Earlier this month, Apple did exactly what many rumors had built up: Announced a new, slightly different iPad Pro. This new variant features a 10.5-inch display, putting it between the gigantic 12.9-inch iPad Pro and the smaller 9.7-inch model. Apple also reduced the bezels along the side of the tablet, too, giving it an even bigger looking presence.
The iPad Pro isn't a cheap tablet by any means, and so when we're talking about buying, or potentially buying, anything we obviously need to bring up the price. It starts at over $600 for the base 64GB model and shoots up from there. The top-tier model, with 512GB of built-in storage and cellular connectivity retails for $1,079.00.
It's a pretty penny, basically.
It also shouldn't be surprising to anyone that when you're spending this kind of money, the question of whether or not the iPad Pro will be your "main device" is certainly apt. That leads to the question of whether or not a 10.5-inch iPad Pro can replace your computer, and I know a few people where it will definitely do that -- but that's more than likely not the majority.
At least, not until iOS 11 arrives.
There are questions to be asked here. Is it too expensive? Does it offer enough functionality, with its four speakers, its better display, its Apple Pencil support, the Smart Keyboard support, to justify that price? Will a 10.5-inch iPad Pro convince folks that might be on the fence to go full-tilt and buy a new tablet?
Seeing Apple announce the thing earlier this month didn't really take my breath away, and that's coming from someone who really, really liked the 9.7-inch iPad Pro. And while the smaller bezels were pretty obvious during the unveiling, I'll admit that they are way more appealing in person. As is the rest of the tablet, really.
The speakers in the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, all four of them, do sound better than the 9.7-inch model, which is a nice bonus. It's not a vast improvement or anything, but the movies that I've watched on it so far have offered some improved audio. And the display on it is ridiculous. It's bright, the colors pop, and that 120Hz refresh rate is genuinely fantastic in use.
I haven't had a lot of time with the new iPad Pro, but so far I'm a fan of it. The improvements that Apple made stand out --even the reduced latency with the Apple Pencil thanks to that aforementioned refresh rate-- and the best part is that it's only going to get better once iOS 11 arrives later this year.
But, I've gotta ask you now: Do you plan on picking up the 10.5-inch iPad Pro? If you are, did you spend some time with it in an Apple Store before making your decision, or did you just pre-order as soon as it became available? And if you aren't picking one up, does the price have anything to do with that decision?
