Although there is no spring conference, Apple is still launching the new iPad Pro on the official website tonight / a>.
As a product two years after the release of the previous iPad Pro, in addition to the usual upgrade of the processor, the new iPad this year also moved the ultra-wide-angle camera of the iPhone 11 and the newly added touchpad also changed the iPad. It’s more like a portable computer.
However, although it is two years away from the previous generation, the appearance of the new iPad Pro is basically the same as the previous generation. If you put the old and new products together, it is difficult to see the two iPads on the front.Distinguished.
There have been rumors that the new iPad Pro will have a larger body, but in fact it is not. The new iPad Pro continues to be available in 11-inch and 12.9-inch versions, and the color is still space gray and silver.
But although the new iPad Pro is the same size as the old one, according to official parameters, the new 11 and 12.9-inch models are 10 grams heavier than the old ones, reaching 471 grams and 641 grams (WiFi), respectively. This may be due to the addition of more internal parts, increasing the weight of the fuselage.
In terms of screen, Apple still configures a Liquid Retina screen for the new iPad Pro, with a PPI value of 264, a maximum brightness of 600 nits, and a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz, but the ProMotion technology in the system will automatically adjust the refresh according to the use scenario Rate to ensure a maximum battery life of 10 hours.
Interestingly, this year Apple did not use the “X” as the suffix for the new iPad Pro processor. Instead, it used the 64-bit A12Z bionic chip and M12 coprocessor as the native SoC combination.
At the same time, the addition of an 8-core graphics processor also enables the new iPad Pro to perform better in 4K video editing, 3D graphics design, AR functions, and future professional-grade program operation.
In addition, in terms of network connection, the new iPad Pro has a connection speed increase of nearly 60% in the network. Although the pluggable cellular version only supports 4G networks, it can now support more frequency bands.
In this configuration, Apple even used “fast enough to make many laptops envy” to describe the performance of the new iPad Pro.
It is worth mentioning that Apple said that the new iPad Pro uses a lower-calorie architecture, but did not introduce the improved data in detail. I believe we can know the answer in the subsequent evaluation.
These details make iPad Pro more like a computer
In addition to the performance needs of the new iPad Pro, we have become more professional in places we can’t see.
For example, a microphone.
▲ DoubleTake is a software for creating a mobile video production studio using iPad, which will be available next month
On the new iPad Pro today, we can see that there are 5 microphones. For me three months ago, these 5 microphones didn’t seem to have much effect. There were fewer scenes recorded with mobile phones. Not to mention recording on an iPad.
However, after a round of working from home, I have increasingly discovered the importance of the microphone pickup capability of the device, such as the need for clearer sound for online meetings, and a more three-dimensional, quiet pickup effect when dubbing video, then 5 The microphone is prepared for these needs.
In Apple ’s official introduction, record a paragraphThere is no need to prepare a camera and a radio tool for video. Only one iPad Pro can achieve both the shooting and radio requirements.
Of course, as a user who often uses iPad codewords, my attention must be on this wonderful control keyboard. Here I think it is the finishing touch of Apple’s definition of the iPad as a “computer”.
First is a full-size keyboard.
Apple finally used the Mac Magic Keyboard keypad on the iPad keyboard, which saved me the trouble of typing on the 11-inch iPad keyboard and saved me the trouble of learning iPad shortcuts.
Second is the newly added touchpad.
Although this trackpad is not very large, it finally saves iPad Pro users the trouble of clicking on Excel tables with their fingers. Apple also added trackpad cursor and gesture control in the iPadOS system of iOS 13.4. Bring the device closer to the operation of your MacBook.
It is worth noting that Apple has added a USB-C interface to the keyboard’s hinge. The function of this interface is to increase the external power supply to ensure continuous navigation when the iPad Pro is connected to other devices.
But I am curious whether this USB-C interface can output the power of the iPad Pro for emergency charging of iPhone or other devices?
▲ The Magic Keyboard can turn the iPad Pro into a floating support, making it easy to adjust the appropriate angle of use
In addition to the 12-megapixel main camera, Apple also put a 10-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens into the box of the new iPad Pro, making it easier for video creators to shoot with a wider focal range.
But strictly speaking, the new iPad Pro has more than two cameras, and one hidden in the gray opening next to it.For sensors, this pair of sensors is made up of a lidar scanner. In simple words to get started, it is responsible for making iPad aware of the eyes of the outside world.
As early as the iPad Pro in 2018, Apple has been exploring the potential of the iPad in the AR field, and popularizing the role of iOS devices in the AR field by providing developers with a platform and promoting AR applications.
This Lidar scanner is actually one of the key upgrades to enhance the accuracy of iPad Pro in AR mapping.
The working principle of this lidar scanner is mapping based on the dToF time-of-flight principle. The reflected light is calculated to obtain the object data in front of the scanner. Finally, the device renders the picture and presents the AR picture to the user. before.
This is also Apple’s preparation for the iPad Pro to meet the development needs of the next 1-2 years.
This year’s new iPad Pro has cancelled the 64GB version in terms of storage capacity, starting directly from 128GB and capped at 1TB, but the starting price of the WiFi version is still 6 prefixes, without much increase:
11-inch iPad Pro
- 128GB RMB 6229 (WiFi version); RMB 7429 (WiFi + 4G cellular network version)
- 256GB for 7029 yuan (WiFi version); 8229 yuan (WiFi + 4G cellular network version)
- 512GB 8629 yuan (WiFi version); 9829 yuan (WiFi + 4G cellular network version)
- 1TB 10229 yuan (WiFi version); 11429 yuan (WiFi + 4G cellular network version)
12.9-inch iPad Pro
- 128GB for 7899 yuan (WiFi version); 9099 yuan (WiFi + 4G cellular network version)
- 256GB 8699 yuan (WiFi version); 9899 yuan (WiFi + 4G cellular network version)
- 512GB RMB 10299 (WiFi version); RMB 11,499 (WiFi + 4G cellular network version)
- 1TB 11899 yuan (WiFi version); 13099 yuan (WiFi + 4G cellular network version)
Furthermore, the 11.1-inch Magic Keyboard is priced at 2399 yuan and 2699 yuan, respectively, and will be available in May.
Towards a more mature productivity tool
The new iPad Pro didn’t surprise us much in appearance, it changed more than inward.
But if we look ahead, in fact, we can see that Apple has not made too frequent changes to the design of the iPad. Whether it is the most basic iPad or the top-level iPad Pro, they are not used like the iPhone. The appearance appeals to the user, but instead focuses more on changing for more functionality.
Apple once used the curved edge design on the iPad Air 2 in order to improve the iPad’s hand feel and reduce thickness.
With the upgrade of components later, although the thickness of the new iPad Air is thicker than in the past, it still maintains a thin feel.
If you don’t list the data, we wouldn’t even find that the iPad Air3 is a bit thicker than the previous generation iPad Pro.
So it ’s not surprising that Apple did n’t make much changes to the appearance of the new iPad Pro. Although the equipment update was separated by two years, this set of molds was used only once, and this time except for the camera part In addition, there are basically no new functions that can be achieved by changing the structure of the fuselage..
As a device that has been defined as a “productivity tool” in the family, this time iPad Pro continues to focus on satisfying the product attribute of “production demand” with performance and features. You may find that carefully, this time Apple has expanded the iPad Pro’s audience to video creators and AR developers:
A12Z improves the graphics processing performance of the device, making it have stronger 4K video post-processing and AR rendering capabilities; the ultra-wide-angle lens also allows photographers more flexible shooting space;
Lidar also gives the device the most advanced mapping capabilities in a tablet;
The touchpad provides more precise touch operation, which also allows iPadBecome a “second computer” for professionals.
It is obvious that after two years of grinding, Apple is trying to make iPad closer to a thin and light computer, a productivity tool that can cater to more professional users.
For the users of the previous generation iPad Pro, if the old iPad Pro can meet your work needs, this new iPad may not be necessary to upgrade immediately.
Also, The smart keyboard with trackpad can also be used on the 2018 iPad Pro < / a>.
If you are holding an earlier iPad Pro, or other styles of iPad, then the new machine ’s gorgeous screen, powerful performance, and operation method closer to that of a notebook computer are sure to be worth a try.