iPad Pro Tidbits: A9X Outperforms MacBook, Apple Pencil is Weighted, T-Mobile Financing and More

[MacRumors]

Apple released the iPad Pro on the Apple Online Store and at select Apple Retail Stores and resellers earlier today, and we have rounded up some interesting facts and news announcements surrounding the 12.9-inch tablet.

iPad Pro Delivers Notebook-Level Performance

Geekbench results show that the iPad Pro's A9X processor is a dual-core chip running at about 2.25 GHz, as reported by Ars Technica.

The A9X chip had a 3,233 single-core score and 5,498 multi-score score in browser-based CPU tests, outperforming the iPad Air 2 and other recent iPhones and iPads by a significant margin.

iPad Pro also outperformed the 12-inch Retina MacBook, equipped with an Intel Core M dual-core processor clocked at 1.1 to 1.2 GHz, but the A9X chip's CPU performance falls short of devices like the 2015 MacBook Air and Surface Pro 4 with Intel's latest Broadwell or Skylake U-series processors.

Ars Technica also shared iPad Pro CPU performance results​

The iPad Pro's GPU performance is much more impressive, with GFXBench OpenGL test results showing the A9X chip outperformed the 2015 15" Retina MacBook Pro with Intel Iris 5200 integrated graphics, in addition to the 12-inch MacBook, 2015 MacBook Air, 2015 13" Retina MacBook Pro, Surface Pro 4 and all recent iPads.

We're looking at MacBook Air-class CPU performance and MacBook Pro-class GPU performance, so the iPad Pro ought to be able to handle more multitasking features with aplomb as Apple sees fit to add them. Professional 3D apps like AutoCAD and the Complete Anatomy app Apple showed off in September all seem to run just fine, too.

Apple Pencil is Weighted

Lauren Goode of The Verge shared an interesting anecdote about the Apple Pencil in her iPad Pro review:

But the Pencil is just plain fun. It is indeed Apple white, and there are Apple-y things about it -- for example, the fact that it is weighted, and won't roll away on a table top, and always stops rolling with the word "Pencil" facing upward on its metal band.

Read our iPad Pro review roundup.

T-Mobile Financing for iPad Pro

T-Mobile has announced the iPad Pro will be available November 18. Eligible customers can finance their iPad Pro purchase through the carrier's JUMP! On Demand program, starting at $199.99 upfront with $34/month payments.

T-Mobile has a sign-up page to receive an email alert when orders can be placed. Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard will also be available on T-Mobile for $99 and $169 respectively starting November 18.

Apple Store Availability

iPad Pro launched today with limited in-store stock at select Apple Retail Stores in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and some other countries. Personal Pickup is available in U.S. stores.

Most Apple Stores have not received stock of the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard, while online shipping estimates currently range between 3-4 weeks in the U.S. and many other countries for the accessories.

Tim Cook Calls Microsoft's Surface Book "Diluted"

The Irish Independent has published an interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook about the company's plans to expand in Ireland, iPad Pro and more, with his comment about Microsoft's new Surface Book drawing some attention:

Mr Cook had some sharp words for competitors. Despite saying that Apple's relationship with Microsoft as "really good", he described the software giant's new Surface Book laptop as "deluded".

"It's a product that tries too hard to do too much," he said. "It's trying to be a tablet and a notebook and it really succeeds at being neither. It's sort of deluded."

Update: Apple says Cook meant "diluted," not "deluded," in reference to the above comment.

Apple says that CEO Tim Cook meant 'diluted', not 'deluded'. Makes sense. Consider this a correction. - Adrian Weckler (@adrianweckler) November 11, 2015

Follow our iPad Pro timeline for the latest news about the 12.9-inch tablet.

Article Link: iPad Pro Tidbits: A9X Outperforms MacBook, Apple Pencil is Weighted, T-Mobile Financing and More

 

[Mr. Donahue]

Nice!

 

[Sirious]

The way that Apple Pencil stops rolling on "Pencil" really shows Apple's attention to detail

 

[Hanterdro]

Unbelievable that the ATV4 didn't got the A9X

 

[dumastudetto]

There's no doubt this is the most impressive tablet anyone has ever built. Performance is staggering and all the reviews I've read are hugely positive.

If you want the best possible tablet experience, there is no doubt iPad Pro is the device you quite simply must own.

 

[oneMadRssn]

These charts seem more useful:

Also, the Onscreen GFXBench tests also seem more useful than the Offscreen ones shown in the article above. I care more about rendering in it's native resolution than rendering in 1080.

 

[DanielDD]

So, playing games in iPad Pro is faster than a MacBook Pro?
I give it two/three more years to apple to start rolling out MacBooks with ARM chips

 

[avanpelt]

Surface Book is deluded? Tim, you'd sell a lot more of these iPad Pros if users were able to run OS X on it and pair a mouse with it. Better yet, let the iPad Pro run OS X and also run iOS apps. Best of both worlds, but then Apple would probably charge $1,299 minimum for it.

 

[StudyFlo]

Unbelievable that the ATV4 didn't got the A9X

Why would you need MacBook class CPU and MacBook Pro class GPU performance?
Maybe there's an Apple TV Pro someday - for only $999.

 

[Sabretooth78]

I think it speaks more to the death of the MacBook than it does the surge of the iPad.

Also, how is it that a MacBook Air, which from my impressions is intended to be a lighter-use notebook, outperforms the same generation MacBook (not Air)?

Next we'll be hearing how a #2 pencil has outperformed the new MacMini.

 

[macfoxpro]

Damn, this truly is a beast.
So ready for this

 

[RebornProphet]

I just tried one out in the Apple Store in Glasgow city centre after work there, and it's enormous. They had one unit which an employee let people try, and my God it's a huge device.

A beautiful piece of kit but I couldn't give my Air 2 up for one, the Pro just isn't that portable and I can see the Pro being more for people who primarily use their iPads at home or in the office. Stunning price of kit as I said, but for this iPad user it's just too big.

 

[iPadDad]

"The iPad Pro's GPU performance is much more impressive, with GFXBench OpenGL test results showing the A9X chip outperformed the 2015 15" Retina MacBook Pro with Intel Iris 5200 integrated graphics, in addition to the 12-inch MacBook, 2015 MacBook Air, 2015 13" Retina MacBook Pro, Surface Pro 4 and all recent iPads"

Insane!!!

 

[dysamoria]

Since there was apparently no info in any articles about it, I called my local Apple Store this morning to find out if I could get hands-on time with an iPad Pro and Apple Pencil. The woman who answered told me yes ("they're available today"), though she sounded like she wasn't paying attention to me. I showed up at the store and a dude with wooden earrings told me there weren't any on the floor till tomorrow. "There was definitely a miscommunication on one side or the other; sorry man" he said, after I said "I explicitly asked if I could get hands-on time with one". Yeah, miscommunication on their end, not mine. Sigh.

 

[Crosscreek]

Hey Tim....The Surface Book may be deluded but it runs full desktop OS.

 

[asleep]

Deluded or diluted? Or both?

Anyway, shots fired.

Mr Cook had some sharp words for competitors. Despite saying that Apple's relationship with Microsoft as "really good", he described the software giant's new Surface Book laptop as "deluded".

"It's a product that tries too hard to do too much," he said. "It's trying to be a tablet and a notebook and it really succeeds at being neither. It's sort of deluded."

 

[avanpelt]

Since there was apparently no info in any articles about it, I called my local Apple Store this morning to find out if I could get hands-on time with an iPad Pro and Apple Pencil. The woman who answered told me yes ("they're available today"), though she sounded like she wasn't paying attention to me. I showed up at the store and a dude with wooden earrings told me there weren't any on the floor till tomorrow. "There was definitely a miscommunication on one side or the other; sorry man" he said, after I said "I explicitly asked if I could get hands-on time with one". Yeah, miscommunication on their end, not mine. Sigh.

Check the Apple site and see if it shows in stock today at your local store. Every Apple Store within a 150 mile radius of me (Atlanta, GA) has the 32 GB iPad Pro available for pickup today. The 128 GB Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular models are both only available to ship to the store.

 

[AliMacs]

Great hardware, terrible iOS. It's almost like apple doesn't understand users' needs. A ferarri with $100 tires. A concord jet plane with 1/4" tank capacity. A motorcycle that has 85mpg but gas distance of 50 miles.

When will apple get that you cannot fit a square peg in a round hole and look great doing it? Anyone who buys this has too much disposable income and in its current iOS 9 form a complete waste of hardware.

None of these reviewers dare offend Apple by saying the iPad pro sucks. It's so biased these reviews just call it out for what it is! An oversized iPad air! iOS really shouldn't be used in any other form than on a smartphone.

 

[macfoxpro]

Surface Book is deluded? Tim, you'd sell a lot more of these iPad Pros if users were able to run OS X on it and pair a mouse with it. Better yet, let the iPad Pro run OS X and also run iOS apps. Best of both worlds, but then Apple would probably charge $1,299 minimum for it.

Well that is a new and refreshing take on what would make a iPad better.
Never thought of, nor read anyone opine on any of that.

 

[duffman9000]

In more important news iOS 9.2 Beta 3 is actually pretty good. Seems like the adults are back in charge of development.

 

[Glassed Silver]

The way that Pencil stops rolling on "Pencil" really shows Apples attention to detail

Well, methinks Apple's hardware design team is the one that needed Job interventions the least.

Glassed Silver:mac

(Ah, I'll get scolded for this hehe... Bring it! )

 

[dysamoria]

Surface Book is deluded? Tim, you'd sell a lot more of these iPad Pros if users were able to run OS X on it and pair a mouse with it. Better yet, let the iPad Pro run OS X and also run iOS apps. Best of both worlds, but then Apple would probably charge $1,299 minimum for it.

Sounds like you want a laptop, not a tablet.

 

[StudyFlo]

There's no doubt this is the most impressive tablet anyone has ever built. Performance is staggering and all the reviews I've read are hugely positive.

If you want the best possible tablet experience, there is no doubt iPad Pro is the device you quite simply must own.

I hope that there will be at least some apps taking advantage of the big screen. Without proper apps, this device is as useful as an iPad Air 2, besides the big screen and those (really good) speakers.

 

[NMBob]

The way that Pencil stops rolling on "Pencil" really shows Apples attention to detail

What happens if the pencil falls off the table? I'd guess that's where they were paying their attention.

 

[Getafe]

The reason the iPad is fairing better than Macbook's is because there is less power required to run iOS than there is to run OSX. So you get a faster experience, but you sacrifice the amount you can do on the device, as editing videos, and Adobe programs are a lot more advanced on Mac's/PC's. There are many reasons why Desktops & Notebooks still exist.