New iPad Pro Announced With A12Z Bionic Chip, Magic Keyboard With Trackpad, LiDAR Scanner, Ultra Wide Camera

[Zdigital2015]

I won't be upgrading from the previous model. I love that keyboard/trackpad combo, but the price is too high. Happy with my current set up.

You have several options moving forward anyways as to how you want to spend your money. If you decide you want Trackpad capability you can add an external Magic Trackpad or you can wait for a sale on the new Magic Keyboard or you can just keep on keeping on with what you have. I don’t remember if you ever disclosed how much you travel with your iPad Pro as to whether it would ever make financial/productivity sense to update to the Magic Keyboard for yourself.

I’m sporting a 2017 12.9” iPad Pro with a Logitech Slim Combo, so a Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad will be my weapon of choice.

I agree that the price is too high...$279 and $299 would still have been too high, but would have made a little more sense. iPadOS 14 is going to need to hit it out of the park this year, IMHO.
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Is the A13 by definition a more powerful chip because of the new architecture, is could the A12Z actually be the more powerful setup?

I think everyone was expecting an A13X to be what went into this new iPad Pro. And then the iPhone 12 naturally comes with the A14 while an A14X went into the next iteration after the new one. Apple threw a slight curveball here and this actually bolsters Kuo’s claims of two iPad Pro models shipping this year.

 

[SRLMJ23]

Is the A13 by definition a more powerful chip because of the new architecture, is could the A12Z actually be the more powerful setup?

A lot of us want to know more about the A12Z, but my guess would be that the the A13 is probably more powerful, but obviously we will need to see benchmarks.

I am waiting for the A13X or possibly even an A14X, that I assume will be in the next iPad Pro, which I also assume will be released in the Fall.

 

[AnnoyedCarrot]

The Refurbished prices are nice, but I'm worried about the whole "water" damage and "like new" hardware/screens that they're replaced with.
My iMac screen was fine until they replaced it with a "like new/certified refurbished" one.

Maybe retailers will reduce the price of their new ones to closer match the refurbished prices.

The new one only has a new camera, which very few people actually care about, more HDD space, 256 refurb costs $679, and a slight bump to a processor that already face-rolls all the applications available.

Now I just need to sell my iMac..too many flakes.

 

[Baymowe335]

A lot of us want to know more about the A12Z, but my guess would be that the the A13 is probably more powerful, but obviously we will need to see benchmarks.

I am waiting for the A13X or possibly even an A14X, that I assume will be in the next iPad Pro, which I also assume will be released in the Fall.

How could they release a new iPad Pro in the fall? That would be unprecedented, right? 2 updates in a year on that line?

 

[SRLMJ23]

You have several options moving forward anyways as to how you want to spend your money. If you decide you want Trackpad capability you can add an external Magic Trackpad or you can wait for a sale on the new Magic Keyboard or you can just keep on keeping on with what you have. I don’t remember if you ever disclosed how much you travel with your iPad Pro as to whether it would ever make financial/productivity sense to update to the Magic Keyboard for yourself.

I’m sporting a 2017 12.9” iPad Pro with a Logitech Slim Combo, so a Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad will be my weapon of choice.

I agree that the price is too high...$279 and $299 would still have been too high, but would have made a little more sense. iPadOS 14 is going to need to hit it out of the park this year, IMHO.
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I think everyone was expecting an A13X to be what went into this new iPad Pro. And then the iPhone 12 naturally comes with the A14 while an A14X went into the next iteration after the new one. Apple threw a slight curveball here and this actually bolsters Kuo’s claims of two iPad Pro models shipping this year.

Very well said about the "curveball" Apple threw us here.

I think we actually have a decent shot at seeing an A14X in the next iPad Pro release, which I would expect to be in the Fall.

Just curious what your thought is on Apple possibly skipping the A13X and going straight to the A14X?

 

[Jeremy3292]

So is there any real reason to pay $799 for this new 11" iPad Pro when I can get last years model cert refurb at $549?

Comparing the specs on Apple's website:

• A12Z vs A12X - negligible difference IMO
• Better camera - people use iPads for pictures??? My iPhone 11 Pro will work for me
• LIDAR scanner - what would I even use this for?

$250 less for last years model is a 31%+ discount...someone tell me why not to get the Late 2018 model

 

[deconstruct60]

Is the A13 by definition a more powerful chip because of the new architecture, is could the A12Z actually be the more powerful setup?

Depend upon what doing.
The A12Z has 8 CPU cores. ( 4 large and 4 small ).
The A13 has 6 CPU cores. ( 2 large and 4 small ).

If it is a matter of throwing all the large cores at a problem then the A12Z simply just has more. Even if 20-30% slower , there are twice as many of them.

Similar with GPU cores. Are four 30% "better" GPU cores going to be twice as many (eight) 'old' ones. On mostly embarrassingly parallel tasks probably not.


Pretty good chance the A13 has better Neural processing top end on some very specific Machine Learning tasks. [ Apple may have updated that in A12Z a bit, but that isn't clear. ]

For most apps though the gap probably smaller ( not what it was A12X vs A12 ). The A13 probably is easier on the battery on mundane workloads ( the small cores consume less ). Pretty good chance edges out the A14 in a few places too as long as the "twice as many" core ratio hold up. ( but Neural probably grows bigger for A14. )

 

[Tarantularock]

A lot of us want to know more about the A12Z, but my guess would be that the the A13 is probably more powerful, but obviously we will need to see benchmarks.

I am waiting for the A13X or possibly even an A14X, that I assume will be in the next iPad Pro, which I also assume will be released in the Fall.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the A13/14X debut is being saved for a laptop.

 

[happyslayer]

Yay. I am a total keyboard whore with my 3rd Gen 12.9 Pro. I've got the previous magic keyboard and a Logitech and now I'm currently using the Brydge--which is great by the way--but will most likely upgrade to this when it's available. (I just checked the online store and it's not even up fro pre-order yet.)

 

[jjudson]

wonder if the structure has been upgraded

The "How to Use a Computer" video they released has a lot of durability hints in it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed we don't see any new "tin foil surrounding mashed potatoes" videos soon...

 

[SRLMJ23]

How could they release a new iPad Pro in the fall? That would be unprecedented, right? 2 updates in a year on that line?

Not unprecedented:

March 7, 2012 - Apple released the iPad 3.

Then:

November 2, 2012 - Apple released the iPad 4.

This is why you see some people brining up the "iPad 3 Debacle."

 

[jjudson]

i tether my iPad with no issues. It’s pretty much on demand. Little to no comprise on speed on my LTE network. Save the 150 plus the 20/month data (att).

The problem with tethering is it is very dependent on what system you use and what package you have. Some of the providers throttle the tether speed unless you pay extra. I've been stuck in hotel rooms with poor wifi service and couldn't watch movies through my tethered iPad connected to the room's TV because the phone throttled the speed down to worthless levels, but yet when I connected that phone directly to the TV, the video speed was fine.
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I still think the kickstand on the SP's is a much much better design, especially if you want to use your tablet naked.

Ummm...

What are you using your tablet for?

 

[deconstruct60]

Very well said about the "curveball" Apple threw us here.
....

Just curious what your thought is on Apple possibly skipping the A13X and going straight to the A14X?

There was no A11X. The process shrink from the level of A10X was the A12X. The A12 and A13 both generally use a 7nm process. The A13 is bigger than the A12 in part because there was no major drop in density. ( some because using a slightly tweaked TSMC 7nm process but Apple added more Neural Processing horsepower to to offset that).

The major shrink from A12's 7nm is not until A14 (5nm). The "X" versions have been following shrinks. The issue is that the shrinks are coming at a incrementally slower pace not as they get harder. So the pace of the 'X" would also get slower ( hence skipping A11X. .. it has already started ).

Apple has used the major shrinks in part to do "shock and awe" of simply making the 'X' series much "bigger" (relative to the standard A series). Far more cores , GPU cores, caches , etc. Need substantially bigger transistor budgets to do "big" transistor usage bumps without growing the SoC package much bigger. ( still has to fit inside an iPad... while bigger than a phone the circuit board is not crazy larger. Vast majority of increased internal volume is thrown at batteries to power to the far bigger screen. )

 

[jazz1]

Does anyone think the new keyboard folio will fold back so you can use the iPad in hand without using the keyboard?

 

[calzon65]

This iPad with the ridiculously expensive keyboard option costs more than the new iPad Air. I know it's kind of an Apples vs Oranges comparison, but positioning the iPad as a laptop replacement seems nuts. IOS, compared to MacOS, is no way near a laptop operating system.

 

[Zdigital2015]

Very well said about the "curveball" Apple threw us here.

I think we actually have a decent shot at seeing an A14X in the next iPad Pro release, which I would expect to be in the Fall.

Just curious what your thought is on Apple possibly skipping the A13X and going straight to the A14X?

I can only think that they’re at capacity on 7nm and so the A12Z is simply an optimized 7nm part, with minimal engineering and that the A14/A14X we’re taking up all the engineering bandwidth with their design and then the move to 5nm, so Apple scrapped the A13X if it wasn’t enough of a leap in their minds over the A12X.

on top of that, if Apple is switching to ARM/Arm for the Macintosh, then the A13X was an easy punt...and the A12Z was an easy win. Just my 2¢.

 

[mazz0]

Well I’ll be having that keyboard, crazy expensive as it is, but I’ll be waiting for the miniLED before I upgrade my 3rd Gen iPad Pro.

 

[jazz1]

Seems like the new magic keyboard will be compatible with the 2018 iPad Pro, so there’s still something even for people who don’t upgrade.

is this true? The 2018 iPad Pro can use the new keyboard folio with track pad? Take my money!!!

 

[GuruZac]

First off, good luck in medical school, been there, done that!

I personally still think you will end up using your laptop more than your iPad Pro, but obviously that is just a guess on my part. I just do not see the iPad Pro replacing MBA's and MBP's (obviously other brands as well)...but maybe you have a system down where it works out better for you?

Anyway, the main thing is medical school itself and once again I wish you all the best!

Edit: Sorry if this post seems off a bit, it may be the severe lack of sleep due to "all hands on deck" at the hospitals I work at because of COVID-19. I live in Central New York, and the county I live in just got its first positive test yesterday, but even before that it was "all hands on deck" putting in more hours than we already do! However, we (the medical community - doctors, nurses etc.) are the ones on the front lines, and I do not mind stepping up one bit to help my community, and country get through this, and I promise you...we will!

*God bless all of my fellow healthcare colleagues, medical/nursing students, and of course my MacRumors family.*

Thank you so much for the wishes and thank you also for your service. Props to all the folks putting it on the line right now. My older brother is a pulmonologist/crit care doctor and he’s been grinding.

On topic, I would agree for the time being, there is still a need for laptops, I just think Apple is following the words of Steve Jobs himself in that it’s better to cannibalize yourself rather than someone else take your market share. The iPads will continue to steal market share from traditional MBA/MBP non-power users. Especially witnessing the fragmentation of iOS to iPadOS and the embracing of trackpad and mouse support in iPadOS. This proves Apple is onboard with pitching the iPads as computer replacements. They have the power and soon flexibility to make that happen.

I used my 10.5” iPad Pro through undergrad and Notability was invaluable. I still have my 10.5 but also bought a refurb 12.9” 2018 iPad Pro to use throughout medical school. Should be an excellent device for me!

 

[jmgregory1]

I just came to the same conclusion regarding my current 11" iPad Pro. I had the 2020 model in my cart, about to click buy. Then I realized: I'd have a "new" 11" model, that wouldn't have this fancy new keyboard until May, while my 2018 iPad w/Smart Keyboard just sits here looking jealous.

So, I'll hang tight until May and shell out the $300 to make my 2018 model more useful than ever. Maybe if the 2020 12.9" has some mind-blowing real-world performance improvements, I'll talk myself into that one

Glad I could help in saving you some money...maybe. I’m guessing that the update to the internals is not as substantial as we might have hoped, otherwise Apple would have made mention of it on the product page. The only reason they wouldn’t make note of improvements, is if they’re trying to keep something under wraps - but I kind of doubt that is the case.

And for everyone else considering an iPad Pro right now, you can’t go wrong with either the 2018 or new 2020 model. I’d take the savings you’ll get on the 2018 and put that towards the new keyboard case, and call it good.

 

[jazz1]

So did read this correctly that the trackpad keyboard will work on the last generation iPad?

Apple’s site said yes! Available in May. Thank you Apple. Pricey yes, but design looks good.

 

[jerryk]

Wish the keyboard with trackpad would work with my current 11" iPad Pro. Happy with it, but would love to have a trackpad.

Update:

Looks like it does. Can't want to see reviews of it and see how much bulk it adds.

 

[Mr.Blacky]

iPad is slowly dying.😔

 

[jazz1]

I’ve always wanted a trackpad for the iPad but $300 is just ridiculous.

Brydge is developing a stand alone one. Of course they have the all in one keyboard with trackpad.

 

[GuruZac]

So is there any real reason to pay $799 for this new 11" iPad Pro when I can get last years model cert refurb at $549?

Comparing the specs on Apple's website:

• A12Z vs A12X - negligible difference IMO
• Better camera - people use iPads for pictures??? My iPhone 11 Pro will work for me
• LIDAR scanner - what would I even use this for?

$250 less for last years model is a 31%+ discount...someone tell me why not to get the Late 2018 model

From what I can tell, no upgrades to CPU from A12X to A12Z, only upgrades to the GPU, from 7 cores to 8 cores. I am not a gamer and don’t use AR enough. I bought two refurbished from Apple store 12.9” 3rd Gen iPad Pros with pencils for $2200 total last month and don’t regret it at all. I gambled and assumed there wouldn’t be an A13X, and I was right. But even then, the fact Apple left the A12X CPU alone (presumably as nothing was said of better or faster performance) and the fact that the A12X is WAY WAY overkill for iPadOS anyway, the 2018 iPad Pro models will remain robust for years. Plus, it says a lot that Apple made the new trackpad keyboard accessible for us 3rd Gen iPad Pro owners.
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iPad is slowly dying.😔

Or evolving. Nothing stays the same, especially in the tech world. Apple is simply delivering what it’s iPad users want. A device that can do it all, and they’re getting it there bit by bit.