12.9" iPad Pro

[pigoo3]

Bunch of stories going around today regarding Apple set to release/launch a 12.9" iPad "Pro" in Early 2015:

12.9-inch Apple 'iPad Pro' Reportedly Launching Early Next Year - IGN

- Nick

 

[chscag]

Before I buy a tablet that large (doesn't matter if it's from Apple or another manufacturer) I'll spend my money on a real computer: A MacBook Air or 13.3" MacBook Pro. An iPad Pro that large with retina screen is going to come in close to $1K depending on flash memory and if it's cellular capable.

 

[pigoo3]

It will be interesting to see if a 12.9" "iPad Pro" will just be a super-sized iPad…or something different. Also of course it will be interesting to see the price. A 12.9" iPad Pro's price has either got to be a lot higher than the $499 entry level price for current iPads…or the price of current iPads needs to drop a bunch!

I'm thinking that with the Microsoft Surface 3 and the Samsung Galaxy TabPro & NotePro (all with 12"+ display's)…Apple feels they need to have something larger.

Hopefully it's not just an "up-sized" iPad.

- Nick

 

[chscag]

For the fun of it, I got on the Microsoft Store site and priced out a Surface Pro 3 with a 256 GB SSD and added a keyboard and case. If I remember correctly, it came out to around $1300. There is no way I would ever pay that much for anything Microsoft even if it is a convertible.

 

[pigoo3]

I haven't really researched the Surface Pro 3…but I'm assuming that all the expensive electronics are in the display part of the unit. And the keyboard that attaches to it…is really just a keyboard & trackpad & cover.

But if this is the case…$1300 for a 12" Microsoft tablet is pretty freakin' expensive. If the "pricing gap" of Apple hardware vs. other hardware was maintained…geez…what's a 12.9" iPad Pro going to cost from Apple.

Unless…this is finally going to be a product that Apple pricing vs. competitor pricing is on a even footing. None of the Mac vs. PC pricing.

- Nick

p.s. Actually (due to writing this post)…I did research (for my own knowledge) that the Surface Pro 3 keyboard/trackpad/cover is just that…no real additional electronics.

 

[chas_m]

I'm very skeptical of this story. Apple tends to offer products that solve problems, and I'm not seeing where you need a heavier 13" iPad to carry around. The iPad mini is said to outsell the iPad Air at least 2:1.

EDIT: It occurs to me that there is a niche that could be served by a *mounted* iPad of that size, so I can't rule out entirely.

 

[XJ-linux]

13" iPad -vs- 13" MacBook Air.... Hmmm... I'll keep with the MBA and wait until they come with 16GB memory before I upgrade again.

 

[chscag]

I'll keep with the MBA and wait until they come with 16GB memory before I upgrade again.

Same here. I'd love an 11" MBA but with the way they're currently configured, there's not enough bang for the buck, at least in my opinion. Although Macworld Mag rates them right up there with the 13" model.

 

[pigoo3]

If the price of a 12.9" iPad Pro is very similar to a 13" MacBook Air or 13" MacBook Pro…HELLO…give me a full fledged notebook/laptop computer! Too much competition between these two products.

On the other hand…one way to boost 12.9" iPad Pro sales…would be to stop selling all notebook/laptop computers (I don't think that this is going to happen anytime soon). Then there wouldn't be any competition for products with an approx. 13" display.

This is why I say if a 12.9" iPad Pro is going to cost me over $1000…it better do a lot more than what current iPads can do!

- Nick

 

[lclev]

Just a thought. Could this be a back door entry into a touch screen laptop? Add a magnetically attachable keyboard, touchpad, cover to it and you have .... an iPad Surface! One of the problems with the iPad is the lack of a comfortably attachable keyboard. Everything out there is bulky. Add the fact apple does not have a laptop with a touch screen. While I don't like touch screen laptops a lot of people do.

Would an iPad style laptop with a larger screen appeal to the business community? Also in education, iPads have proven to be great for elementary level but not as useful moving up to high school due to a lack of a larger keyboard.

Of course they would have to devise a way to support the iPad while using the keyboard. Microsoft has the kick stand but it has, what I consider to be, a huge drawback which is lap support. As I sit here typing on my 13" MB AIr which is seated on my lap, I don't have to worry about balancing the kick stand or a flimsy keyboard with limited palm rests.

It will be interesting to see if they go for the larger size. If that is all they do I don't see the purpose for it. I love my iPad mini and I love my MB Air so I don't see me in the market for a larger iPad. I sold my iPad 4 because it was too big for what I use it for.

Lisa

 

[pigoo3]

Just a thought. Could this be a back door entry into a touch screen laptop? Add a magnetically attachable keyboard, touchpad, cover to it and you have .... an iPad Surface!

Apple is usually not a "me too" sort of company. So if Apple did this...they would be copying a product that Microsoft (and I think Samsung) already have. But you never know in a post Steve Jobs Apple.

I think that we need to keep an eye on what ports are included in an iPad Pro...and that may give us a clue if a product like this will be launched (or will be significantly different than current 9.7" iPad's).

- Nick

 

[Nighthawk4]

An Apple 'Surface' will be far too expensive - just as the Microsoft one is.

On the other hand, I would expect the Apple one would be far more desirable and more functional.

However, I don't think they really need a larger iPad. A large iPhone would be a much better idea, even if that proves to be too expensive as well

 

[chscag]

Well, Apple just announced a big press event for September 9. The rumor mill has it that we'll see a new iPhone with a larger screen and possibly two different sized screens for the new iPhone.

 

[lclev]

Well, Apple just announced a big press event for September 9. The rumor mill has it that we'll see a new iPhone with a larger screen and possibly two different sized screens for the new iPhone.

Do you mean iPad not iPhone - right? We can already guess there will be to iPhone screen sizes. What is up for questions is the release date on the larger iPhone - something about battery issues or screen composition....not sure.

Lisa

 

[chscag]

They didn't mention anything at all about a new iPad or larger sized iPad. The only thing that came out was the two supposedly new iPhone sized screens for the 6. The iPad Mini has been outselling all the other iPads. It just doesn't make sense for Apple to try to compete with the MS Surface Pro or any of the other large screen tablets.

I played around with the Surface Pro 3 at Staples the other day - one that had the fancy looking blue keyboard hooked to it. I was not impressed - especially with the price!

 

[chas_m]

While nobody knows for sure what we'll get on September 9, Apple **tends** to focus its events on one "area" at a time. So I could see the event being about iPhones and maybe some new software that is a huge selling point for the new iPhones, but not an event where we have iPhones, iPads, Yosemite, iOS 8 and by the way here's a new Apple TV. That's just not Apple's usual style.

 

[Luther Mac]

I haven't really researched the Surface Pro 3…but I'm assuming that all the expensive electronics are in the display part of the unit. And the keyboard that attaches to it…is really just a keyboard & trackpad & cover.

But if this is the case…$1300 for a 12" Microsoft tablet is pretty freakin' expensive. If the "pricing gap" of Apple hardware vs. other hardware was maintained…geez…what's a 12.9" iPad Pro going to cost from Apple.

Unless…this is finally going to be a product that Apple pricing vs. competitor pricing is on a even footing. None of the Mac vs. PC pricing.

- Nick

p.s. Actually (due to writing this post)…I did research (for my own knowledge) that the Surface Pro 3 keyboard/trackpad/cover is just that…no real additional electronics.

Is it at all really a Apple vs Microsoft thing tho?

As far as I thought, the Surface isnt even relevant. I could be wrong tho. I just didnt think people actually bought Microsoft products anymore.

It's Apple vs Android. That is the real heavyweight battle.

 

[GregR]

12.9" ??

That will bend for sure

 

[chas_m]

This whole "bend" nonsense is about as accurately reported as "antennagate," and I predict will ultimately end up with the media wearing egg on its face again. This is an effort to manipulate the stock and/or dampen sales enthusiasm for the iPhone 6 Plus, and absolutely nothing more than that. At best -- giving as much credibility as possible to this non-story -- Apple may have a batch of iPhone 6 units that are defectively assembled.

http://www.electronista.com/articles/14/09/25/suggests.media.attention.overblown/

http://www.electronista.com/article....owners.with.bent.iphones.visit.apple.stores/

http://www.electronista.com/articles/14/09/25/apple.copes.with.two.simultaneous.crises/

http://9to5mac.com/2014/09/24/iphon...t-passes-all-squaretrades-breakability-tests/

 

[Blazbo]

New iPad??

Has anyone heard of an update on the "New iPad Pro" rumours?

During Q3 & 4 of last year there were rumours/suggestions that in early 2015 there would be an update/new model iPad.

Just curious, I'm lugging my MBP 15" everywhere at present. I want to leave the MBP home (reducing bag weight) and get a tablet to travel with - just emails and some "interweb" browsing.