Say hello to the new iPad Pro with 3D scanner and Magic Keyboard with trackpad
This is the latest iPad Pro.
PHOTO: Apple
PUBLISHED ONMarch 19, 2020 1:38 AMBYKenny Yeo
Apple's highly anticipated new iPad Pro is finally here. It's been a while, seeing that the last iPad Pro was announced in 2018.
It's available in two sizes - 11 and 12.9 inches - and it's powered by the new A12Z Bionic processor. Apple says the A12Z Bionic is their most powerful mobile chip and that it's more powerful than most PC notebooks.
The display is still Liquid Retina and resolutions are unchanged. 2,388 x 1,668 pixels for the 11-inch model and 2,732 x 2,048 pixels for the 12.9-inch model. Both displays support ProMotion and TrueTone technology, and the P3 colour space.
PHOTO: Apple
Round the back, the iPad Pro has new cameras too. There's a 12MP wide camera and a new 10MP ultra wide camera.
But the highlight has got to be its LiDAR scanner (Light Detection And Ranging). It measures distance by seeing how long it takes light to reach an object and be reflected back.
Apple says it can measure objects up to 5 metres away and opens up new possibilities for augmented reality.
In terms of connectivity, readers will be happy to know that the new iPad Pro supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard.
PHOTO: Apple
The new iPad Pro also gets a new keyboard accessory called the Magic Keyboard. It attaches magnetically to the iPad Pro and has a floating design that lifts the iPad Pro up when deployed.
A handy USB-C port at the side helps keep the iPad Pro charged while freeing the USB-C port for displays or other peripherals.
Additionally, it also has a full-size keyboard with backlit keys that have a scissors mechanism with 1mm of travel.
PHOTO: Apple
Look closely also and you will see that it has a trackpad. Yup, trackpad support is coming to iPads for the first time via iOS 13.4.
Finally, the new iPad Pro will work with the second-generation Apple Pencil. If you don't need the Magic Keyboard and its trackpad, there's also an updated Smart Keyboard Folio.
Pricing and availability
The iPad Pro is available for order on Apple's website right now and will be available in stores next week. Assuming the stores are opened, of course. If you missed the news, Apple stores outside of China are closed indefinitely until further notice.
Prices of the new iPad Pro starts at $1,199 for the 11-inch model and $1,499 for the 12.9-inch model.
It comes in Space Grey and Silver, and you can get storage options from 128GB up to 1TB. You can also get them with optional 4G connectivity.
A fully decked out 12.9-inch iPad Pro with 1TB storage and cellular connectivity is $2,469.
The new Magic Keyboard will only be available sometime in May. Which is probably a good thing because it's really quite pricey. It's $439 for the 11-inch iPad Pro and $519 for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
This article was first published in Hardware Zone.
