All the iPad Pro Rumors So Far
Everything we've heard about the iPad Pro.
Apple's iPad has changed quite a bit over the last four years (yes, it's been four full years since we first laid eyes on the first generation iPad). Since 2010, Apple's tablet has evolved to the iPad Air and the iPad Mini. The two tablets, available in both WiFi and WiFi+cellular connectivity, form Apple's line of tablets. But could there be a new iPad coming soon?
Rumor has it that Apple is prepping its largest iPad yet. While Apple's iPad Air shares the same branding as the super slim MacBook Air, this new model is said to share the same branding as the more muscly MacBook Pro. So what can we expect from the iPad Pro? We've rounded up all the information we could find regarding this as-yet-unannounced device. We'll update this post as time goes on.
Display
The iPad Pro will apparently be Apple's largest iPad yet. As such, the display is the most talked about aspect of the device. Rumor has it we can expect a display measuring just shy of 13 inches. The current iPad Air's display measures 9.7 inches, so this is going to be quite a jump in size. The current 13-inch MacBook Pro has a Retina display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels or 227 pixels per inch. Though the iPad Pro rumors haven't really developed to the point where we can start talking about screen resolutions, it's hard to imagine Apple shipping a non-Retina display panel when all of the current generation MacBook Pros have a Retina display. One interesting rumor from late last year suggests 'near UHD quality.'
Form Factor
There is talk that Apple's iPad Pro might actually be a hybrid device. Not hard to picture, given it will carry the Pro branding. Consider the fact that Apple has been advertising the iPad as a 'work on the go' device since its launch, and it seems like a no-brainer. That leaves us wondering how Apple is going to implement this 'hybrid' functionality. Will it be a dock, like the Transformer Prime from Asus, or will Apple go for a more elegant solution, like Microsoft's Surface and its Type Cover?
Hardware
Again, there isn't a whole lot of information available about the hardware powering this large tablet, but the company's recent A7 chip is built on the 28 nm process and boasts a 1.4 GHz dual-core CPU with PowerVR G6430 graphics (450 MHz). This 64-bit chip powers the iPad Air. While it might not be powerful enough for a 'Pro' iPad, we're already hearing rumors about Apple's A8 SoC. At the end of January, DigiTimes reported that the next processor is rumored to be a package-on-package SoC with processors and mobile DRAM in one package.
Software
Apple's iOS 7.1 update is due in March and will bring some enhancements as well as bug fixes. If Apple introduces the iPad Pro this year, it's likely it will ship with iOS 7. However, it's also possible Apple will tweak iOS just for the iPad Pro or even ship the device with OS X. This will probably depend on the nature of the iPad Pro and its target audience. If Apple is just looking to offer a beefed up tablet, then this device will probably still use the same version of iOS we see on the iPad Air and Mini. If Apple is truly going for the business user, it may need to add OS X or at least tweak iOS to make the device more of a productivity tool.
Release
If you were hoping to see an iPad Pro before the end of the year, you might be disappointed. On March 5, the International Business Times cited KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he believed Apple was pushing the release of the iPad Pro to next year so it could focus on the iPad Air. While Kuo said we can expect an iPad Air 2 this year, fans of the mini won’t see a 2014 iPad Mini.
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Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.
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Blazer1985 When I first read "ipad pro" I thought of proper x32 capable hardware.. Am I the only one?Reply -
guvnaguy I can't imagine why Apple would release a larger tablet with iOS. Who exactly would they be targeting? It would need to have OS X to be marketed to power-users or for productivity, which is what the MB Pro line is for. Also, even if the A8 doubles performance of the A7, it's still nowhere near the Core series. They would have to use Haswell or Broadwell for this device if it runs OS X.Reply -
Bloob ReplyI can't imagine why Apple would release a larger tablet with iOS. Who exactly would they be targeting? It would need to have OS X to be marketed to power-users or for productivity, which is what the MB Pro line is for. Also, even if the A8 doubles performance of the A7, it's still nowhere near the Core series. They would have to use Haswell or Broadwell for this device if it runs OS X.
Yes, and even if they made some sort of iOS & OSX hybrid, it would break compatibility with either OSX or iOS applications, unless they can somehow stuff in both an x86 & an ARM CPUs, or do some sort of emulation or somesuch. Both options have huge drawbacks. I'm guessing this is a similar case as the smartwatch -rumors. -
apache_lives so another toy for the kidsill stick to a Windows tablet, even the Windows RT tablets are more "pro" then ANY ipad or any android device for that matterReply -
SyllabicGeek Will they be offering an iBackpack to carry around this ridiculously HUGE tablet? This is an epic fail. Apple misses the mark yet again.Reply -
wemakeourfuture ReplyWill they be offering an iBackpack to carry around this ridiculously HUGE tablet? This is an epic fail. Apple misses the mark yet again.
Considering:1. They created the multi-billion dollar touch tablet market and had every electronic manufacturer copying their products2. They have the most apps designed for tablets, ie. developers rather designed tablet specific apps for iPad versus any other tablet on earth3. They have the most popular tablet model, and that's been true the past 4 years4. They generate the most revenue and profits from tablets then any other company5. They have pushed technology in tablets more than any other company: first viable touch tablet with retail traction, retina, 64-bit cpu, mini has the best screen for its size, etc.How exactly is Apple missing the mark again when they've dominated and every other company even after 4 year is trying tooth and nail just to get a slice from their pie? -
NinjaNerd56 I think an iPad Pro, if it exists, will be an A8 package and will run IOS.Apple will not build a 3rd OS around some hybrid version of IOS/OSX. The cost / benefit ratio won't work.Screen? Whatever they can afford to hit the target build cost.Smart Cover > Smart Case > Smart Shell (case w/ keyboard) - pretty obvious evolution.Note that Apple gives away iWork now...just like Microsoft Surface with bundled Office, Skype. Chicken / egg here.Lastly, I work with Fortune companies every day and iPads are by far the most used tablet and absolutely displaces laptop use. Every day, I hear things like "yeah, I have a laptop, but I do 80% (or more) daily work on my iPad." Apple took a while to develop the platform AND the thinking to move into business versus content consumption, but they are nearly there. That's why I think a Pro will appear and will be more...and less...than people expect.Reply -
dwdesign Rumor has it from Digtimes that Intel is trying to cut a deal with Apple for their Atom x86 Bay Trail 22Nm So Cal MPU to be used in Apple tablets which would probably be capable of both IOS and OSX.Reply -
meluvcookies So this sounds like it could be setting up for a device similar to the surface pro 2: Apple following suit by beefing up specs and OSX?Reply