Apple's New Low-Cost 10.2-Inch iPad Starts Shipping to Customers Tomorrow, In-Store Availability Coming Later This Week

[redheeler]

I have to disagree 100% with your line of thought. As soon as the 2015 12.9" Pro came out, people were clamoring for a smaller version of it and despite the incredibly small size for the 2018 12.9" Pro, people should get that choice. Plenty of users want a smaller iPad Pro or Apple would not have ever offered one.

The iPad mini is its own niche with acolytes and opponents, but should be kept in lockstep with the Air from now on as far as internals go. The current model has a small premium attached to it, but is worth it once the iPad internals are taken into consideration.

The $329 price point with routine discounting to $249 is the gateway drug for the iPad. Those who already have an older iPad that they love or who want a larger size without jumping to the 11" Pro have the Air now with premium features that fills a rather gaping hole Apple had in their lineup. To me and at least one other here @Michael Scrip the current lineup is pretty much perfect.

Consumers and a bit of advice can help make a more correct decision, but Apple has clearly delineated these products now and all of them are good...there are no duds at all. The lineup (and sales) would suffer immensely under the plan you have proposed.

Let me reiterate - the 11" Air is the 11" Pro. Same design, specs, features. Only the name is different.

But, you're actually right. It'd make more sense to just call them all iPad Pro, except for the low-cost model referred to as iPad. This is what Apple used to do with the MacBook lineup and it was very concise. On the iPhone side there has been a return to this naming scheme (iPhone and iPhone Pro) so it makes sense from a parity standpoint as well.

 

[EugW]

So here is one thing I’m curious about which hasn’t been confirmed yet. Will this be Touch ID 1 or 2? Remember when Apple released the air 3 and mini 5, they didn’t mention it was Touch ID 2 in it either. It wasn’t until reviews came out later that it was confirmed, perhaps we could have a little surprise with that as well?

Touch ID 1

Let me reiterate - the 11" Air is the 11" Pro. Same design, specs, features. Only the name is different.

But, you're actually right. It'd make more sense to just call them all iPad Pro, except for the low-cost model referred to as iPad. This is what Apple used to do with the MacBook lineup and it was very concise. On the iPhone side there has been a return to this naming scheme (iPhone and iPhone Pro) so it makes sense from a parity standpoint as well.

There is no 11" Air. You mean 10.5" Air.

And the Air 10.5" and Pro 10.5" are actually fairly significantly different in terms of specs and real world features.

 

[The Man]

Waiting for DRAM bump confirmation otherwise no buy.

Yeah, if it has 3 GB RAM it will be a fine iPad, especially with the new iPadOS. I already bought a 6th gen in 2018, and its 2 GB RAM results in lots of browser and app refreshes. But I will not upgrade for a few years. Would have loved the 3 GB and Apple external keyboard option though.

 

[redheeler]

There is no 11" Air. You mean 10.5" Air.

And they're actually fairly significant differently in terms of specs.

Hypothetical 11" Air: My only hope is that Apple will simplify the lineup to three different screen sizes: Mini (7.9" - 9"), Air (10.2" - 11"), Pro (12.9").

 

[EugW]

Hypothetical 11" Air: My only hope is that Apple will simplify the lineup to three different screen sizes: Mini (7.9" - 9"), Air (10.2" - 11"), Pro (12.9").

That would suck IMO. Mini in my opinion is not very useful as the mainstream entry level device. For some people it is but I'd take a 10.2" iPad with A10 over a mini with A12 any day. Also, I'd be uninterested in an 11" Air. I want an 11" Pro. The 12.9" also is not very interesting to me. Too big for my preferences.

 

[redheeler]

That would suck IMO. Mini in my opinion is not very useful as the mainstream entry level device. For some people it is but I'd take 10.2" iPad with A10 over a mini with A12 any day.

That's why I mentioned the possibility of keeping the 10.2" iPad in that post as well. Would like to see the anti-reflective coating and a CPU newer than A10 on the next model though.

 

[EugW]

That's why I mentioned the possibility of keeping the 10.2" iPad in that post as well. Would like to see the anti-reflective coating and a CPU newer than A10 on the next model though.

To summarize my post, the only iPad I'm interested in for myself at this point is the 11" Pro. If they deleted that and introduced a cut down version as an 11" Air, I'd probably just buy nothing and continue to use my 10.5" Pro.

 

[44267547]

There’s nothing wrong with the A10 fusion. Sure, it’s the same processor that was in the iPhone 7, venturing on four years old, but it doesn’t take away that I think it would be inefficient for this specific iPad. It’s not too large or too small, it’s right in between, and the price isn’t unreasonable. The only drawback for me personally, is that it doesn’t have the anti-reflective coating, which depending on your situation, can be problematic under certain lighting conditions.

 

[redheeler]

To summarize my post, the only iPad I'm interested in for myself at this point is the 11" Pro. If they deleted that and introduced a cut down version as an 11" Air, I'd probably just buy nothing and continue to use my 10.5" Pro.

Ok, just to clarify to you and @Zdigital2015, this is what I'm suggesting:

• 10.2" iPad (LC model, same price point)
• ~8.6" iPad Pro (same size as the current mini but with slimmer iPad Pro bezels and other features)
• 11" iPad Pro
• 12.9" iPad Pro

Some choice is good, too much choice isn't. This to me is a good balance, but you're welcome to disagree.

 

[EugW]

There’s nothing wrong with the A10 fusion. Sure, it’s the same processor that was in the iPhone 7, venturing on four years old, but it doesn’t take away that I think it would be inefficient for this specific iPad. It’s not too large or too small, it’s right in between, and the price isn’t unreasonable. The only drawback for me personally, is that it doesn’t have the anti-reflective coating, which depending on your situation, can be problematic under certain lighting conditions.

I always use a glass screen protector anyway, so I don't benefit from the anti-reflective coating. I wonder what proportion of people run without a protector.

Ok, just to clarify to you and @Zdigital2015, this is what I'm suggesting:

• 10.2" iPad (LC model, same price point)
• ~8.6" iPad Pro (same size as the current mini but with slimmer iPad Pro bezels and other features)
• 11" iPad Pro
• 12.9" iPad Pro

Some choice is good, too much choice isn't. This to me is a good balance, but you're welcome to disagree.

I think that could work if they reduced the prices of the Pros. But they seem unwilling to do so, hence the Air.

 

[redheeler]

I think that could work if they reduced the prices of the Pros. But they seem unwilling to do so, hence the Air.

Agreed, the price would have to come down to what it was before the 2018 redesign. And knowing Apple, that probably won't happen. Hence we're stuck with the fragmented lineup.

 

[1BadManVan]

Touch ID 1



There is no 11" Air. You mean 10.5" Air.

And the Air 10.5" and Pro 10.5" are actually fairly significantly different in terms of specs and real world features.

Is there somewhere that confirms it’s only 1.0? I’m sure you’re right since it’s a cost savings but like I said, they never specified on the air devices either

 

[galax83061]

I ordered my New IPAD through Best Buy. I am still seeing a shipping date of Oct 4. I was hoping that they would change that date. I need the new Pad for my books to study for some certs.

 

[redheeler]

I always use a glass screen protector anyway, so I don't benefit from the anti-reflective coating. I wonder what proportion of people run without a protector.

The larger the screen protector, the more of a hassle they tend to become. I've never seen the need for a screen protector on iPads. My iPad Air 2 has picked up some light scratches in the glass / coating but nothing more serious than that.

 

[EugW]

The larger the screen protector, the more of a hassle they tend to become. I've never seen the need for a screen protector on iPads. My iPad Air 2 has picked up some light scratches in the glass / coating but nothing more serious than that.

My 4 and 5 year old iPad Air 2s have no screen scratches at all (at least in the viewing areas), because of the screen protectors I've used, and for the last couple of years, they've been used by young kids.

Tempered glass is extremely easy to apply BTW. No bubbles.

 

[eyeseeyou]

With affinity photo/designer loaded on to my iPad 6 I have to be very careful about why types of files I load onto my 32gb iPad. That 32gbs gets filled up quick.

 

[EugW]

With affinity photo/designer loaded on to my iPad 6 I have to be very careful about why types of files I load onto my 32gb iPad. That 32gbs gets filled up quick.

Yeah, I find 64 GB is the sweet spot for me just for media consumption, but if I try to edit some videos in LumaFusion, it gets filled up quick, even though my editing needs are light. That's why I'm hoping for a 128 GB 11" Pro next month.

 

[Zdigital2015]

I always use a glass screen protector anyway, so I don't benefit from the anti-reflective coating. I wonder what proportion of people run without a protector.


I think that could work if they reduced the prices of the Pros. But they seem unwilling to do so, hence the Air.

Yeah, guilty on running without a glass protector on my iPads. However, you have inspired me to revisit that and start with my 2017 12.9” iPP. Have one for my iPad mini 4. Need to affix ASAP.

At this point, Apple is completely unwilling to lower the prices of the Pros.

I still find the $300 jump to the 11” iPad Pro from the base iPad Air a bridge too far. Honestly, in my opinion, Apple should consider offering a 12.9” iPad Pro with the same 2017 industrial design, internals and storage as the iPad Air at the $699 (64GB) and $849 (256GB) price points as there is still a gap that needs to be filled. That also lets them reuse existing CNC milling equipment. I am sure they would sell quite well for those who simply won’t purchase the 2018 12.9” iPP with its current price. Just my 2¢.

 

[jlc1978]

Confusing? Possibly.

But I think *most* consumers will consider price as the biggest consideration:

True. For most users even the least expensive iPad is more than sufficient.

I bet most people will never consider an $800+ tablet. Perhaps even $500 is a stretch.

Suddenly... the lineup becomes a lot smaller...

It is a special use case. I have 12.9 PRO and it is worth every penny as I can use it as a large second screen, docs are roughly A4 sized, it’s great for note taking with the pencil, and it can replace my MBP in some instances. For me it’s worth 1K but for most it’s overkill.

 

[MauiPa]

And it’s likely going to be slower than your current model because of the higher resolution required. Unless they bumped up the graphics?

That makes sense, but not guaranteed. The graphics is on the GPU which has always seemed to have plenty of extra room, so it may be that whatever differences there are may not be obvious

 

[Aston441]

I’m happy they didn’t for selfish reasons. This means my 6th gen should chug through new updates as well as the 7th. Puts more pressure on Apple to spend time optimizing the A10.
[automerge]1569349349[/automerge]

I wouldn’t call it my primary, but I use my iPad as a TV more than anything. Great TV when eating at a table.

Wrong. Apple has been and will be cutting off support based on amount of RAM.

This iPad has 3.

Yours has 2.

Probably iOS15 will turn off support for all 2Gig devices:

iPhone 6s
iPhone 6s+
iPad 6
etc

 

[EugW]

At this point, Apple is completely unwilling to lower the prices of the Pros.

I still find the $300 jump to the 11” iPad Pro from the base iPad Air a bridge too far. Honestly, in my opinion, Apple should consider offering a 12.9” iPad Pro with the same 2017 industrial design, internals and storage as the iPad Air at the $699 (64GB) and $849 (256GB) price points as there is still a gap that needs to be filled. That also lets them reuse existing CNC milling equipment. I am sure they would sell quite well for those who simply won’t purchase the 2018 12.9” iPP with its current price. Just my 2¢.

I just want them to make the entry level 128 GB, with 6 GB memory across the board, and then I'll more happily buy at those prices. Truthfully, 6 GB isn't absolutely necessary for me now, but this will be my forever iPad. Well, not forever, but hopefully 5+ years. The 4 GB models have been out for 4 years already.

A backlit Smart Keyboard would be nice too. Since I don't have one for the 11" yet, I'll need to buy one to go along with that 6 / 128 GB iPad Pro, and it'd be nice if that keyboard got this update too.

 

[cibonak]

Mu ipp 1st gen A9x works very well

Mo doubt the A10 will be also good

 

[MauiPa]

Yeah, guilty on running without a glass protector on my iPads. However, you have inspired me to revisit that and start with my 2017 12.9” iPP. Have one for my iPad mini 4. Need to affix ASAP.

At this point, Apple is completely unwilling to lower the prices of the Pros.

I still find the $300 jump to the 11” iPad Pro from the base iPad Air a bridge too far. Honestly, in my opinion, Apple should consider offering a 12.9” iPad Pro with the same 2017 industrial design, internals and storage as the iPad Air at the $699 (64GB) and $849 (256GB) price points as there is still a gap that needs to be filled. That also lets them reuse existing CNC milling equipment. I am sure they would sell quite well for those who simply won’t purchase the 2018 12.9” iPP with its current price. Just my 2¢.

While I understand what you are saying, the iPad Pro has a Geekbench 5 score of 4600 compared to an air with 2861 (baseline i3-8100 = 1000 single core/3300 multi core), and the compute score is 9000, which is double the air. Thats a lot for $300 and not even including the better screen, camera, speakers, pencil support etc.

But if you used the same internals as the Air wouldn't it be a 12.9 inch iPad Air, not an iPad Pro?

 

[The Game 161]

Amazing value really