The new iPad Pro comes with a 12.9-inch display with 2732x2048 resolution. It has same pixel density as the iPad Air 2 – 264ppi. According to Apple, the display has a variable refresh rate which is the same technology that it used on its iMac with a 5K Retina screen. This improves battery life.
The new iPad Pro is 6.9mm thick and weighs 1.57 pounds (712g), which is an impressive feat considering its size.
The new A9X SoC, which Apple claims is 1.8 times faster than its predecessor, has twice the memory bandwidth of A8X SoC and two times faster storage performance. The new chip is supposed to double the graphics performance compared to the iPad Air 2. Thanks to the new chip, the iPad Pro is 80 percent faster and has 90 percent better graphics performance compared to all portable PCs shipped in last year. It can also walk on water, cure cancer and reconcile the Arabs and the Jews, at least that is what Apple implies.
Apple also included a new four speaker system that somehow balances the audio depending on how you hold the tablet, and provides three times the audio volume compared to the previous iPad.
The rest of the specifications are bog standard as the new iPad Pro has integrated 802.11ac WiFi with MIMO, 150Mbps LTE, Touch ID fingerprint sensor, 8-megapixel rear iSight camera, runs on iOS 9. It is supposed to have a 10 hour battery life.
Apple has announced a couple of accessories for the new iPad Pro, including the Smart Keyboard, which magnetically attaches to the iPad Pro via the new smart connector. It promises full keyboard and is covered in woven fabric.
The biggest update is the new Apple Pencil. While available as an option, Apple markets the Pencil as the accessory that you need to get the most out of the new iPad Pro tablet. It has its own battery, the Apple Pencil can be charged from the iPad Pro via Lightning connector and has a "smart and highly responsive sensor" in the tip which measures position, force and tilt of the Pencil. The Pencil will work with the new Notes app as well as MS Office.
Apple iPad Pro will be available in Silver, Gold and "Space Gray" options and will be available in November with a price set at US $799 for the 32GB, US $949 for the 128GB and US $1079 for the 128GB LTE version.
The Smart Keyboard accessory will be also available in November with a US $169 price tag while the Apple Pencil also comes in November with US $99 price tag.
When you compare all of the above with Microsoft Surface 3 Pro (soon to be replaced by Surface 4 Pro), you can't help but realise that this deal sucks. Half the performance, half the versatility and usabiltiy for more cash. Than again, it has the magic Apple logo on the back. Let's see how well it's going to sell.
