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New 9.7-Inch iPad Hands-On: 'Very Familiar' Update Benefits From Apple Pencil Support and A10 Fusion Chip
Following the announcement and launch of Apple's new 9.7-inch iPad, a few websites have gotten hands-on time with the tablet and shared their thoughts online this afternoon. The initial consensus appears to be that while the iPad isn't very surprising in terms of form factor and features, it's a solid entry-level model that benefits from added Apple Pencil support.
Engadget said the new iPad is "as fluid and fast as the iPad Pro," which it described as an "impressive feat." The site said the iPad has a great screen, although it isn't as sharp as the iPad Pro's display. Engadget also pointed out the air gap between the display and cover glass on the new tablet, and its lack of the higher-end iPad Pro's True Tone color correction feature and 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate.
Image via Engadget
Image via The Verge
The Verge also pointed out that Apple's demo area was not really "focused on the hardware," but instead software demos that showed real-world use in the classroom, with Tim Cook walking around and discussing the new announcement with reporters.
Engadget said the new iPad is "as fluid and fast as the iPad Pro," which it described as an "impressive feat." The site said the iPad has a great screen, although it isn't as sharp as the iPad Pro's display. Engadget also pointed out the air gap between the display and cover glass on the new tablet, and its lack of the higher-end iPad Pro's True Tone color correction feature and 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate.
Following today's education-focused presentation in Chicago, we got a chance to pick up the new tablet for ourselves and, well, it's just about the same as last year's model. That's not a bad thing -- it still feels as solid and well-built as ever. The biggest change is Apple Pencil support, and after a brief test it feels almost as fluid and fast as the iPad Pro, which is an impressive feat.The Verge began its hands-on coverage by stating the new iPad is "very familiar," with all of the expected screen size, bezels, Touch ID sensor, button placement, and cameras users have come to expect from Apple's tablet line. The Verge said the display was "vibrant and responsive," and the site got to mess around with an AR demo, which was "as good as any AR demo" it has seen.
The Verge also pointed out that Apple's demo area was not really "focused on the hardware," but instead software demos that showed real-world use in the classroom, with Tim Cook walking around and discussing the new announcement with reporters.
We just spent some time with Apple’s new $329 iPad, announced here in Chicago at its education event. It’s... an iPad. Holding and using an iPad, it feels very much like an iPad! The air gap on the screen is the same as before — large by iPad Pro standards, but only iPad Pro people will really turn their nose up at it. Same goes for the screen overall, which doesn’t have all the True Tone magic of the Pro, but is nevertheless vibrant and responsive.Besides the new iPad, Apple today announced that its Classroom app will be coming to Mac this June, revealed a new "Schoolwork" app, showed off iWork updates for iOS, and more. New accessories and devices have also emerged on Apple.com following the Field Trip keynote, including standalone Space Gray color options for the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, and Magic Trackpad 2.
I checked out a quick demo of an AR classroom app and was as good as any AR demo I’ve seen. Not knock-your-socks-off good, but it didn’t lag and the baby elephant stayed put right on the table where it was placed. Obviously we’ll need to spend more time to say for sure, but the A10 Fusion processor certainly seems up to most tasks.
Related Roundup: iPad
Tag: March 2018 event
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Neutral)
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25 weeks ago
" Holding and using an iPad, it feels very much like an iPad!"
an iPad feels and uses like an iPad??? some quality journalism right there Verge
an iPad feels and uses like an iPad??? some quality journalism right there Verge
25 weeks ago
Same old, same old. Only Apple would hold an event for lowering the price of an iPad. Other businesses do that all the time. Its called a discount. Ugh I miss Steve.
25 weeks ago
Seems like this new budget iPad with Apple Pencil support and A10 processor will cannibalize sales of iPad Pros. Sure, the Pro has a better display and a few other advantages, but the features and usability gap between the budget iPad and the Pro have just shrunk substantially, while the price gap has not.
Hopefully (for Apple's sake) a new iPad Pro will be introduced in June that will have enough new features to justify the price differential between it and this new Apple Pencil supporting budget iPad.
Hopefully (for Apple's sake) a new iPad Pro will be introduced in June that will have enough new features to justify the price differential between it and this new Apple Pencil supporting budget iPad.
25 weeks ago
The lack of laminated screen will make the pencil feel considerably more disconnected than the Pro.
Also, lack of keyboard connector, external display support, mouse support, proper multi-tasking, etc make it less than ideal for students.
Also, lack of keyboard connector, external display support, mouse support, proper multi-tasking, etc make it less than ideal for students.
25 weeks ago
The lack of laminated screen will make the pencil feel considerably more disconnected than the Pro.
Also, lack of keyboard connector, external display support, mouse support, proper multi-tasking, etc make it less than ideal for students.
25 weeks ago
This seriously needed a “review”? It’s just last year’s 9.7” iPad with an A10 processor.
25 weeks ago
Same old, same old. Only Apple would hold an event for lowering the price of an iPad. Other businesses do that all the time. Its called a discount. Ugh I miss Steve.
the ipad is such a boring product.
25 weeks ago
Some outlets and writers can hide their bias for Apple in the larger product updates, but when you see the fawning over an updated iPad that has pulled components from the existing Cupertino parts bin, its clear they're making sure they keep their relationship with Apple on the up and up more than anything.
Really is pathetic, especially when ignoring the big peice for budget strapped schools, in how the price hasn't changed to more easier allow schools to introduce IPads or replace much cheaper Chromebooks.
Really is pathetic, especially when ignoring the big peice for budget strapped schools, in how the price hasn't changed to more easier allow schools to introduce IPads or replace much cheaper Chromebooks.
25 weeks ago
" Holding and using an iPad, it feels very much like an iPad!"
an iPad feels and uses like an iPad??? some quality journalism right there Verge
[doublepost=1522172183][/doublepost]
Seems like this new budget iPad with Apple Pencil support and A10 processor will cannibalize sales of iPad Pros. Sure, the Pro has a better display and a few other advantages, but the features and usability gap between the budget iPad and the Pro have just shrunk substantially, while the price gap has not.
Hopefully (for Apple's sake) a new iPad Pro will be introduced in June that will have enough new features to justify the price differential between it and this new Apple Pencil supporting budget iPad.
25 weeks ago
So what you’re saying is this thing won’t make a dent in the $199 Chromebook-dominated classroom, then?
Good. I agree completely. My household is Apple through and through, but I gotta say Google nailed the K-12 edu market in a way Apple still hasn’t figured out.
Exactly. This new iPad won't have a significant impact because of the price. I seriously was expecting an iPad starting at $199 with Apple Pencil support since this was geared towards education.
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