iPad Pro: Apple’s new M1 tablet becomes a Mac

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Are you home. You get to a computer. You work from home. What are you using? Based on my house, it’s all that’s available. For Apple, the equation continues to change: between Macs and iPads, there are two versatile but different platforms at play. But now I share the same processor: Chip M1 from MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, Mac Mini and new 24 inch iMac is also in the new iPad Pro, as shown in Apple spring event on Tuesday.

Sounds like a huge leap to iPad as a computer with maximum power, more than I was expecting for years, but in reality iPad Pro was already at that level with its previous processor. What the iPad Pro has in mind is its software, which also limits how external devices such as displays and external storage can be used. The latest iPad Pro sounds like incredibly powerful racing cars. But they also have the price this way.

The M1 promises even more speed gains

The 50% and 40% increase in processor power and graphics for the new M1 chip, respectively, compared to the A12Z processor on the iPad Pro 2020 sounds great, but what does that mean? It will depend on the applications that take advantage of them. IPad pros are looking to further merge rear lidar sensor, which uses a series of lasers for in-depth scanning of 3D spaces with its cameras. Just like the recent one iPhone 12 Pro, expect these iPads to be even better in augmented reality and 3D scanning.

Thunderbolt port means more accessories

The identical-looking USB-C port on the iPad Pro is now USB-4 and Thunderbolt compatible, which will allow for higher speed accessories and storage and possible compatibility with a wide range of Thunderbolt docks and dongles. Think Kensington is recent StudioDock for iPad Pro, but maybe even more. Apple also promises that the iPad Pro can come out on Pro Display XDR. This depends on the apps that turn on the display, which not all iPadOS apps do. Or, it strongly suggests that Apple will enable multidisplay support in the iPadOS at its upcoming WWDC event.

The intensified display only comes in the 12.9-inch model

Apple makes great claims about its quality Liquid Retina XDR display based on mini-LEDs, which will have thousands of small LEDs for more localized backlight control and will allow a higher brightness and contrast ratio. This new display will be only on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and at a high cost: the entry-level version is 1,099 USD (999 GBP, 1,649 USD) and it includes only 128 GB of storage space.

Read more: The 12.9-inch Apple Pro iPad has a Liquid Retina XDR screen with specifications that catch your eye

5G is here, but it will cost you

I don’t use my mobile phone on iPads, especially because I only connected to the phone. But these IPad 5G pros activate a new path, being the first Apple 5G devices that are not phones. However, just adding 5G capacity costs $ 200. However, you will have to pay for the services every month.

Read more: Apple offers the iPad Pro a 5G option, although shipping plans will cost you

A new front camera promises better video chats

A new wide-angle camera introduces a digital zoom function that follows the face, Apple calls the Center Stage. More than Facebook portal, the camera tracks whoever is talking, even more people, and zooms in to frame them. The feature should work in all apps, but it won’t necessarily solve the problem of direct eye contact on iPads. These new iPad Pro still have the cameras on the shorter end, instead of the long edge, so I’m talking in landscape mode (which I usually do, since I use keyboard cases that stand like this) sometimes it means I don’t look directly to the room. Will the new iPad Pro fix this problem? We’ll see when I test, but the Stadium Center still sounds like a welcome feature.

Price: Far beyond what most people would want

These iPad Pro are clearly not clearly for people without a lot of money. As in at least $ 1,000. The basic 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $ 799 ($ ​​749, $ 1,199) and is only for 128 GB of storage. Push a little and get an accessory (a magic keyboard or an Apple pencil) and you’re well over $ 1,000. Prices are rising even more: a new 2TB storage option, plus 5G, means that the 12.9-inch iPad Pro exceeds $ 2,399 without a single accessory. That’s a lot.

Apple input iPads I’m still in the $ 300 range, which means that the price range for iPads now extends to a few thousand dollars. If you consider your iPad the all-in-one production tool that many people make, then the cost could be justified. Or if you just like to have a very beautiful tablet for you.

The iPad is extremely versatile and could really be a device for anything. But it’s still not like that for me, even after all these years. The iPad Pro has stellar qualities (screen, pen, camera) that the Mac does not yet have. For the most part, the new iPad Pro is about as expensive as the ones from 2020. But here and there you might end up paying more.

I would not expect these iPad Pro to be relevant to every iPad user. But I’m very curious to see how far the new features take the products.

On paper, the iPad Pro looks ready to be AlternaMac

I want to try the new professionals before I can say if it’s worth it and it’s still there and it is known how far Apple iPadOS will open to make the most of these cars. But switching to an M1 processor feels more than symbolic.

The iPad reminds New iMac, which has the same processor, feels like a spiritual cousin. Maybe iPads are really ready to be part of the same computer world as Macs. Or Macs are bleeding more and more on the iPad. Somewhere, the two meet. And that meeting point is now M1.