Report: Apple Working on Building Bigger iPad
The iPad XL rumor has surfaced while Dell removes itself as the last remaining Windows RT tablet maker.
With the new iPhone models out of the way, the Apple spotlight now focuses on what the company will introduce next in the iPad line. The company is expected to reveal new 9.7 inch models and an updated iPad Mini in the next several months, but there has also been talk about an iPad XL model as well. Leading Taiwanese newspaper United Daily News claims that Quanta Computer is actually working with Apple on the larger iPad model.
Typically, Apple relies on Foxconn and Pegatron to manufacture its tablets and phones, whereas Quanta Computer handles the MacBook Air. The Taiwanese paper reports that Quanta is actually looking to diversify, thus it's possible the company could actually be working on a MacBook Air with a detachable keyboard so that users can use the device as a tablet and a notebook. Maybe it will be marketed as an iPad just because of the detachable keyboard.
As it stands now, Apple provides 11 inch and 13 inch MacBook Air models. Up until now, sources claim that the iPad XL will sport a screen somewhere between 12 inches and 13 inches. Add a super-thin keyboard to that form factor, and what do you have? A possible makeshift MacBook Air. This, of course, is just speculation.
Rumors of a larger iPad form factor first arrived earlier this year, and then surfaced again in July with news that Apple was testing prototypes with 13 inch screens. What's unknown at this point is whether the larger device will sport the same resolution as the 9.7 inch model but will be stretched out across the physical space, or provide a higher ppi. Given that CEO Tim Cook said that 2014 would be a big year for Apple on the devices front, expect to see this iPad XL model next year.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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Spooderman Is that really necessary? iPads are already big enough, if you need anything bigger a laptop would probably be better. I don't even want to see the prices for those if they're really in the works.Reply -
jjarnts I seriously cannot imagine trying to use a bigger iPad; it is already massive. Of course I prefer my 7" Nexus 7 (new) but thats just meReply -
m32 I'm surprised they didn't come out with the "iPad C" to get the sheep to spend their money.Reply -
pacomac You guys are nuts. If this is a reality it will take on the Surface Pro and most likely win. Apple has been adding iPad like features to Mac OS for some time, and Mavericks has some really over the top optimisations which led me to believe a merger of the two platforms was a possibility. As The surface has proved a 10" tablet is too small, and too thick to make a convincing tablet. If Apple could create a tablet capable of running Mac OS and at the flick of a switch turn into an iPad then Microsoft would be dead in the water.Reply -
_zxzxzx_ What? They're making something that's bigger? no surprise, consumers like it bigger ;)Reply -
Vladislaus Reply11615721 said:You guys are nuts. If this is a reality it will take on the Surface Pro and most likely win. Apple has been adding iPad like features to Mac OS for some time, and Mavericks has some really over the top optimisations which led me to believe a merger of the two platforms was a possibility. As The surface has proved a 10" tablet is too small, and too thick to make a convincing tablet. If Apple could create a tablet capable of running Mac OS and at the flick of a switch turn into an iPad then Microsoft would be dead in the water.
When Windows 8 was launched, Tim Cook stated that mixing desktop/laptop with tablets/phones is a bad idea. But then again it's not the first time they bash a competitor and then backtrack their comments by doing the same. Like for example, the iPad Mini. -
x2ruff4u Looks like they are starting to run out of ideas soon. You can only upgrade certain things with the iPad.Reply -
damianrobertjones "The iPad XL rumor has surfaced while Dell removes itself as the last remaining Windows RT tablet maker."Reply
I see what you did there... Raise Apple while putting down MS. Let's see how this new iPad stand up against the Surface Pro -
damianrobertjones "You guys are nuts. If this is a reality it will take on the Surface Pro and most likely win."Reply
Baa haa haa... Sorry that was funny