I know a lot of people who consider the iPad, or any other tablet for that matter, a pure consumption device. I, on the other hand, have been using an iPad 2 as my primary mobile computing device for around four years now. I use the iPad for my assignments, recording interviews, taking down notes and writing from the spot when needed. It has never failed me.
Watch ipad Pro First Look Video
However, the near 10-inch iPad 2 has started feeling too large these days, as I can do all of the above work on a good phablet, be it the Apple iPhone 6s Plus, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 or any other Android. This is why I have been tempted of late to switch to an iPad Mini, smaller but just as productive. That is when Apple announced the iPad Pro, and now I'm confused.
This week I will try and come to a conclusion on whether this is my next iPad, or maybe the MacBook Air replacement. Read on:
The add-ons aka accessories
You can't improve productivity by just improving screen quality or adding more real estate. And that is where Apple has brought in the new Smart Cover and the Pencil. There is nothing unique or innovative about both of these products, but they like other Apple devices just work out of the box. The keyboard for that matter just yokes to the iPad and the cover morphs into a holder keeping the screen where it should be.
However, the keyboard takes some getting used to. For one, it is just half the height of the screen and you don't have a lot of area to move your fingers. It works really well for those used to an iPad onscreen keyboard, but for others you need to learn to rein in your fingers. The keys have good travel, but it's not as comfortable as a MacBook Air's, at least not initially.
The Pencil, meanwhile, uses the charging port to pair with the iPad. Push its charging tip into the port and you are ready to go in a minute or so. You can use this feature to also charge then pencil in a hurry, but it's better to use the full charger.
The Pencil is, as the name suggests, built like a pencil. But it doesn't really feel like one as the body is hard, almost as if it's carved out of marble. A softer grip would have been better appreciated. This smooth, stony feel also makes it a bit slippery. But like a good A R Rahman song, it will grow on you and you will get used to it.
Helping you along is the fact that this scribbler is super responsive and pressure sensitive. In fact, there is a bit of innovation in its ability to shade with the sides, like you would with a lead pencil. The battery lasts 12 hours, which means you could work with it for a week, unless your primary use is to sketch or draw.
Another thing to remember while committing yourself to the iPad pro is that both these key accessories have to be bought extra and together will cost you around Rs 23,000 more. So, I think the Pencil should strictly be for those who will use the iPad Pro creatively. For those who want to scribble for fun, just buy a simple stylus for around Rs 1,000.
What's with the size?
It is really hard to overlook the fact that this is a really large tablet, the type Moses would have been holding on the Mount. It can be a bit intimidating, especially for those who have used a smaller iPad. But that is because we are comparing it to a tablet. And I think Apple is thinking more top down. More in terms of whether this device can actually make you forgo a PC or even a MacBook Air. In that sense, this is a thinner, more comfortable computing device.
Despite its size, the iPad Pro is slim. May be a bit too slim for something this big, so a good cover is recommended. It comes with a fingerprint scanner that is identical to that on the new iPhones. I think this is a good feature, as a lot of people will be doing serious work on this device.
You will take time getting used to the size. I kept asking myself if it was better to hold this horizontally or vertically. But let me tell you, there is nothing that gives you a better view of a website that a iPad Pro held vertically. You can see much more than you would see with any other screen. Being a web editor, I can already see value in this screen size.
As you would have realised by now, the size is all because this device has a stunner of a screen. It is not always that you get to stare into a 2732×2048 screen, which stands our from anything on any tablet so far. A lot of people who will be using the device will be buying it for the screen, to be used with the pencil. For creative folks, this screen will offer some serious pull.
Have questions? Shoot them to me at @nandu79
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