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During their latest Let Loose event, Apple has announced several new releases in the iPad lineup — here's the lowdown of the most impressive one, the new Apple iPad Pro!
Apple’s newest iPad Pro, also available in 13” and 11” models, skips a grade and goes straight to the M4 chip. They’re not only the thinnest iPads ever created but also boast the new Ultra Retina XDR display, featuring revolutionary tandem OLED technology.
Now, during the launch, Apple says the iPad Pro are coming with “brand-new designs” — but really, it’s just the weight and size. Physically, the iPad Pro really retains the same classic design. Most of the improvements are on the inside, which, when it comes down to it, is what really matters.
With its ultra-thin build at just 5.1 mm for the 13” model and 5.3 mm for the 11”, the new iPad Pros are Apple’s slimmest iPads yet. In fact, the 13” model is even thinner than the iPad Nano. Available in Silver and Space Black, both models are made with 100% recyclable aluminium.
Designed to cater to high-end, colour-managed workflows and challenging lighting conditions, the iPad Pro also offers a nano-texture glass option for minimal glare, making it perfect for creative professionals.
The new iPad Pro also comes with better XDR precision, making for truer blacks, brighter highlights, more detail in shadows, and more responsiveness to content in motion. The brand-new Ultra Retina XDR display with tandem OLED tech delivers vibrant colours and exquisite detail, making it, in Apple’s words, the world’s most advanced display and Apple’s first-ever OLED iPad.
On to the performance: Apple skips the M3 chip for the iPad Pro and puts the brand-new M4 chip right into the iPad Pro. The M4 chip is Apple Silicon’s newest offering, using 2nd-generation 3nm technology that provides better power efficiency.
The integrated M4 chip provides up to 1.5 times faster CPU performance than its predecessor, supporting sophisticated apps and AI-driven tasks seamlessly. With up to 4x faster performance than the M2 chip and 50% faster performance, the M4 allows the new iPad Pro to deliver the same performance as the last-gen while using only half the power.
In order to keep up with the powerful new Ultra Retina XDR display, the M4 chip also provides new display technology, with a 10-core GPU and 16-core NPU — Apple’s most powerful Neural Engine yet, enhancing AI-enabled tasks such as isolating a subject in a 4K video in Final Cut Pro.
The iPad Pro’s camera system has also been updated. The 12MP back camera can now capture vibrant Smart HDR photos and videos with better colour, texture, and low-light performance.
It also now has a new adaptive True Tone flash, which helps the iPad Pro to capture better document scans with the help of AI by taking multiple photos and stitching them together for the best results.
But hey, we're not done yet! With the new thinnest iPad Pros yet, Apple has also released two new accessories to go along with it, along with a bunch of software updates, including new versions of iPad Pro app: Final Cut Pro 2 and Logic Pro 2!
Apple Pencil Pro & new Magic Keyboard and Smart Folio
Along with the new iPad Pro, Apple has released a new updated Apple Pencil Pro, which is compatible with both the new iPad Pro (M4) and the new iPad Air (M2), along with a slimmer and more complementary Magic Keyboard and Smart Folio.
The Apple Pencil Pro has a new sensor in the barrel that allows for intuitive interactions, such as bringing up a tool palette with a simple squeeze, making it easier than ever to switch between tools and colours without disrupting the creative flow. There is also a custom haptic engine that provides subtle feedback, confirming actions like squeezing or double-tapping, providing a much more precise and intuitive user experience.
You won't believe how many times I've panicked after my Apple Pencil seemingly just disappeared into thin air. If you're like me, then this next upgrade is right down your alley: Find My is also supported on the Pencil Pro now, so there's no need to worry about misplacing your Apple Pencil anymore!
Additionally, with features like the gyroscope, users gain precise control over their tools by rolling the Apple Pencil Pro, mimicking the natural motion of pen and paper. Rotating the barrel can change the orientation of the pen and brush tools, further enhancing the familiarity of the creative process.
The new Magic Keyboard and Smart Folio complement the iPad Pro perfectly, offering a thinner and lighter design for increased portability and versatility. The addition of a function row on the Magic Keyboard provides quick access to essential features, while the larger trackpad with haptic feedback delivers a MacBook-like experience. The magnetic attachment and Smart Connector ensure seamless connectivity and charging, eliminating the need for Bluetooth pairing.
Final Cut Pro 2
Final Cut Pro 2 really leverages the new iPad Pro's upgrades. It offers remarkable flexibility and efficiency, allowing filmmakers to manage multiple camera feeds in real-time, seamlessly integrating them into a project. This is ideal for capturing live events or creating complex video content on the go.
Key Upgrades:
- Live Multicam: View and control up to four iPhone and iPad cameras wirelessly for dynamic multi-angle filming.
- Final Cut Camera App: New app to adjust settings like white balance and ISO, enhancing the quality and control over captured footage.
- Enhanced Performance: Supports up to four times more video streams than M1, making it exceptionally powerful for editing complex projects.
Logic Pro 2
Logic Pro 2 will be available starting Monday, May 13. It is an entire studio experience built into your iPad Pro, great for all artists from novices to professionals. In this new launch, Apple has introduced a new bass and keyboard player, built using AI.
Besides that, it also has the following new features:
- Session Players: AI-driven virtual musicians that respond to user feedback, including a new Bass Player and Keyboard Player.
- ChromaGlow: Instantly adds warmth to tracks, enhancing the sonic quality.
- Stem Splitter: Allows users to isolate and manipulate individual audio components within a track.
Apple iPad Pro M4 Pricing and Availability
The iPad Pro is available for order starting today on the Apple website. They are offered in silver and space black, with storage options ranging from 256GB to 2TB. Availability in stores begins Wednesday, May 15.
Apple iPad Pro (M4) 11-inch — from RM5,299
Apple iPad Pro (M4) 13-inch — from RM6,799
The Apple Pencil Pro is available for RM599 while the new Magic Keyboard is available for RM1,479. Both are available for order right now on the Apple Online Store.