I definitely love some of the hardware in the new iPad, no question. The A12X has already outpaced Intel dual cores in many ways. Other things could be improved. RAM is supposedly only 4GB. The screen isn't really much better than previous iterations. To me, the keyboard case is ridiculously priced for its utility at over 2x the price of the Bluetooth Magic Keyboard.
But I'm most disappointed by the software. Some implementation of a file system is essential if the iPad will ever really replace a computer, and I think it will happen at some point, but even with this nice hardware and USB-C (capable of providing enough power for a 2.5" hard drive if needed), this really holds back certain applications. That hardware is just thirsty for real pro apps, like FCPx, logic and others, which Apple didn't deliver on at all.
iMovie as a great example of iPad software being a letdown, is neutered compared to the already basic Mac version. Trying to edit on the iPad, I can't even download mp3s from a free music archive, or a video that I want to incorporate bits from, not even to iCloud. A DJ can't connect a hard drive or flash drive of their collection of music. The frustrating thing is that apps like iMovie in terms of performance, are smooth and very fast to export.
Certain other features are half-baked, like display connectivity. How do you control an extended display, given that their is no mouse? They say it's app specific, but why is there nothing at the OS level? They could have built in a basic level of this, say, the ability to throw up an app playing video or Spotify (or Apple music I guess) on the secondary display.
Like someone else on this forum said, the iPad takes baby steps; takes forever getting there.
Personally I don't have a problem with higher prices, but they do need to come with some form of added value, benefit or utility. Fundamentally, these iPads don't do anything more than the last ones, yet we've seen the price increases on all their products this year.
