What Display Daily thinks: The new 13-inch M4 iPad Pro starts at $1,299, but if you add the $349 Magic Keyboard to use it as a laptop replacement, the total cost becomes $1,648. This is $49 more than the M3 MacBook Pro, which starts at $1,599. However, the M3 MacBook Pro includes 512GB of storage at that price, whereas the M4 iPad Pro comes with only 256GB. Upgrading the iPad Pro to 512GB adds $200, raising the total to $1,848, which is $249 more than the base 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro.
The M4 may be as good a performer as Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite which is neither here nor there because the M4 stands alone in running Apple’s software. It sounds nice to technically talk about performance benchmarks but Apple could fudge performance and still outperform other chipsets because the issue is subjective and based on the user experience. Apple wins in that regard, at least with consumers, even if the premium pricing shuts the vast majority of users who are going to be on Android or Windows.
So, expecting an OLED tablet to set an agenda as a laptop replacement, even taking into consideration Apple’s user experience advantages, is a moot point. That leaves us with the proposition that Apple’s OLED adoption on the iPad Pro bears weight in some other ways. Sure, it can help sell more Apple tablets and set the agenda for other tablet vendors to adopt a similar display strategy. Given how strong Apple is in the tablet market that’s a positive, but the tablet market has never fully realized its hyped up expectations.
The cost and feature set of the iPad Pro – meaning the extras that mount up if you want to get it to a decent level on specs for memory and even adding a keyboard – makes it a premium product in a premium product range. That tempers some of the possible opportunities. Nevertheless, OLED tablets should become as standard as OLED smartphones, if you want to simplify the display angle. How long will that take? Probably longer than you would expect judging by that ubiquitous premium.
Apple Unveils New iPad Pro and iPad Air Models with Advanced Features
Apple recently announced the release of its latest iPad Air and iPad Pro tablets, marking the first new iPad models since October 2022. Apple CEO Tim Cook described the launch as “the biggest day for iPad since its introduction.”.
The iPad Pro, Apple’s most advanced tablet, is available in two sizes: an 11-inch model starting at $999 and a 13-inch model starting at $1,299 with 256GB of storage. The iPad Pro is Apple’s thinnest tablet to date, measuring just 5.1 millimeters thick. Alongside the new tablets, Apple introduced the Magic Keyboard, an aluminum case with a keyboard and trackpad, priced at $249 or $299 depending on size. This accessory aims to provide a laptop-like experience, akin to using a MacBook.
Equipped with the new M4 chip, the iPad Pro promises enhanced performance, particularly in AI-powered tasks such as video background isolation. The new tablets also feature OLED display technology branded as Ultra Retina XDR. The iPad Pro includes a 12-megapixel rear camera capable of recording 4K video and improved flash for better document scanning. Preorders are available now, with sales starting next week.
The updated iPad Air, featuring the M2 chip, comes in two sizes: the familiar 11-inch model starting at $599 for 128GB of storage, and a new 13-inch model starting at $799. The front-facing camera has been repositioned to the longer side of the device to enhance videoconferencing capabilities. The iPad Air will be available in various colors, including blue, purple, and gold, and will hit stores next week.
In addition to these high-end models, Apple also announced a price reduction for its entry-level iPad, now starting at $349, down from the previous $429.
