New 9.7-Inch iPad Hands-On: 'Very Familiar' Update Benefits From Apple Pencil Support and A10 Fusion Chip

[puma1552]

And still as beautiful as they were in 2012. But let's make them flat just for the sake of changing it

I remember looking forward to the next iPad looking like the iPhone 6 which would've been really cool and represented a cohesive, evolving design language. I was looking forward to that in 2014. And now here we are in 2018 with another iPad sure to be on sale for like 3 more years looking as stale as ever.

A half trillion dollar company could start putting some effort into design again. The stuff gets so incredibly and unbelievably stale and there's really no excuse. It really reeks of phoning it in and counting the beans.

 

[bigboyz12000]

Following the announcement and launch of Apple's new 9.7-inch iPad, a few websites have gotten hands-on time with the tablet and shared their thoughts online this afternoon. The initial consensus appears to be that while the iPad isn't very surprising in terms of form factor and features, it's a solid entry-level model that benefits from added Apple Pencil support.

Engadget said the new iPad is "as fluid and fast as the iPad Pro," which it described as an "impressive feat." The site said the iPad has a great screen, although it isn't as sharp as the iPad Pro's display. Engadget also pointed out the air gap between the display and cover glass on the new tablet, and its lack of the higher-end iPad Pro's True Tone color correction feature and 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate.

Image via Engadget​

The Verge began its hands-on coverage by stating the new iPad is "very familiar," with all of the expected screen size, bezels, Touch ID sensor, button placement, and cameras users have come to expect from Apple's tablet line. The Verge said the display was "vibrant and responsive," and the site got to mess around with an AR demo, which was "as good as any AR demo" it has seen.

Image via The Verge​

The Verge also pointed out that Apple's demo area was not really "focused on the hardware," but instead software demos that showed real-world use in the classroom, with Tim Cook walking around and discussing the new announcement with reporters.
Besides the new iPad, Apple today announced that its Classroom app will be coming to Mac this June, revealed a new "Schoolwork" app, showed off iWork updates for iOS, and more. New accessories and devices have also emerged on Apple.com following the Field Trip keynote, including standalone Space Gray color options for the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, and Magic Trackpad 2.

Article Link: New 9.7-Inch iPad Hands-On: 'Very Familiar' Update Benefits From Apple Pencil Support and A10 Fusion Chip

Lack Luster! Its a cheaper version of last years iPad of the same size.

 

[Superhappytree]

You missed the fact that also includes Apple Pencil support.

I purposely missed that out because not enough people care about it so it wasn't worth mentioning, I'm specifically referring to the consumer model.

the ipad is such a boring product.

Not as boring as the HomePod. I'm really glad those articles are over.

 

[macmanmass]

Apple's iPad innovation approach.......Copy......Paste......Its NEW!

 

[44267547]

I purposely missed that out because not enough people care about it so it wasn't worth mentioning, I'm specifically referring to the consumer model.

Thats Entirely a broad stroked statement, which was also a key features why Apple included the Apple Pencil in the educational sector and you certainly don’t speak for the majority. But I can accept your deflection for missing the Apple Pencil In your previous post.

 

[ACG12]

Same crappy 1.2 mp camera SMH...

 

[TroyBoy30]

2 little 2 late. you have already lost the education market. should have held it while you had it

 

[currentinterest]

This is a great product. An A10 with Pencil/Crayon support, enhanced AR sensors, better camera, Swift playgrounds, Creative Curriculum, nicely enhanced iWork with really nice Pencil support, and only $299 for schools. Schools will go crazy for these. Tablets or PCs that do not have advanced AR support are relics and won”t be able to complete, and Apple knows it.

 

[nutriousmitten]

Some outlets and writers can hide their bias for Apple in the larger product updates, but when you see the fawning over an updated iPad that has pulled components from the existing Cupertino parts bin, its clear they're making sure they keep their relationship with Apple on the up and up more than anything.

Really is pathetic, especially when ignoring the big peice for budget strapped schools, in how the price hasn't changed to more easier allow schools to introduce IPads or replace much cheaper Chromebooks.

 

[kingofwale]

This is a great product. An A10 with Pencil/Crayon support, enhanced AR sensors, better camera, Swift playgrounds, Creative Curriculum, nicely enhanced iWork with really nice Pencil support, and only $299 for schools. Schools will go crazy for these. Tablets or PCs that do not have advanced AR support are relics and won”t be able to complete, and Apple knows it.

Is that you? Tim??

and yes, what school really would "go crazy for" is AR support.... not lower prices

 

[simonmet]

the ipad is such a boring product.

This old design is incredibly boring yes. I like the iPad Pros, especially the 10.5” model with its slim bezels. But they can’t keep their price so high forever.

Apple think they can slow down development of their products to a snail’s pace; occasionally offering the best tech in premium products at a stratospheric price that take forever to make their way down in price or to cheaper models, if at all. For example, is TrueTone really that hard or expensive to implement?

 

[maverick2007]

Nice innovation in product iteration Mr Tim.

 

[compete12]

Can't quite pull the trigger on the new iPad yet. The Apple Pencil support is huge.
I guess it all seems uneventful until the Apple Eraser comes out.

 

[hybrid_x]

Engadget also pointed out the air gap between the display and cover glass on the new tablet...

The display glass not being laminated to the LCD is a huge deal for cost savings when these get dropped or cracked.

This is probably something education specifically asked Apple to retain, and something I'm definitely in favour of. Even a short tumble onto a tile or terrazzo floor as in most schools is enough to crack the glass. Having to replace the entire glass/digitizer/LCD is cost-prohibitive for most schools (and consumers).

I know... I've replaced the glass on my iPad 4th-Generation twice, for less than $100 a pop.

 

[mattopotamus]

Do that many people actually use iWorks? Especially in the educational sector?

 

[Johnny907]

lol . Price is all that matters for education.

So what you’re saying is this thing won’t make a dent in the $199 Chromebook-dominated classroom, then?

Good. I agree completely. My household is Apple through and through, but I gotta say Google nailed the K-12 edu market in a way Apple still hasn’t figured out.

 

[mattopotamus]

This is a great product. An A10 with Pencil/Crayon support, enhanced AR sensors, better camera, Swift playgrounds, Creative Curriculum, nicely enhanced iWork with really nice Pencil support, and only $299 for schools. Schools will go crazy for these. Tablets or PCs that do not have advanced AR support are relics and won”t be able to complete, and Apple knows it.

But the added cost of the Apple Pencil makes this not so different than the $329 version that has been available to the education section for some time. Are schools go to spend $400+ for the "set up"?

 

[dontwalkhand]

The lack of laminated screen will make the pencil feel considerably more disconnected than the Pro.

Also, lack of keyboard connector, external display support, mouse support, proper multi-tasking, etc make it less than ideal for students.

It has external display support. Via Lightning to VGA/HDMI adapters

 

[mattopotamus]

So what you’re saying is this thing won’t make a dent in the $199 Chromebook-dominated classroom, then?

Good. I agree completely. My household is Apple through and through, but I gotta say Google nailed the K-12 edu market in a way Apple still hasn’t figured out.

Exactly. This new iPad won't have a significant impact because of the price. I seriously was expecting an iPad starting at $199 with Apple Pencil support since this was geared towards education.

 

[Johnny907]

Do that many people actually use iWorks? Especially in the educational sector?

No. Even Apple forgot about it until just this year when they realized they needed a fully functional set of free apps to compete with google among others.

 

[stvon09]

Engadget quote is "almost as fluid and responsive" and Macrumors changes it to "as fluid and responsive". love how they leave the almost off of the quote it totally distorts the article, great fake news guys.

 

[rui no onna]

Its a 2012 iPad with a speed bump and Apple Pencil feature turned on. Way to innovate Apple. It's official these guys have nothing new they're just rebranding the same old stuff and calling it new. Ugh somebody get this goof Tim away from the helm, he's sinking this ship!

iPad Air was 2013, iirc.

2012 was iPad 3 and 4.

 

[mikosk]

As a parent of a child that needs assistive technology in the classroom, I'm in the market for a new device. Looking at the new Lenovo Chromebooks and Win10 devices. Just small 11" laptops with the yoga hinge to convert to a tablet with touchscreen stylus input.

I still think I will end up getting one of the Lenovo's for the simple reason that this iPad really isn't built for schools. Where is the smart connector for a keyboard? I get that is a "pro" feature but if Apple was serious about fighting chromebooks, they would have included it here. Typing is one of the main reasons kids get assistive tech approved at my son's school.

And yes, I know Bluetooth keyboards exist. It would just seem that Apple would have included the smart connector to really nail it. Oh, the Lenovo comes in at $279.

 

[Altis]

It has external display support. Via Lightning to VGA/HDMI adapters

You'd need a mouse to be able to actually use a second display, though. I should have clarified I don't just mean for presentations but actually doing work on something larger than a 9.7" display.

 

[apolloa]

Any news about the RAM yet?

Probably only 2GB looking at some of its other specs, you’ll have to wait for iFixit or someone to rip it apart and test it to know for sure though.