Apple Launches New 9.7-Inch iPad With Apple Pencil Support, $299 for Schools and $329 for Consumers

[PracticalMac]

FAIL!

TOO EXPENSIVE.

UNLESS...
this version includes full package of Enterprise software for managing the entire inventory and dedicated Apple support team to address needs to the school, including building custom apps and connecting 3ed party apps with curriculum. In effect, an "iTunes only for Schools"
Apple needs an Eco System for the classroom, or this will fail.

 

[Norwegian_Imposter]

Apple today announced an all-new 9.7-inch iPad, describing the tablet as its "most affordable iPad" yet and confirming it will work with the Apple Pencil. Apple said that the device was designed for powerful AR apps.

The tablet has a 9.7-inch Retina display that features a higher-resolution touch sensor to enable support for Apple Pencil, previously only compatible with iPad Pro. Apple Pencil provides a "fluid and natural" drawing experience with sensors that measure pressure and tilt so that users can take notes or illustrate in various apps.

The new iPad has an A10 Fusion chip with 64-bit desktop-class architecture, providing 40 percent faster CPU and 50 percent faster graphics performance when compared to the previous generation 9.7-inch iPad. Apple said that both front and rear cameras provide HD video recording for everything from document scanning to FaceTime calls.

One of the main applications aimed at the new iPad is augmented reality, fueled by the device's Retina display, powerful chip, enhanced cameras, and advanced sensors with a gyroscope and accelerometer. The tablet was built for mobility and durability for students, sporting an aluminum unibody construction.

The 32GB iPad with Wi-Fi is priced at $329 in the U.S. and $459 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model, and Apple Pencil can be purchased separately for $99. Schools will be able to buy iPad for $299 and Apple Pencil for $89. The new iPad is available to order beginning today and will arrive in stores later this week in more than 25 countries, listed below:

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, the UK, the US, India, Russia, Thailand, and Turkey. More countries and regions will follow in April, with South Korea and others coming in May.

Article Link: Apple Launches New 9.7-Inch iPad With Apple Pencil Support, $299 for Schools and $329 for Consumers

So which will be the most powerful one now? Does that mean the iPad Pro is not longer pro?

 

[sracer]

are schools really using chromebooks? all I see is schools going with the surface.

Yes. Elementary schools are indeed using chromebooks. My daughter teaches 5th grade and the entire school is heavily leveraging chromebooks as educational tools. (and is rolling out to the rest of the district) It's really terrific to see.

And when one sees how chromebooks are being used in the classroom, one really has to wonder what Apple's plan was in announcing what they announced yesterday.

 

[SRLMJ23]

Take a look at the charts here: https://www.bloomberg.com/gadfly/ar...e-s-ipad-needs-schools-more-than-they-need-it showing how much of an uphill battle Apple has. Remember that they have tried to break into the school districts before but were sued (http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-la-unified-ipad-settlement-20150925-story.html)

For Apple, I think that is their intent. If I were Apple, I would definitely target the root where it can net the most gain for their business model: the younger generation(s). If they can somehow encourage schools to adopt their devices, it'll be a win-win in the long term for them. Personally, I think it's a rather shrewd tactic to use the schools as a facade for their underlying goals. There's some resistance on the forums here, but it'd be interesting to see how many see eye to eye with Apple

NO one should be surprised by what happened here.

I recall the lawsuit in L.A., and I read your Bloomberg article, however, I was just throwing that out as an idea of what Apple could/should have done.

I know in school they are losing out, but when those kids go home, I bet most go home to an iPad/iPhone or maybe a Mac. So most probably have at least one iDevice in their home. When these kids get older and peer pressure hits them and to fit in they have to have the latest Apple flagship devices (iPhones/iPads) that is where Apple will get them. It will definitely help them if they get more and more iPads and Macs in schools.

Apple is a business, so can we really argue with them if their goal for this is to basically create customers for the future, when these kids get out "in the real world," haha? I think the software they made was actually pretty good, the iPad just made zero sense to me. Like I said in another post, they should have just brought in the 9.7" iPad Pro, which I am sure they still have plenty of stock of, and offered that as the educational iPad. It has better specs (except the CPU/GPU) like laminated display, True Tone, four speakers, better support for the Apple Pencil. I think the air gap in this iPad will cause some issues with the Apple Pencil, maybe not. Also, they would have "first party" accessories like the Apple Smart Keyboard, and the Apple Silicone back case. I know Logitech made one, but it is ugly as hell and for support issues, there is no one better to deal with than Apple. Apple is still excellent at customer service! I just prefer Apple accessories.

We shall see what happens, but we all know how Tim Cook runs Apple.

 

[harriska2]

Yes. Elementary schools are indeed using chromebooks. My daughter teaches 5th grade and the entire school is heavily leveraging chromebooks as educational tools. (and is rolling out to the rest of the district) It's really terrific to see.

And when one sees how chromebooks are being used in the classroom, one really has to wonder what Apple's plan was in announcing what they announced yesterday.

I can see chromebooks at 5th grade. Maybe even 4th. But not kinder through 3rd or 4th. Apple certainly marketed their ipads weirdly. Should have stuck with the little tykes in their presentation.

 

[lec0rsaire]

The new 9.7” iPad does NOT have:

- ProMotion
- Wide color P3 display
- True Tone
- Smart Connector
- OIS
- 4K video
- Second-gen Touch ID
- No Laminated Display

I mean come on Apple, could not even spring for second-gen TouchID?!?!

They already make this and it’s called the iPad Pro. They’ve given people a lot here for half the price. This is like complaining that you’re not getting the features of a 15” MBP in a $999 MBA. Who the heck is taking pictures and shooting video with a tablet? It’s pretty ridiculous. Maybe some family pictures at home but elsewhere phones are just more practical and have better cameras.
[doublepost=1522266528][/doublepost]

So less than a year and now my expensive ipad pro 10.5 is worthless?
[doublepost=1522199611][/doublepost]A10 vs A10x are they the same thing being practical?

The A10X has a slightly faster CPU and faster GPU. The difference is not huge but your 10.5” iPad has the 120hz display, True Tone and P3 color as well as a fully laminated display with AR coating. This is much higher quality than what you’ll find on the $329 iPad or any of the regular 9.7” iPads from the past.

It also can use Apple’s Smart Keyboard while the iPad can’t. The FaceTime camera is 7mp vs. 1.2mp. Your Pro also has 4 speakers which are much louder than the 2 on this new iPad.

The main camera is also much better although this depends on whether you shoot anything with the iPad. For me the only useful camera is the front one for FaceTime and Skype.

The real outrage is the poor FaceTime cam on the 15” MBPs. While definitely not the worst, it should be much better for 2016/2017 machines of this price.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

It’s a joke. Why is everyone so serious on this form. Lighten the F Up!

Sorry. But in all fairness if it was a joke it should have either have been funny or noted with half-hearted “ha.” As you wrote it it just sounded snarky, and in a cliched way. So, yeah, you sounded serious, replied serious. Ironically you then get upset and seemingly in need of chill pill.

 

[lederermc]

I’d argue that, as a student, being able to use and attach an Apple Smart Keyboard with an iPad is a lot more useful than support for an Apple Pencil which isn’t even included in the still premium price of a lower end iPad.

That being said, even though we have mostly Apple products, my teenager’s 2 year old asus Chromebook still does everything she needs it to do and has 0 support for any type of stylus AND costs less than $300 brand new.

Is this specifically for graphic design schools?

3rd party BT keyboards (and pencils) are much cheaper and almost just as good.

 

[jamesrick80]

This is Apple so expect bare minimal which is probably 2GB.

Yep, no reason to not even think its 2 gb...they updated that processor and added pencil support and disregarded the rest. iOS really only needs the bare minimum to perform, its us who use multiple apps/split screen/multitask that need the additional ram (applaud samsung to getting me use this). Otherwise, you will not even be able to tell much of a difference even if you have a pro 10.5/2nd gen 12.9. But that 120 HZ screen makes a difference in scrolling but you start to not even notice it after a while and the special-ness goes away.

 

[eyeseeyou]

3rd party BT keyboards (and pencils) are much cheaper and almost just as good.

Completely agree about Bluetooth keyboards but as far as illustration apps go the Apple Pencil way above standard stylus’.

For general scribbling and sketching a standard, amazon stylus is fine.

 

[harriska2]

Yeah, I’ve struggled with styluses for almost 5 years, then finally got a pencil. Now I’m cooking with butter.

 

[Mr. Heckles]

They dropped the ball with this for schools. For $299, it should include a keyboard and the Apple Pencil.

 

[Sevendaymelee]

iPads are fun toys but that's about it... at least for me anyway. I have a Mac and it does more of the things I need and does them more efficiently. An iPad is basically just a giant iPhone and I already have one of those.

 

[Matz]

It’s seriously a great book, as his “So good they can’t ignore you.” He also gave two TED talks on the two topics that are worth a watch. Deep Work is a very good book for those in the workforce.

Finding this made wading through all the comments worthwhile.

Read “So Good...” and am now immersed in “Deep Work.”

Thank you.

 

[yaxomoxay]

Finding this made wading through all the comments worthwhile.

Read “So Good...” and am now immersed in “Deep Work.”

Thank you.

My pleasure. Newport is a great guy and his ideas really changed my approach on many things. Hope you’ll love Deep Work as I did.

 

[4509968]

Did anyone notice that the new iPad does not seem to have a "Fully laminated display" and "Antireflective coating" that even the older iPad Mini 4 has?

 

[rui no onna]

Did anyone notice that the new iPad does not seem to have a "Fully laminated display" and "Antireflective coating" that even the older iPad Mini 4 has?

View attachment 756021

It is known.

This is pretty much a refresh of the 2017 iPad (which had similar display specs as the 2013 iPad Air). Besides, starting point for this is $329. Sure the iPad mini 4 is $399/128GB but I expect the primary reason they didn't offer it at lower capacities is because the display costs more.

 

[macduke]

Could have been worse. They could have stuck you with a 2016/2017 15 MBP" with a keyboard that might malfunction at any moment.

Hah, didn't think about that one…

 

[BarracksSi]

Did anyone notice that the new iPad does not seem to have a "Fully laminated display" and "Antireflective coating" that even the older iPad Mini 4 has?

View attachment 756021

All the features exclusive to the Pro models are, at least for me, "nice-to-have"s, but not deal-breakers if I don't get them.

I've lived without a laminated display, True-Tone and P3 color, ProMotion, and whatever else for as long as I've had my iPad 2, and honestly, an iPad Pro wouldn't make the experience of watching my workout videos suddenly become "WOW!"-like.

I'll ask for one of these for my birthday this summer. Maybe my wife would surprise me with a Pro version, but the basic $329 model would be a heck of an upgrade already, and could do well for at least another five years, I'm sure.

 

[thomasmonks]

Just got my new 2018 ipad. Here is the geekbench results.

 

[Carlanga]

Yes. Elementary schools are indeed using chromebooks. My daughter teaches 5th grade and the entire school is heavily leveraging chromebooks as educational tools. (and is rolling out to the rest of the district) It's really terrific to see.

And when one sees how chromebooks are being used in the classroom, one really has to wonder what Apple's plan was in announcing what they announced yesterday.

Interesting thanks!
As far as apple, all they see these days are how many accessories they can charge a premium for their 'incomplete' devices.

 

[satchmo]

That's what happens with technology. New products come out.
Yours still works though.

Oh of course. It's still a bit of a kick to the bollocks given that last year's model is what this new model should have been. Instead it clearly positioned two lines, Pencil capable and non...only to reverse this.

 

[4509968]

It is known.

This is pretty much a refresh of the 2017 iPad (which had similar display specs as the 2013 iPad Air). Besides, starting point for this is $329. Sure the iPad mini 4 is $399/128GB but I expect the primary reason they didn't offer it at lower capacities is because the display costs more.

Dont think so.

This is standard Apple practice. Older models are offered with lesser storage options. Plus the newer iPad is aimed towards schools so having a cheaper option with lesser storage makes sense.

[doublepost=1522500505][/doublepost]

All the features exclusive to the Pro models are, at least for me, "nice-to-have"s, but not deal-breakers if I don't get them.

I've lived without a laminated display, True-Tone and P3 color, ProMotion, and whatever else for as long as I've had my iPad 2, and honestly, an iPad Pro wouldn't make the experience of watching my workout videos suddenly become "WOW!"-like.

I'll ask for one of these for my birthday this summer. Maybe my wife would surprise me with a Pro version, but the basic $329 model would be a heck of an upgrade already, and could do well for at least another five years, I'm sure.

What are you talking about?!

I am not talking about "iPad Pro" features, I am talking about two which are even present in the iPad mini 4, which is not called "Pro".

Here, let me just highlight it in the image for your convenience.

We can agree that Pro features like a 120Hz refresh rate ProMotion display, a TrueTone display needing a unique controller, and a P3 color display are features which differentiate the Pro iPads from the rest.

But not having the same manufacturing options like lamination and antireflective coating are shocking. When even older iPad minis have them, why not the new iPads? How many bucks can those 2 features cost? Omitting them is cheap.

 

[rui no onna]

Dont think so.

This is standard Apple practice. Older models are offered with lesser storage options. Plus the newer iPad is aimed towards schools so having a cheaper option with lesser storage makes sense.

It's been this way since last year.

In March 2017, instead of dropping the price for the Air 2 from $399 to $329, Apple released a $329 iPad 2017 with similar chassis and display to the 2013 iPad Air. The 2017 iPad had Apple A9 chipset, 2GB RAM, 1st gen TouchID and improved cameras (from the Air, can't remember but cameras might've been same or worse than Air 2). This 2018 model is pretty much the same as the 2017 model except with Apple A10 and Pencil support.

I am not talking about "iPad Pro" features, I am talking about two which are even present in the iPad mini 4, which is not called "Pro".

But not having the same manufacturing options like lamination and antireflective coating are shocking. When even older iPad minis have them, why not the new iPads? How many bucks can those 2 features cost? Omitting them is cheap.

Note, Apple doesn't sell a $299 32GB version of the mini 4. Yes, the $399 is 128GB but storage is cheap. They're likely not happy with margins if they lower pricing.

The display costs $40-50 more, I believe. If you look at Apple's certified refurbs, the Air 2 costs more than the 2017 iPads. If they switched the 2018 iPad to a fully laminated display, then we'd probably be looking at a $399 starting price point which likely isn't quite as attractive to consumers. When Apple released the $329 iPad last year, iPad sales increased and ASP became lower. That probably wouldn't have happened if they retained the $399 price point.

 

[BarracksSi]

When Apple released the $329 iPad last year, iPad sales increased and ASP became lower. That probably wouldn't have happened if they retained the $399 price point.

Yup, true for me. $399 is too close, psychologically speaking, to Pro pricing; but $329 feels appropriate for the feature set.