By Will Goodbody, Science & Technology Correspondent
Is any tablet currently on the market good enough to replace a laptop?
The answer, so far at least, is not quite.
Microsoft’s Surface is probably the strongest contender out there.
But Apple is also having a go, with the iPad Pro series.
The gigantic 12.9 inch version was launched amid the usual Apple fanfare late last year, and has won pretty good plaudits from those that have used it.
Its two unique selling points were its power and its size – marking it out from most other tablets on the market.
But now Apple thinks there’s enough demand for it to offer a choice on one of those fronts. Size.
And so it has introduced a new 9.7 inch version of the iPad Pro, which still packs the same power punch as its bigger brother.
DESIGN
The look of the new tablet is almost identical to the existing iPad Air 2 – the dimensions are exactly the same, as is the weight.
The buttons are in broadly the same positions, the only obvious difference being the smart connector on the left side which was introduced on the larger iPad Pro, to which the keyboard cover is attached.
It looks and feels like, well, an iPad – and there is nothing wrong with that.
And it comes in four colours – silver, gold, space gray and rose gold, which the Pro is not available in.
DISPLAY
In its product briefings, Apple has put great emphasis on the quality of the screen on the 9.7 inch Pro.
The display may be smaller, but Apple has packed in all the same technology as there is on the 12.9 inch version – with a few little alterations.
That means you get a Retina LED-backlit Multi-Touch display.
The resolution at 2048x1536 is a little lower than on the iPad Pro, but identical to the iPad Air 2.
But what’s new on the smaller Pro model is True Tone – a feature which adapts the colour tone and light temperature of the display, depending on the light conditions, to make is easier on the eye.
The differences are subtle, but when pointed out, perceptible.
Apple says the display is also 40 per cent less reflective that the iPad Air 2 and 25 per cent brighter.
All told, it’s a very good display both inside and out and for work or play.
HARDWARE
While the device may look very similar to the iPad Air 2, inside its powered by entirely different and much more powerful hardware.
It’s driven by the A9X processor and M9 coprocessor – the same as what’s inside the iPad Pro 12.9 inch, but a step up from the chipset in the Air 2.
That’s coupled with 2GB of RAM, which is half of what you’ll find inside the larger Pro model, but the same as in the iPad Air 2.
The downscaling has little impact on performance though and the 9.7 inch Pro is well able to handle all you might want to throw at it with ease.
Apps open quickly, you can switch between them and multitask with no noticeable impact, and it handles heavy graphics without breaking a sweat.
It comes with the option of 32GB, 128GB and 256GB of storage, with the largest of those options an alternative which isn’t on offer on the iPad Air 2.
CAMERA
The camera technology on the tablet is swiped from the iPhone 6S.
That means it has the very capable 12MP iSight lens, as well as True Tone flash, and Autofocus with Focus Pixels.
It also means features like Live Photos (the addition of a couple of seconds of video to each still), and 63MP panoramas are included.
That’s all better than what’s on offer on the iPad Pro 12.9 inch and the iPad Air 2.
The smaller Pro also boasts 4K video recording (which is of limited use given that the display can’t play back 4K) and there’s an improved 5MP front facing camera that also records HD video.
The combo means the iPad Pro 9.7 inch is very well endowed in the camera department, and takes pretty good pics in most reasonable circumstances (as long as you don’t mind the inevitability of looking like an eejit using a tablet to take photos and video).
OTHER FEATURES
Both iPad Pros have four speakers, compared to two on the iPad Air 2.
Bass comes from the bottom and the higher range frequencies from the top, and both swap around if you change the orientation of the tablet.
Sound quality is pretty sharp and loud as a result.
Battery life is excellent. I’ve been using the device on and off for a variety of tasks over the past week and haven’t had to charge it at all.
But it doesn’t have the same fast charging capabilities of the bigger Pro model.
It does, however, have the same good quality Touch ID finger print scanner as its giant alternative
It also runs iOS 9.3 out of the box, which is good. But multitasking still has a way to go if is truly going to turn the device into an all round work horse.
ACCESSORIES
When Apple launched the iPad Pro, it also launched Pencil – the new stylus that the company claimed brought a new dimension to iPad that which would appeal in particular to designers and artists.
It’s an extra (€109) and as I don’t design or draw much, I’m probably not best placed to pass judgement on it.
However, it certainly works nicely well with the tablet, and I can certainly see the attraction to those at which it is aimed.
The Smart Keyboard, on the other hand, holds a much broader appeal.
And although it is also an expensive extra (€169) it is a fundamental element of the proposition that the iPad Pro 9.7 inch could in some or all ways replace your laptop.
It connects physically via the magnetic Smart Connector, and isn’t dependent on Bluetooth – which has obvious pros and cons.
It means it doesn’t have to be charged, and it is easy to connect. But it also means it has to be physically connected to the iPad to work.
The keyboard folds neatly inside the cover, so that it doesn’t protrude awkwardly for carrying.
It is a little finicky to fold it out and in, and I have found at times that the process leads to the whole thing becoming disconnected.
There are no function keys, nor is there an Esc key but it does support some shortcuts.
It’s comfortable to use, as it’s made of a stain and water resistant fabric.
But while I found the keys to be responsive, I did struggle a little with accuracy – which could be as down to having long fingers or it could be a result of the cramped nature of the layout.
It also wasn’t 100% stable sitting on my lap, and there is just one viewing angle available when the keyboard is in use.
All told though, it is a pretty good optional extra, albeit a very expensive one.
SUMMARY
The iPad Air 2 is a great all round tablet for those looking for a device which packs more power than the Air 2, in a similar sized shell.
The high spec camera, improved display and pencil support are strong selling points.
On the other hand, the need for refinements to multitasking, coupled with the fact that the pretty average keyboard case is an expensive extra on top of an already hefty price tag (starting at €699), means any claims that the iPad Pro 9.7 inch is a laptop killer are probably a little short of the mark.
Comments welcome via Twitter to @willgoodbody
HARDWARE
While the device may look very similar to the iPad Air 2, inside its powered by entirely different and much more powerful hardware.
It’s driven by the A9X processor and M9 coprocessor – the same as what’s inside the iPad Pro 12.9 inch, but a step up from the chipset in the Air 2.
That’s coupled with 2GB of RAM, which is half of what you’ll find inside the larger Pro model, but the same as in the iPad Air 2.
The downscaling has little impact on performance though and the 9.7 inch Pro is well able to handle all you might want to throw at it with ease.
Apps open quickly, you can switch between them and multitask with no noticeable impact, and it handles heavy graphics without breaking a sweat.
It comes with the option of 32GB, 128GB and 256GB of storage, with the largest of those options an alternative which isn’t on offer on the iPad Air 2.
CAMERA
The camera technology on the tablet is swiped from the iPhone 6S.
That means it has the very capable 12MP iSight lens, as well as True Tone flash, and Autofocus with Focus Pixels.
It also means features like Live Photos (the addition of a couple of seconds of video to each still), and 63MP panoramas are included.
That’s all better than what’s on offer on the iPad Pro 12.9 inch and the iPad Air 2.
The smaller Pro also boasts 4K video recording (which is of limited use given that the display can’t play back 4K) and there’s an improved 5MP front facing camera that also records HD video.
The combo means the iPad Pro 9.7 inch is very well endowed in the camera department, and takes pretty good pics in most reasonable circumstances (as long as you don’t mind the inevitability of looking like an eejit using a tablet to take photos and video).
OTHER FEATURES
Both iPad Pros have four speakers, compared to two on the iPad Air 2.
Bass comes from the bottom and the higher range frequencies from the top, and both swap around if you change the orientation of the tablet.
Sound quality is pretty sharp and loud as a result.
Battery life is excellent. I’ve been using the device on and off for a variety of tasks over the past week and haven’t had to charge it at all.
But it doesn’t have the same fast charging capabilities of the bigger Pro model.
It does, however, have the same good quality Touch ID finger print scanner as its giant alternative
It also runs iOS 9.3 out of the box, which is good. But multitasking still has a way to go if is truly going to turn the device into an all round work horse.
ACCESSORIES
When Apple launched the iPad Pro, it also launched Pencil – the new stylus that the company claimed brought a new dimension to iPad that which would appeal in particular to designers and artists.
It’s an extra (€109) and as I don’t design or draw much, I’m probably not best placed to pass judgement on it.
However, it certainly works nicely well with the tablet, and I can certainly see the attraction to those at which it is aimed.
The Smart Keyboard, on the other hand, holds a much broader appeal.
And although it is also an expensive extra (€169) it is a fundamental element of the proposition that the iPad Pro 9.7 inch could in some or all ways replace your laptop.
It connects physically via the magnetic Smart Connector, and isn’t dependent on Bluetooth – which has obvious pros and cons.
It means it doesn’t have to be charged, and it is easy to connect. But it also means it has to be physically connected to the iPad to work.
The keyboard folds neatly inside the cover, so that it doesn’t protrude awkwardly for carrying.
It is a little finicky to fold it out and in, and I have found at times that the process leads to the whole thing becoming disconnected.
There are no function keys, nor is there an Esc key but it does support some shortcuts.
It’s comfortable to use, as it’s made of a stain and water resistant fabric.
But while I found the keys to be responsive, I did struggle a little with accuracy – which could be as down to having long fingers or it could be a result of the cramped nature of the layout.
It also wasn’t 100% stable sitting on my lap, and there is just one viewing angle available when the keyboard is in use.
All told though, it is a pretty good optional extra, albeit a very expensive one.
SUMMARY
The iPad Air 2 is a great all round tablet for those looking for a device which packs more power than the Air 2, in a similar sized shell.
The high spec camera, improved display and pencil support are strong selling points.
On the other hand, the need for refinements to multitasking, coupled with the fact that the pretty average keyboard case is an expensive extra on top of an already hefty price tag (starting at €699), means any claims that the iPad Pro 9.7 inch is a laptop killer are probably a little short of the mark.
Comments welcome via Twitter to @willgoodbody
