iPad Pro

Rumored iPad Pro appears in new rendering

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

The long-rumored "iPad Pro" surfaced in a new industrial rendering on Friday, further fueling speculation that Apple is working on a larger 12-inch tablet. French blog nowhereelse.fr shares the image, calling the device the 'iPad Air Plus' and saying that the sketch is dated December 2014.

The alleged rendering offers up dimensions for the Pro tablet, measuring 305.70mm long x 222.60mm wide x 7.20mm deep. Converted to inches, that's about 12 x 8.7 x 0.30. These numbers line up with those seen in previous renderings of the device, which is expected to have a 12.9" display.

Alleged 12.9-inch iPad Pro case surfaces

Timothy Reavis ∙ April 15, 2015

Today, Sonny Dickson, the man responsible for several accurate hardware leaks of Apple devices, posted images of purported iPad Pro cases which indicate several features unique to Apple's rumored 12.9-inch tablet. The case design is similar to the 9.7-inch iPad Air in shape, but shows what appear to be two Lightning connector ports, one on the bottom and another on the left of the device.

Apple yet again rumored to switch to power-friendlier IGZO screens for next-gen iPads

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

Boy, is LG Display on a roll today. Not only has the company's website inadvertently pre-announced a supposedly upcoming iMac refresh featuring an 8K resolution Retina screen, but a well-informed LG Display related official ostensibly said Apple is also “creating iPads with a 12-inch display,” based on a very power-efficient oxide LCD screen technology, Taiwanese publication ETNews reported Monday.

Oxide LCD, also known as IGZO, requires a fraction of power compared to LCD IPS screens on current iPads, while rendering more vibrant colors and deeper blacks with quick response times and high color saturation.

Purported iPad Pro casing points to dual ports; could it be USB-C?

Jake Smith ∙ Updated February 3, 2017

New photos posted on China social media site Sina Weibo and shared by HDBlog on Monday point to the rumored, larger, iPad Pro having two ports - if the photos prove to be legitimate. The images were first shared by VandaagApple in February.

The unconfirmed photos show an iPad with the typical Apple logo, rear-camera, and side volume buttons. However curiously, there's a port of some sorts on the left side of the device, something never before seen on the iPad line.

iPad Pro rumored to adopt oxide LCD display tech

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 5, 2015

The rumored iPad Pro could adopt an oxide LCD screen technology, with Sharp, LG Display and Samsung Display all sending out samples, Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes reported Thursday.

The company allegedly assessed different technologies ranging from a-Si, TFT LCD and oxide LCD before deciding to go with the latter. The report adds that the iPad Pro will go into mass production in the third quarter of 2015.

WSJ: Apple working on adding mouse and keyboard support, USB connectivity, to the iPad Pro

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

More details about the oft-rumored 12.9 inch iPad Pro are beginning to surface, and they include things like USB 3.0, mouse and keyboard connectivity, and faster charging technology, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal late Wednesday evening. This report, along with an earlier one from Bloomberg, attempts to add definition to the mysterious project.

According to both reports, the iPad Pro's production start date has been pushed back beyond what Apple had initially hoped. The Bloomberg report states that Apple is looking towards September for the start of production, while the Journal more vaguely states that production will ramp up in second half of this year.

Bloomberg: 12.9-inch iPad Pro delayed until fall

Jake Smith ∙ March 4, 2015

Bloomberg reports Apple is pushing back the larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro to this fall, following issues prohibiting the start of manufacturing.

Apple had initially planned to begin making the larger version of its tablet this quarter, as it hopes to boost its stagnant iPad sales.

Another purported iPad Pro case leaks

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Yesterday, French blog NowhereElse.fr pointed us to a few curious images of a purported protective case for an ‘iPad Pro,’ originated from a Chinese accessory vendor which makes iPad Air cases.

The sleek black case clearly shows cutouts for a rear-facing camera, Lightning connector, volume rocker, microphone, mute switch and power button.

However, the cutouts for stereo speakers believed to be located at the top and bottom of the device are nowhere to be seen. Big media has asserted that the oversized iPad will rock a screen measuring either 12.2 or 12.9 inches and one analyst believes the device may include an optional stylus for the creative types.

Noted analyst: iPad sales will keep tanking in 2015

Jake Smith ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities is out with a report on Friday that's extremely bearish on the state of Apple's iPad. The analyst, who expects Apple to release a new 12.9-inch model in the coming months, says the downward trend of iPad sales to continue, as much as 30 percent in 2015.

Kuo believes iPad shipments will "struggle to top" 45 million units in 2015, which is a 30 percent year over year decline from 2014. The first quarter of the year is said to be particularly bad, with a prediction that shipments will decline 52.7 percent in the first quarter of calendar 2015 to just 10.1 million units.

Poll: your next computer — iPad Pro or Retina Air?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

If the rumors pan out, we could see both an iPad Pro and a Retina upgrade to the MacBook Air some time in the following months, possibly as soon as April.

Both are thought to include an ultra high-resolution screen measuring about twelve inches diagonally, run quietly thanks to fanless design and the latest power-savvy chips and redefine portability with an even lighter and thinner appearance. True, you'd be hard-pressed to call a twelve-inch tablet ultra portable.

But given Apple's obsession with thinness and lightness, I suspect a larger iPad could be easier to carry around than you'd think. And assuming that rumored creative stylus accessory is indeed in the works, Apple would be wise to create a vastly improved iOS version with true multitasking, side-by-side apps and other productivity features.

With a proper OS, powerful chips, a screen to die for and an optional accessory, the iPad Pro could be the ultimate productivity tablet you've been waiting for.

On the other hand, the twelve-inch Air is said to be almost as light and thin as the iPad. It's poised to blur the line between the notebook and the tablet even further. Therefore, why bother struggling with an oversized tablet if the new Air will be just as light and thin, while offering a built-in keyboard and OS X?

Opinion: neither the iPad Pro nor 12-inch MacBook Air make much sense to me

Oliver Haslam ∙ January 30, 2015

There's a lot going on at Apple right now. Record quarters aside, there is a lot to be hopeful for as 2015 gets into full swing, and not just because the fabled Apple Watch is finally on the horizon. If the rumors are to be believed we could see both the iPad Pro and 12-inch MacBook Air some time in the next eleven months, and both have plenty of people excited.

The iPad Pro story is one that has gone on for years now, and with photos of supposed parts for the new tablet starting to crop up, it's looking more and more likely that not only is the thing real, but it's not too far away either.

The same can be said about the 12-inch MacBook Air. Again, photographs of what it is claimed are parts for the unannounced product have started to circulate around the internet, and the noises that it might only have one USB Type-C connector rather than a MagSafe for power have meant that there have been plenty of column inches and podcast hours afforded to the subject.

But what is all the excitement really about, and more importantly, is it justified?

Claimed protective case mold hints how massive iPad Pro might be

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 29, 2015

Aside from an alleged manufacturing mold and Ming-Chi Kuo's prediction of a creative stylus accessory for Apple's purported pro tablet, it's been a few weeks now without a newsworthy iPad Pro rumor in sight. Courtesy of the French blog NowhereElse.fr on Thursday, we now have a better idea of the large form-factor iPad's massiveness.

The publication has ostensibly managed to get hold of a manufacturing mold for an assumed iPad Pro protective case said to have been designed according to the genuine device dimensions. For context: rumors have mentioned two possible screen sizes for the iPad Pro, twelve inches and 12.9 inches. I've included the photo right after the break so check it out and feel free to chime in with your thoughts in comments.