I was hoping the camera would go landscape on the larger models.
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Next-Gen iPad Air With 12.9-Inch Display and Redesigned Camera Unit Revealed in CAD Renders
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This will be iPad Air's "MacBook Air 15-inch" moment.
The design of the back looks like the 2018 iPad Pro. If the 2018 iPad Pro is not that old, I would suggest getting a second-hand or refurbished 2018 12.9 since ProMotion is such a big update regarding the viewing experience. But as the article suggested, the iPad Air will likely have M2, a way-newer chip, which will top that for sure. My 2018 12.9 is definitely showing its age.
The design of the back looks like the 2018 iPad Pro. If the 2018 iPad Pro is not that old, I would suggest getting a second-hand or refurbished 2018 12.9 since ProMotion is such a big update regarding the viewing experience. But as the article suggested, the iPad Air will likely have M2, a way-newer chip, which will top that for sure. My 2018 12.9 is definitely showing its age.
The 2018 iPad Pro has 4gb of ram and likely may not see another software update. You really do not want anything less than an M1 chip at this point.
I love my M2 iPad Pro, but if they introduce the Apple Pencil 3 and it improves the drawing experience, and the pencil is limited to the newer iPads, particularly the Pro, that would VERY highly tempt me into upgrading.
Actually the screen technology that I'd like to see the iPad Air/Pro get isn't OLED. XP-Pen, who makes drawing tablets has an Android tablet coming out next week, the screen has a textured surface for drawing and a stylus that doesn't need charging and 16,000 levels of pressure sensitivity (Wacom boasts 8,000). I'd love to see iPads get textured screens....mainly because I haaaaaaaate having to put on new Paperlike screen protectors....I mean, thank god they come 2 a pack, because I always screw up the fist one and even when I think it's flawless, there's always an annoying speck of dust that got in somewhere
Actually the screen technology that I'd like to see the iPad Air/Pro get isn't OLED. XP-Pen, who makes drawing tablets has an Android tablet coming out next week, the screen has a textured surface for drawing and a stylus that doesn't need charging and 16,000 levels of pressure sensitivity (Wacom boasts 8,000). I'd love to see iPads get textured screens....mainly because I haaaaaaaate having to put on new Paperlike screen protectors....I mean, thank god they come 2 a pack, because I always screw up the fist one and even when I think it's flawless, there's always an annoying speck of dust that got in somewhere
The only camera unit update I’m interested in is one without a bump.
I get where you're coming from but I just think Apple needs to do something with the iPad Pro to justify its Pro branding and rumored increased price.
Ah you are right, I omitted the variable part of it. I guess what I want is a higher refresh, variable or not, but probably if it's not variable it's not viable for battery consumption or other factors, as well as Apple wanting to upsell people to a more expensive model.
Maybe they should release a PeasantMotion display with 90hz 🙃.
The bezels look quite big. Hopefully the new iPad Air will have some exciting colour options.
Maybe M3, OLED, a new form factor and cameras capable of recording spatial video? Seeing how the vision pro comes with 16gb ram, it is possible that the iPad Pro starts with 16gb ram and 512gb storage as a way of justifying the higher price, but the problem is still a dearth of apps that actually take advantage of that power (how many people are actually using Final Cut Pro to edit videos on their iPads even?)
I am guessing the iPad Air will get the M2 chip, and maybe 1-2 incremental improvements (12mp camera maybe?). The 12.9" iPad Air will likely be a larger version of the iPad Air, and that's pretty much it.
Any radically new software features will likely be reserved for WWDC, and even then, I don't see Apple going out of their way to fork iPadOS again just for the pad pro. I actually don't mind even thinner bezels on my iPad, but I don't know how many people would be willing to tolerate a notch in exchange for it. 😛
Your guess is really as good as mine here, but given that my 2018 iPad is more than 5 years old at this point, I may probably just cave and get the new iPad Pro, however incremental the changes may be. 😬
It's of course impossible to make any real decisions until both products are on the market and real specs are known, but if the current crop of rumors pan out it seems to point to people with a tight budget using an iPad as a professional drawing tablet needing to give up on the Pro and go with the Air.
So as long as both fully support the same model of Apple Pencil, you can draw equally well on both, the screens are a similar size, you can buy sufficient storage on the Air, and it's fast enough to do the job. Currently, the Pro gets you a higher refresh rate--which might be useful to reduce lag--but that's more or less it. The LIDAR scanner is a non-factor, since that's got a very narrow range of uses and nothing to do with drawing, same for anything else camera-related.
RAM complicates it, since 8GB is enough for most things but some art software (I'm looking at you, CSP) is inefficient and RAM hungry, and you can't just CTO 16GB on the Pro, you need to spend at least $1500, much of which you're essentially wasting if you don't need 1TB of storage.
Right now, with a price gap of $150 for 256GB of storage at the 11" size, it's pretty easy to decide it's worth it to go Pro if that's all you need--that gets you a faster refresh rate, slightly better screen, and CPU bump. If you need >64GB but 128GB will do, then it's just an extra $50, so it's almost a no-brainier. But if you want the extra RAM and don't need the extra storage, you're looking at literally double the cost of the Air.
So with current models, there's kind of weird price overlap at the bottom of the Pro line with the top of the Air line, while at the higher end it's a huge price gap, especially if you have more specialized "pro" needs (more RAM, but not more storage).
The big difference was if you really want 13"--you're currently stuck with the Pro in that case. If/when there's a 13" Air, now you can get your extra screen real-estate without spending a fortune for extra features you may not need.
If the iPad Pro starting price ends up being substantially higher like rumors indicate and the 13" air materializes, that kind of "fixes" the overlap portion, which makes sense from a product lineup standpoint, and gives you a cheaper option for the bigger screen, but also nearly guarantees price-conscious artists will just make do with the Air instead of getting a lower-end Pro.
Or maybe get last year's Pro, since you can usually get some clearance ones at a decent discount?
So as long as both fully support the same model of Apple Pencil, you can draw equally well on both, the screens are a similar size, you can buy sufficient storage on the Air, and it's fast enough to do the job. Currently, the Pro gets you a higher refresh rate--which might be useful to reduce lag--but that's more or less it. The LIDAR scanner is a non-factor, since that's got a very narrow range of uses and nothing to do with drawing, same for anything else camera-related.
RAM complicates it, since 8GB is enough for most things but some art software (I'm looking at you, CSP) is inefficient and RAM hungry, and you can't just CTO 16GB on the Pro, you need to spend at least $1500, much of which you're essentially wasting if you don't need 1TB of storage.
Right now, with a price gap of $150 for 256GB of storage at the 11" size, it's pretty easy to decide it's worth it to go Pro if that's all you need--that gets you a faster refresh rate, slightly better screen, and CPU bump. If you need >64GB but 128GB will do, then it's just an extra $50, so it's almost a no-brainier. But if you want the extra RAM and don't need the extra storage, you're looking at literally double the cost of the Air.
So with current models, there's kind of weird price overlap at the bottom of the Pro line with the top of the Air line, while at the higher end it's a huge price gap, especially if you have more specialized "pro" needs (more RAM, but not more storage).
The big difference was if you really want 13"--you're currently stuck with the Pro in that case. If/when there's a 13" Air, now you can get your extra screen real-estate without spending a fortune for extra features you may not need.
If the iPad Pro starting price ends up being substantially higher like rumors indicate and the 13" air materializes, that kind of "fixes" the overlap portion, which makes sense from a product lineup standpoint, and gives you a cheaper option for the bigger screen, but also nearly guarantees price-conscious artists will just make do with the Air instead of getting a lower-end Pro.
Or maybe get last year's Pro, since you can usually get some clearance ones at a decent discount?
Exactly.
Even if iPads Air displays would ever get to more than 60Hz, Apple wouldn’t brand it ProMotion and it probably wouldn’t be 1/1 like the 120Hz we’ve had on iPads Pro.
There’s always something they do to keep costs low for the mid tier and push you up to a Pro.
And despite moving to better OLED displays for the iPads Pro, I highly doubt they will get something better than 120Hz OLED displays.
ProMotion will remain an iPads Pro exclusive.
Post M3 iPads Pro and 12.9” Air launch, the M2 iPads Pro will probably be a better deal than a new M2 12.9” iPad Air.
As a proponent of the landscape camera it is interesting to see there are many that prefer the portrait camera. One argument I find compelling is that the iPad Air doesn’t have FaceID, which means that the ‘blocked camera’ warning doesn’t happen. Also, the placement of the Apple Pencil on the long side makes it difficult for Apple to place the pencil there, but that could be solved by Apple (in my opinion). Remaining issue for me is the use of the front facing camera in videoconferences: it is stupid to have to look to the right or left all the time in order to not appear distracted.
For the iPad PRO I definitely prefer a landscape camera. 😊
For the iPad PRO I definitely prefer a landscape camera. 😊
Whereas I’d love my 12.9 pro to have it. Face ID doesn’t work properly most of the time unless I’m holding the iPad rigidly in front of my face.
Coming to Apple resellers near you, only for 1199 euros with 64GB for starters.
As far as untrustworthy sources go, Gurman said two things some time ago about the pricing of this tablet (contradictory of course): 1) 12.9 Air and 11 Pro would cost the same, and the one I see most plausible 2) the pricing scale will be 12.9 Air 11 Pro 12.9 Pro
And me. I prefer the "real book" view when reading on a tablet. Or even on my phone at times, in spite of its small screen.
You know, I was doubting whether to get a 12.9 Air or a 10.9 Pro to replace my current 2020 Air... but seeing those bezels... ewwwwwww. I am seriously considering getting a Pro now, with OLED and all that. Still waiting to see it on the flesh though
I still use my 2018 Pro. It’s showing its age now. I will probably upgrade during the next cycle. One things for sure, my actual work is done on a Mac and iPad is just for consuming media and Teams calls. I’ve tried and despite what Apple says, the iPad makes a clumsy computer and really for productivity is only good for Artists. I have an Apple Pencil but just use it for Goodnote. There’s no reason at all for me to shell out for a Pro,so my sights are set on an Air. I’m compelled by this larger size so perhaps this would be the model for me. What annoys the heck out of me is that the Air doesn’t have Face ID - there’s simply no excuse for that. For the price of the Air this should be basic. Heck even the next iPhone SE will have Face ID if the rumours are to believed.
Promotion ? Fair enough - I can understand why they’d want that reserved for the Pro.
Promotion ? Fair enough - I can understand why they’d want that reserved for the Pro.
I think it's great that they are extending the larger format iPad, but I certainly feel its a device where I'd want to have a smaller or conventionally sized iPad as well, as sometimes the big one is too big!
Being a bit of an iPad addict, I have the mini, the 11 inch Pro and the 12.9 inch pro - all have their uses!
It will be amusing to see how expensive this is (especially in the UK) since they whacked up the price of the normal air about a year or so ago. Doubt they will do it in storage in excess of 512gb as they will want to create a dead end to compel people to consider the Pro. But then again, if you genuinely need more than 512gb then I suspect the Pro is well within your budget, and you are reading this through your back up Vision Pro!
Being a bit of an iPad addict, I have the mini, the 11 inch Pro and the 12.9 inch pro - all have their uses!
It will be amusing to see how expensive this is (especially in the UK) since they whacked up the price of the normal air about a year or so ago. Doubt they will do it in storage in excess of 512gb as they will want to create a dead end to compel people to consider the Pro. But then again, if you genuinely need more than 512gb then I suspect the Pro is well within your budget, and you are reading this through your back up Vision Pro!
I'd have loved apple to have put a sleep/wake-button sized home button on the bottom bezel with touch ID.
This rear camera design would make the iPad wobble all the time when placed on a desk. Can’t be true. Unless, well, … Apple. Hmmm.
When I bought the 3rd generation iPad Pro in Dec, 2018, I wanted as big a screen as possible to track all of my blood pressures, medications changes, doctors notes, etc as I started my 2nd year of dialysis. Day after purchase the screen cracked (a Tom stupidity). It didn’t affect the use of the pencil nor anything else - but a day after spending $1500 I did not want to soend an additional $900 Cdn to replace the screen.
Now this iPad Air with same size screen, faster CPU and fingerprint scanner comes out and it is an instant purchase on day 1. I can have the screen repaired on my Pro and either keep it as a backup or pass it to my sister.
So yeah, I’m all in.
Tom
Now this iPad Air with same size screen, faster CPU and fingerprint scanner comes out and it is an instant purchase on day 1. I can have the screen repaired on my Pro and either keep it as a backup or pass it to my sister.
So yeah, I’m all in.
Tom