As 2023 is about to wrap up, we will positively say it’s been a peculiar one for Apple’s iPad lineup. Why? As a result of there have been zero new iPad releases this 12 months, which is a bit … odd. That is the primary time that Apple has not launched a brand new product within the iPad lineup because it was launched.
However a brand new report from Mark Gurman’s Energy On e-newsletter over the weekend appears to offer us a take a look at what Apple’s iPad plans are for 2024. Just a few weeks in the past, I talked about how the iPad lineup as an entire has gotten messy and convoluted. This new report takes each a step ahead towards simplifying issues whereas additionally that includes an fascinating addition that I’m unsure who requested for.
A lot-needed simplification
One of many huge components contributing to an excessively difficult iPad lineup has been that Apple has stored the Ninth-generation normal iPad round regardless of additionally having the newer Tenth-generation mannequin. Having two completely different base mannequin iPads is complicated, particularly after they have completely different display sizes, completely different charging ports, and one has a Dwelling button whereas the opposite doesn’t.
Normally, when Apple introduces a brand new technology of a product, it’s meant to exchange the earlier one. This has been the case for a few years for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and the Apple Watch. However when Apple determined to have the Ninth-generation iPad stick round alongside the brand new one, it was a puzzling transfer that additionally put the Tenth-generation iPad in an odd placement inside the remainder of the iPad lineup attributable to its options and value level.
Per Gurman’s report, Apple will scale back the bottom mannequin iPad to only one new Eleventh-generation mannequin subsequent 12 months. I imagine that is what Apple ought to have finished with the present technology as a result of having the older Ninth-generation mannequin stick round with outdated options was only a bizarre selection.
In fact, that is nonetheless hypothesis, and we gained’t know for positive till Apple truly proclaims it. However having only a single base mannequin iPad is unquestionably the way in which to go, and it will be one step ahead in making the iPad lineup simpler than it must be.
One step ahead, one step again
I applaud Apple if it will simply have a single base entry iPad within the lineup. However the rumor doesn’t cease there. Apparently, one other risk for the 2024 iPad lineup will embrace a 12.9-inch iPad Air mannequin. This will probably be along with the ten.9-inch iPad Air dimension, in addition to the 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Professional.
In keeping with Gurman, Apple needs to alleviate the confusion between the iPad Air and iPad Professional by introducing OLED shows, a refreshed design, the M3 chip, and a revamped Magic Keyboard for the higher-end fashions, which might be the iPad Professional.
The iPad line has been a little bit of a fancy beast for some time now and wishes simplification. However including a bigger iPad Air mannequin simply makes it much more complicated. Precisely who has requested for this?
From the appears of it, a 12.9-inch iPad Air would doubtless not have a ProMotion show. On a smaller display, akin to an iPhone 15, not having a 120Hz refresh charge isn’t tremendous noticeable for most individuals. Nevertheless, with a bigger show, the distinction will be far more noticeable, as scrolling and transitions gained’t be as easy in contrast with a 120Hz show.
The refresh charge will be an vital issue for sure folks, like artists, who want a display that refreshes extra every second (60 instances a second versus 120 makes an enormous distinction) for a easy and exact expertise. On prime of that, artists and different creators worth bigger display property. Once you take these components into consideration, I don’t see why somebody who needs an iPad with the most important display additionally needs it to fall brief by not having the very best show attainable. It simply doesn’t add up.
Even now, the present 11-inch iPad Professional feels just like the ugly duckling, because it affords the identical energy as its bigger sibling, however in a extra transportable package deal whereas additionally missing the XDR show of the 12.9-inch mannequin. In the event you add a 12.9-inch iPad Air to the combo, it simply makes the entire lineup complicated as soon as extra. And once more, are the individuals who need or want absolutely the largest show going to need something under 120Hz ProMotion? I don’t suppose so.
It’s time to rethink your entire iPad lineup
Whereas we simply talked about attainable adjustments for the iPad product lineup, the equipment are additionally a large number. The Energy On report additionally recommended that Apple may differentiate between a big iPad Air and iPad Professional with a brand new, redesigned Magic Keyboard that solely works with the iPad Professional, not the iPad Air, with the Air doubtlessly solely being appropriate with present Magic Keyboard equipment. Confused but?
Your entire iPad product class has been a large number for some time now, they usually principally all do the identical factor with iPadOS. I don’t imagine that an iPad may ever beat the total desktop expertise that you just’d get with an precise laptop, a minimum of with the present state of iPadOS.
For essentially the most half, you might do most of the issues that you just’d wish to do on a top-of-the-line 12.9-inch iPad Professional with a less expensive mannequin (except you want the cupboard space). It simply doesn’t make sense so as to add one other dimension for the middle-tier mannequin as a result of it’s not wanted and, once more, who was asking for it? I actually wasn’t.
The iPad began out easy when Steve Jobs launched it again in 2010. Only a single iPad for everybody. Then we received the iPad mini, then the iPad Air, and at last the iPad Professional. It’s gotten out of hand at this level, and it’s time to wash it up once more — not add one other pointless new dimension for a midlevel mannequin.
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