New iPad Pro with 'A14X' chip and Thunderbolt to arrive as soon as April
Apple's next-generation iPad Pro is expected to debut in April with a big performance boost, Thunderbolt compatibility and, for the largest-screened model, a Mini LED display.
Citing sources famliar with the matter, Bloomberg reports the updated iPad Pro models will be powered by a new A-series variant that is as performant as the M1 chip currently found in the MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro and Mac mini.
While the 11- and 12.9-inch tablets are predicted to carry over a design from 2020, Apple could incorporate new internal technologies like Thunderbolt connectivity. The faster I/O protocol was deployed in testing and could make it to production models for compatibility with speedy external hard drives and displays, the report says.
Finally, Apple is working to incorporate Mini LED technology in the larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro, offering better local dimming, color reproduction and contrast ratios than conventional LCD screens.
Beyond iPad Pro, today's report claims Apple is developing a thinner and lighter base iPad for release later this year, as well as an iPad mini refresh with a larger screen.
As usual, most of Bloomberg's information echoes months-old predictions first aired by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and other industry insiders. In September, Kuo said iPad Pro would be the first Apple device to benefit from Mini LED, while a Mac Otakara report in January claimed the tech would be limited to the larger 12.9-inch model. Earlier today, a report from DigiTimes suggested a Mini LED iPad Pro would ship in April at the earliest.
Apple will likely introduce the new iPad Pro line at a special event in the coming weeks, though the company has yet to announce such a gathering.
Stay on top of the latest Apple news right from your HomePod. Say, "Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider," and you'll get latest AppleInsider Podcast. Or ask your HomePod mini for "AppleInsider Daily" instead and you'll hear a quick update direct from our news team. And, if you're interested in Apple-centric home automation, say "Hey, Siri, play HomeKit Insider," and you'll be listening to our newest specialized podcast in moments.
Citing sources famliar with the matter, Bloomberg reports the updated iPad Pro models will be powered by a new A-series variant that is as performant as the M1 chip currently found in the MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro and Mac mini.
While the 11- and 12.9-inch tablets are predicted to carry over a design from 2020, Apple could incorporate new internal technologies like Thunderbolt connectivity. The faster I/O protocol was deployed in testing and could make it to production models for compatibility with speedy external hard drives and displays, the report says.
Finally, Apple is working to incorporate Mini LED technology in the larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro, offering better local dimming, color reproduction and contrast ratios than conventional LCD screens.
Beyond iPad Pro, today's report claims Apple is developing a thinner and lighter base iPad for release later this year, as well as an iPad mini refresh with a larger screen.
As usual, most of Bloomberg's information echoes months-old predictions first aired by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and other industry insiders. In September, Kuo said iPad Pro would be the first Apple device to benefit from Mini LED, while a Mac Otakara report in January claimed the tech would be limited to the larger 12.9-inch model. Earlier today, a report from DigiTimes suggested a Mini LED iPad Pro would ship in April at the earliest.
Apple will likely introduce the new iPad Pro line at a special event in the coming weeks, though the company has yet to announce such a gathering.
Stay on top of the latest Apple news right from your HomePod. Say, "Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider," and you'll get latest AppleInsider Podcast. Or ask your HomePod mini for "AppleInsider Daily" instead and you'll hear a quick update direct from our news team. And, if you're interested in Apple-centric home automation, say "Hey, Siri, play HomeKit Insider," and you'll be listening to our newest specialized podcast in moments.
Comments
Games for Mac and now the larger iPads are a mess. It wasn't always this way. I actually prefer gaming on my Mac. I played all the MoH games for years on my old powerbooks. I usually can't stand the "turn my iPad into a laptop or desktop" thing, but I think you're right here. iPadOS and iOS just don't seem setup to do serious work. In my Mac I have several Excel files, Word Files, Outlook, two browsers with multiple tabs, sticky notes, messages, everything....all I have to do is swipe right and up and I see everything. I love my iPad Air 4, but beyond sending a few emails or maybe editing a single document, it's not the same.
It would be nice if the next iPad Pro fits the current Keyboard which is nice but a little pricey.
I think they should. It will highlight just how powerful an iPad Pro really is
Even graphics professionals do not see the iPad Pro as a valid alternative to MacOS and Win10.
Most developers target entry level iPad's or worse iPhones, iPad Pro is not on their radar. Not enough Dev revenue for specialised iPad Pro apps.
Bring MacOS to the iPad Pro is a slim hope for rescuing the platform.