Apple Released New iPad Pro With M1 processor

Apple has released the next generation of its iPad Pro. And they also released the new iMacs, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro, Apple’s enhancements to the iPad Pro are mostly on the inside.

The new iPad has a new eight-core M1 processor, the same chip that powers the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini. Apple also said this will deliver “a big jump in performance” over the earlier generation. The graphics display is over 1,500 times faster, per the company. The chip brings plenty of new features, which include a “next-generation 16-core Apple Neural engine” and an advanced image signal processor.

Apple also states you can expect up to 10 hours of battery life from Wi-Fi models, and 9 hours from Wi-Fi + Cellular models.

The iPad Pro now also supports the Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4, as well as millimeter-wave 5G connectivity. Apple says the iPad will give “the broadest 5G coverage worldwide,” reaching speeds up to 4Gbps, and will support eSIM. The company didn’t specify its U1 locator chip.

There’s an upgraded camera as well. Apple says the ISP and LIDAR scanner will take “incredible details” in low-light conditions. There’s a TrueDepth camera system on the front of the gadget, which enables users to unlock it with facial recognition. The system comes with a new 12MP ultra-wide camera with a 120-degree field of view. The camera will automatically pan to follow you around during video calls with a new feature called Center Stage. Also, smart displays, such as the Facebook Portal, give similar features.

The iPad Pro will support the Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard Folio, as well as the Magic Keyboard, which you can buy in a new white color. On the gaming front, it also supports PS5 and Xbox controllers with haptics.

Apple says the iPad uses a 100 percent recycled aluminum enclosure. The magnets in the enclosure and the speakers include 100 percent “recycled rare earth elements.”

The iPad comes in two sizes: an 11-inch option and a 12.9-inch option, with starting weights of 1.03 pounds and 1.5 pounds respectively. You can configure both with up to 16GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. They ship with a one-meter USB-C charging cable and a 20W USB-C power adapter. The 11-inch model has a 28.65 watt-hour battery, and the larger device has a 40.88 watt-hour battery.

The 12.9-inch iPad models also include a new Mini-LED screen, the Liquid Retina XDR, which Apple says delivers “XDR-level brightness.” The 2732 x 2048 display includes 10,000 Mini LEDs and will get up to 1,000 nits of brightness and a 1 million-to-one contrast ratio, Apple claims. This component has run Apple into some supply chain issues recently — one manufacturer has reportedly paused production. (The 11-inch comes with a normal Liquid Retina display with 2388 x 1688 resolution, which maxes out at 600 nits of brightness.)

The 11-inch model will cost you around $799 (Wi-Fi) and $999 (Wi-Fi + Cellular), and the 12.9-inch one begins at $1,099 (Wi-Fi) and $1,299 (Wi-Fi + Cellular). Education costing is also available: college students can get the 11-inch model for $749 and the 12.9-inch model for $999.

Both iPads will be available in the second half of May, with preorders will be live on April 30th.