Size of Apple's New 'High End' iPad Pro Model Said to be Between 10 and 10.5-Inches

[dantroline]

Where is this standard definition of "Pro" located? I'd like to see what "they" say.

Not to make too tight a definition, but: "Pro" means someone who uses the device specifically to make money. So a programmer, creative artist, etc. That's why people complain when a new "pro" device lacks the functionality people need to easily generate an income from the device. Some examples:

Sales reps and lecturers generally like HDMI to present their ideas in auditoriums, and the humble USB stick is still a must.
Journalists and authors like nice keyboards and long battery life when compiling their stories and images. A wafer thin clicky and noisy keyboard might not be OK for them.
Photographers want photorealistic and color correct displays in the field.
Programmers, video editors, audio editors and so forth need memory and processing power.

In a way Apple has let all of these groups down by sacrificing functionality for size. Back on topic, the iPad pro hasn't been a compromise but a success from a tablet point of view, but I don't agree with people who think it's a replacement for a laptop for most professionals. It's an adjunct.

 

[bodonnell202]

In a way I suspect this is going to simplify the iPad lineup somewhat and offer more differentiation between the "pro" and standard iPad. Here is what I think the 2017 iPad lineup will look like come spring.
12.9" iPad Pro
10.x" iPad Pro
9.7" iPad
7.9" iPad Mini

12.9" iPad Pro: Will have an A10x (whatever that ends up being) and will receive a true tone, wide color display and camera upgrades. Pricing will remain the same as the current 12.9" iPad Pro Model.
10.x" iPad Pro: Will also have the A10x, will have a resolution upgrade to match the 12.9" and will have smaller bezels so it fits in the same footprint as the former 9.7" model. Pricing remains the same as the current 9.7" iPad Pro Model (or I can see a slight increase happening here unfortunately)
9.7" iPad: Will basically be a refresh of the iPad Air 2 with the A8x replaced by an A9 which will be clocked higher than the version in the iPhone 6s giving it CPU performance closer to the A9x, but graphics performance which is similar to the old A8x. Pricing remains the same as the Air 2 is currently sold at.
7.9" iPad Mini: I can see this going one of two ways, either the current Mini 4 sticks around with a price cut, or a new Mini 5 is introduced which would basically be a Mini 4 with the A8 CPU replaced with the A9 (and probably not much else).

I think the current Pro models will be discontinued as Apple will want to have clear differentiation between the Pro and regular lines be able to charge a premium (i.e. keep average selling price as high as possible) for "Pro" features.

That's my predictions, I guess we'll see what happens come spring!

 

[sracer]

Gee, mount the thing on the desktop, copy files via drag and drop, add fonts, add apps from any source. Basically use it like a real computer.

I can can copy files via drag and drop and add fonts to iOS. #shrug

I often wonder how much of the criticisms of iOS are due to a simple lack of knowledge as to what the system can do.

Android is certainly different than iOS in how it approaches things. That requires a different mindset when using it. I guess it's easier for me since I'm always shifting gears between iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux within any given day.

 

[MarsViolet]

I can can copy files via drag and drop and add fonts to iOS. #shrug

I often wonder how much of the criticisms of iOS are due to a simple lack of knowledge as to what the system can do.

Android is certainly different than iOS in how it approaches things. That requires a different mindset when using it. I guess it's easier for me since I'm always shifting gears between iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux within any given day.

On Android those are normal functions freely available to any user, not tricks and hacks available only to ultra-geeks who jailbreak and haunt discussion forums.

 

[sracer]

On Android those are normal functions freely available to any user, not tricks and hacks available only to ultra-geeks who jailbreak and haunt discussion forums.

Installing "AnyFont" is not a trick. It's not a hack. It is available to everyone who has access to the App Store. There's no jailbreaking involved.

 

[MarsViolet]

Installing "AnyFont" is not a trick. It's not a hack. It is available to everyone who has access to the App Store. There's no jailbreaking involved.

I just realized that you’re nothing more than an eyeball connected via optical nerve to a brain floating in a glass jar.

 

[sracer]

I just realized that you’re nothing more than an eyeball connected via optical nerve to a brain floating in a glass jar.

Thank you for proving my point that some of the criticisms leveled at iOS are by people who are not as familiar with it as they are with other systems.

 

[lordofthereef]

Wierd cause I think windows 10 is garbage.
So much so that I have moved to Linux

What's weird? That we all have our own opinions about what is good and useful? I wouldn't call that too weird, myself.

I always found Linux incredibly niche, personally. If it works for what you need, more power to you! I actually have a smoker controller running on a raspi over wifi running Linux because it was the best (pretty much only) way to do it. So I certainly understand it has its uses.
[doublepost=1484002925][/doublepost]

I think part of it is that the public isnt really demanding much of iPads at all. Something like 70 percent of the iPads out there are NOT the newest models and as of last year about 30 percent of them were iPad 2 from 5 years ago. Because they are mostly consumption devices. So what Apple did was try to remedy some of that with iPad pro for business and creative professionals. (sort of)

What I really think is going on is the majority of people are simply happier on their phones and when they need a larger screen for something they go to their iPad or laptop for browsing the web. When I'm at work I do all my creative work and editing on a 27" 5K iMac. But at home I'm on my iPad Pro probably 80 percent of the time for everything else and 20 percent on my phone. And now with Apple TV I can even do more media on my TV with movies, rentals and Apple Music. So......I think its just more about diversification than creating ANY ONE perfect way of doing things.

This takes me back to my initial point. I don't need a "larger iPhone". And when I do, it may as well be a desktop or laptop.

When folks here called the iPad "a bigger iPhone" they got heat for it. But honestly, that's what it really is. Maybe there's an argument for richer content creation with the pencil but that's been what, two years? Most people, even here, say they think it's simply more convenient for couch surfing. I fell fornthe hype once. But dropping $400+ on a device that can search the internet from the couch wasn't for me. Plus I already had one. In my pocket.
[doublepost=1484003124][/doublepost]

Thank you for proving my point that some of the criticisms leveled at iOS are by people who are not as familiar with it as they are with other systems.

I have a good friend who is this way. I generally respect his opinions because he's an overall intelligent guy, but he has an ID against iOS that he just can't shake. Some of that bias has merit, but unfortunately he's unable to see any of the good there is.

Keeps trying to get me to swap my main device to an android. I already have a work phone that is android and I choose for my personal line to be iOS. If I didn't have to have two phones the decision may be harder though.

Still, I think there is something to be said about out of the box functionality. Apple seems content with requiring us to buy some of this functionality. Which is fine. But I'm curious how many people know to even try.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

Running productivity apps on a tablet, such as office applications, is a very compelling use. Android makes it easy. Apple makes it intentionally difficult by not allowing mouse support. Plug a mouse into the USB port of an Android tablet, or connect a Bluetooth mouse, and the cursor appears and you're good to go with spreadsheets, presentations, and text documents.

When traveling on vacation, a tablet allows you to leave the laptop at home and travel light. You generally don't need to do work that requires a high-powered laptop, but occasionally you want to use an app where keyboard and mouse support is very nice to have.

Another great app for a tablet when traveling outside the U.S. are the GPS apps with stored maps. In Europe, I used CoPilot with an Android tablet. Unfortunately, Apple forgot to include a GPS chip on the Wi-Fi only iPads so you can't use those apps on the iPad unless you have the model with a cellular modem (nearly every name-brand Android tablet includes GPS capability, whether or not if it has a cellular modem). There are other apps besides mapping apps that also need a GPS chip. You can add an external Bluetooth GPS to a Wi-Fi iPad, but that's one more item to carry and keep charged.

When I'm traveling for business, I don't want to be carrying a load of dongles around, I'd prefer a laptop that still has industry standard interface ports.

Obviously, as an engineering professional, I am not part of Apple's target market--none of the applications I use have OS-X versions, so to use a Mac I'd have to install Windows. And on the consumer side, I value features that Apple says I can't have. That's okay, to each his own. But when people start trying to explain why you'd never want to use a mouse with a tablet, or have a touch-screen on a laptop, it's quite amusing. Obviously they've never used either!

As an engineer as well, and a budding pilot, I want an iPad that can use a mouse.
iPad - using FlyQ EFB. A keyboard gets in the way of all things. Don't need it.
iPad - writing blog posts or responding to MacRumors - a keyboard is necessary, as the on-screen one kills real estate
iPad - Using MS Office Apps - Need a mouse. The Pencil doesn't do it for me, and in Excel, it is wretched.

So, kids, I'm talking about me, not trying to convince you, just giving you my experience on iPads. I want a light easy device that isn't as full powered as a Macbook, and in return for that less power, it is lightweight and adaptable.

As I put in a previous post, convergence was the keyword of the early 2000's, and with the iPhone, that was accomplished. The next time it needs to happen is with the iPad. Don't want to use a mouse? Don't use one. Having macOS on it would help as an option, as it would let you use the real apps. Don't want to use it? Don't. It seems that people think that having an option on the iPad means that "dammit, you're wrong! You don't want that!!!" I do. I've used a Surface, and it has some good points, and some bad ones. I, however, want an Apple product, as I'm in the ecosystem, and I don't want to go back to Windows.

 

[Tompkinson]

Actually it is a bad thing...

Choice is a "bad thing" ??? Right... interesting.

When jobs got back at Apple in 1997 there was so many computer choices he said that even he got confused.

I am not in the slightest interested in what Jobs said in 1997.
I am merely intrigued that there are adults on a forum like this who have difficulty choosing from a handful of devices.
Are we looking at a new generation of citizens who want to be told what to do, eat, wear, vote and which tablet to buy?
Do they find food confusing? How do they get dressed every morning?
Perhaps we could propose your reply as a future social Leitmotiv?
"Choice - Actually it is a bad thing" - Priceless.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Sounds nice, just need the 12.9" Pro to have the same specs at the 10.5"

 

[d0nK]

iPads and iPhones are the future, my dear Macrumors friends. The Laptop market is shrinking and shrinking, don't you know that? Now just accept this and stop whining.

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic.

You're saying that an iPad can replace my usage of Logic Pro X, Ableton, Adobe Audition, Final Cut, Photoshop, Lightroom, Max MSP, my many audio plugins and photo library?

... and exactly how long do I have to wait before all this essential software (or at least worthy alternatives) is correctly put into Apple app format and squeezed into the tiny on board fixed memory?

 

[truthertech]

What an incredibly worthless statistic ... JUST more rhetoric from Apple's Chief Hoodwinker Cook. The banks are just starting to issue chip and pin cards (not contactless pay cards) so AP is the only game in the US ... the merchant uptake of contactless POS terminals is slower than molasses at -50 degrees.

That knockout Apple Pay is hardly world wide with financial institutions in ONLY 11 countries signed on after 2 years since Apple offered the service.

Folks, don't get fooled by bull in the china shop data from the ecosystem.

Sorry, but you are embarrassing the entire trolling community. Most trolling involves inane comments but when you say Apple Pay is only game in town, why didn't any synapses fire to make you wonder "wait, that doesn't make any sense, because then Apple Pay would have 100%, not 75%. " See, that's because there are these competitors like Samsung Pay and Android Pay that are getting their butts whipped by Apple Pay. Think.

 

[kk1ro]

If the 10.5" screen with narrow bezels means that the overall size will be close to the iPad mini's size, count me in!

The mini's form factor is perfect for my needs. I've been wanting to upgrade to a more recent model, but I'm not interested in buying a larger device.

If Apple gets the size right (10.5" screen with the mini's footprint), I'll buy it on day one.

 

[Radon87000]

So what exactly is your definition of "Pro"?

For me, I have actually gotten pretty used to having my files silo'ed by apps. So if I want to annotate on a PDF, I open Notability and my documents are there. I want to access my scanned documents, I open scanner pro. I open Pages and all my word documents are there for easy access. I open Showme and my screencasts are inside. It actually makes sense in a way.

Most of my work can be done from within one app and I don't really have to hop in and out of different apps or pass the same file through multiple apps.

Though all my files are saved in Dropbox and synced to my iPad via Documents. I suppose you could argue that constitutes a file manager of sorts, but it's really there so I can have offline access to my files.

None of this "I open Word on my Mac and then still have to navigate through a deep hierarchical structure of folders to find the file I want to open" nonsense.

I work in the finance industry and my workflow needs careful organisation across folders segregated amongst investment types,debt ratings etc and its useful for quick access without opening my laptop.iOS also does not allow downloading unrecognized file types which the proprietary software we use has and I can download these files from emails on the go and later transfer to Mac/PC to open them.This cannot be done on iOS.You workflow mainly involves docs so its no surprise the iPad can be enough for your usage

But to call a device pro it should be able to do ALL pro work.A Mac/PC or even a Surface can handle both your use cases and mine.iPad Pro cannot.
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Tim is unfortunately cleaning up Steves sloppy marketing here. The tablet world has changed, however, they are still selling a ton of ipads. Those that are buying are happy.

iPads werent tanking under Steve.If anyone is sloppy here its Tim.The hardware developed tremendously under Tim but the software stagnated.The only worthy tablet feature it got in 5 years is PiP and Multi Window

You answered your own question. Get a Samsung.

Already did.But the point is Apple forces you to get the largest screen to get the latest features

Why did the iphone under jobs start at 8 gig, and you had to pay more to get the best? Timmy is only continuing what Stevie started.

Because Stevie was just following the policy,the computer industry had been following for decades.One laptop/phone.You can customise that 1 laptop as per requirments.I dont need to get a 17 inch laptop to get an i7 when the 15 inch has it too except if I want a larger screen but Timmy doesnt seem to understand this

Haha, tell me who they didn't destroy

They cant destroy something which doesnt exist

and which tablet is outselling the ipads.

While the iPad obliterates surface in sales,isnt the latter growing while the former tanking?

 

[I7guy]

I work in the finance industry and my workflow needs careful organisation across folders segregated amongst investment types,debt ratings etc and its useful for quick access without opening my laptop.iOS also does not allow downloading unrecognized file types which the proprietary software we use has and I can download these files from emails on the go and later transfer to Mac/PC to open them.This cannot be done on iOS.You workflow mainly involves docs so its no surprise the iPad can be enough for your usage

Okay and? You are making broad assumptions here.

But to call a device pro it should be able to do ALL pro work.A Mac/PC or even a Surface can handle both your use cases and mine.iPad Pro cannot.

That is your definition. No different than the definition of "driving too fast"; which is a slippery slope.

iPads werent tanking under Steve

That's because then it was a new "fresh coat" of paint, which he failed to foresee the future.

Already did.But the point is Apple forces you to get the largest screen to get the latest features

That is the way apple is now selling. One of the departures from the jobs era, and probably a good one, as it offers the consumer more choice across the board.

While the iPad obliterates surface in sales,isnt the latter growing while the former tanking?

Steve started this entire thing.

 

[ValO]

If the 10.5" screen with narrow bezels means that the overall size will be close to the iPad mini's size, count me in!

The mini's form factor is perfect for my needs. I've been wanting to upgrade to a more recent model, but I'm not interested in buying a larger device.

If Apple gets the size right (10.5" screen with the mini's footprint), I'll buy it on day one.

That is physically not possible, even with no bezel at all it will be bigger.

 

[The Game 161]

Think it will be the size of the 9.7 model I would say. No news on mini doesn't sound good.

 

[ValO]

I am hoping for an update on the iPad mini with an a9. But they' ll probably drop the price of the mini 4 with $50-$100 and discontinue the mini 2/3.

 

[bodonnell202]

I am hoping for an update on the iPad mini with an a9. But they' ll probably drop the price of the mini 4 with $50-$100 and discontinue the mini 2/3.

For what I use an iPad for the mini is perfect for me so I hope they keep the line going. A refresh of the current Mini 4 with an A9 processor would make sense, but I can just as easily see them not updating the mini anymore and discontinuing the mini line in a year or two.

My Mini 4 is still running great (considering what I use it for) and I don't see myself replacing it for at least a couple years, but hopefully there is a good option on the market by the time I do replace it.

 

[MacBH928]

You are right, he simplified the product lineup initially. After that, when the first successful products were on their way, he however moved away from the 2 by 2 matrix and introduced more models, like the Mac mini and the MacBook Air (two different sizes). The PowerBooks got additional models to fill every niche (12 and 17" joined the 15"). All in Steve's time. He also introduced the iPod nano, shuffle and mini alongside the first iPod (classic).

It's also worth remembering that even in Powerbook titanium times there were different configurations (good, better, best or something like that) available.

You are right, but the different products he introduced was to serve different markets and you can easily tell by form factor. A Mac mini does not look like an iMac, and the Macbook Air is very different from a Powerbook. So is the ipod shuffle and the ipod mini.

When you look at the iPad line, they are all called iPad, they all look the same, They are just different size with similar names. Good luck explaining the difference between iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4, and iPad min 2 to your average mom. Oh , Also try to explain how the A8x chip is different from the A8 chip different from the A7 chip, yet they all will do the same thing.
[doublepost=1484085260][/doublepost]

Choice is a "bad thing" ??? Right... interesting.


I am not in the slightest interested in what Jobs said in 1997.
I am merely intrigued that there are adults on a forum like this who have difficulty choosing from a handful of devices.
Are we looking at a new generation of citizens who want to be told what to do, eat, wear, vote and which tablet to buy?
Do they find food confusing? How do they get dressed every morning?
Perhaps we could propose your reply as a future social Leitmotiv?
"Choice - Actually it is a bad thing" - Priceless.

There was a scientific study where they sold donuts with like 80 varieties in a store. Next time they limited the variety to 8. When the varieties were limited, sales increased. Too many choices confuses the consumer causing him to walk away because he is afraid to make the wrong decision.

Google it

 

[harriska2]

Is that the poetic quarterback case? Just ordered one for my iPad Pro. Will see how it works.

I ordered this one https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EW35TKQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[DeepIn2U]

Sales reps and lecturers generally like HDMI to present their ideas in auditoriums, and the humble USB stick is still a must.
Journalists and authors like nice keyboards and long battery life when compiling their stories and images. A wafer thin clicky and noisy keyboard might not be OK for them.

"the humble USB stick is still a must." it STILL is cause not everywhere a sales rep travels too will only have HDMI connections sometimes VGA is the only option. I see this every week cause some moron forgets to bring his adapters for his own presentation. Shows lack of being prepared so I would suspect the pricing or ability to negotiate is also unprepared.

A journalist for most intense and purposes are used to typing on "clicks" keyboards since hey most likely are touchtypista and produce 100+ wpm. I learned how to type on a manual the. Electric typewriter when the Apple IIe debuted in the same school. The other kids and teachers where amazed how fast I could type without looking as well as dictation typing. Helping teachers enter a few paragraphs for a week of free lunch

Good points you've made but these not good enough.

 

[Tompkinson]

There was a scientific study where they sold donuts with like 80 varieties in a store. Next time they limited the variety to 8. When the varieties were limited, sales increased. Too many choices confuses the consumer causing him to walk away because he is afraid to make the wrong decision.
Google it

I care about having the right tool for the job, not about techniques to sell devices.
You seem to be more interested in increased sales than choice of device.
And why would I google something that is opposed to my interest as a prospective buyer and customer? I use search engines to research the devices and find out which is the right one for me and my company.
Which angle are you coming from?

 

[ericwn]

You are right, but the different products he introduced was to serve different markets and you can easily tell by form factor. A Mac mini does not look like an iMac, and the Macbook Air is very different from a Powerbook. So is the ipod shuffle and the ipod mini.

When you look at the iPad line, they are all called iPad, they all look the same, They are just different size with similar names. Good luck explaining the difference between iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4, and iPad min 2 to your average mom. Oh , Also try to explain how the A8x chip is different from the A8 chip different from the A7 chip, yet they all will do the same thing.
[doublepost=1484085260][/doublepost]

There was a scientific study where they sold donuts with like 80 varieties in a store. Next time they limited the variety to 8. When the varieties were limited, sales increased. Too many choices confuses the consumer causing him to walk away because he is afraid to make the wrong decision.

Google it

I think you are getting lost here. I don't struggle differentiating the devices and Apple's marketing probably works hard to get the information out to interested parties. An average mom or das or any non-computer geek might also struggle understanding any other products out there, in my opinion.
That's one of the reasons sales people should have a minimum amount of intelligence and empathy, to help insecure buyers make a decision.