Apple Remaining 'Conservative' Over Upcoming Sales of iPad Pro

[newhorizons]

So you want a Mac Tablet with a 1366x768 TFT display?

Or do you want a Mac Surface Pro 4, which is $1299 with 8GB and 256GB? At $999 you are talking 4GB RAM 128GB, slow core i5 and only 9 hours if you play simple videos. In other words, a "toy" by your standards. That's with a pen but no keyboard. And it would have a clunky Apple take on Windows 10.

Look at the benchmarks. The A9 performs as well as the Core M and the A9X will approach the Core i5.

lol

now you are trolling .

they have the retina display already and can use it. and you know nothing about the difference between the A9X and the 6th gen i5/i7 when it comes to benchmarking demanding desktop software like Photoshop and auto desk programs . the Mobile A9X will fail miserably !

the same thing applies to the battery life of the IPAD vs the i5/i7 ... will play 9 hours videos on BOTH . try rendering using IPAD and see how much the battery will last.

stop trolling okay ?

 

[wizard]

hell, i'm still on the iPad 2 from 2011 - works smashingly. i also have a cintiq 12wx and that holds up well too.

Interestingly I'm on an iPad 3 and frankly was ready for an upgrade until Apple ruined that with no upgrade to the Air this year. With the latest IOS 9 the IPad is amazingly good for its age but I do find performance wanting.

there needs to be a physical decay of recent 'old' products for a mass migration to the new New. plus, imo,

I don't see it that way. My 3 is perfectly good for many apps but really falls on its face with the RAM hungry ones. That right there is a good reason to upgrade old hardware. Purposeful decay makes no sense, computing hardware outdates itself fast enough these days.

this thing didn't one-up the surface pro,

Most people interested in Apples products don't really give a damn about the Surface Pro.

so i'd say people, numbering in possibly the tens/hundreds of thousands perked their ears up, read the features and specs and went 'meh.'

It is a nice product that will be loved by certain types of Pro users.

i'll concede though, that i do want one eventually - looks like a fun tablet overall. next year!

For me anyways I want to see all this goodness in an iPad Air sized machine.

 

[wizard]

Apple needs to wake up and release full OSX Tablet . the same hardware of Macbook Air .

If they did that the performance wouldn't be any better and in some cases much worst.

This thing is a JOKE for $1200

Well sadly I tend to agree, even though I've yet to see the guts of the machine. You see much of the machines value comes from what is put into the machine and how it is put into the machine. We can argue that it is expensive right now but until hardware with comparable technology comes to market we really don't know. It is the same thing with the Mac Book, it seems to be expensive but the technology used to put it together is very bleeding edge thus you have to adjust your view of the price.

 

[MH01]

Be like the retina MacBook , sometime around March 2016, it will be available in stores.

Interesting that Apple is conservative in their launches these days. I'm sure the die hard fans will buy without thinking twice ...

 

[KPOM]

lol

now you are trolling .

they have the retina display already and can use it. and you know nothing about the difference between the A9X and the 6th gen i5/i7 when it comes to benchmarking demanding desktop software like Photoshop and auto desk programs . the Mobile A9X will fail miserably !

the same thing applies to the battery life of the IPAD vs the i5/i7 ... will play 9 hours videos on BOTH . try rendering using IPAD and see how much the battery will last.

stop trolling okay ?

Who is trolling? The A9X has a better GPU than the Core M. Sure, the ARM won't run x64 code as well, but that's an ancient architecture with a lot of baggage.

So few people use "demanding desktop software" and need pen input that it isn't worthwhile for Apple. Microsoft had no choice. They tried making Windows on ARM and it failed because it wasn't compatible with win32 and win64 software (most of which is not touch optimized). Microsoft actually completed Office for iOS before they optimized Office for Windows for touch.

 

[zorinlynx]

I honestly don't see the iPad Pro becoming very popular outside of the well-heeled artist sort.

For only a bit more money you can buy a real computer and do a million times more. As I was watching the videos I kept thinking "I'd rather be using my Macbook."

 

[kazmac]

I probably will cave next year depending on courseload / finances and how I fare with the iPad Mini 4. Given the price tag it is easy to see why folks are being conservative about the amount of iPad Pros that will sell.

It's Apple though, so it will sell.

 

[Aston441]

Sounds more like they are announcing the product's lackluster sales before they actually sell.

The iPad Pro, surprise-surprise, will not be a game changer, major seller, or special bon-bon for the entire tech market. It is definitely an expensive niche product only a few need or can utilize (aside from screen size). 99% of the market are fine with an iPad Air.

It might be a game changer. I never wanted a tablet, but I'm going to investigate this thing when it hits the stores. Not because of its size, but because it finally may take paper out of my life. "Digital Paper" hmm I like that. I claim copywrite for that term.

 

[macduke]

I really want to use an Apple Pencil. I'm also stoked about the idea of a tablet this fast—with lots of RAM and faster NAND controllers. But the biggest thing holding me back—literally—is the size. It's so big! I hope that Apple will come out with a 9.7" Pro model. Much like the MacBook Air 13" overlaps with the MacBook Pro 13". Although, to be honest, the 13" MacBook Pro isn't much faster. The 15" has the quad-core and discrete graphics. So Maybe an iPad Air 3 clocked slower than the Pro, but with 4GB of RAM so it can also run the same pro apps? I just really want to use that Apple Pencil! We also need developers to make legit Pro apps AND charge more for them. We need a sustainable app economy for developers of professional quality apps or it will never take off. I'd also like to have 3D Touch on the iPad after getting used to it on my iPhone 6s. The potential uses for professional apps is compelling.

 

[dvdlovr24]

Is the price really that high? I'll end up paying $949 for my 128gb iPhone 6s Plus. For $130 more I'll be buying a Pro that has the same amount of memory and can do everything the phone can do besides cellular calls through AT&T. Do I wish it was cheaper? Absolutely, but I don't think the price is that out of whack for what you get. Just my two cents.

 

[Kal-037]

Apple!... just freaking announce the pre-order or release date and get it done. You already have millions of people who will buy it just cause it's "Apple's newest toy" then the tons of folks that will buy because they need it. I'm one who needs it right now. I sold my Air and Mini so I'd have the money to get it, and so I'll have a large productivity tablet for art and writing. I really don't want to go back out and buy a giant MacBook Pro because you screwed up in getting this product released... and failed at even just marketing the product. Get some commercials going or something. I hate to say it, but if there was a tech winner for 2015... Microsoft wins for four reasons:
1.) better presentation
2.) better price for configurations
3.) they are actually promoting their product.
4.) oh and they actually set a release date and released it (3 weeks after announcing it.)

You've done nothing but say: "Coming soon in November."
What does that even mean? November 2, 6, 13, or 30th?...
Ugghh

*no no, I'm not mad, I'm a little annoyed.
#AnnoyedWithFirstWorldProblems



Kal.

 

[sledgehammer89]

users remain unconvinced of a reason to upgrade

It's really easy to convince me: give us an iPad mini with A9, 4GB RAM, Pencil support, 3D Touch, Continuum/Trackpad Support, same Camera as 6S+, 256GB, Siri Remote Control support. And Xcode - or at least Xcode's Playground and Storyboard.

If there are only nano upgrades every 2nd year, I only do na no upgrades.

 

[ctg7w6]

I think the Surface Pro 4 and SurfaceBook announcement caught Apple flat-footed. It just isn't "pro" enough to justify the price with accessories, and it is hard to create content on iOS.

Don't get me wrong, it'd be a cool little upgrade from the iPad Air 2 for me, because I would just use it for PDFs and reading and stuff. Anything requiring much work, I will use my MBA. The specs are nice on the Pro, but I need desktop UI productivity, not just the hardware.

But, I also think Apple should have seen how successful the Surface Pro 3 was and learned from it.

 

[tillsbury]

Am I the only one who thinks that selling 2.5 million ipad pros between "November" and the end of the year is absolutely loads of them?

 

[BenFrankArt]

From the introduction of the first iPhone until now, Apple has enjoyed the "Steve Jobs Effect."

They build an excellent product in the iPhone, send the worlds best Hype Master & Salesman Out On Stage, he whips the crowd into a buying frenzy, record breaking sales is the result.

A super narcissistic individual who spent years cleverly building Pro-Apple relations with highly influential writers at some of the worlds high profile newspapers and web sites like Walt Mossberg at the Wall St Journal, David Pogue of the New York Times, to name but two of a dozen or so.

Steve gave them silent exclusive advance access to products first, before launch in exchange for them writing gushing glowing reviews declaring Apples latest product pure genius, a must have. This formula was brilliant and got Apple noticed Globally years ago.

Hiring a world renown New York based ad agency to blast the praises of Apple Globally ... Steve knew exactly what he was doing. His greatest true strength wasn't understanding technology although he did, Woz handled making the products great while Steve was the pitchman. Cunning and Aggressive Steve knew Smoke and Mirrors Sales. He _drove_ Apple to the top.

Fast forward to today, where Apple was greeted by the Hard Slap Of Reality. Still reeling behind the scenes, they're stunned at the "eh who cares?" attitude towards Apple Watch.

The huge attention world wide, created solely by Apples money and cunning manipulation. Not by the potential customers. Because of the millions and millions of dollars spent on hyping the Watch as only Apple could do, did it seem like a more exciting product than it actually is.

The marketing plan worked...partially... Successfully whipping the dedicated "I have my wallet ready" "take my money already" types.... those responses only seen in Apple forums.

Elsewhere in main stream public places, people where too busy enjoying life focused on other things. First notice of an Apple Watch advertisement was met with "eh, so what?" reception.

Certainly not a flop and certainly not a blockbuster product, now Apples invincible confidence is rattled... Bad. They hide it well yet their very cautious approach with their new tablet is proof positive that Apples previously superior to the peasants attitude has taken a heavy hit.

Perhaps Apple has noticed that they aren't as special as they believe.

Yeah they are so DOOMED!! A paltry 51 Billion in revenue this latest quarterly alone. It's a BUSINESS yet you write this reflective soap opera as if this multinational corporation is sitting backstage weeping because somebody threw an egg at it. There is no Steve Jobs Effect. Their sales are breaking records and that includes the ones they had set under Jobs himself. Tim is shrewd. And that's why under his leadership Apple is as healthy as it's ever been. This Apple is a calculating long-game player. I don't think you understand what powers these sales. These devices are pricier than their competitors yet demand is not only steady but GROWING for every line except the iPad. And I doubt they are losing sales to other device makers. The sales are shifting within the ecosystem as consumers find the device they like most and settle into a refresh cycle. Hell, some own multiple devices shamelessly. A company that is literally building a headquarters the size of the Pentagon and testing autonomous vehicles on secret driving courses hardly sounds like a company taking a "heavy hit". Go see BlackBerry or PALM. You could take BBRY's $4B market cap, shove it in a YUGO, push it off a cliff, make a video of it bursting into flames, upload that on YouTube, and collect revenue as a viral video and you'd probably be making more money than them. That's doomed.

TL;DR Apple will be just fine.

 

[tillsbury]

Presumably it won't be long before Apple have made more under Cook than they ever did under Jobs. Unless we're already past that point?

 

[Brandhouse]

The UX community can't wait for this to come out.

 

[xraydoc]

C'mon Apple and take my money already!

 

[Erin13mc]

an included pencil might possibly make sense but not everybody wants a keyboard.

oh, did Apple announce anything? this is a Digitimes rumor for crying out loud. or are you seriously suggesting that Apple leaked that info to Digitimes? and in any case this is the easiest prediction to make. Ipad pro is obviously a niche product. Apple might sell a few million of them a year and that's all they are aiming for.

This target market for ipad pro is rarely talked about (Apple is certainly never emphasized it) but IMO it has much bigger potential in terms of numbers than, say, artists and graphic designers. current ipads are terrible for taking lecture notes but ipad pro should be great. Price can be a big issue of course. We'll see.

Speaking of target market, from everything I've read, hardly anyone has mentioned how much an iPad Pro can help Musicians. I am looking forward to having my entire collection of sheet music on one in PDF form in forScore. So for all the people who are going "Why not just use an iMac?! Who needs a huge iPad?" Me. I do. I need it to be vertical. If all you do is play from chord charts, an iPad is plenty big, but if you're reading an orchestral reduction from an opera you need it to be readable. No more carrying around giant scores or binders. Plus, the pencil is perfect for annotating scores. Apple should really make an ad for the iPad using musicians.

 

[tillsbury]

Speaking of target market, from everything I've read, hardly anyone has mentioned how much an iPad Pro can help Musicians. I am looking forward to having my entire collection of sheet music on one in PDF form in forScore. So for all the people who are going "Why not just use an iMac?! Who needs a huge iPad?" Me. I do. I need it to be vertical. If all you do is play from chord charts, an iPad is plenty big, but if you're reading an orchestral reduction from an opera you need it to be readable. No more carrying around giant scores or binders. Plus, the pencil is perfect for annotating scores. Apple should really make an ad for the iPad using musicians.

Exactly. This is one of the major uses I intend for mine... just having all music available without finding the right book is a great start. Plus, ipads sit on the piano without trouble and are much easier for turning pages than an analogue score.

 

[Erin13mc]

I honestly don't see the iPad Pro becoming very popular outside of the well-heeled artist sort.

For only a bit more money you can buy a real computer and do a million times more. As I was watching the videos I kept thinking "I'd rather be using my Macbook."

I know a few other musicians who are looking forward to using this for reading music, which is harder to do on a regular iPad and unless I tilt my MacBook on it's side, it doesn't all fit on the screen. I'm hoping Apple realizes that they should market them that way.

 

[Erin13mc]

Exactly. This is one of the major uses I intend for mine... just having all music available without finding the right book is a great start. Plus, ipads sit on the piano without trouble and are much easier for turning pages than an analogue score.

YES! And there are bluetooth pedals now that can turn the page for you. I remember people talking about using PC tablets years ago to read music, but I just wouldn't/can't do PC. I've been looking forward to this iPad for a long time!

 

[maxsix]

I do believe the challenge Apple faces is unlike the watch sales that could not be compared within Apple to a similar product, iPad Pro will be naturally compared to its iPad predessors.

As fundamentally good as this product is, once in the hands of consumers their first impression will be that although it's light, the extra width and depth will make it far more cumbersome than anticipated.

Apple has trained its customers to be hyper sensitive to weight. Bulk is next, two areas the iPad Pro is very deceiving about.

 

[wickedwahine11]

Speaking of target market, from everything I've read, hardly anyone has mentioned how much an iPad Pro can help Musicians. I am looking forward to having my entire collection of sheet music on one in PDF form in forScore. So for all the people who are going "Why not just use an iMac?! Who needs a huge iPad?" Me. I do. I need it to be vertical. If all you do is play from chord charts, an iPad is plenty big, but if you're reading an orchestral reduction from an opera you need it to be readable. No more carrying around giant scores or binders. Plus, the pencil is perfect for annotating scores. Apple should really make an ad for the iPad using musicians.

Exactly. This is the reason I am buying the Pro and selling my Air2 to get it. The ability to have sheet music in that size is well worth the purchase price for me. I already have a Macbook and iMac for computing needs, and the iPad mini for books. But this will be much easier for reading sheet music - especially as my eyes are getting worse as I get older. The bigger screen for videos, magazines and newspapers is just icing on the cake.

 

[BlargKing]

Spending more than 500$ on a tablet... you could buy a more capable ultrabook at that point.

for the cost of this iPad pro I could buy my whole family each their own decent android tablet. sheesh.