Photo: Apple
Apple recently launched a significant update to its iPad lineup, including all-new iPad Pros and, for the first time, iPad Airs in two sizes. This signals Apple's focus on reinvigorating the tablet market with powerful tools for professionals and consumers alike.
The centrepiece of the new iPad Pro is the custom-designed M4 chip. This powerhouse promises a remarkable 4x performance improvement over previous iPad Pro models. Even compared to Apple's latest M3-powered MacBooks, the M4 boasts exceptional AI capabilities, hinting at exciting possibilities unveiled at the upcoming developer conference.
The new iPad Pro comes in familiar 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, with the 11-inch model being Apple's thinnest and lightest iPad yet. Both sizes boast a groundbreaking display that utilizes two OLED panels to maximize brightness.
Early performance benchmarks for the M4 chip are impressive. Compared to the 2022 iPad Pros with the M2 chip, the M4 shows a significant jump of 40-45% in both single-core and multi-core performance. This is a substantial leap within a two-year timeframe, especially considering the M2's existing speed.
The M4 chip utilizes TSMC's N3E node, a more cost-effective version of the N3B node used in the M3 series. This suggests Apple is prioritizing both performance and affordability with this new generation of chips.
The new 11-inch Wi-Fi model with 256GB has a starting price of CA$1,399, while the Cellular option has CA$1,679. Meanwhile, the 13-inch Wi-Fi 256GB variant has a starting price of CA$1,799, while the Cellular model starts at CA$2,079. You can add nano-texture glass to 1TB and 2TB Pro models for an additional CA$150.