Apple iPad Pro (2017) Preview

Apple iPad Pro (2017) Preview

This week, Apple announced the third generation of its iPad Pro family, which will be available starting next week in 10.5- and 12.9-inch models. These devices are interesting enough as-is, but with the coming release of iOS 11, they will also begin earning their Pro moniker.

“These are by far the most powerful iPads we’ve ever created with the world’s most advanced displays featuring ProMotion, the powerful new A10X Fusion chip, and the advanced camera system of iPhone 7,” reads a quote attributed to Apple vice president Greg Joswiak. “Together with iOS 11, these new iPad Pro models will radically change what users can do with iPad.”

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Yes. And that’s why I’m interested.

The first iPad Pro launched in late 2015 in the large 12.9-inch format, but as I noted at the time, Apple didn’t do a good job of explaining why anyone would want one. And it didn’t do a good job of differentiating it from “normal” iPads. In mid-2016, Apple launched a second, 9.7-inch model as a replacement for the iPad Air. But that model confusingly included a few screen-based improvements over the 12.9-inch model, which was not updated at that time.

I considered purchasing both of these very expensive devices but ultimately decided against it because the reality, functionality-wise, didn’t measure up to the promise. But you could see where Apple was heading, thanks to the strange, fabric-covered keyboard cover and the surprisingly powerful Apple Pencil, both of which are added cost extras.

But now there is a new generation of iPad Pro, this time in 10.5- and 12.9-inch models. They are functionality identical, and offer the same technologies, which I think is a smart and overdue move. The keyboard covers haven’t changed—the 10.5-inch model provides a bigger screen in the same basic form factor as the outgoing 9.7-inch version—and neither has the Apple Pencil. But thanks to improvements to the new iPad Pro displays, Apple Pencil actually works even better than before on these devices.

If you’ve used Apple Pencil before—I’ve done so only briefly in furtive visits to Apple retail stores—you know that it already works amazingly well on the previous-generation iPad Pros. In fact, I feel that it works better than Microsoft’s Surface Pen, which is quite an accomplishment. And now I’m curious to see how the improvements both companies are making to their respective products will change things this year.

But the Apple Pencil, like Surface Pen, will always be a side story. More interesting, I think, is the hardware itself. And the software that will run on it.

The new iPad Pro models both feature stunningly bright and high pixel density LED displays that run at 264 PPI; the 10.5-inch model provides a native resolution of 2224 x 1668 while the larger unit provides 2732 x 2048. These laminated and antireflective displays feature the same laundry list of features and technologies, including ProMotion, P3 wide color, and True Tone capabilities, and fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating.

Both are powered by Apple’s latest mobile processor, the 64-bit A10X Fusion chip, and its embedded M10 coprocessor. And both ship with the same cameras as those found in the iPhone 7.

New to this generation, the base storage allotment has moved up from 32 GB to 64 GB, but Apple has raised pricing by $50 compared to the previous gen units. (You can also pay more to get 256 or 512 GB of storage if desired.)

Both iPad Pro models come in multiple colors—Space Gray, Gold, and Silver, plus Rose Gold on the 9.7-inch model only for some reason—and can be had in Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi/cellular configurations with an embedded Apple SIM. Both feature four-speaker audio, which provides stereo sound in any orientation. And both utilize the same ports as previous iPad Pro versions: A Lightning connector and the magnetic Smart connector that is currently used only by the keyboard cover.

Pricing starts at $649 for the 64 GB 10.5-inch Wi-Fi version or $799 for the 12.9-inch. More storage and cellular connectivity quickly escalate the price. You could pay as much as $1100 for a maxed out iPad Pro, not including a keyboard cover or Pencil.

I would have ignored these new iPad Pro models as I did previous versions but for one major change: This year, Apple is finally bringing laptop-like productivity features to iPad Pro courtesy of iOS 11. You can sample this functionality now in Beta form if you’re a registered Apple developer, and a public beta will arrive in late June. Apple will likely ship iOS 11 in September.

Here’s why I’m so interested.

Dock. The iOS 11 Dock looks and works like the Dock in macOS. That is, it can hold more than five items, is available from any app by swiping up from the bottom of the screen, and it works with the new drag and drop feature described below.

Multitasking. While previous iPad Pro models supported a split screen view where you could display two apps side-by-side, iOS 11 will bring much more sophisticated multitasking functionality. A new app switcher UI brings the macOS Spaces feature to iOS, allowing you to pair apps on-screen and access them as a single item. And with both Split View and Slide Over, you can actually have three apps on-screen at the same time.

File system access. Apple is finally letting users access the underlying file system on their iPads via the extensible new Files app. You will be able to integrate third-party cloud storage systems—Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive—with Files so you can access your files no matter where they are stored.

Drag and drop. iOS 11 will enable drag and drop throughout the system and in apps so that you can move text, photos, and files from one app to another, anywhere on the screen. You can also move apps on and off the Dock very easily.

Given all this, I’ve ordered a 10.5-inch iPad Pro to see whether the future has finally arrived. Or whether the lack of certain other features—an improved home screen/launcher experience, a precision pointing device like a trackpad, and so on—are still holding this device back. But even if Apple hasn’t completely closed the gap, this much is clear: With the arrival of iOS 11, the iPad Pro will finally start living up to both its name and its potential. Hey, it only took two years.

More soon.

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Conversation 46 comments

  • cyloncat

    06 June, 2017 - 3:00 pm

    <p>All your reasons for interest in the iPad Pro are really iOS11 reasons. Does the new hardware bring any new features other than a slightly larger display area and incrementally faster processing? Is image quality noticeably better, aside from brightness?</p><p>In other words, if I already have an iPad Pro, is there a reason to upgrade?</p>

  • pesos

    Premium Member
    06 June, 2017 - 3:17 pm

    <p>I'm also curious to see how 11 runs on my current gen 12.9" ipp. I bought it mostly to use for client demos and possibly as a second screen for my surface while travelling (but the Duet app never really panned out and I gave up on the latter). I've kept it around to use together with our Roland digital piano since the size is perfect (I'd be fine with a non-pro ipad at the larger screen size for this use).</p>

  • MacLiam

    Premium Member
    06 June, 2017 - 3:21 pm

    <p>Several months ago I picked up the smaller iPad Pro and a Pencil. I have made only the most rudimentary use of the package as bedside or TV-adjacent tablet, but I like its data-pulling speed and the ability to dash off handwritten notes as they occur to me. I suppose keyboarding ideas might be slightly faster, but then there is problem of propping up the screen on a lap that is already at a bad angle because I am either reclining or slouching. I like the improved power of the new models, and that extra half inch of screen in the smaller one is inviting, but what I saw yesterday just doesn't seem like a big enough advance to make me want to swap out in such short order. </p><p>I appreciate both the original Apple Pencil and the Mircorrosoft Pen that came with the recent Surfaces. I have already ordered the new Pen, which looks like it has improvements to recommend it, but I'm not sure I feel the need to upgrade the Pencil. Like you, I find it virtually lagless in use. If Apple wants to start an advertising war over the force of a nanosecond's difference between the two newest versions of these competing tools, I'm not sure they will find me among those in their target audience. When I have something that is good enough, I don't feel a burning need to spend money on a bunch of improved specifications that my aging nervous system will never be able to differentiate in head-to-head comparisons.</p><p>Anyway, good for Apple. I'm always happy to see where their thinking is taking them even if not every new device makes me want to jump up and pull out a credit card.</p>

    • aways987

      07 June, 2017 - 5:10 am

      <blockquote><a href="#123148"><em>In reply to MacLiam:</em></a></blockquote><p>Apple hasn't upgraded the pencil. On the new pros the screen technology and processing are the things that make the difference </p>

  • Angusmatheson

    06 June, 2017 - 3:59 pm

    <p>I wonder how many Surface pro and surface book buys really wanted a tablet with pen or bought them because it as a beautiful Microsoft branded computer. It interests me because going forward the latter group will likely buy surface laptops (which is what I want to buy). It may be that the iPad Pro ends up winning this market (2-1, premium or productivity tablet) – as the support that the surface pro had disappears now the beautiful surface laptop is an option.</p>

    • jdmp10

      06 June, 2017 - 4:41 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#123166"><em>In reply to Angusmatheson:</em></a><em> </em>If Apple keeps improving on iOS, mainly adding mouse input support then it could be taken more seriously as a Surface competitor but it's finally headed in the right direction with split full screen window support and drag and drop but doing these functions with touch just isn't the same as with a mouse. Apart from the iOS improvements, the hardware getting the next X designated A series SoC makes it already extremely capable over the already capable A9X so most of the hardware is set. More nits on the screen never hurts, a more accurate Pencil for those using it regularly doesn't hurt either.</blockquote><blockquote><br></blockquote><blockquote>But like before, if someone isn't able to do their work daily with one of the many iOS apps built for an iPad Pro then none of what I just mentioned really matters and only a Windows based computer will do. This battle between Microsoft and Apple could go either way.</blockquote><p><br></p>

    • Patrick3D

      06 June, 2017 - 5:22 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#123166"><em>In reply to Angusmatheson:</em></a></blockquote><p>I can only speak in regards to Surface Pro systems we purchase at work, but they are purchased specifically because they are tablets. We have factory floor employees that need to access inventory/shipping systems inside and outside of buildings. Laptops are awkward to use while walking around, whereas the Surface can easily be held in one hand while tapping on the screen with the other. For myself, I would prefer a Surface simply because it isn't a closed ecosystem and has standard ports for connectivity (IOTW, you can do more with a Surface.)</p><p><br></p>

      • Darmok N Jalad

        06 June, 2017 - 7:10 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#123188"><em>In reply to Patrick3D:</em></a></blockquote><p>I guess that depends how you define closed. You can make your own apps for iPad and give them access to the internal hardware you need (camera, GPS, sensors). I see some pretty powerful apps for data collection on Android and iOS, and they lend themselves nicely to many tasks because you can run them on a wide range of everyday devices, meaning you get hardware choices depending on the purpose. You can get an adapter for an iPad or IPhone and turn the devices into a mobile payment systems for example. So, yes, Surface can do many things, but it depends on who you are and what you need. An iPad with a few apps might perfectly satisfy another user entirely. That's about where I am these days. And if it has the functionality you need, an iPad is a pretty simple device to deploy. </p>

    • Tsang Man Fai

      07 June, 2017 - 11:01 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#123166"><em>In reply to Angusmatheson:</em></a></blockquote><p>"It may be that the iPad Pro ends up winning this market (2-1, premium or productivity tablet)" – not true currently.&nbsp; iPadPro beats Surface Pro in terms of sales but it doesn't beat the total sales of Windows 2-in-1.&nbsp; A comparison of iPadPro vs. all Windows 2-in-1 devices makes more sense.</p>

      • bsd107

        Premium Member
        11 June, 2017 - 11:47 am

        <blockquote><a href="#123520"><em>In reply to Tsang Man Fai:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>And even that comparison will be muddy. E.g. I will be replacing my iPad Air 2 with an iPad 10.8, but I will NOT be using it as a productivity device. I'll keep my windows 10 notebook and desktop for that.</p>

  • wolters

    Premium Member
    06 June, 2017 - 4:26 pm

    <p>The news on this has intrigued me some. But I bet there is still no Bluetooth mouse support which is the number one most requested feature here at work for my users who want to VPN/Remote Desktop using an iPad. </p>

  • Stooks

    06 June, 2017 - 4:45 pm

    <p>I watched the presentation. When they got to the iOS 11 on the iPad demonstration it looked like finger, hand, arm torture when he was showing off the selection and dragging of multiple photos from the photo app to the mail app.</p><p><br></p><p>I kept thinking "this would be so much easier if they allowed mouse support". I also thought "he is going to lift is his finger at the wrong time and drop it all and then drop a Fbomb".</p><p><br></p><p>iOS 11 helps the iPad when it comes to multi-tasking but it is still inferior to a computer in this use case. Give it mouse support and floating Windows and they wont be able to make enough of them.</p><p><br></p><p>At the same time give the Mac touch support.</p>

    • Waethorn

      06 June, 2017 - 5:26 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#123177"><em>In reply to Stooks:</em></a></blockquote><p>"he is going to lift is his finger at the wrong time and drop it all and then drop a Fbomb"</p><p><br></p><p>Welcome to my world, where users with no digital dexterity lose their files all the time because they do this on Windows with a mouse.</p>

      • Stooks

        06 June, 2017 - 5:39 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#123191"><em>In reply to Waethorn:</em></a></blockquote><p>Sure I deal with the same. Restoring files/email that is just dropped some place using a mouse. </p><p><br></p><p>That said there is no denying that a mouse is many times more precise than your finger is.</p>

      • Jorge Garcia

        07 June, 2017 - 1:12 am

        <blockquote><a href="#123191"><em>In reply to Waethorn:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p> And this exactly why some large swath of people will never be using windows again…it is TOO mature and precise…you can accidentally drop files into another folder, very easily, just by coughing at the wrong time. For an OCD person like me, that's fine, but a lot of people would prefer a mobile like long-press/right click (with confirmation dialog) before a "catastrophic" drag and drop is completed.</p>

        • Waethorn

          07 June, 2017 - 12:58 pm

          <blockquote><a href="#123254"><em>In reply to Jorge Garcia:</em></a></blockquote><p>I always liked "Move To" dialog boxes for this exact reason.</p>

        • Tsang Man Fai

          07 June, 2017 - 10:58 pm

          <blockquote><a href="#123254"><em>In reply to Jorge Garcia:</em></a></blockquote><p>"And this exactly why some large swath of people will never be using windows again" – Come on… I think this is much exaggerated.&nbsp; One hates Windows for many reasons, not solely because of accidental drag and drop of files…</p>

  • Lars lalaa

    06 June, 2017 - 5:26 pm

    <p>Although new software features can be used on older iPads, it makes more sense on a Pro now. I have an Air 2 and I‘m ordering the 10,5. Thanks to the improvements.</p><p>Maybe Apple replaces the MacBook and MacBook Air later on and iPad Pro will become the new entry level „Mac“. Guess that’s the plan for Apple in the long run. Anyway, something tells me the future looks interesting, that’s why I’m upgrading, I’m sure we gonna see best in class apps, more productive ones and further software improvements. The new iPad seems to be a good choice for that. Looking forward to AirPlay 2 for media control and overall smart home integration.</p><p>And actually I don’t think mouse support is needed on iPad. The beauty about it, you getting stuff done in a different way. With the Air 2 I can do mail and calender , browse the web for research (now even better with drag an drop) or editing photos with Lightroom for example on a fully touch based OS and applications. A mouse just makes it like a laptop. I think it’ll be a mistake if Apple supports mice on it. They should stick with touch on iOS and mouse for MacOS. If you wanna do more serious work, a Windows PC or Mac is the better option anyway.&nbsp;</p>

    • Chris_Kez

      Premium Member
      07 June, 2017 - 8:10 am

      <blockquote><a href="#123190"><em>In reply to Lars lalaa:</em></a></blockquote><p>Sorry; watching Craig Federighi demo the two-handed multi-select convinced me the iPad would benefit from some kind of rudimentary support for either mouse or trackpad. That cannot be denied, purist arguments be damned.</p>

    • Tsang Man Fai

      07 June, 2017 - 10:40 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#123190"><em>In reply to Lars lalaa:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>"And actually I don’t think mouse support is needed on iPad. The beauty about it, you getting stuff done in a different way." – absolutely disagreed.&nbsp; even for average users doing word processing, productivity is greatly reduced without mouse support.&nbsp; Using touch to adjust the cursor is never accurate and fast.&nbsp; Although Apple Pencil and serve as a precise "mouse pointer", it lacks the mouse buttons and hence is very limited compared to a mouse/trackpad.</p><p><br></p><p>I think the next iterations of iOS (for iPad) will support mouse/trackpad.</p>

  • nbplopes

    06 June, 2017 - 5:31 pm

    <p>"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Given all this, I’ve ordered a 10.5-inch iPad Pro to see whether the future has finally arrived. Or whether the lack of certain other features—an improved home screen/launcher experience, a precision pointing device like a trackpad, and so on—are still holding this device back. But even if Apple hasn’t completely closed the gap, this much is clear: With the arrival of iOS 11, the iPad Pro will finally start living up to both its name and its potential. Hey, it only took two years."</span></p><p>Given the tone of this sentence I do not envision nothing fundamentally positive coming. It looks the guns are already charged and ready to fire.</p><p>It does not take much to think that the ideal positioning of a tablet is not in front of the user, but bellow. If people payed attention, the demos were done mostly with iPad set on a surface. I doubt that this changes to iOS will make it much better when its set in front of the user with a keyboard attached. If that is what people expect I think they can only be disappointed.</p><p>Within this for a fair comparison against the lovely Surface Pro, even the Surface Studio, it would be interesting to asses how advanced is the touch language of the iPad or not in that position. Considering that in the frontal position the Surface is not that good either, if not worst for touch interaction. The pen, so on and so forth. This is, I think interesting for people that find useful this kind of interactions.</p><p>As for the frontal position I don't think they have done much to improve this. Having said this and considering the remark that graphical efficiency surpasses some Core i7's, I think the pun was intended, I just wonder what will happen if and when Apple decides to support a trackpad for those situations. I have seen weirder things happen :)</p><p>As I've said before, unless Apple provides alternative ways of interaction but touch, that are also efficient, for situation were the device is set in front of the user, I don't see that the iPad will be much more than a companion tool for most situations. Nevertheless probably more than enough to write this comment.</p><p><br></p>

    • Jorge Garcia

      06 June, 2017 - 9:55 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#123192"><em>In reply to nbplopes:</em></a></blockquote><p>I personally believe that, depending on how much productivity you need, it will still be a bit of a frustrating experience using an iPad Pro as a laptop replacement. But I also think Apple knows that they must slowly morph iOS into the MacOS for the "semi-casual, sometimes-pro-sumer", but that day is still off in the future a bit.</p>

      • nbplopes

        07 June, 2017 - 6:46 am

        <blockquote><a href="#123242"><em>In reply to Jorge Garcia:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>I don't think they ever will merge OS X with iOS. I believe that there is a method here that Apple is following, probably inherited from Steve Jobs. They seam want to stretch the usefulness of touch to a very high level in this form factor. Until they feel that they got to the highest possible they will be avoiding adding any other form of first hand interactions to these devices.</p><p>Yet I think it is becoming clear that touch only will never be good to interact with systems directly in front of view for a lot of complex activities for the dimension of these displays. </p><p>It is too easy to say, "just support trackpads". But given the constraints and how far Apple has gone with touch I don't think they would have streamlined it so much if they had already surroundered to the trackpad. Still just wonder what would be this devices capable of if such support came. </p><p>Clearly they seam to have designed an alternative yet efficient window management approach for the size and purpose of these devices. The all thing is quite lean now, meaning that they seam to have managed to avoid fat in the process, so maybe its time for the iPad support a trackpad or the like. They seam even more performant than Quad Core OS X system in certain tasks, not to mention Windows. Who ever played with Photoshop or LR, on a high end system, either Windows or OS X cannot be anything else but impressed by what it was shown on stage live in such a mobile form factor. Mundane perhaps for some people, but I often find that what really change the world in significant way is solving problems that look solved or unimportant until someone clearly shows them that it is not really.</p><p>If the purpose the iPad Pro is to become the main computing device for productivity for most people, I don't think they have done it yet in this iteration because of the above. But its not random why this is the case still I think. There is a method behind it I believe.</p><p>EDIT: I can envision a time in some WWDC Apple announces the support for the trackpad int he iPad Pro with a standing ovation of the crowd …. and a lot of people in Windows will simply not understand why … a label them has fanatics.</p>

        • Jorge Garcia

          07 June, 2017 - 5:13 pm

          <blockquote><a href="#123284"><em>In reply to nbplopes:</em></a></blockquote><p>They don't need to merge them, just keep infusing iOS with MacOS's most useful features until it becomes "good-enough" for 95% of people to abandon MacOS/windows forever. Trust me, a lot of people would love to not have to deal with the the overhead and annoyances of a full-featured, all-purpose OS like Windows and Mac. Ironically, it is Microsoft who has "cracked the code", IMO, on how you go about doing this. You simply have separate modes, like "tablet" mode and "Desktop" mode, and the PC either figures out which one you want given a certain set a criteria, or it simply asks you which mode to launch into.</p>

          • nbplopes

            08 June, 2017 - 9:15 am

            <blockquote><a href="#123418"><em>In reply to Jorge Garcia:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>I do not think Microsoft has cracked the code yet … in my experience of course.</p><p>"Trust me, a lot of people would love to not have to deal with the the overhead and annoyances of a full-featured, all-purpose OS like Windows and Mac."</p><p>Have they cracked this? Not in my experience. As for what Apple is trying to achieve with the iPads be honest it looks easier for them to simply support a Trackpad/Mouse for situations that are most useful than Microsoft make Windows as robust as an OS built specifically for mobility. The only reason I can think of why Apple has not done already, is one of development focus, they seam to want to stretch touch as much as possible while leading its user to learn its advantages, there is a method here I feel. Yes Microsoft Windows is coming to ARM, but are you guys thinking that overnight Microsoft will have the same level of expertise as Apple or even Google in that architecture? Of course not, it will take them years as it did with Intel/Surface to arrive to something that do not exhibit the same challenges of Windows / Intel.</p><p>On another notice, that Apple approach will not be modal as Windows. That is the GUI do not change personalities depending on what is attached to it. There will be no tablet mode and laptop mode, just one mode, its not a easy task as one might think. </p><p>One thing that I listen a lot is how superior is the window system of both OS X and Windows when compared to this alternative for multitasking. Still this observation do not seam to factor out the fact that in devices with these dimensions, up to 13" or so, a extremely tiny percentage of people is using them with more than two fully visible windows side by side. That is, windows are usually stack behind, bringing them back and forward with alt-tab. So it seams to me that this alternative approach maybe good for this kind of usage given the size of this devices (this is a mobile OS still), no need to have n windows stacked on screen when only one or two are effectively being used. It needs to be refined indeed, but it looks that they are on to something. I'm used to have 5 windows stacked on screen that is all, like I have now writing this post, when the only actually workable windows is the browser that I'm working on.</p><p>Time will tell.</p><p>Separate modes seams to be the most obvious, safer and easier to achieve from an engineering perspective. But here the thing, in my opinion Apple does not usually go for the obvious … well for the most part. Quite often their choices just become obvious after they show it to you. </p><p>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrYIfoWSttQ&amp;t=487s</p><p>I think that is what people expect out of millions of dollars in R&amp;D, go for far more than the obvious. </p><p>EDIT: Still, one thing that is troubling with Tim Cooks Apple is that when it launched the iPhone 3G, it came cheaper that the smartphones in the same category, while offering a fresh approach. It does not seam to be the case with the iPad Pro. They seam to be going for similar pricing has of laptops, including their own laptops, while the market does not yet fully acknowledged the approach. That is the introduction to the market of the iPad Pro seams to be different than the iPhone, that does not look as well as it could be.</p>

  • Waethorn

    06 June, 2017 - 5:32 pm

    <p>I want to like these now, with the technology finally maturing into something more PC-like, but then I quickly remember that this is Apple we're dealing with here, which has all kinds of issues (price, support, serviceability, connected services, etc).</p><p><br></p><p>These look good, but they also look fragile, and I don't like that. Give me one of the Chromebook convertibles any day over this. I'd rather have to hold something with a bit of heft instead of something that looks like it would break if you held it the wrong way – and I've seen plenty of people crack an iPad just by pinching the screen too hard to pick it up.</p>

    • joeaxberg

      Premium Member
      06 June, 2017 - 5:50 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#123193"><em>In reply to Waethorn:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>I have an iPad Pro 12.9 and a new Samsung Chromebook Plus. I disagree completely. My own anecdotal evidence is quite the contrary. The Chromebook Plus, while a nice device, feels flimsy by comparison. The iPad Pro has a nice solid feel. I've had a few different iPads: original, iPad 2, iPad Air, and the 12.9 Pro. Fragile is not a term I would use to describe any of them.</p><p><br></p><p>I've set my iPad Air and Pro on the desk here, repeatedly picking them up trying to get the screen to crack with no success. </p><p><br></p><p>Within my family of six, four of us are iPhone users. I've had a couple of times when Apple wouldn't cover stuff, but for the most part I think their service is outstanding. Most recently my daughters iPhone 6s wouldn't hold a charge. It was under warranty. Drove 10 minutes to our nearby Apple store. Walked in with a broken phone, guy said 'yup it's broke' and we walked out with a new one.</p>

      • Waethorn

        07 June, 2017 - 12:57 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#123206"><em>In reply to joeaxberg:</em></a></blockquote><p>It was under warranty. Most businesses with corporate-owned stores should do the same.</p>

    • Delmont

      07 June, 2017 - 10:52 am

      <blockquote><a href="#123193"><em>In reply to Waethorn:</em></a></blockquote><p>Crack the screen by picking it up? You have the Incredible Hulk for a client?</p>

      • Waethorn

        07 June, 2017 - 12:56 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#123349"><em>In reply to Delmont:</em></a></blockquote><p>I see kids do that all the time. They pick it up from the corner with their thumbs on the screen. It's not that hard to do, actually.</p>

  • Darmok N Jalad

    06 June, 2017 - 7:13 pm

    <p>I'll just hold out to see if there are any production show stoppers, but the 10.5" seems like my next purchase as well. 64GB will be more than sufficient for me too. </p>

  • PincasX

    06 June, 2017 - 9:01 pm

    <p>The hardware upgrades were nice but it's really all about the OS and with IOS 11 it looks like Apple has decided to somewhat fork the iPhone and iPad versions of iOS in terms of features. There have always been differences but the iPad has always seemed to be held back by a desire to keep the two as similar as possible. The dock change is great but I was honestly surprised that they opted to make it that differen than the phone. At this rate iOS 12 or 13 should make it a more broadly usable device for productivity rather than having niche producing uses. </p>

  • Jorge Garcia

    06 June, 2017 - 9:50 pm

    <p>Normal people hate MS Windows because at some point in the recent past, their windows PC did something unforgivable to them that their mobile devices simply would never do. But a lot of those same people do still recognize the productivity benefits of a full featured interface, they're just unwilling to go "back there" with MS. Truth is, a large swath of those people could get by fine with a mobile-based OS that just "borrowed" a few of the most helpful features from a "grown up" OS's…most notably a windowed interface, mouse support, right click, drag and drop, and a couple more things. All of these elements will be available on iOS sooner rather than later. I can only imagine that at least one "sku" of Fuchsia will be implementing these as well, for "Pro" tablets and PC sticks, etc. Most likely, a normal iPad won't activate these features by default, but an iPad Pro will. Or, it could just take the W10 approach…ask you WHICH interface to launch whenever you attach a keyboard or mouse.</p>

    • Delmont

      07 June, 2017 - 10:51 am

      <blockquote><a href="#123241"><em>In reply to Jorge Garcia:</em></a></blockquote><p>And the point of your post is what? </p>

      • Jorge Garcia

        07 June, 2017 - 5:06 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#123347"><em>In reply to Delmont:</em></a></blockquote><p>My point is that devices like the iPad Pro, once they finish adopting the most useful features of Windows, will make both x86 and Microsoft's Windows completely irrelevant outside of certain business-related applications, MacOS as well. A large percentage of people want this to happen right now. Apple gets it, which is why they are investing massive R &amp; D into iPad Pro, and little into MacOS. Microsoft gets it as well, but they are doomed due to the lack of an ecosystem that can compete with the big two. Ironically, Google, the one most poised to succeed, still can't deliver a non-mobile computing experience that will let people migrate away from Wintel.</p>

    • Tsang Man Fai

      07 June, 2017 - 8:52 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#123241"><em>In reply to Jorge Garcia:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Being a Windows fans I still agree to most of the points you raised.</p><p><br></p><p>Yes, Apple can make iPadPro more PC-like with iOS supporting more essential desktop OS features.&nbsp; And obviously they are already doing this – multitasking (though very limited), drag and drop (limited again), file access, etc.</p><p><br></p><p>Some people may argue, this strategy will hurt the sales of Mac – surely it will but it is not a big deal for Apple.&nbsp; If iPadPro really poses a big threat to Windows PC, the gain in sales of iPadPro will outweigh the loss in sales of Mac.</p><p><br></p><p>I won't be surprised if the next iPadPro will support mouse control.&nbsp; Just wonder whether the new keyboard would have a trackpad or not.</p>

    • scribz

      08 June, 2017 - 12:23 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#123241"><em>In reply to Jorge Garcia:</em></a></blockquote><p>Windows has generated a lot of ill will over the years. I've tried repeatedly to get my wife on a Surface Pro but she uses Windows at work and refuses to have it at home. She loves her iPad, no matter how crippled I think it is.</p>

  • Chris_Kez

    Premium Member
    07 June, 2017 - 8:19 am

    <p>Apple's refusal to mix touch and mouse support is now holding back both the Mac and the iPad.</p>

  • cseafous

    Premium Member
    07 June, 2017 - 8:25 am

    <p>I'm still not understanding why a company that thinks people don't want to touch their laptop screen would promote the idea of turning an iPad into a laptop. It's like they are going in two different directions.</p>

    • Polycrastinator

      07 June, 2017 - 11:36 am

      <blockquote><a href="#123295"><em>In reply to cseafous:</em></a></blockquote><p>Because Apple lies. They always say no customer wants a thing, until they "reinvent" it.</p>

      • Chris_Kez

        Premium Member
        07 June, 2017 - 6:05 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#123369"><em>In reply to Polycrastinator:</em></a></blockquote><p>Apple said no touch support on Mac because people would get "gorilla arms" (I may be paraphrasing) from constantly picking up their hands to touch the screen. I'd love to see a time-lapse video of someone using a new iPad Pro with it's connected keyboard and all the new multi-tasking and drag-and-drop goodness. How many times do you think that user is going to reach up from the keyboard???</p>

  • Polycrastinator

    07 June, 2017 - 11:37 am

    <p>I'm interested, too. I feel like mouse support is the missing piece, but with it, much of my laptop use could be replaced by one of these devices. Not all of it, but being able to bring an iPad with me rather than a laptop would seriously reduce the weight I lug around on a daily basis.</p>

  • rafaelsolmaker

    08 June, 2017 - 1:30 pm

    <p>Fundamentally, they're still catching up (or trying to) with Surface. And years behind basic MS Windows functionality (multitask is the very essence of Windows and drag'n'drop sound so Win 98). Their future lies in the past, lol.</p><p>The device itself sounds interesting, but it's still a toy. Can do some real work? Maybe, but the compromises are still too high. Apple should know that it won't stick no matter what, iPads aren't meant for production, it's just consumption and maybe some light tasks. </p><p>Most of Apple's "Pro" branded products are a joke, a terminology that doesn't makes any sense. Want something high-end? Put "pro" on it and call it a day. Soon we will see iPod/iPhone Pro popping out there with the solely difference of pen support (against everything Jobs done) and everyone will say "Oooohh, they invented the first note-taking computer that you can store in your pockets". What a sick joke.</p><p>For real, guys, Apple needs to innovate. And urgently!</p>

    • polymath

      10 June, 2017 - 5:25 am

      <blockquote><a href="#123682"><em>In reply to rafaelsolmaker:</em></a></blockquote><p>I think you miss understand what your looking at </p><p><br></p><p>This pad and its new OS – is probably the future of "personal computing"</p><p><br></p><p>Command lines were limited by keyboards</p><p><br></p><p>the MAC/mouse interface copied from Xerox PARC is limited by the mouse </p><p><br></p><p>we now have multi touch screens + pen's </p><p><br></p><p>I suspect Microsoft is the one which will have to do the catching up.</p>

  • polymath

    10 June, 2017 - 5:40 am

    <p>I have watched some YouTube videos of this ipad and its OS,, In the PAST, command lines were limited by the keyboard,,, Xerox PARC added the mouse and Steve Jobs copied the GUI followed by Microsoft and we have all been using it ever since – This pad had multi touch and a new GUI ,, it LOOK's like a fledgling new GUI,, </p><p><br></p><p>people complain about apple not updating there existing mac books etc, this range of ipads could be the start of the new "personal computing" from apple. think of all the existing machines as the PAST and the new ipads and there OS and the MK2 ipad concept machine.</p><p><br></p><p>Microsoft copied the MAC as jobs copied the Alto, I think Microsoft will have to copy this new multi touch GUI or come up with there own idea, as long as it has START button someplace as windows 8, a future led product was compromised by peoples un-willingness to move away from a PAST GUI. </p>

  • bsd107

    Premium Member
    11 June, 2017 - 11:50 am

    <p>It is funny and not surprising that once Apple entered this market ("productivity tablets") the word "LAPABILITY" disappeared from the tech-press vocabulary literally overnight….</p>

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