Apple today introduced the all-new iPad Pro, featuring a stunning 12.9-inch Retina display with 5.6 million pixels, the most ever in an iOS device, and groundbreaking performance with the new 64-bit A9X chip, rivaling most portable PCs. The new larger iPad Pro is thin and light and provides all-day battery life. There are more than 850,000 apps in the App Store designed specifically for iPad, and the new iPad Pro will enable a new generation of advanced apps for everything from productivity, design, illustration, engineering and medical, to education, gaming and entertainment.
Apple today also introduced Apple Pencil for iPad Pro, a precision input device available for purchase separately, which makes drawing and sketching feel remarkably fluid and natural. The touch subsystem of the Multi-Touch display in iPad Pro has been redesigned to work with Apple Pencil to dramatically reduce latency and deliver incredible accuracy for activities like fine art illustration and detailed 3D design. Advanced sensors in Apple Pencil measure both pressure and tilt for a fast and fluid drawing experience, while a built-in Lightning connector makes for quick and easy pairing and charging. Apple Pencil also works with popular apps like Mail, Notes, Procreate and Office 365 for iPad, offering new levels of creativity and productivity.
Apple’s new Smart Keyboard further extends the utility of iPad Pro, offering a full-sized keyboard in a thin, durable design so you can take it anywhere. The Smart Keyboard, available for purchase separately, attaches to iPad Pro’s innovative Smart Connector port, eliminating the need for a separate battery, on/off switch or Bluetooth pairing. The Smart Keyboard is covered in custom woven fabric and features keys that provide the accuracy, stability and satisfying key feel of standard keyboards, but is also easily foldable and can transform into a Smart Cover. The Smart Keyboard also works seamlessly with new QuickType features in iOS 9 to make typing even faster and easier.
“iPad Pro is the most advanced and powerful iPad we have ever made. Its beautiful and large 12.9-inch Retina display has 5.6 million pixels and provides an immersive experience for content and apps. The iPad Pro is far and away the fastest iOS device we have ever made — its A9X chip beats most portable PCs in both CPU and graphics tasks, but is thin and light enough to hold all day,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, in a statement. “The innovative Apple Pencil and new Smart Keyboard enable users to customize their iPad Pro experience to the particular apps they use and the work they do, making iPad Pro ideal for everything from professional productivity to advanced 3D design.”
Innovative Design
iPad Pro’s 12.9-inch Retina display, with 5.6 million pixels and refined Multi-Touch technology, is the most advanced and highest resolution display ever in an iOS device. It delivers greater contrast, more uniform brightness and improved energy efficiency through photo alignment technology, oxide TFT and variable refresh rate. A new four-speaker audio design provides powerful, clear and rich stereo sound, and a refined unibody enclosure of anodized aluminum gives iPad Pro a sturdy feel with a thin and light design that is easy to hold.
Powerful Technology
iPad Pro delivers groundbreaking performance and energy efficiency, so you can tackle the most demanding tasks. Apple’s powerful new 64-bit A9X chip, with third-generation 64-bit architecture, provides desktop-class CPU performance and console-class graphics. Ultra-fast wireless connectivity keeps you connected wherever you go with 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MIMO technology, support for a wide range of LTE bands and other fast cellular network technologies (DC-HSDPA, HSPA+).* All-day 10-hour battery life** delivers the efficiency that users have come to expect from iPad.
iOS 9
iOS 9, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, brings more intelligence to iPad with proactive assistance, powerful search and improved Siri features, all while protecting users’ privacy. New multitasking features designed specifically for iPad allow users to do more at the same time, while built-in apps become more powerful with a redesigned Notes app, detailed transit information in Maps and an all-new News app*** for the best news reading experience on any mobile device. The foundation of iOS is even stronger with software updates that require less space to install and advanced security features to further protect your device.
Pricing & Availability
iPad Pro starts at $799 (US) for the 32GB with Wi-Fi model and $1079 (US) for the Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB model, comes in three gorgeous metallic finishes including silver, gold and space gray and will be available starting in November from Apple.com, Apple’s retail stores, through select carriers and Apple Authorized Resellers. For more information, please visit www.apple.com/ipad.
Apple Pencil will be available for $99 (US) and Smart Keyboard will be available in charcoal gray for $169 (US). New polyurethane iPad Pro Smart Covers will be available for $59 (US) in charcoal gray and white. New iPad Pro Silicone Cases will be available for $79 (US) in charcoal gray and white. iPad Pro accessories will be available starting in November.
*Data plan required. LTE is available in select markets and through select carriers. Speeds vary based on site conditions. For details on LTE support, contact your carrier and see www.apple.com/ipad/LTE
**Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results may vary.
***Transit information in Maps will be available in select major cities including Baltimore, Berlin, Chicago, London, Mexico City, New York City, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area, Toronto and Washington D.C., as well as over 300 cities in China, including Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai. News app availability varies by country.
Has anyone created a iPad shell/protector/case with “finger loops” on the back so you can carry the iPad in one hand as if you had in a baseball glove and then were able to use your other hand to type or draw on the iPad?
Interesting idea. Then you could also hold it at any angle with ease, even upside down.
I just know when I walk around with my iPad and try using it while walking, I wish my fingers slid into something on the back of it to keep it secure with only one hand.
If you create one, I get a free one or get to test drive it for you.
At the office we have a magnetic finger ring that attaches to the back, and makes it easy to hold the iPad in one hand and tap, slide, etc., with the other.
I thought I’ve seen such a thing for the regular iPad. Sorry, I can’t cite any sources but I’m sure it exists and will exist for the new iPad Pro.
Beautiful product, great total line-up, very convincing keynote. For the first time in a few years, I’m really thrilled. iPad pro is mine!
I want one
I will be buying an iPad Pro in November with all the bells and whistles. What I didn’t see was an elegant protective way to carry the Apple Pencil along with you to keep from losing it which would be an expensive loss.
Apple usually leaves leeway to encourage third parties to create products. Spread the wealth!
… unless, of course, if the issue is leaving leeway for a mouse or trackpad. cough-cough
Those go in your pocket protector, nerd! Lol just kidding
That’s what I was afraid of!
The iPad Amatuer is nothing more than a Surface ripoff!
And I say Surface and not Surface Pro, because the iPad is nothing more than a glorified Internet appliance some 5-years later, thanks to lazy Tim Cook.
So even if you spring for the base model iPad Amatuer, you’re set back $1100 for a device that can’t use a mouse, won’t allow you to code, and can’t run Desktop applications!
I never thought I would say this, but you’re better off buying a single port Apple Crapbook, lol.
Nobody is forcing you to buy Apple products Go away.
Pretty sure you can use a Bluetooth Mouse with an iPad on certain apps. Not sure why you would need to when you have a finger- or 10.
I was thinking more a Surface Pro killer than a Surface Pro ripoff. With VPNs and remote desktops there is little need for a laptop unless you just want one.
A mouse?!! Seriously?!!
Just go and buy a Surface already you maroooon!
No mouse, but you can guy a new No 2 pencil from Apple for $100 to use on your $1000 coloring book.
a simple illustration:
an iPad Pro is like a custom made lux sports car (like a Lamborghini or Koenigsegg) designed and engineered from the ground up to be a ‘super sports car’.
the Surface is like a ‘sports’ car where somebody decided to shoehorn an off the shelf dump truck engine onto a small body and hold it in with duck tape and call it a ‘sports car’.
People who LOL at their own comments reliably reveal themselves as doorknobs with delusions of grandeur.
He wants to use a mouse!!XD What a Maroon!!
Looks like a pretty good large iPad. I still think in order for it to deserve the “Pro” name it needs to run OS X. Then we’ll truly have a laptop replacement option but it does look like we’re headed in that direction. This iPad really does take a large step towards that.
Honestly, if you think about it, what’s it really missing? Specifically? If you try to pin it down to something specific it’s gotten harder and harder over the years to find a need, aside from the exact precision of a mouse and keyboard. But with the keyboard case and pencil maybe that will disappear as well? I donno how easy it will be to type on that thing compared to the 120wpm I get on my MacBook.
OS X and iOS are the same under the hood. So I think you need to be more clear about what you mean when you say you want it to run OS X. Because I don’t think you want the UI per se. (If you do, well, you’re on your own then.)
I assume you mean you want more sophisticated file management. Apple could have delivered that some time ago but I suspect they are grappling internally with serious philosophical differences in its implementation.
I say this because I believe that the way most people manage their files today on Macs and PCs is anachronistic and driven by a decades old hierarchical filing system that is woefully inadequate in today’s dynamic information intensive workplace. File management needs to move to the database model where you can filter, search and sort. I think Apple has been working on this for some time but just can’t make a decision about its direction because of internal disagreement.
The only thing that was missing from file management was the ability to “Browse” your files and upload them to websites (college assignments, social media stuff, banking documents, etc). However, I’ve been using iOS 9 Beta and this is now possible. Rather than doing nothing when you press those kinds of buttons (in Safari), it now opens a menu to browse through all of your iCloud documents and some other local files like images and app documents, and select those files to be uploaded. So that’s finally perfect. I don’t see anything else left as far as file management that’s still missing.
iPad (and iPhone, and iPod touch) does run OS X. The core of both Mac OS X and iOS is OS X. Mac OS X is its desktop variant, iOS is mobile. The two have difrerent UIs because a touch is not the same as a mouseclick.
I have no doubt, iPad pro will bring desktop-class app development to iOS. Considering that it now runs desktop-class hardware, there is no reason why it couldn’t replace a laptop.
The iPad Pro is impressive but the rest of the line got little or no respect. I had hoped that the iPad Air would receive an upgrade to match the specs in the iPhone 6s/6+s, especially better processor, multi-touch, and camera.
Apple figured it would be okay to take shortcuts like this by having a huge combined event where they announce a bunch of stuff at once.
Where’s the new 21″ Retina iMac and/or cinema display?
Exactly, or my gaming-grade Mac Pro. Also recall some rumors on new keyboards and mice.
Just Before Christmas.
patience.
Good presentation, even if their shirts still look like bargain basement.
Apple can be proud of these improvements. No wonder there were so many Apple employees in the audience.
Forced to choose, I would take the iPad Pro over the new phone. It’s a complete system, just beautiful.
+2
I’m going to get both Phone and Pad Pro.
I’m typing this looking at a $2,000 Wacom Cintiq touch screen and even I’m seriously impressed with the Pad Pro.
The Apple Pencil. Seemingly so mundane. Yet so huge.
I know I’m in a minority here but that was the most impressive part of today’s presentation for me.
No iPad Air refresh?
Too many products, this would never happen under Steve Jobs. There’s now 5 models of iPad
Hmmmm… I bet I’ll want a Pencil for precision note placement on a staff. I’ll have to wait and see.
If I can wait! Woohoo!!!!!
Apple copying Microsoft again. Split screen multitasking introduced a short while ago is another feature Apple have copied Microsoft on as well. Keep it Apple and you will soon have to call it the Apple Surface!
Again with the incredible low storage options, with the entry level 32g being criminal, clearly a bait and switch just like the 16g iPhone.
And overall incredibly overpriced. This will drive people to Surface even faster since the obvious difference is storage and lack of a complete OS.
BIG (like the har har Cook pun) fail. Interprise sales may save this, but I suspect another big fail for Cook.
People would take you seriously if you could spell ‘enterprise’.
Heh, and if I could only spell ‘gate’!
No third party bluetooth keyboard/trackpad support, NO DEAL.
A bit worried about lag while drawing or sketching quickly.
The videos shown were in a cinematic framerate, intentionally slow action to match the camera work and editing but I worry that quick dashes and stippling will lag. This has always been a problem. He did say the dsiplay touch refreshes more so we will see I guess. Can’t wait to try it! By that I mean buy one instantly! Been waiting decades for this exact device.
I can be an artist again! I just could never get why Cintiq tablets could not be the computer itself.
PS wonder how Wacom feels lol
Meh.
Nothing in today’s announcements really wowed me. 3D touch is a cool addition, but I’d need to personally use it before really having a strong opinion on it.
A bigger iPad is okay, but nothing groundbreaking. There are other tablets that size already. The Pencil is overpriced in my opinion- $99 for a stylus? Really? And only for the iPad Pro? If the iPad Pro is already pressure sensitive, the only sensor needed in the pencil itself should be the tilt sensor.
While as a stockholder I’m pretty happy with Apple’s performance (regular dividends, stock price generally going up), as a consumer I’m getting worried about their direction. As it stands right now, I have more storage in my MacBook Pro than I could get in a new one. Mac OS X seems to be getting more kindergarten-like interfaces with each revision, and with less ability for end users to customize.
Apple’s computers have historically lasted longer than their Windows-PC equivalents, partially because of their easy upgrades to RAM and storage. That’s no longer the case, and now, if you need more RAM or storage, you’re pretty much stuck with buying a new computer, even if your prior one was still in good shape in other regards. That’s good for Apple- more sales! – but not necessary good for the consumer. I just get the feeling that Apple is “dumbing down” their products, and removing flexibility. We have apps in OS X that have lost capability to make them more like their iOS counterparts, or simply because Apple has decided that the features are no longer relevant to consumers. We have lost some abilities to customize our user interfaces to our own preferences. I have to admit that I don’t like the trend.
Research has shown that less than 2% of Mac owners had ever upgraded RAM. Apple was wasting space and resources to design user-replaceable RAM when almost nobody needed it!
Same as with analogue modems, floppy drives, optical drives, PC card slots, ethernet ports and all other similar extinct features, Apple will mercilessly remove those that nobody bothers to use. Apparently, user-servicable RAM falls squarely into that category.
Agreed…upgrade to 16 when you buy it and be done. The big question on the next MBPro will be thunderbolt vs USB C. the latter is clearly the future but we all got so much thunderbolt stuff it will be painful.
I don’t disagree with research. But I disagree about the power of the user to udate his RAM.
While programs get bigger, I’d like more RAM in my computer. MacBook Pro supports that (I’m a software developer), so I can go bigger with my needs and budget.
While I think it’s a great product, what bothers me is, it has all the features the community bashed others before – namely pen and keyboard.
Now that Apple releases it, most people goes “it’s great!”.
It’s a great product. It’s not for me. I want one, but I don’t need one. I can see a demand though.
I have my good ol’ iPad with a Logitech keyboard. I eventually use a stylus. I can see the benefits of having both. I think the new stylus is great.
Still, not for me.
I second Shiv105… “Yawn”…
Really, where is the revolutionary innovation since Steve has passed? I guess it would be fair to say that perhaps I just don’t “get” the innovation since then…I will capitulate. But AFAICS, really, as a lifelong technophile, I appreciated the iPad a whole lot more than anything from Apple since. Same goes for the iPhone 3G, and then the iPhone 4….MAYBE the iPhone 6 got me a little excited, as it was a big change…although Apple didn’t even innovate that…others had similar size phones for at least a year already before Apple decided it was good for them too. But in general, for a long time now, it has been (IMHO) just simple “tweaking” and enhancements with newer chipsets (802.11g to n to ac, processor updates, screen resolution updates, upgrading memory, marginal size improvements, etc.) and iOS / OS X enhancments…. Othewise, it appears (at least to me) an exercise in “lowest common denominator” function, and alienation of the more truely “tech” savvy fanboys like myself. I’m so annoyed about the glued in battery, memory, and HD situation in the new Macbook Pros that I am keeping my 2011 MBP until it dies…and really…I have a Core i7 in mine, and with the recently updated new 1TB SSD, it is LIKE a new MBP….I’ve compared side-by-side at an Apple store. There is NO reason for me to upgrade except for Retina display and weight. Those are NOT high enough priority metrics in light of giving up the other considerations. Frankly, what I see is Apple abandoning those techie folks who were their greatest champions in the past (and still are today when recommending to thier luddite friends and family…[because otherwise we know WE will be the ones who have to fix our friends and families crappy Windows machines when they blow up …thankfully that particular Apple value-add still exists…] but are disappointed themselves that Apple appears to have forgotten them.) I guess I just don’t get it….I don’t see why you can’t offer both the “lowest common denominator” and yet keep some “Pro” version which meets the needs of that original Apple fanboy techie target demographic…unless really your goal is no longer aligned with Steve’s vision, but rather the a-number-one priority is ASP and volume. Doesn’t anyone else question this, and note the ironic fact that Apple is now run by a bean-counter?
I could go on and on….why is the new Apple TV still in the square puck format? (Amazon Firestick blows Apple TV away IMHO…why didn’t they do a dongle version Apple TV? And again, frankly, Amazon Firestick UI and capability is WAY better than Apple TV…and it is like $39…I have heard similar for Roku users). Why is development so constrained on memory usage on the new Apple TV?
On that front, iOS and Apple iTunes eco-system USED to be the most awesome best thing, now with so many bugs (iTunes DOESN’T “just work” anymore) and feature bloat, I’ve moved on to Plex, which is about 1000x better IMHO. That is a damn shame.
I don’t want to go to Android…I don’t…but as a technophile, this “new Apple” is driving me there…. For me the Nexus 6 is looking like a better option than iPhone 6 s….but with that in mind, it is NOT (IMHO) a good option for my spouse. Two different mind-sets/market. Apple USED to be able to accomodate both… I’m not seeing that today across their product lines, with the exception perhaps of the Mac Pro and iMac 27in.
Again, I am NOT “bashing” Apple here…just saying that I’m personnally quite a bit disappointed in the direction they are going. I WANT to love Apple like I used to…but it is getting harder and harder… The absolute value add USED to be crystal clear to me…now as an educated technophile…well not so much. It’s OK to say “well your not the target market”…that is perfectly fine. But it seems a shame to alienate the very segment who did so much to evangelize the Apple value add. I can’t even begin to tell you how many debates I’ve engaged in over the years evangelizing why some less tech-savvy uneducated consumer should spend the extra $$$ on Apple over Windows or Android. It is getting much more difficult to do that these days, and Apple themselves isn’t helping matters. Sorry, but that is just my opinion, and the way I’m seeing it…
Why no word on UK pricing?
Are we about to e shafted ?
For UK pricing, just replace the $ with £ and you’ll be pretty close. That’s how tech companies work 😕
Does anyone know if you need to get the LTE option to get GPS like on earlier iPads? I need GPS but have little use for LTE there.
Cellular only. http://www.apple.com/ipad-pro/specs/