iPad Pro Review
We recently expanded our technology inventory by acquiring a few iPad Pros. After a few weeks of testing it, here is our take on what we like or don’t:
Pros: Cons:
- Big Screen - Expensive
- Superb Audio - Not a lot of apps for the Pro
- Improved Processing Power - Not suitable as a primary work tool
1. Physical Appearance
The IPad Pro features the biggest screen at 12.9 inches with retina display, making it the biggest tablet Apple has made. Its display also features a multi-touch subsystems with the highest resolution display of 5.6 million pixels. It has a screen resolution of 2732 x 2048, which makes it 78% larger than iPad Air 2. It weighs 1.57 pounds and is 6.9 mm thin. It is sleek and feels delicate but so far has withstood some mild abuse.
2. Audio and Speaker
IPad Pro produces stereo-like soundstage because of its four powerful speakers. Apple has made innovations in the architecture of the product. This new audio design produces 61% more back volume than previous Apple devices. The four speaker design produces well balanced sound no matter how the iPad Pro is positioned.
3. Video
IPad Pro features an 8 megapixel (MP) iSight camera with autofocus and five-element lens. This camera enables a panorama view up to 43 MP. It also features FaceTime HD camera with 720p HD video recording.
4. Technology
The IPad Pro features Apple’s third generation chip A9X with 64-bit desktop-class architecture. This enables the device to do tasks that were once only thought to be done on PCs. The CPU performance of iPad Pro is 1.8 times greater than the iPad Air 2, making it faster and more efficient. The operating system of iPad Pro iOS 9 has many unique features to enhance the quality of the product. Split views and Picture in Picture make multitasking easier. There are many powerful built in apps that make the iOS 9 the best experience for Apple’s customers.
5. Enhancements
The Smart Keyboard is a simple, slim and stylish keyboard-cover combo for the iPad Pro. Smart Connector is an Apple designed interface that connects the Smart Keyboard and iPad Pro. Another enhancement of iPad Pro is the Apple Pencil, especially designed for iPad Pro. Apple Pencil looks like a typical pencil, but it can write, draft and draw on the multi-touch sensitive screen of iPad Pro. Apple Pencil makes drawing on the iPad Pro more precise and is an easy and user friendly device.
6. Functions and Performance
Larger than ever and brighter screen, efficient operating system, built in apps and compatibility with many other apps, and smart chip makes this device a real work companion. These features produce endless possibilities of the diverse functions of the device. Powerful processor, fast system and large, bright screen with multi-touch systems makes this device a perfect tool for artists and provides them a bigger and brighter canvas to display their ideas and art skills to the world. Apple Pencil provides precision to properly put artistic ideas on display. The screen and Pencil are both touch and pressure sensitive and with a tilt of the Pencil the areas of your choice can become shaded. It has made drawing sketches a lot easier and acts like a canvas for the artist. This device is also a worktool for illustrators and helps demonstrate how a finished product is meant to look.
The iPad Pro’s large screen is efficiently responsive. Easy slide and split screen and Picture in Picture functions have made multitasking a lot easier. Thus, working on the iPad Pro is undoubtedly a better experience.
Design enhancement and better placement of speakers in the iPad Pro has provided a distinguishing audio experience. These design enhancements provide a wider frequency range for a better than ever audio.
A9X chip and iOS 9 has made iPad Pro the fastest device of the Apple Company. Its graphic and processing speed are remarkable. It’s beneficial for video editing and creating.
Apple promises ten hours of battery timing between charging. And like other devices of the company iPad Pro fulfils its promise.
The plus point of iPad Pro’s accessories is that they are easy to hold and portable. The Smart Keyboard folds into an iPad Pro cover and unfolds as a keypad which has all the settings of a custom keyboard. One can easily take the iPad Pro with Smart Keyboard anywhere and this keyboard is easily attached to the iPad Pro with the specially designed connector. In this way, typing on the iPad Pro is not only easy but effortless. This made it a preferable portable office tool. Some users are considering it a replacement of laptops and PCs.
What did the Zazmic team say ?
Business users (Product and Project Managers): There it was a 50% split - some were not convinced that it was better and went back to their laptops, while others said that their productivity potentially increased with the iPad Pro.
Creative users: A new pen (Apple Pencil stylus), and new creative and photo-editing software (Adobe), should make this heaven for our designers, right? We thought this would really please them. But the comfort of their laptop, coupled with limited software available at the Apple Store did not pass the tipping point and laptops are still preferred.
Gamers: Do we have gamers at Zazmic ? We do, especially in the engineering department. There is plenty of power, and memory, but not enough games for the iPad Pro.
Engineers: Let’s not ignore the fact that engineers love it. Just not for work. Coding tools, terminal windows and others are better to use on the Mac. Apple certainly did not build this version for engineers and it shows.
Conclusion
It’s a beautiful product with a sleek design, impressive audio and plenty of processing power. But it’s not for every user and especially budget. Our engineers and power business Microsoft users, ditched it after a few days. On the other hand, some of our sales guy and designers are still using it. For a few more dollars, you can have a Macbook Air or Macbook Pro. The iPad Pro seems still to be a work in progress and not a good primary worktool. Many Zazmic users still prefer their laptop.
by Yann Kronberg – CTO Zazmic Inc.