Hands-On With Apple's New iPads: My Take on the Fancy New Upgrades

In the year before, Apple didn't release any new iPads but now, in 2024, they have launched four new iPads at the same time. These include the latest models of iPad Pro and iPad Air, which I've had the chance to test out firsthand. During a few hours of meetings with Apple in New York, I was given an early sneak peek of the new iPads and I must say, I am impressed with their hardware. Additionally, they have a brand-new Pencil Pro accessory with a gyroscope and vibrating feature.

While the latest iPads from Apple are beautiful, elegant and come with a high price tag, I can't say they are on par with your Mac. This is mainly because Apple has intentionally designed them to serve a different purpose.

The iPad Pro is an excellent device, no doubt about it. Personally, I believe it could replace my future Mac. However, we must remember that it is still an iPad, not a Mac. Although iOS and MacOS are becoming increasingly similar, they still have significant differences. Soon, Apple will host the Worldwide Developers Conference and unveil new versions of all operating systems, including iPadOS. Some speculate that Apple may merge iPads with Macs, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Check this out: All the revelations made at Apple's recent event highlighting the iPad in Just 7 Minutes!

Have you been considering purchasing an iPad for your creative needs, like graphic arts, sketching or photo/video work? If so, the new models are impressive. However, they come with a hefty price tag. The entry-level iPad Air with 128GB of storage starts at $599 (£478, AU$907). On the other hand, the top-of-the-line iPad Pro starts at $1,299 (£981, AU$1,861). Additionally, the Pencil Pro costs $129 (£103, AU$195), and the Magic Keyboard with its new aluminum design and haptic trackpad costs between $299 (£238, AU$453) and $349 (£279, AU$528), depending on the size. If you require more storage, the Pro models start at 256GB and can go up to 2TB.

The latest version of the Pencil Pro has the capability to rotate and vibrate. This feature allows for fresh methods of managing tools and brushes in various applications such as Procreate.

"Enhance Writing With Pencil Pro's Vibration & Rotation"

The brand new Pencil Pro appears identical to its predecessor, the Pencil 2, but has a few extra components available for the same cost of $129. Squeezing the Pencil Pro will now cause a pop-up menu to appear on your iPad display, with a slight haptic vibration to offer a tactile click response. It's an excellent little added feature, but what I found even more useful was the built-in gyroscope which enables users to rotate the Pencil Pro in their hand. This allows the brush tools to spin seamlessly, making the experience feel even more authentic, like you're actually using a real brush.

The newest iPad Pro in 2022 has a fantastic function where you can hover over the display with your Pencil and preview the brush tools. This helps you to rotate your Pencil and find the perfect position for your brush before committing to a stroke.

I am really fond of the Pencil Pro's latest enhancements and I'm pleased that the price has not increased. However, this is not entirely true. The fact is that in order to use it, you have to purchase a completely new iPad Pro or iPad Air, because the new Pencil can only be charged and linked to these models. It seems like quite an expense to splurge on just a few new Pencil features.

It's not easy to fully grasp the impressive features of the iPad Pro's OLED screen. Specifically, the device now offers a nano texture glass choice that provides a non-reflective, matte finish.

IPad Pro: Sleek, Stylish, Spectacular Display

At first glance, the latest iPad Pro edition looks quite alike to the iPad Air or the earlier iPad Pro versions. They all have large screens encompassed by metallic edges. In all honesty, every iPad has an impressive display. However, inspecting it more closely reveals some distinctions. Apple has managed to make these Pro models even slimmer compared to their predecessors. You might ask why they opted for this, as it doesn't seem necessary on paper. But, if you use a Magic Keyboard with your iPad, you may have a different opinion.

The latest iPad Pro is designed to work perfectly with the Magic Keyboard, which results in a sleeker and more refined setup. The keyboard case now has an aluminum interior, and when combined with the iPad Pro, the whole package is noticeably thinner and lighter. I didn't have much time to test it out, but I got the impression that it would fit more comfortably in a backpack.

Apple's latest iPad Pros are equipped with M4 chips, a new technology that was introduced just six months after the M3 was launched last Halloween. The M4 shares many similarities with its predecessor, including the same 3 nanometer architecture, cores, and GPUs. However, Apple has emphasized that the M4 boasts improved thermal design, making it a suitable choice for thinner devices like the iPad. Additionally, it has been specifically designed to work with the upgraded OLED display on the new iPad Pros. Though Apple hasn't provided specifics on the M4's speed, it's clear that it's an upgrade from the M2 and we'll learn more about it in due time.

By utilizing the Pencil Pro, one can rotate a brush and craft beautiful flowers on their iPad Air. Additionally, this provides an impressive visual representation of the artwork.

The newly designed screen is very attractive in appearance. Apple has finally made the switch to OLED for iPads, something that other companies such as Samsung did a while ago. As a result, Apple promises an improved viewing experience, boasting Ultra Retina XDR displays. These displays boast a technology called Tandem OLED, which uses two OLED panels simultaneously to enhance the brightness for HDR (1,000 nits in everyday usage and up to 1,600 nits for HDR). Additionally, there's a slick option called nano texture glass that offers a matte finish, similar to what is used for Apple's high-end Studio Display. This feature reduces screen glare, resulting in much better viewing quality for the screens I observed.

Are these displays a must-have? Although they appear magnificent, Apple has already incorporated excellent screens in their other iPad models. Those who demand top-notch quality for video or design projects may still be uncertain. However, it's apparent that these displays will be the standard for all of Apple's Pro devices in the future.

The iPad Air is now available in two different sizes, similar to the iPad Pro. Both of them are also compatible with the new Pencil Pro.

IPad Air 2022: Affordable Alternative To IPad Pro

I really like the iPad Airs because they're a great option for people who want a fancy tablet without breaking the bank. The 11-inch version costs $599 in the US and has an M2 chip, so it's probably the best one to get. Unlike the new 13-inch iPad Air that starts at $799, the Airs don't have Mini LED (which the 2022 12.9-inch iPad Pro does) or faster refresh rates (ProMotion) like the Pros. The Airs also don't have lidar sensors or Face ID, but they do have a handy Touch ID button on the side. Some people prefer that, so it's a matter of personal preference.

The Airs appear to be in good condition, and even though they are bulkier than the Pros, they are more reasonably priced. They are compatible with the latest Pencil Pro. I don't have a lot to discuss about them because I'm familiar with these iPads to some extent. The only thing to contemplate is whether the 2022 iPad Pros are being offered at a lower price. If they are, pick them over the Airs since they are identical but marginally superior.

Finally, Cameras In Proper Position!

All of these iPads have relocated their front cameras to the landscape border in the same way that the 10th-gen iPad has done. This is something that should have been done earlier. When the iPads are connected to keyboards, this important change ensures that video chats are now aligned correctly in the center (who would even want to use an iPad for vertical video chat anyway?). This enhances their functionality as Zoom-ready devices.

Is The 10th-gen IPad The Best Budget Option?

Apple has reduced the cost of the 10th-gen iPad to $349 (£279, AU$528) which includes 64GB of storage. While the 256GB model for $499 (£399, AU$756) is a much better option, both prices now fall within the range that I had hoped for in 2022.

One thing to consider is whether Apple will introduce an improved version of this iPad in the autumn with superior specifications. As the basic iPad is now available at a reduced price and is likely to be sold online frequently, it appears to be the most sensible option for many individuals. Otherwise, purchasing a tablet that, while extremely adaptable, still cannot compare to a Mac will be expensive.