Henry T. Casey for LAPTOP Magazine:
Thanks to a blockbuster report revealing Apple’s fall product lineup, we’ve gotten more reason to expect a refreshed slate of Apple’s larger tablets. Not only are we getting new iPad Pros, but the 9.7-inch iPad is being replaced by a model with a 10.2-inch display.
While we’ve heard about this new 10.2-inch iPad before, today’s news comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Debby Wu, and the former’s incredibly strong track record on leaks gives this report a lot of weight.
The 10.2-inch iPad is expected to replace the current 9.7-inch slate, so expect it to have a similar price as the current model, which costs $329 (or $299 for students). The 2019 models of the iPad Pro should look similar to their 11-inch and 12.9-inch counterparts from 2018, but pack “upgraded cameras and faster processors” that are the same as those on the upcoming iPhones.
MacDailyNews Take: If those 10.2-inch iPads really do come in at $329 ($299 for education customers), Apple had better have several boatloads of them assembled!
“Refreshed slate” – well done.
I wonder what the specs will be? Similar physical size and weight to current iPad, but with thinner bezels? Likely. Will it feature an A12? My guess is, yes. Laminated display? Maybe. True Tone? Unlikely. Similar camera as iPad mini? Likely. Base configuration 32GB? Likely. RAM at 3GB, likely. Gen 1 Apple Pencil? Bet on it. Price $329? If they do not keep selling the 9.7 inch iPad, then likely. If the keep the older one and lower the price to $279 or $259, then it might go up to $349.
My prediction: same chassis as 10.5” iPads with thicker bezels we are accustomed to on iPad 9.7.
A major problem with a 10.2” entry tablet, is that Microsoft office is free for use on a device with a screen with less than a 10” screen, which the 9.7” tablets were the prime example. With the new one, that’s no longer true.
Yeah, I know some wits will say that they never use office, but many millions of ipad users do. The war with Microsoft is over. Microsoft is catering to other OS users as they should, and Apple has refused to take iWork to the next level.
What leak? There’s fluids involved?