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Apple 9.7-inch iPad with Pencil support debuts

by Mark Tyson on 28 March 2018, 12:01

Tags: Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)

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As expected, Apple launched a new 9.7-inch iPad yesterday, with an overall emphasis on its benefits for students / educators. Highlights of the refreshed tablet are its compatibility with the Apple Pencil, and the upgrade to the potent A10 Fusion chip, which will be able to power "incredible AR experiences". Contrary to earlier rumours this device doesn't significantly undercut the entry level price of its predecessor; it is only about 10 per cent cheaper for educators and students to purchase.

The Apple Pencil is expected to be popular with educators and students and it is more accessible than ever now it isn't confined to usage with the 'Pro' model slates. This stylus offers pressure and tilt sensitivity plus accuracy and low latency performance. Apple's iOS offers mature palm rejection technology so that users can comfortably rest their hand on the iPad screen, purposely or accidentally, and draw. The Apple Pencil will be of great utility in the classroom for users of apps like Notability, Pages, Numbers, Keynote and Microsoft Office, thinks Apple.

Powering the new iPad is the A10 Fusion chip with 64 bit architecture and embedded M10 coprocessor. This quad-core (2 big, 2 LITTLE) processor packs over 3.3 billion transistors and first appeared in the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Apple states that it provides 40 per cent greater CPU performance and 50 per cent greater graphics performance (with 6 GPU cores) compared to its predecessor, the Apple A9.

Split screen multitasking

With the improved processing power available Apple sees the new iPad as a great multitasker and a good platform for augmented reality (AR). It has equipped an 8MP camera round the back (and a HD selfie cam) which works alongside the now standard GPS, compass, and accurate motion sensors such as a gyroscope and accelerometer, to bring AR to life.

AR exploration

The entry level price in the USA is $329 and it is £319 in the UK. For this you get the 32GB Wi-Fi version. Once you have opted for your choice of colour (silver, space grey or gold) you can decide if you want more storage (up to 128GB) and whether you want to pay extra for additional cellular connectivity. Here in the UK a fully loaded model thus attracts a price of £539. Don't forget that the Apple Pencil is an extra too ($99/£89), as would be a cover or keyboard/cover. From the educational pricing I've seen for the tablet and stylus it's possible to get about 10 per cent off these prices. Students and teachers get an iCloud account boost of 200GB too.



HEXUS Forums :: 9 Comments

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Deja vu: https://hexus.net/mobile/news/tablets/116606-acer-debuts-chromebook-tab-10-chromeos-tablet/



No price on that one yet, but:
A Wacom EMR stylus for natural writing, drawing, and annotating comes as standard with this slim and light device.
jimbouk
No price on that one yet, but:
A Wacom EMR stylus for natural writing, drawing, and annotating comes as standard with this slim and light device.
Seems the acer is going to be around £/$330, so basically you're getting the stylus, twice the storage and probably memory for free compared with the apple iPad .

Having said that I'm not sure I'd want a chromeOS device and every time I've used an iPad it required me to do simple things in such a convoluted ways (compared with android let alone windows) I was questioning how it has the ‘simple to use’ bit attached to it.

Mind you the new iPad does make me question the price of the iPad pro…. why is it like £300 more (obviously a little skewed due to extra storage) for what is essentially a slightly faster processor, more ram, a keyboard dock and a screen with less airgap
LSG501
Mind you the new iPad does make me question the price of the iPad pro…. why is it like £300 more (obviously a little skewed due to extra storage) for what is essentially a slightly faster processor, more ram, a keyboard dock and a screen with less airgap

pictureofindustrialcowmilking.jpg
I wonder if it sucks any less than other iPads, iPhones, iDevices. Isn't it a shame that Apple discontinued the one good, wildly successful device they've ever made; iPod.
DaMoot
I wonder if it sucks any less than other iPads, iPhones, iDevices. Isn't it a shame that Apple discontinued the one good, wildly successful device they've ever made; iPod.

I would hazard a guess the IPod was discontinued because it encourages the user to listen to music that's locally stored, rather than listening via a subscription streaming service and paying for apps which I'd imagine is a significant source of revenue for Apple. I think the willingness of consumers to move to subscription streaming services is a big driver and Apple are more than happy to cater for that, considering that this approach is more financially rewarding.

This Ipad has raised some interest for me because it has a stylus. Historically stylus tablets, digitiser type or otherwise, at this price point haven't done so well on the market and it will be interesting to see how well this Ipad does.