize portability over everything but are also price conscious. Aimed at business too for precisely those reasons.

iPad Air
The mid-range. Just like the MacBook Air. If you want to do a bit of content creation and gaming get this one. The all-rounder. Most people should get this.

iPad Pro
Genuinely for Pros and for those who want the latest and greatest.

What’s confusing about that?

To be fair, Apple’s pivot from ‘Air’ originally meaning the lightest, to now meaning the power level above the base model has not been a smooth transition, especially if someone only casually follows Apple. If a newbie walked into a store and you asked them to guess and point to the ‘Air’ Mac and iPad, they’d probably point to the MacBook and iPad.

 

[iReality85]

Glad to see Apple gave the iPad mini some love.

But disappointed to see it didn't get the "Pro" design treatment w/ slim bezels, though. It would have made for a very sleek looking one-handed tablet.

IMO, the mini has always been under appreciated. It doesn't excel at productivity, but it's really awesome for streaming and ebooks. Mostly due to its high PPI screen.

Just for some fun comparisons, I used to own an iPad mini 2 (released 5 years ago).

That came with a:

A7 processor
1GB RAM
1.2MP front, 0.5MP rear camera
No True Tone or laminated display

How far the mini has come! The little tablet that could.

 

[Tozovac]

This seems like argument for the sake of argument. Reviews and even Apple's own refurbished site identify the model year for iPads and Macs. Everything requires a little bit of research if you really want to know what you're buying. If one has not kept up on Apple Watch releases, one still needs to figure out if that Series 4 is the current model or not ("have they released a Series 5 yet?"). Even if they put the year in the name, not releasing one every year gums up the works ("I don't want a 2018 iPad Pro -- where is the 2019?"). What if I want to buy a Samsung QLED TV? What about a washing machine? Refrigerator? Oh the confusion!!!

For you and me, no problem. For your non-techie Aunt Bessie or Cousin Ralph shopping online for an iPad Air who thinks an iPad Air 2 they see online at Adorama is better than this iPad Air at Apple’s site, or if they see a refurbished iPad Air on MacWorld for less than at www.apple.com (a great deal!), well they’ll just have to deal with whatever results from their purchase session. Or patiently start up a homework project to understand what they don’t yet know they don’t know. I bet however neither will mistakenly buy a 2012 Toyota Corolla instead of a 2014 Carolla. They, on the periphery, will be the type to also ask me what happened to the iPhone 9. I follow Apple and can’t tell someone if a Xr is better than an Xs unless I go check. Why be so intentionally vague? Where are the geniuses at Apple?

 

[nihil0]

Still waiting for AMD to release Navi and Intel to release mid-tier 9th gen CPUs. Both are not expected until the second half of the year. Until you hear those components are available, iMac will be similarly unavailable. iMac is on a two year update cycle: 2015, 2017, 2019, so it would seem they’ll be released at some point this year.

Unfortunately for all, posting “where is iMac?” every time Apple releases something other than iMac does not actually accelerate the release schedule

Maybe it's like with Half Life 3 - everytime someone here mentions iMac or Mac Pro, Tim prolongs release for another week or so

 

[dona83]

On the surface it's the old Pro with a faster processor, but they bumped down the camera spec from 12 MP and f/1.8 aperture to 8 MP and f/2.4 aperture, and went from 4 to 2 speakers.

 

[clauzzz203]

Tim took a shovel to the parts bin.. take a hint: innovation should not be looking to the past

 

[joeblow7777]

I would have preferred an update to the "budget" iPad.

I don't think I'm ever going to pay $500 USD for an iPad. For me, in my trinity of mobile devices; my smartphone, my laptop, and my tablet, the tablet is by far the least essential.

 

[deconstruct60]

Wouldn’t it make sense to have two lineups of iPads. iPad and iPad Pro in mini, normal, and large.
I would love an iPad Pro mini.

if the baseline of "Pro" means 4 speakers and magnets+induction charger internal the Mini is going to have problems with internal "spare' volume. They could make it bigger to solve that. Or the battery incrementally smaller to free up space. However, that trade-off would probably drive away as many folks and got with the "Pro" stamp on the system.

If FaceID is a baseline "Pro" feature going forward, then that too is a cost/space driver at odds with the "smallest practical volume" design driver on the mini.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

Tim took a shovel to the parts bin.. take a hint: innovation should not be looking to the past

Yeah, new iPads are a parts bin special.

iPhone 6S (and iPad Pro 1) camera, iPad Air 2 screen with some lipstick. iPad Air 1 speakers. iPhone XS processor. iPhone 5S Touch ID. iPad Pro 10.5 Smart Keyboard. iPad Pro 1 Apple Pencil.

The regular iPad could do with some slimmer borders and better speakers.

 

[TobiasJW]

So many Options...

 

[PickUrPoison]

Here's one: what does Air even mean when the newer iPad Pros are slimmer and lighter?

Newer iPad Pro may be slimmer—5.9mm vs 6.1mm—but the iPad Air is lighter at 456g vs. 468g for the 11.0” Pro.

But that’s not particularly relevant. It’s just a model name. What does Camry mean? What does Corolla mean? If you want to know what the names mean look at the specs. Or the price.

Good: $329 iPad 9.7”
Better: $499 iPad Air 10.5”
Best: $799 iPad Pro 11.0”

It’s really not all that complicated.

 

[clauzzz203]

I can not decide.
Which is better, 120hz or A12?

There was a time when apple put out one product each year, and it was simply the best. Then ‘grownups’ took over