14 June, 2017
The real changes to the iPad Pro, and all of Apple's iOS 11-compatible iPads, will come with the release of iOS 11 in the fall. Tablets aren't like smartphones, and even the most crazed Apple fans out there don't bother upgrading every year like they do with iPhones. Is it a good replacement for the old 9.7-inch iPad Pro, or is not worth your time? The new iPad Pro's screen is about 20% larger than the last, while the tablet itself is only slightly bigger. However, I am more interested in the work that Apple is doing to convert the iPad into a legitimate PC replacement. Apple is taking some of the weight of changing the way people behave in their cars onto its own shoulders with some new features in iOS 11 that will help to prevent distracted driving. The big rub here is that the blocks for distracting apps and calls can be removed to allow passengers to use the phone fully while driving. After using the new Pro for a bit over three and a half hours, I had about 75% of battery remaining, which means it should be capable of breezing past 10 hours of usage.
Although this system doesn't seem ideal for moving around tons of items at once, and, from the demos we've seen, your hands are going to get into some uncomfortable positions to select everything you want. In the meantime, I can tell you the hardware is solidly improved.
Sure, if you get your iPad Pro 10.5 now it will be a free upgrade to iOS 11 later. The increased screen size is impressive and a welcome addition for the iPad Pro, but I still feel that the iPad Pro's more powerful specs over the basic iPad models are wasted on the limitations of iOS. It doesn't appear there will be a new 9.7-inch iPad Pro anytime soon, since Apple is now using that form factor for its most affordable iPad, which doesn't support Apple Pencil input. The $649 tablet goes on sale this week, and it's replacing the 9.7-inch iPad Pro that launched past year.
I didn't think that I would have much use for a touchscreen laptop; I mostly wanted the Surface Book to serve as a laptop primarily, with a tablet and active digitizer as an aside.
After spending several days using the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, which starts at $649 and begins shipping this week, I'm convinced this is the best tablet for productivity Apple has made so far. "This one? Even better", Pierce writes.
Based on the demonstrations Apple has shared, the software update will make the iPad much more like a laptop, using Apple's familiar file structure plus a number of multi-tasking features that will make it feel more robust. Something that makes the iPad Pro a little more Pro than it is right now.
The iPad is slowly "coming of age" to become a device for getting serious and creative work done.
Along with the launch of the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, there is now a new Leather Sleeve ($188) that comes in brown, taupe, black and blue.
These are all small things - if you didn't know that the iPad Pro had a more responsive screen, you may not pick up on it yourself.
There's one more difference, though, and it's the biggest and most important one: the price. It's the biggest thing holding the iPad Pro back. Oh, and the Apple Pencil is $99 and Apple's Smart Keyboard is $159, though there are cheaper third-party keyboards available.
The keyboard is the worst part of the iPad Pro. The power is a huge plus according to the blog's review, as is the new display and the improved cameras. That won't happen until iOS 11 arrives later this year, with a bevy of new features for the iPad in tow.
iPad Pros have always been great options for people who need high-powered tablets, and the new 10.5-inch model is no exception.
