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Will the New iPad Pro Really Have the M4 Chip?

Reading some comments here and I just want to clarify some basics.

M1 = A14X
M2 = A15X
M3 = A17X

What is an "M3X" that would make it different from an M3 Pro? The M3 is already huge enough to reach thermal limits within a tablet.
 
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Apple events are usually a big let down anymore so probably not. I mean I assumed the Vision Pro would launch with M3 at least and nope
 
Unlikely for the iPad Pro to go straight to M4.

But, one scenario I can see is them reducing the GPU core count, increasing the Neural Engine core count, and branding the result as the "M4", or even "M4 Bionic", because it's more AI-focused that way. They wouldn't need to make major changes to the design, or to use a different process.
 
Bremse said:
I wonder what they are hinting at with the tag line “let loose”. Maybe cellular standard in all models? Maybe wireless charging? WiFi 7?
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IMHO it's a term applicable to mobile devices and accessories mainly.

The updates to the iPad Air and iPads Pros seems like its more of a better SoC utilized along with better displays and other updated specs. Don't know why the iPad mini is ignored, very popular and is a lot easier to use for field photography as a alternative to the superior iPhone camera optics/sensors. Other stuff might be the Magic Keyboard, and 3rd gen pencil for the new iPads.

Still have that iPhone SE 4 possibility where Apple could clearly market a more up to date iPhone for less money. The current SE was released March 2022 so its possible the right time to update if the regular iPhone line is being impacted by competition in some regions.

Possibly we also see AirPods Max updates? Wild card Mac minis are given a update before WWDC. :cool:
 
Chuckeee said:
M3Pro runs hot enough that it requires a fan or some sort of very aggressive cooling. I just can’t see that happening in an iPad chassis.
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Especially with the rumor that the iPad Pro is getting even thinner. If it were to get a bit thicker this time around, maybe.

(I also don't really see the point. What do you do with an M3 Pro in iPadOS?)
 
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Will it? Who knows. Either way, can we get multiple user profiles and the ability to activate/pair/manage apple watch from iPad? Thanks.
 
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Bremse said:
I wonder what they are hinting at with the tag line “let loose”. Maybe cellular standard in all models? Maybe wireless charging? WiFi 7?
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I know people won’t agree, but I think they’re going to be introducing AR capabilities in the new pencil…
 
Macs get latest the Apple silicon first don’t they?
Why would I want a 6 litre V12 in my lawnmower?!
 
nutmac said:
The only hardware "power" I crave from iPad are:
  • OLED or micro LED for all.
  • More than 10-hour battery life.
  • USB-C/TB ports on both sides, plus Mac's MagSafe charging port.
  • Better front camera.
  • Better and cheaper Magic Keyboard with TrackPad.
As for iPadOS power, allow iPad to do more pro tasks:
  • Terminal for power users.
  • Files as powerful as macOS Finder.
  • Virtualization.
  • Open up audio for wider use cases, such as mixing and routing.
  • Xcode for iPad, at least for Swift and SwiftUI.
  • Single-space mode for Stage Manager, for more Mac-like multi-window experience.
  • Clipboard manager.
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So...you are saying you want a Macbook in an iPad form factor?
 
If Apple want to really surprise everyone, they’ll put an Intel i3 in there. Probably they have some lying around still from the early 2020 MBAs.
Surprise! Your iPad Pro sucks now! :p
 
My M1 iPad Pro runs great, will probably upgrade to M6 or M7. I hope Apple brings m4 to iPad this year. Gotta keep on the progress.
 
Orange Bat said:
If they go with M4 they’ll talk about the improved AI capabilities of the hardware for the new iPad Pro, and for iPadOS/iOS at WWDC. And, yes, iPad Air will only get the M3. Apple always works on a tiered system, so having iPad Air being the mid-range iPad without the AI capabilities fits right in, and they can offer an upgrade to M4 once M5 is introduced.
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I think there's a good chance the iPad Air gets the M2 since Apple still needs to manufacture the M2 for the Vision Pro. It's more than good enough for the iPad Air.
 
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Just to start a brand new rumor: it's a dual screen folding iPad with an M3 Ultra using a new interconnect that keeps one M3 Max on either side of the fold. And it still doesn't run macOS.
 
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fakestrawberryflavor said:
They could have planned for this well in advance to compete with the yet unknown (at the time of M4 planning) Qualcomm X Elite. A properly executed M4 and an ahead of schedule launch might just put the nail in the coffin of this Qualcomm generation.
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I doubt it.

I also doubt it'll be much of a threat. Make a fanless laptop with it, in a chassis roughly the size of the Air, and, maybe.
 
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