It's here, people: the iPad Pro with the new M4 processor and OLED display.
We've completed another Apple event, and let's just say that the Let Loose demo was all about iPad. The iPad Pro is the first Apple product to use an M4 processor; it's interesting that the firm chose to launch it there rather than in a Mac. Additionally, there is an improved iPad Air that comes in 11-and 13-inch versions.
Updates for accessories are also included, which is expected considering that the event's teaser graphic prominently featured an Apple Pencil. Here is a summary of all the announcements made by Apple at its thankfully short Let Loose event.
iPad Pro
For some time, it was anticipated that any upgraded iPad Pro would come with an M3 CPU. However, Apple chose to surprise everyone by including the brand-new M4 chip in its most expensive tablet. According to Apple, the new iPad Pro performs 50% quicker than the M2 model.
It is also claimed that rendering performance is four times quicker than on the M2 Pro. With the M4, Apple is enabling hardware-accelerated mesh shading, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and dynamic caching for the first time on an iPad.
Here, too, there are some power efficiencies. According to Apple, the M4 uses half the power while providing the same performance as the M2. Therefore, it seems sense that the battery should last longer if you're using the tablet for less taxing tasks.
Tandem OLED, a new display technology, is the iPad Pro's second significant improvement. It makes use of two OLED screens stacked on top of one another, as the name implies. This implies that the tablet's display, which Apple refers to as the Ultra Retina XDR display, ought to feature deeper blacks and richer colors. According to Apple, the maximum brightness levels for regular and HDR are 1000 nits and 1600 nits, respectively.
OLED panels are still thinner than LCD displays in spite of their two layer design. In light of this, Apple claims that the iPad Pro is now thinner than the iPod nano (dying, you lovely thing), making it the company's thinnest device to date. For the first time, an iPad Pro also offers a nano-textured glass option, but only if you choose a storage option with at least 1TB of capacity.
The Ultra Wide 12MP front-facing camera is now situated on the landscape edge, which is another noteworthy modification. It looks like that adjustment will delight Magic Keyboard users.
Starting at $999 for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch variant, the new iPad Pro comes with 256GB of storage. If you want eSIM-based 5G cellular access, add $200 for each person.
After our initial hands-on with the iPad Pro, the display appears to be the standout feature.
M4
We need to talk a little more about the new M4 processor that powers the iPad Pro. Even before any Macs, the Pro is the first Apple device to employ the M4.
A new CPU with up to four speed cores and six efficiency cores powers the M4. Additionally, there has a 10-core GPU. The chipset's neural engine is notable for its emphasis on AI and machine learning. The neural engine, according to Apple, can perform 38 trillion operations per second, which is 60 times quicker than the original neural engine found in the A11 processor. The M4 will enable iPad Pro AI capabilities like as automated musical notation in StaffPad, real-time Live Captions, and the ability to isolate subjects and eliminate backdrops from footage in Final Cut Pro.
It's likely that later in the year, Macs with the M4 will become available, which may discourage people from purchasing the M3 MacBook Air that Apple only began offering a few months ago (although the firm claims the MBA is now the best-selling 13- and 15-inch laptop on the globe).
Apple most likely skipped a silicon generation with the iPad Pro in order to begin a move toward AI hardware in time for its June Worldwide Developers Conference. Next month, expect to hear a lot more from the firm on its plans to integrate AI into all of its products.
iPad Air
An upgrade for the iPad Air was long overdue, as it has been using an outdated M1 chipset for more than two years. One or more of the most recent versions include an M2 chipset. While keeping the more potent iPad Pro apart, it is still modern enough to be a noticeable improvement over the previous Air.
As previously stated, the iPad Air is now available in two sizes: the bigger 13-inch model and the current 11-inch form factor. Because of this, the Air is now the most affordable large-screen iPad. Oh, and the front-facing camera is now situated on the Air's longer edge. Regards, Apple.
The base capacity has been increased by the firm to 128GB from the previous iteration. The new 13-inch Air costs $799, while the 11-inch model starts at $599. You will have to pay an additional $150 for 5G cellular service. The new iPad Air, like almost everything else Apple unveiled today, will be available for purchase on Wednesday of next week.
Additionally, we've gotten a chance to use the new iPad Air firsthand. Given the cost and the different hardware upgrades, Apple could have another winner on its hands. You may also reasd this: Apple WWDC 2024, Including iOS 18 Updates
Macbook Pro and Magic Keyboard
A new Apple Pencil has been making the rounds, and among its many clever features is haptic feedback. A new squeeze gesture is also supported by the Apple Pencil Pro. Brush and pen tools may be oriented differently by rotating the barrel, exactly like a pen and paper.
Given how simple it is to misplace the damn thing if you don't keep it safely on the side of your iPad, the addition of Find My support to an Apple Pencil for the first time is very appreciated.
The price of the Apple Pencil Pro is $129. It will ship on May 15 and is available for preorder today.
A new Magic Keyboard has been released, but it is exclusive to the iPad Pro. Because it is composed of metal, it feels more upscale and might persuade buyers that the iPad Pro is the tablet that Apple has long imagined it will replace laptops.
The most recent model features a row of function keys that resemble a conventional keyboard, along with a bigger trackpad with haptic feedback.
Shipped next week is the new Magic Keyboard as well. It costs $300 if you want one for the 11-inch iPad Pro, and $350 for the bigger model.
