Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Apple's New iPad-Pro in the Test: Tablet Power in Large Format

Even if the iPhone is significantly more popular: Apple is struggling to keep its tablet attractive. The iPad Pro gets a bigger display and more computing power for the AR and VR in the latest version. Reason enough for an update? Macmyth tested it.

One would think one day, Apple would start the ideas of how the iPad could become even better. After all, the CPU has been running at a much faster pace than normal users actually need. The display is also convincing: no other touchscreen on the tablet market can be seen more sharply and more responsively. And the battery holds for days. Admittedly, the speakers are poor. But this is mainly due to physics - where there is a lack of volume because the iPad has become too slim, Apple engineers can not do anything about.

So much more amazing, however, that Apple has nevertheless succeeded in improving the iPad Pro in its latest version significantly. This starts with the display: so far, Apple and most buyers in the 9.7-inch screen of the predecessor model looked the perfect size for a tablet that was just 435 grams. Now the developers have accommodated more screen space in the same housing: With the new iPad Pro, the display measures 10.5 inches in the diagonal (about 26.7 centimeters), and who are looking for an even larger screen can go to the model with 12.9 inches diagonal (About 32.8 centimeters).

In addition, the already fast-paced processor with the A10X Fusion chip has, even more, computing power - not for Netflix, but for the age of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). This also benefits the touchscreen. Even the previous iPad Pro convinced with its rich contrast, bright and low-reflection screen. The new display is one more thing, doubling the refresh rate - the so-called refresh rate.

This may sound like developer gibberish, but it is important to understand that a refresh rate of 120 hertz means that the image is updated 120 times per second. And the more often the image is built, the fewer jerks are shown in fast movements.

The improvement of the hardware is also shown when working with the Apple Pencil. My (lousy) characters and the (hasty) writing of notes felt more natural because there was no disturbing delay. This is certainly due to the shorter response times of the display, but also to the ability of the iPad Pro to be one step ahead of its users: the handwriting of most people is in the same direction and short pauses in writing. Apple is trying to deduce how the next hand movement might look - and if necessary, to correct itself in the blink of an eye. This works remarkably well: For me, the writing with the Apple Pencil on the screen felt like on paper.

In terms of the display, the diagonal of 10.5 inches proves to be perfect for users and developers: the high resolution of 2224x1668 pixels ensures a sharp image impression and allows the iPad to adapt each app independently to the iPad-Pro display; Neither the developers have to intervene, nor is it due to conversions to faded images.

The 10.5 inch diagonal also means plenty of space for the embedded keyboard when the iPad is transversal and fills the bottom half of the screen. It comes almost from the size of a conventional laptop keyboard. For my taste, writing on a hardware keyboard like Apple's Smart Keyboard or similar keyboards from third-party vendors is still much more pleasant. It just feels strange to pan on the glass when the iPad is crosswise.

The fact that Apple has succeeded in accommodating a larger screen in the same housing is one of the least dramatic improvements for me. Clear: It looks good, and the increase in the display area is unmistakable. But we are not where we really want to go. Also, the new iPad Pro is just an intermediate step between past.

At least the increase in display size brings no disadvantages with it. The iPad Pro never confused my grasping hands with a deliberate finger tap, and it did not happen that my fingers suddenly caught sight of the view or were otherwise in the way. And that more screen size also means more fingerprints, which have to be wiped off from time to time, was clear anyway - every tablet after a few minutes is greasy. Since the iPad Pro is no exception.

At the Apple developer conference at the beginning of June, programmers had a nice surprise. With ARKit, it would be easy to develop augmented reality applications for iOS devices in the future. At the conference, Apple executives introduced a rousing AR game and built a scene for Star Wars - before all eyes on the stage. Almost everyone involved held iPads in their hands: A display that is so great is the perfect window into the world of Augmented Reality, explained to me later one of the Apple managers.

In the iPad Pro, the same camera module as in the iPhone 7 - but is not intended for best snapping.

That's why the iPad Pro now features the same camera module as in the iPhone 7 - but not so that you can stretch the tablet at the concert to take photos from the audience and take everyone's view. But to get a better view of the other side of the world with the camera and screen, through the iPad, which can enrich all recordings with information.

Sure, the software team lags a whole few months behind. The new iPad Pro - like all iPads - will be able to take full advantage of such advances with iOS 11. The update of the software is announced for the fall and promises abundant new features, including many, which so far has never been mentioned in the same breath with the iPad.

This includes a built-in file management (similar to the Finder on the Mac) and the ability to drag and drop files back and forth between apps, but also for data exchange between different apps. Also, the dock should grow, so more app icons fit in. This is especially important for anyone who wants to use an iPad as an alternative to the laptop. And when iOS 11 is available then we should all want the largest screen we can only get.

At the moment, the wide-screen display makes little difference in the new iPad Pro. Just because there is suddenly more space, do not automatically grow your ideas, and nothing changes with the iPad. But wait and see: I've been able to play around with iOS 11 a bit, and I have to say it feels like a giant step towards the "computer for all purposes," to which Apple would like to make the iPad.

What would be the standard question that arises in every meeting: Is the purchase worthwhile? If you're looking for a new iPad - definitely! Probably no Apple tablet was ever as versatile as this new iPad Pro. The 12.9-inch version is similarly recommended, but feels more like a desktop device, not necessarily like something to take away. The outdated iPad Mini is probably just before its end, so better not buy more. Also, if you have an iPad, which is still working fast, do not necessarily have to access.

If there are cracks in the display, apps start to get lame, or if you're just stunned to stare at too much housing around the touch screen, there's the regular iPad (recently updated, from $446), Which is very suitable for videos or gaming. Or the iPad Pro, which costs from $815 and becomes the best tablet you have ever used. (In addition, if necessary USD122 for the Pencil and USD133 for the Magic Keyboard.) Either way, despite dropping iPad sales, Apple is doing everything to be a device that has long been among the best in its class, still a thing of beauty.

PRO: A larger display can never hurt, and this not only reacts faster but also provides a better picture. // Very long battery life of several days. // Very fast processor. // In conjunction with iOS 11, the iPad becomes a full-fledged computer.

CON: At least USD815 for the basic variant with only 64 GB of memory is quite expensive. In addition, there are extra costs for accessories such as an external keyboard or the Apple Pencil. // The XL display will only pay off properly when iOS 11 is available (probably in autumn 2017).

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