New low-cost iPad expected at Apple's 'Field Trip' event, cheaper MacBook might not make it

Another report notes that Apple's education-themed event in Chicago next week will reportedly feature a new version of its "budget" iPad, as well as new classroom software.

The updated iPad should be geared to appeal to the educational market, according to sources cited by Bloomberg. The people didn't elaborate on features, but it will presumably feature better performance, upgrading from the A9 processor in the current hardware. It could also conceivably add support for the Apple Pencil and/or Smart Keyboard, until now reserved for the iPad Pro.

The company is also once again said to be at work on a less expensive MacBook, most likely to geared to replace the MacBook Air and start at less than $1,000 — but it probably won't be ready to be announced next week, the sources said.

Another item that may or may not appear at the event is a planned iBooks revamp. The app is expected to get a reorganized layout, including "Reading Now" and audiobooks tabs, and possibly an App Store-like "Today" section with long-form marketing such as author interviews.

None of these three items are particularly a surprise, or particularly revelatory — and AppleInsider discussed them at some length on Monday. Rumors have been circulating for some time about a new MacBook or MacBook Air at a lower cost, and the existence of a pair of new iPads is known, from international regulatory agency filings.

The company will probably use the event to brag about its partnership with Chicago schools, namely its Swift curriculae for Chicago Public Schools and the City Colleges of Chicago. While open-source, Swift is an Apple-created programming language useful mainly with iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS.

Apple has been discussing further educational initiatives in the city, sources added.

It's unknown if Apple will use the event to reveal updated iPad Pros. These could have eight-core "A11X" processors, plus front-facing TrueDepth cameras enabling Face ID and hence thinner bezels.

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29 Comments

rogifan_new

said about 6 years ago

If Apple keeps the MBA name and adds a retina screen to it they’d basically be admitting the rMB is a failure and there would be zero reason for it to exist. This device would also cannibalize sales of the rMBP sans TouchBar. My guess is either Apple is working on a cheaper rMB that maybe doesn’t have as good of a display as the current rMB models do.

Keeping the Air around is nuts and just makes their laptop lineup very confusing. They need to go back to Steve’s grid of consumer/pro, desktop/laptop and stop confusing the lineup by keeping old products around or (creating new ones) just to fit certain price points. Keep it simple stupid. And if they have to give up some margin to take on Google in the classroom then do it. The last thing Apple should want is students being all in on the Google ecosystem.

bobolicious

said about 6 years ago

16G ram and a retina screen would make the decision a lot tougher - is usb-c overdue for both the air and the mini...?

rogifan_new

said about 6 years ago

bobolicious said:

16G ram and a retina screen would make the decision a lot tougher - is usb-c overdue for both the air and the mini...?

That would make the rMB obsolete.

txsbaker75

said about 6 years ago

I'm curious why Apple doesn't just take the parts for the iMac 21" and install them in a MacMini shell with a breakout adaptor to provide the rear panel connections. It would make it much easier to support & update. They might have to modify the motherboard design slightly to accommodate both case designs, and possible tweak the case designs, too. But that would seem to be a comparatively easy way to offer a low end, up-to-date spec PC with or without display. In fact, they could do it with 2 chassis designs and offer the same thing for the 27" iMac components for a midrange desktop offering. My $0.02, as ever.