iPad Pro

From 11 November 2015, the Apple the sale of the iPad Pro, which is eagerly awaited by the global community, both via the online store and the brick-and-mortar retailer (Apple Store). Whether Apple actually follows the statements of some allegedly well-informed sources remains to be seen. Regardless of that, it is certain that the sales launch should not be too long in coming, which puts the focus much more on the performance range of the available models. A short overview should help you find your way in the turmoil of the buying madness and facilitate the right decision for the suitable model. One disappointment in advance for all potential buyers of the iPad Pro: Speculation about the official release is still rife.

The initial speculations about the iPad Pro are intensifying

Apple presented the iPad Pro to the public in September of this year at a well-organised and extremely attractively designed event. At that time, the US group was keeping a deep silence regarding the launch of the product. It is now certain that the iPad Pro will be launched on the market with iOS 9 and should also enable more multitasking in combination with Split View. The resolution of the 12.9 inch display is 2,732 x 2,048 pixels (264 ppi). With this value, the iPad Pro is the undisputed leader of all previously released devices from Apple. The same is true for the performance of the iPad Pro: Apple's new Primus is based on an A9X processor, which outshines any previously achieved performance. According to official statements, the new processor is supposed to outperform the same one of the iPad Air 2 by 1.8 times and at the same time be about 50 percent stronger in terms of graphics performance. Using modern 64-bit architecture, the makers at Apple want to put the iPad Pro on the same level as powerful desktop PCs or notebooks, so that users do not have to accept any interference of any kind when using the new tablet. To reinforce this advertising message, the company stated that the iPad Pro is faster than about 80 percent of all available notebooks that have appeared on the market for sale in the past twelve months. Against this backdrop, the company wants to give demanding users the ability to create computationally intensive 3D designs or cut videos with 4K resolution, for example. Both the playback of films and the fun of playing games are of course not neglected with the iPad pro. The battery life is said to amount to up to ten hours according to Apple.

Available accessories with impressive precision in everyday life

For the iPad Pro or its Multi-Touch screen, Apple offers the optional "Apple Pencil". This ensures a high degree of precision, especially for filigree work processes. Thanks to the integrated pressure and tilt sensors, the stylishly designed pen detects both the pressure and the tilt angle, allowing you to easily change the line thickness to suit your own preferences. In addition, the "Apple Pencil" provides convenient shading, allowing you to add more appealing effects to a graphic. The operation of the pen is basically comparable to a calligraphy pen, fountain pen or a drawing pen for professionals. The handy device can be charged directly on the iPad Pro via a Lightning connection. Once the "Apple Pencil" is fully charged, the battery easily lasts up to twelve hours. Apple is celebrating its premiere with the "Smart Keyboard": This full-fledged keyboard is a special concept that has been specifically tailored to the iPad Pro. At the same time, the keyboard serves as a high-quality cover if required. Instead of using a Bluetooth interface or integrating complicated switches or plugs, Apple has opted for a magnetic docking variant for the iPad Pro. Three inconspicuous pins provide power and data transfer during operation. Apple promises "best quality" for both the "Apple Pencil" and the "Smart Keybord". In particular, the manufacturer has closely oriented the design of the keyboard to the newly introduced MacBook. Both accessory components will also be available for the iPad Pro from mid-November for an additional charge. How high the purchase price will be, remains pure speculation in all probability until the sales launch. Experts suspect that the "Smart Keyboard" will cost the equivalent of 180 euros in this country. Whether and in what form further accessories for the iPad Pro will be available is sometimes rather uncertain. If you want to stay up to date, you should have a look at Apple's accessory shop on the internet from time to time.

Prices and further features

Traditionally, tablets from Apple have an inner life adapted to the times. On the back of the iPad Pro, for example, there is a camera that uses eight megapixels to capture any kind of scene in razor-sharp resolution. At the front, another camera is integrated into the robust aluminium housing. This is primarily intended to ensure that video chats, for example, run smoothly and in high quality. Without exception, all models of the tablet are equipped with a WLAN interface. Future owners who would like to benefit from fast Internet access even when travelling will receive the corresponding model variant for a surcharge. In addition, the iPad Pro is equipped with four well-placed or well-hidden speakers. Especially charming: Thanks to a position sensor, the iPad Pro can be completely independent determine its own position and put more strain on those speakers that are closest to the user at that moment. Apple also continues to use its own fingerprint sensor. This way, the company's app store or the still quite new payment service Apple Pay can be used securely. The iPad Pro, which will be released in November, will most likely appear on the German market in three different versions. The cost of the smallest version of the high-end mobile device is $799. It has 32 gigabytes of internal memory and does without the current mobile standard LTE. The two slightly larger variants of the iPad Pro each have an internal storage capacity of 128 gigabytes. Without the LTE module, the purchase price is around 949 US dollars. 128 gigabytes of storage as well as an integrated LTE module will cost the buyer 1,079 US dollars. In view of the relatively large dimensions of the device, it should be interesting to see what demand Apple can expect for the tablet in the private sector. With the "Apple Pencil" as well as the "Smart Keyboard", the company obviously wants to sustainably improve or expand its market position in the business sector.