Last September, Apple introduced their new large-screen, powered-up line of tablets called the iPad Pro. We noted then that its launch was a clear indication the company sees a big part of iPad’s future being in the workplace, as well as the consumer space. Yesterday (3/21/16), Apple unveiled a 9.7-inch (diagonal) iPad Pro, extending the product line that started with last September’s iPad Pro with a super-large screen (12.9-inch). With the Apple Pencil, these iPads are work tools that are being purchased by engineers, architects and other product designers who need the ability to design at the pixel level.

Will the iPad Pro eventually replace laptop computers?

Unlike Microsoft and its Surface line of tablets, Apple is not positioning iPads as laptop replacements. It is marketing the iPad Pro as a unique tool and platform. For example, the iPad Pro won’t likely be marketed as a professional video studio in a tablet—although it can be used for less-than-pro editing. However, it will come close to being everything most on-the-move small business owners use throughout the day—especially if you keep your work on the cloud (i.e., iCloud, Google Drive, Microsoft 365, etc.)

Considerations for purchasing an iPad Pro

Tip 1: The option to include 4G-LTE cellular to your iPad Pro will add $100 to the price of the device and incur monthly usage fees. If your connectivity needs can be served by using an iPhone hotspot feature, you may want to go that route.

Tip 2: How much memory do you really need? If you are a savvy user of cloud storage and don’t download tons of media, you can get by with 32GB or 128GB capacity. (There’s also a 256GB capacity option.)

Tip 3: iPads work with a wide array of bluetooth keyboards, including Apple’s. The keyboard that is being marketed with the Ipad Pros may not be what you want.

Upside: If you are in a job where you already understand the need for the features packed into an iPad Pro, you now have two options of the dream machine.

Downside: They are not inexpensive.

iPad Price and Feature Comparison

(Click for larger image 1 and 2. Prices as of 3/22/2016. Updated details at Apple.com)

Photos: Apple.com