No Design Changes Expected for Next-Generation $329 iPad, Touch ID and Headphone Jack to Remain

[Elian_Gonzalez]

When you're a pony and only know one trick. Introducing the All-New "iPad". It's the best iPad, ever.

Except everyone (well, clearly minus one) knows these are the lower-end iPads, so what exactlly is the basis of this fey complaint?

Oh, that's right: it's for self-described "power users" who don't have/want an iPad mini or lower-end iPad because they are "power users" and have long ago dismissed these products are too gauche for their power-user needs. Because they are the market and the market is them.

I'm only slightly surprised the plaintive, played out complaint about "being greedy and lazy" wasn't the top comment in this thread, just the third.

 

[joeblow7777]

I did not misread it , I read the way it was wrote.
[doublepost=1552217974][/doublepost]

I never said it mechanical , you just do not know how to read.

I think you've misread the conversation. We are in agreement. I was quoting another poster whom you also questioned/corrected when he said: "The first generation Touch ID module is mechanical and so a potential fail". I might have replied to your response to that post, but I didn't say that you said it.

 

[Ianrholmes]

The seventh-generation iPad that Apple is planning to release alongside an updated iPad mini 5 will continue to use the same housing as the sixth-generation iPad, according to Japanese site Mac Otakara.

Prior rumors have suggested the device will feature a 10.2-inch display rather than a 9.7-inch display, but Mac Otakara says that it is hearing mixed rumors from suppliers. One supplier said that the display is "10 inches" but another said that the display size has not been changed.

Regardless of display size, the tablet is expected to continue to use a Touch ID fingerprint sensor rather than transitioning to Face ID like the iPad Pro models, and it will also still have a headphone jack.

Apple is expected to introduce both the updated seventh-generation iPad and a refreshed iPad mini at some point in the spring, perhaps right around the time of its March 25 event. Rumors have said the event will focus on software rather than hardware, but updates could be announced via press release shortly afterwards.

Mac Otakara says that it's likely both new iPads will debut at the same time, but the site did not provide any prospective launch timelines beyond mentioning that suppliers are preparing for a launch. Apple's current sixth-generation iPad sells for $329, and the new model is expected to be available at the same price point.

Article Link: No Design Changes Expected for Next-Generation $329 iPad, Touch ID and Headphone Jack to Remain

As a current 2018 iPad owner, here are the things I would want (that are still possible being that it is the budget iPad):
- laminated display
- Touch ID 2nd gen
- a10x or a11 processor
- 3gb ram

 

[44267547]

As a current 2018 iPad owner, here are the things I would want (that are still possible being that it is the budget iPad):
- laminated display
- Touch ID 2nd gen
- a10x or a11 processor
- 3gb ram

Keep in mind, You mentioned the word ‘budget’ in your post, by adding certain technology, that increases the price point past the $329, Apples goal is to keep the price point *entry level* for the educational sector and to make it affordable as much as possible. The laminated display would be nice, but it increases the price.I would say the $329 iPad is still plenty sufficient even if Apple would make any changes, considering they did add Apple Pencil support for $329, the 2018 iPad is still plenty sufficient even if Apple weren’t to make any further changes.

 

[dazz87]

Lazy.....I guess they really dont care about ipads nowadays....

 

[Macintoshrumors]

Yawn.
[doublepost=1552241986][/doublepost]

Lazy.....I guess they really dont care about ipads nowadays....

It’s not that they don’t care, they are trying it keep the cost down. Would you want a redesigned iPad $529 or the same design for $329?

If they didn’t care, they wouldn’t even be refreshing it with a spec update. Use your noogin

 

[alex2792]

iPad has a software, not hardware, problem. Right now it’s only good for media consumption and a few very niche creative use cases. It’s perfectly acceptable for for the current $200-300 price point, but not the $800-2000 Apple is charging for the iPad Pro.

 

[ChrisMoBro]

Problem is that such "work" differentiator does not exist. Both, regular iPad and iPad Pro can run any software in the App store and are compatible with either Pencil 1 or 2, and can both handle basically the same work load.
Only difference is the screen and some gimmicks like Face ID. And no, there is no application that needs the iPad Pro screen to operate.

If you need to do actual work and you wanna spend a thousand pounds on pen tablet hardware, it probably means you are doing concept art, and many artists would rather spend that amount of money on a Wacom solution rather than an iPad Pro. Quick sketching, you say? Regular iPad, Pencil 1 and Procreate are enough. Again, why iPad Pro? Where is Maya, FCP X, Logic, Mainstage, ZBrush? Those alone could probably be more than enough to justify the Pro over the regular iPad... but we have nothing like that available thanks to Apple. They are not coming out with their pro apps for iPad Pro, so why would Autodesk, Pixologic and the likes do it if Apple themselves do not consider iPad Pro "pro" enough for their high end software.

Regular iPads can’t handle huge Procreate files and, when Photoshop is launched, good luck running an A3 print at 300dpi on an iPad with 2GB of RAM or less. The main reason I got the iPad Pro over a regular one was because A) it was the only one to support the Apple Pencil at the time and B) I wanted as much screen real estate as possible. My iPad Pro served its purpose for a while but I got a refurbished one from Apple for £500 - the new prices are insane and when Wacom launched the Cintiq Pro 24 (about a year and half after I bought the Pro) I bought one for work and haven’t looked back. My iPad Pro is merely used for consuming media and being a baby monitor.

Saying all that, I know a lot of designers and illustrators that use one. Personally, I would (and did) invest that in a more practical device or invest in upgrading my computer but the cost is a drop in the ocean for businesses and freelancers when you can write it off against your tax.

 

[MyRomeo]

As a current 2018 iPad owner, here are the things I would want (that are still possible being that it is the budget iPad):
- laminated display
- Touch ID 2nd gen
- a10x or a11 processor
- 3gb ram

I’d second that wish list, that would be a worthwhilst upgrade and I’d be ordering it on launch day.

 

[Aston441]

Lazy.....I guess they really dont care about ipads nowadays....

Do you know how much per iPad it would cost Apple to add a gig of RAM, in the real world? Zero.

The low ram thing makes me so angry.

I had four gigs of RAM in a PC I built 15 years ago.


Apple and their RAM gouging is a primary example of why Oligopoly is inherently evil and should be broken up, as a legitimate function of government, wherever it exists.

 

[44267547]

I guess they really dont care about ipads nowadays....

Is that why they keep updating the iPad _every_ single_ year, and the fact that they introduced an entry-level iPad for the educational sector, adding Apple Pencil support and working closely with developers to expand further into the academic sector. I’m guessing you don’t follow Apple that closely.

 

[lyceumHQ]

I have a 2017 iPad. I would like to upgrade this year. I was hoping for a redesign. I would like a bigger screen but the pro models are so much overkil for my needs.

 

[currentinterest]

The bezel size may be reduced for the iPad with everything else remaining as is. The processors for both models will likely be the A12. The mini will gain Pencil support. RAM will likely be 2GB, but 3GB is possible.

Pricing will likely be $299 for mini, and $329 for iPad at 32GB storage. That would make the truly useful 128GB versions $399 and $429 respectively.

 

[PickUrPoison]

The bezel size may be reduced for the iPad with everything else remaining as is. The processors for both models will likely be the A12. The mini will gain Pencil support. RAM will likely be 2GB, but 3GB is possible.

Pricing will likely be $299 for mini, and $329 for iPad at 32GB storage. That would make the truly useful 128GB versions $399 and $429 respectively.

Theres little to be gained by just making the bezels smaller, and it would be a costly change to implement. And the chance they’ll skip the A11 and use the A12 is probably close to zero, especially when the A10 is already rather fast. I also don’t think it’s that likely they’ll bring back the 32GB for the mini 5; they stopped making it for the mini 4, presumably because there’s not much profit in a $299 mini. Sorry to have to disagree with your predictions!

For sure it’ll have an upgraded processor, either A10X or A11, whichever is less expensive for them. I think Pencil 1 support is extremely likely. There’s a decent chance of 3GB if Apple isn’t planning on refreshing it for another three years. The front and rear cameras will be upgraded, and according to one rumor they’re adding a flash to the rear camera. I just really hope the display stays as good as it is currently, it really is excellent.

 

[jamesrick80]

Theres little to be gained by just making the bezels smaller, and it would be a costly change to implement. And the chance they’ll skip the A11 and use the A12 is probably close to zero, especially when the A10 is already rather fast. I also don’t think it’s that likely they’ll bring back the 32GB for the mini 5; they stopped making it for the mini 4, presumably because there’s not much profit in a $299 mini. Sorry to have to disagree with your predictions!

For sure it’ll have an upgraded processor, either A10X or A11, whichever is less expensive for them. I think Pencil 1 support is extremely likely. There’s a decent chance of 3GB if Apple isn’t planning on refreshing it for another three years. The front and rear cameras will be upgraded, and according to one rumor they’re adding a flash to the rear camera. I just really hope the display stays as good as it is currently, it really is excellent.

Going to the A11 may be the better option for 2019 iPad users after viewing this.....gladly not a issue with the A12X


https://9to5mac.com/2019/03/08/iphone-xs-animation-stutters/

 

[trschin]

You missed out on some great prices on the 2018 iPad. That device is actually pretty nice w/ the A10 processor and Apple Pencil support.

Typing this on a new 2018 iPad (6th gen) I just got for $249 on sale at Best Buy today, for this price I don’t even care about the new one. I just need something that works since my gen 1 iPad mini will not do anything more than play music and alarm.

 

[nviz22]

Typing this on a new 2018 iPad (6th gen) I just got for $249 on sale at Best Buy today, for this price I don’t even care about the new one. I just need something that works since my gen 1 iPad mini will not do anything more than play music and alarm.

That's the same mentality I would have had I got the iPad 2018. I was close to buying one around Black Friday.

 

[dan110]

Except everyone (well, clearly minus one) knows these are the lower-end iPads, so what exactlly is the basis of this fey complaint?

Oh, that's right: it's for self-described "power users" who don't have/want an iPad mini or lower-end iPad because they are "power users" and have long ago dismissed these products are too gauche for their power-user needs. Because they are the market and the market is them.

I'm only slightly surprised the plaintive, played out complaint about "being greedy and lazy" wasn't the top comment in this thread, just the third.

No ma'am,

Aside from your emotional hysterics, I'm sorry you missed the obvious point that the lower end iPads are should update these devices while keeping the features that Apple users have loudly voiced. Namely the headphone jack, fingerprint sensor, etc.

Doing a simple refresh of very old tech won't do much to address the downward interest and sales trend of Apple tablets.

Sorry if I triggered you.
[doublepost=1552272883][/doublepost]

What exactly is the downside to sticking an A12 in the current low cost iPad? If I weren’t in the market for the new mini I’d see none at all...

The long-term downside, as others have pointed out, is that Apple isn't committed to the Mini form factor. This is simply a stop-gap decision they're making to boost short term sales numbers. We've seen this before with the iPods, iPod Touches, and Mac Mini lines. After this modest "update", I doubt we'll see another one and the Mini will follow the same path as the iPod Touch and will probably be discontinued in five years.

What many of us would like to see is a redesign of the form factor that ideally includes the features that we still want such as touch ID and the headphone jack. Plus, current features like iPencil support. However, Apple is neglecting these products for whatever reasons. When they finally get around to updating them, it'll be more like a consolation than a "we respect our customers and would like to provide a solid product that they want and will use".

Apple could've used the Mini form factor in several different markets such as a replacement for the iPod Touch, Education, and a stepping stone into foldable devices. Can you imagine a "foldable iPad" the size of the Mini?

 

[PickUrPoison]

Going to the A11 may be the better option for 2019 iPad users after viewing this.....gladly not a issue with the A12X


https://9to5mac.com/2019/03/08/iphone-xs-animation-stutters/

Why are you trying to make this into a CPU (SoC) issue? It’s not an A12 problem.

 

[KPandian1]

No ma'am, …

Hmmm - do you not recall the name Elian Gonzalez?

The boy gave us the second Bush.

 

[realtuner]

Going to the A11 may be the better option for 2019 iPad users after viewing this.....gladly not a issue with the A12X


https://9to5mac.com/2019/03/08/iphone-xs-animation-stutters/

Easy fix.

Settings -> General -> Accessibility -> Reduce Motion -> Emulate Android, switch to Off.

 

[PickUrPoison]

The long-term downside, as others have pointed out, is that Apple isn't committed to the Mini form factor. This is simply a stop-gap decision they're making to boost short term sales numbers. We've seen this before with the iPods, iPod Touches, and Mac Mini lines. After this modest "update", I doubt we'll see another one and the Mini will follow the same path as the iPod Touch and will probably be discontinued in five years.

What many of us would like to see is a redesign of the form factor that ideally includes the features that we still want such as touch ID and the headphone jack. Plus, current features like iPencil support. However, Apple is neglecting these products for whatever reasons. When they finally get around to updating them, it'll be more like a consolation than a "we respect our customers and would like to provide a solid product that they want and will use".

Apple could've used the Mini form factor in several different markets such as a replacement for the iPod Touch, Education, and a stepping stone into foldable devices. Can you imagine a "foldable iPad" the size of the Mini?

Pretty much nothing you said makes sense.

1)The downside of using an A12 has nothing to do with Apple’s long-term commitment to the mini. The downside is that it’s (likely) more expensive than an A10X or A11. A stopgap decision to boost short-term sales? No, a somewhat overdue update that’ll give the relatively low sales volume mini another 3+ years of life. Apple products that sell in low(er) volumes are usually updated at 2-4 year intervals. Like the Mac mini, iPad mini sells enough to make it worth updating (eventually).

But if sales of the refreshed model aren’t sufficient to sustain it, every update could be its last. So yeah, this update could be “it”—no different from the 17” MacBook Pro, Xserve, AirPort and other products that didn’t have sufficient sales. Apple is a business, and that’s how things work in the real world.

2) “many of us would like to see is a redesign of the form factor”? I don’t really think so. I think what most mini owners would like is a faster version of the 4. I’m sure Apple could make it with smaller bezels and make it thinner; who knows, we may see that. But it adds expense for relatively little benefit. Personally, I’d love a mini Pro but Apple doesn’t sell all that many minis at $399; can you imagine how many they’d sell if the price were $599-699? Sales would fall off a cliff. So I’m under no illusions about Apple making a mini Pro.

Besides an updated CPU, we might see 3GB RAM and/or TouchID 2; Pencil support seems likely; maybe True Tone; definitely front/rear camera upgrades, including rear flash, reportedly. I’m not sure what else Apple can do for the budget mini.

3) I don’t know what you mean by Apple could’ve used the mini as a replacement for the iPod Touch or in education; if customers want to use the mini for those applications they can. I also don’t know what a “stepping stone into a foldable” means. If Apple wants to release a foldable iPad, they will (when it’s ready, of course). That really has nothing to do with the current mini.

 

[himanshumodi]

I hope they'll make it a laminated display this time.

I hope so too. that glass gap feels far more prominent on the latest budget iPad than it ever did on the first gen iPad or iPad 2. (maybe it's only more noticeable on the new iPad because of the Pencil.) I understand about wanting to differentiate the iPad from the Pro... but non-laminated display feels like trying to tap on the touchscreen of an ATM or something.

 

[HarryWild]

5 or 6 GB RAM to make run smooth and fast!

 

[run1976]

What can I say but...yes! Especially the headphone jack, Touch ID is just fine as well - was hoping for an in screen tech but I like Touch ID.

Have an Air 2 & am ready to replace it. Money is ready.



Well to keep your hope alive, you did see the icon for the iPod touch with no home button and all screen, right? Could be a small stretch from that to a SE follow up....

I‘d be careful replacing an Air 2 with it. The Air 2 had a better display and sleeker design. The new ipad is too fat imo. I had the same choice and went with a ussed first gen 9.7 inch Pro. Battery is still at 95%. Got it for 280$. To me that was the more sensible choice. I use it with pencil and keyboard though. That made the choice more obvious too.