Gurman: New iPad Pro Models With M2 Chip and Wireless Charging to Debut in September or October

[Abazigal]

Who really uses iPad Pro's to their full extent? Like... what industry are you in? Why are you using an iPad and not a laptop?

I am a teacher who uses his iPad Pro to teach in the classroom.

I won't say I use my iPad to its fullest extent, but I do get a lot of mileage out of it. So I travel to work with my school laptop and my 11" iPad Pro, but when I go to class for lessons, I usually leave my laptop at my desk unless the lesson calls for something that would not be feasible to do on my iPad (to date, I can count the number of times this has come up this year with one hand), and just go to class with my iPad (and other accessories and teaching material).

If you have been following my posts long enough, you will know of love-hate relationship with the school-issued HP Elitex2 (something like the surface pro) which, although thin and reasonably light), had short battery life, the UI wasn't optimised for touch, and the thin form factor often led to heat-related issues (many of my colleagues have had their screens burn out from extended zoom sessions).

This year, we have fallen back on a more conventional laptop form factor, though it comes with a touchscreen and can be folded back on itself, but it's still pretty thick and bulky.

The iPad was also my MVP when my school shifted to online learning during the pandemic period. Lots of online videos and resources were recorded, edited and managed from it.

What I ultimately like about my iPad is the combination of portability, battery life and ease of use.

I am also far from being able to use my iPad as my sole computing device, but it has become an indispensable part of my work, and I can't dream of not being able to use it, and being forced to rely solely on my school laptop for work. I know it can be done, many of my colleagues do it, I probably could if I had to, but I would rather not.

Would I upgrade my 2018 iPad Pro or wait another year? I don't know, but by this time in November, it will have been 4 years, and while it still works great, I may as well hop on board the iPad train and get a device I know will properly support the latest iPadOS features for the next couple of years to come.

 

[jlc1978]

Or you can use something like Cubasis and Luma Fusion for now. It's not like options don't exist.

True, but while the options may be quite good, sometimes file incompatibility can be an issue. Or, if you have significant experience with one learning a new interface can be a challenge.

MacOS is capable of running iPadOS apps (where allowed by developers), but iPadOS is a touch only interface and therefore the same cannot and will not ever be true in reverse.

I’d say it’s more of a touch first interface now that Apple has the Magic Keyboard and mouse control.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Why? What's obvious about that?

ps. no iPadOS is not a touch only interface, ... people here really need to update their knowledge.... 🤦‍♂️

It's touch first though, touch is priority, and apps have to work on that premise first over and above other input methods..

 

[ArchebaldDiv.]

I’d say it’s more of a touch first interface now that Apple has the Magic Keyboard and mouse control.

Even that is becoming debateble - since you cant use StageManager on external display 'touch first' and while at home - most people with external monitors are gonna use it like this. I use it on the external monitor all the time and love it! It becomes a desktop.

 

[jlc1978]

I am a teacher who uses his iPad Pro to teach in the classroom.

My wife taught special ed and iPads were very useful, much more so than laptops for her students. Unfortunately, much of the teavher tech such as whiteboard did not interface with the iPad so she had to use a PC. I bought her a portable Logitech keyboard/mouse so she could use the tech while she walked around.

 

[Kiimora]

I am on the look out for the rumoured hybrid iPP, hence for now ‘am happy with my M1 12.9

 

[Ifti]

Unless we get FCPX for the iPad, I have no use for it at all.
They need more 'Pro' apps on the iPad Pro.....

 

[bradman83]

Don't they focus exclusively on the iPhone in September?

The past several years the September event has usually covered iPhone, Watch, and iPad.

This September event will probably be:

• iPhone 14
• iPad (base model) 10th Generation
• iPad Pro 11 (4th gen) 12.9 (6th gen)
• Apple Watch Series 8

 

[hoptown]

As a developer, my biggest concern would be how to test apps on a device with no port. Xcode currently allows you to install apps wirelessly, but that's after you connect with a cable first. And even then, it can be unreasonably slow, or not install at all. To be blunt, a wireless world from a particular developer's point of view is a horrible experience. Hopefully, they will fix those issues first.

 

[Boil]

The past several years the September event has usually covered iPhone, Watch, and iPad.

This September event will probably be:

• iPhone 14
• iPad (base model) 10th Generation
• iPad Pro 11 (4th gen) 12.9 (6th gen)
• Apple Watch Series 8

Hopefully there will also be a goodly segment covering all the bug fixes & improvements to the final release of iPadOS 16, and Tim totally effs with us by "one more thinging" an Apple calculator app for iPadOS...!

 

[Shreducator]

I know people are anti bezel but When holding a tablet I feel they are somewhat needed.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I'll just wait for the 14.1" or 15.1" iPad.

 

[erikkfi]

Better snag an M2 iPad Pro so you can enjoy next year's marquee new feature in iPadOS.

 

[ggibson913]

I currently have the 2nd gen 11 inch iPad Pro. I am tempted to upgrade this year but it depends. I will usually upgrade when not doing so limits my functionality. I am unsure what if any features will be limited on iOS 16.

 

[magicman32]

My biggest wish is for an updated aspect ratio. This thing is a bit of a waste now for widescreen content and will only get worse the bigger they go. Im sure I’ll get blowback but it’s time this gets a 16:10 ratio, similar to the Tab S8 Ultra. Video content suffers in it’s current form.

I’d love a 14” Pro, especially with the new features on the way, but not with the black bars that will be even more massive.

 

[Smearbrick]

What we will do without Gurman telling us that after M1 iPad Pro, there will be M2 iPad Pro...the true Nostradamus!

Is he on the payroll or something? His name seems to be popping up all over the place on this site, despite being kind of hit or miss with his "predictions".

 

[stocklen]

Why? What's obvious about that?

ps. no iPadOS is not a touch only interface, ... people here really need to update their knowledge.... 🤦‍♂️

Touch first....
Its designed primarily as a touch interface. It needs to be usable as a stand-alone device without peripherals... if it doesnt then its failed. Apple know this.

.. dont be so patronising "MacRumors newbie".....

And yes.. if you want a MacOS app you buy a Mac.... id say thats the very definition of obvious wouldn't you?

 

[Boil]

I currently have the 2nd gen 11 inch iPad Pro. I am tempted to upgrade this year but it depends. I will usually upgrade when not doing so limits my functionality. I am unsure what if any features will be limited on iOS 16.

Stage Manager comes to mind...?

 

[richpjr]

I always love the comments in threads like this where people speak in absolutes about things that will never come to an iPad. We heard it with mouse support, multitasking, external monitor support, a files app and on and on. It definitely takes Apple a long time to implement features but it seems they eventually get there. For me, the last "hurdle" to overcome is the pro app issue for the apps I regularly use (yes I am aware there are alternatives) like XCode, FCP, Logic and a full featured Photoshop/Lightroom (Lightroom is close for me).

 

[seek3r]

Wireless charging or magsafe 3? Magsafe 3 seems more likely as they position the iPPs as capable light laptops...

 

[Slainor]

Or you can use something like Cubasis and Luma Fusion for now. It's not like options don't exist.

And LumaFusion still sucks, even if you don’t touch the video stream its still processing it and lose quality

 

[w5jck]

Who really uses iPad Pro's to their full extent? Like... what industry are you in? Why are you using an iPad and not a laptop?

Good question. The iPads with M1 have plenty of power, but an iPadOS that is total crap. They don't have a usable file system, they require a million hand-gestures to do anything, they are horrible data entry platforms, and buggy as hell. Even just trying to create a spreadsheet takes tens times longer than on a Mac. Basically, iPads are for entertainment and social media. They could be a better work platform with a more macOS-like OS, but as is they just aren't worth the money if trying to use them as a workhorse device. You can put a Ferrari engine in a an old rusted Yugo, but unless your last name is Freiberger and you are known for building crap out of garbage, why would you? A total waste of time. I wish Apple would spend the time to create a true Pro level iPadOS. Then the horsepower and more RAM would make sense, assuming the iPads have usable, non-throttled, industry standard ports and connectivity. Otherwise they remain expensive toys.

 

[Orange Bat]

The iPad Pros have a real identity problem at this point. The OS isn’t beefy enough for many “pro” uses. Now that the Air features the M1 chip, there is little reason to buy a Pro (unless you really want the large one). Yeah, some of the upgrades on the pro are nice, but I don’t think they justify the extra expense at this point. If they allow MacOS, then they’re essentially just making their own version of a surface tablet. Just as Apple discovered that the Apple Watch is best marketed as A fitness first device, the iPad Pro might benefit from being an artist first device, or something similar. I don’t recommend anyone I know to buy the iPad Pro unless they have a very specific reason to need one.

 

[kalafalas]

Just put oled or miniLED in the dang 11” already

 

[kalafalas]

I wish they'd grow the smaller Pro to 11.5 or 11.9 or whatever inches to differentiate it more from the just 0.1inch smaller Air and the 1.9" larger 12.9er. 11.9 could be a great compromise (1" larger than the Air, 1" smaller than the 'big Pro')

11” is already too big. The 9.7 was flawless. I don’t want to miss out on the best display and chip tech just because I don’t want a huge iPad.