Roger Fingas
An alleged industrial rendering of Apple's rumored "iPad Pro" was leaked on Friday, supporting rumors that the tablet will use a 12.9-inch screen instead of a less-frequently claimed 12.2-inch version.
In terms of length, width, and thickness, the rendering — obtained by Nowhereelse.fr, and said to date back to December — indicates dimensions of 305.7 by 222.6 by 7.2 millimeters, or 12 by 8.7 by 0.28 inches. That's enough space to fit a 12.9-inch screen, measured diagonally.
The image also supports rumors that the new tablet will have four speaker ports split between top and bottom, allowing for stereo audio when holding the Pro in landscape mode. It is however missing a side-facing port seen in some leaks, which has sometimes been suspected as a second Lightning port or a USB-C connection.
So far, the 12-inch MacBook is the only Apple device to support USB-C.
Specifications for the device remain uncertain. Some rumors have given it an A8X processor like the iPad Air 2, as well as an IGZO display, fast-charging support, and possibly a stylus. Apple has generally opposed including styluses with its devices, but the company may want to increase the appeal of the Pro to artists and business professionals needing to do precise sketches and illustrations.
It's still unclear when the tablet might ship. Apple traditionally launches new iPads in the fall however, in which case the Pro might adopt an anticipated A9 or A9X processor.
Charles Martin
Christine McKee
Oliver Haslam
14 Comments
It's pretty safe to say that multitasking is coming with this iPad. Maybe also an official keyboard cover based on the new Macbook keys?
Prediction, 12 months after new iPad Pro is launched:
Mac sales YOY increase will be down,
"Apple is doomed unless Macs are revived!" scream a few,
"20M Apple watches being sold was a failure!" scream the others,
share price back down to $130
...meanwhile...
the company amasses $300B in cash, increases dividend, buys back shares of its own company, PE is at 7.5 and becomes the no.1 environmentally friendly corporation on earth.
How can something be so sad yet so incredibly awesome?
I hope the 4 speakers are assignable programically for developers! The front speakers could be assigned the surround channels for movies, for example. Or a game that specifically requires four speakers, another example.
[quote name="jakeb" url="/t/186086/rumor-purported-industrial-renderings-of-apples-ipad-pro-back-12-9-inch-display#post_2718736"]It's pretty safe to say that multitasking is coming with this iPad. Maybe also an official keyboard cover based on the new Macbook keys?[/quote] I would like to see multi-user capability!
Considering the accuracy of most major leaks these days, I'm going to assume this is going to happen until proven otherwise.