Gurman: New iPads and Macs Likely to Launch in Late March

[azentropy]

Would you mind giving some of the reasons? I’ve been tempted to pick up an S9 Ultra for media consumption and the much better aspect ratio for movies.

Again there are things I really like, the screen is fantastic. Dex is WAY better than Stage Manger etc.

But some of my reasons I think I'll just give up.

1. Aspect ratio (as mentioned)
2. I'm too "entrenched" in the Apple Ecosystem and it spoiled me now. While I used to have many different Android/Windows devices, I pretty much went all Apple a few years ago and as I said it has spoiled me.. Things like having my contacts/photos/bookmarks/password synced instantly between my many devices. Getting my text messages displayed without having to pick up my iPhone (which is a pain with two-factor authentication I have set for some things). Being able to buy an app for one it not have to the for the others etc. Even when using my YouTube I instinctively thought I would AirPlay it to my AppleTV, or to use HomeKit to turn off some lights, but of course that isn't supported.
3. Poor Android apps - many of the Apps I typically use the Android versions (or equivalents) are much worse than the iPad OS versions. Some just missing features or look bad because they are "stretched" because they weren't designed for larger screens in the first place. One of the biggest is I still can't believe Chrome for mobile (both Android and iPadOS) don't support a native bookmarks bar!

Yes I know, and I have, been able to customize some stuff to make some things work better. But not sure if it is really worth it. I've already "fixed" a couple of things just to have an update break it again. Trying to get something to work and being told to download this app/extension/plugin etc. and it not working and people say "oh, you need to get that from the Samsung App Store not the Google one" - or vice a versa.

 

[GuruZac]

Again there are things I really like, the screen is fantastic. Dex is WAY better than Stage Manger etc.

But some of my reasons I think I'll just give up.

1. Aspect ratio (as mentioned)
2. I'm too "entrenched" in the Apple Ecosystem and it spoiled me now. While I used to have many different Android/Windows devices, I pretty much went all Apple a few years ago and as I said it has spoiled me.. Things like having my contacts/photos/bookmarks/password synced instantly between my many devices. Getting my text messages displayed without having to pick up my iPhone (which is a pain with two-factor authentication I have set for some things). Being able to buy an app for one it not have to the for the others etc. Even when using my YouTube I instinctively thought I would AirPlay it to my AppleTV, or to use HomeKit to turn off some lights, but of course that isn't supported.
3. Poor Android apps - many of the Apps I typically use the Android versions (or equivalents) are much worse than the iPad OS versions. Some just missing features or look bad because they are "stretched" because they weren't designed for larger screens in the first place. One of the biggest is I still can't believe Chrome for mobile (both Android and iPadOS) don't support a native bookmarks bar!

Yes I know, and I have, been able to customize some stuff to make some things work better. But not sure if it is really worth it. I've already "fixed" a couple of things just to have an update break it again. Trying to get something to work and being told to download this app/extension/plugin etc. and it not working and people say "oh, you need to get that from the Samsung App Store not the Google one" - or vice a versa.

Excellent feedback thank you. Yeah, the S9 Ultra and S24 Ultra both are really interesting products to me, but I too am entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, and really enjoy the seamless integration. No to mention, non of my friends or family are on Android so giving up FaceTime, iMessage, Airdrop, etc wouldn't be the end of the world, but would also kind of suck. Hoping Apple offers compelling iPads and iPhones this year.

 

[soyazul]

Can we flag that the Air and Pro will also likely receive a new keyboard design to replace the Magic Keyboard.

 

[tomtad]

That keyboard disappeared in 2019 on mac laptops

Magic Keyboard for iPad Air 11-inch (M2) - British English - Black

Magic Keyboard delivers an amazing typing experience, has a built-in trackpad, and provides front and back protection. Buy now at apple.com.

www.apple.com

Apple call it the Magic Keyboard

 

[Chriscombobulated]

They seriously need to ditch that ugly notch on the MacBook Air’s otherwise brilliant display. I’m desperate for a new Air but it’s looking like an Apple Certified Refurbished M1 Air at this point (need 512GB storage) and I would really prefer not to buy a nearly 4 year old model just to avoid the notch.

 

[LyonHelius]

No one care about whether the new device compatible with the old keyboard?

 

[GeoStructural]

If the new Magic Keyboard is as much improved as I’m hoping I’ll be buying 13” iPP day one.

For years I had such a big expectation and hope for the iPad to be a laptop replacement, but it never did, and I quickly discovered that a decent keyboard was not the reason for it.

I have a love-hate relationship with my iPad Pro, it is good for media consumption, teaching, and presenting at conferences, but it is so limited to use as a computer, severely handicapped mobile OS, expensive RAM and Storage upgrades... I tried the keyboard route and returned it in less than a week because the whole package was an expensive low-performing laptop wannabe.

 

[Etienooo]

Will probably be time to upgrade that aging 2018 iPad Pro, hopefully this gen will be as good.

 

[AVBeatMan]

No one care about whether the new device compatible with the old keyboard?

I imagine the 11” will be?

 

[picpicmac]

Correct, the superior screen aspect ratio is 4:3 like the good 'ol days. The hideous 16:9 was brought into existence because of 720p video, and its two equally terrible drunk cousins 16:10 and 3:2 tried to be slightly less terrible.

A history lesson:

16:9 became a standard due to the ATSC picking it. It wasn't just for 720p but for 1080i, the latter being what broadcasters typically use. When the ATSC did that, all television manufacturers knew what to make, and the computer monitor business is an offshoot of the television business.

4:3 and 3:2 are old film de facto standards. American television settled on 4:3 and that was the NTSC standard. 35mm film, which became the usual consumer camera film, was 3:2, though "half frame" cameras made 4:3 images on 35mm film.

The original monitors were CRTs, and the display was.... circular. This was carried over to real-time imaging, such as with RADAR, where circular displays were used down to today.

There is no ideal aspect ratio that can meet every user's needs. That said, for typical computer use I do think a squarer ratio like 4:3 is best.

For cinema, one could make 2.35:1 display as a kind of standard, and widescreen LCDs today sort of fill that niche.

I agree, though, that 16:9 was a compromise for TV and for my computer use seems a bit awkward.

 

[G4er?]

Every model of iPad should come with both cellular and wifi.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Mini sold gang busters. Why are they not bringing a new one? Money left on the table. Mini Pro would be 💯🔥

Probably because Mini still sells like gang busters. M2 with 32 GB RAM is quite powerful for the low end of Apple's computers. Also Apple should not release an M3 Mini until after the higher-end M3 Studio first is on the street [and the Studio is probably waiting on whatever the M3 Mac Pro is destined to be...].

 

[Allen_Wentz]

People laugh but virtualization is becoming increasingly important. Requires a lot of storage and RAM.

This. You hit an important point. Apple increased available laptop RAM by a factor of 8X in just 6-7 years, and concurrently developed Unified Memory Architecture. There is a reason for that.

All those folks recommending less RAM based on operation today are really, really being short sighted (I won't say dumb, because that would be rude).

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Every model of iPad should come with both cellular and wifi.

NO! Most of us do not need to spend more money to have cell radios on board when tethering to an iPhone works so well when needed. What "every model of iPad should come with" is WiFi 6E, because iPads are used portably by definition and WiFi 6E sources are becoming more and more common; very useful, especially in crowded venues.

 

[Chuckeee]

Probably because Mini still sells like gang busters. M2 with 32 GB RAM is quite powerful for the low end of Apple's computers. Also Apple should not release an M3 Mini until after the higher-end M3 Studio first is on the street [and the Studio is probably waiting on whatever the M3 Mac Pro is destined to be...].

Assume you meant

M2 Pro mini

The studio (and Mac Pro) are probably waiting for sufficient numbers of M3 Ultra chip

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Assume you meant

M2 Pro mini

The studio (and Mac Pro) are probably waiting for sufficient numbers of M3 Ultra chip

Yes Mini Pro to achieve 32 GB RAM.

I am hoping that the delay at the high end is because Mac Pro is getting architectural upgrading in addition to M3, not just waiting on sufficient numbers of Ultra chips.

 

[DaveCummings]

They seriously need to ditch that ugly notch on the MacBook Air’s otherwise brilliant display. I’m desperate for a new Air but it’s looking like an Apple Certified Refurbished M1 Air at this point (need 512GB storage) and I would really prefer not to buy a nearly 4 year old model just to avoid the notch.

I see some renders of the M3 ipad Pro where there’s a notch,I’m like “please for the love of all that holy, do not put a notch on there” it would be a step backwards for the design of the iPad. Seriously, it’s the one device I don’t want them to completely get rid of the bezels because of how you hold it

 

[Christopher Kim]

I think it would be absolutely crazy to add a notch to the iPads... I don't think anyone would ever trade a notch for smaller bezels - they're already small enough, and as you put it, the bezels are actually needed on the iPads to hold better given size.

While it had become Apple's signature design language for awhile there, now that the iPhone 14 Pro and 15s have Dynamic Island, I think that's good messaging that it's not meant to be forever and was just a stop-gap... <fingers crossed> at least.

I think I'm going to be a Day 1 buyer of the 11" OLED iPad Pro (or whatever the smaller one is if it gets a bit bigger in size), but I think I would seriously re-consider if they added a notch.

 

[DaveCummings]

I think it would be absolutely crazy to add a notch to the iPads... I don't think anyone would ever trade a notch for smaller bezels - they're already small enough, and as you put it, the bezels are actually needed on the iPads to hold better given size.

While it had become Apple's signature design language for awhile there, now that the iPhone 14 Pro and 15s have Dynamic Island, I think that's good messaging that it's not meant to be forever and was just a stop-gap... <fingers crossed> at least.

I think I'm going to be a Day 1 buyer of the 11" OLED iPad Pro (or whatever the smaller one is if it gets a bit bigger in size), but I think I would seriously re-consider if they added a notch.

What influences my decision is the Apple Pencil 3. If it creates an improved drawing performance (I hope the rumored interchangeable tips have something like the Felt nibs I loved from the Wacom pens) and if the pencil is exclusive to the M3 iPad Pro, then I’d have to upgrade. If not, I’m sticking with my much loved M2 iPad Pro, though I’d be tempted to get the 12.9 Air as a supplemental device, so I can have one in my Sketchboard and take the other one as a portable device.

 

[NetMage]

NO! Most of us do not need to spend more money to have cell radios on board when tethering to an iPhone works so well when needed. What "every model of iPad should come with" is WiFi 6E, because iPads are used portably by definition and WiFi 6E sources are becoming more and more common; very useful, especially in crowded venues.

No, what every model iPad should include is GPS, so I don't have to get the cellular model just for mapping and astronomy. Just like I have a cellular Watch just for Stainless Steel and saphire that I don't need.

 

[spinedoc77]

I'm out of the iPad market until they can offer a more robust OS. Looking forward to the Surface Pro 10 with the new Arm chips which are supposed to be very competitive with the M series for power and battery life. Plus I can't live without a kickstand.

 

[bassanoclapper]

The M3 iPad Pro needs a return of the volume orientation lock in Settings > Sounds. M1 Pro has it but not the M2 and this is still annoying after 12 months of ownership. It makes zero sense for it to be switchable for one but not the successor

 

[livmatus]

7th gen iPad mini with A17 Pro, 8GB RAM and 128GB base storage would be nice imo.

Also please give the regular 10.9" iPad a laminated display. And at least A15 with 6GB of RAM.

 

[liontamer67]

I'll be looking at one of the ipad's for my artistic daughter (for graduation) that draws with her old one and her apple pencil. Any suggestions?

 

[mbsdf9345992]

Are there really any potential MacBook Air buyers out there going...

"nice machine, but I really need an M3 in here before I'll buy"

Well my wife got an M2 a few months ago but I'm also due an upgrade from an Intel-based Pro, and due to ego reasons I want a faster chip than her. Plus there's the - very slim - chance they'll do it in space black.