New Ipad Air and mini released today

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mattwnz

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#248312 19-Mar-2019 14:58

I see that overnight Apple released these new models, if anyone was looking to do an upgrade and was holding out for the new models. It looks like the new air is basically an upgraded processor of the previous gen ipad pro 10.5 inch model minus some things. Not bad, except in typical apple fashion, they only give two storage options, one small, and one very large, so if buying, you are somewhat forced to go for the more expensive option. The mini is quite pricey compared to what you get with the AIR IMO, although a lot cheaper than iphones if people are looking for fast a phablet device without a phone. They both seem to have headphone jacks which is a good thing, and is something that turned me off the current gen pro model. Both seem quite expensive in NZ compared to the US but probably because the NZ dollar is quite weak compared to it at the moment.

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#2201762 19-Mar-2019 15:08

These have replaced the "orphaned" 10.5 pros that were left over after the new shape pros were released last year - they even use the same form factor....

When compared to what they are replacing they are actually a bit of a price cut,,

ie. NL still have a 10.5 256GB wifi listed at $1399... its replaced by the new air at $1099

256GB 4G was 1699, that's now $1319

+the new ones will take the new pencil

mattwnz

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#2201791 19-Mar-2019 15:40

I don't think they are as good though in terms of the display, as didn't the ipad pro have pro motion? But yes they are a bit of a price cut, plus new gen processor. I don't like the current basic ipads because they don't have a laminated display and the air gap, where the display was a downgrade from the previous air2 models.

mattwnz

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#2201792 19-Mar-2019 15:43

wellygary:

ie. NL still have a 10.5 256GB wifi listed at $1399... its replaced by the new air at $1099

256GB 4G was 1699, that's now $1319

They would need to do a pretty big price cut on them to clear them, considering they are an older gen processor as well. I don't know why anyone would buy the old pro over the new air unless they really wanted pro-motion.

Handsomedan

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#2201796 19-Mar-2019 15:48

mattwnz:

I don't think they are as good though in terms of the display, as didn't the ipad pro have pro motion? But yes they are a bit of a price cut, plus new gen processor. I don't like the current basic ipads because they don't have a laminated display and the air gap, where the display was a downgrade from the previous air2 models.

Yes - these ones are 60hz rather than 120hz "Promotion", but they are fully laminated, so there won't be the usual "disconnected" feeling when using the Apple Pencil on a non-pro device.

Interesting that the 10.5 is able to use a Smart Keyboard, but they opted not to make one for the Mini - you'll have to go with a 3rd party Bluetooth (although with today's tech, Bluetooth lag is barely a thing with a good keyboard now).

Overall, I like the Mini as it's a perfect "note-taking" and casual media consumption device.

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mattwnz

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#2201798 19-Mar-2019 15:53

wellygary:

+the new ones will take the new pencil

Are you sure they take the 'new' apple pencil? It just says in the specs that it supports the apple pencil. Whereas the new pro says it supports the new apple pencil, and there are two versions of the pencil. Plus I would expect apple would want to reserve the new better one for the pro models.

mattwnz

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#2201813 19-Mar-2019 15:56

Handsomedan:

Overall, I like the Mini as it's a perfect "note-taking" and casual media consumption device.

Looking at the NL website, the mini has only gone up by about $50 in price from the old gen, which I believe was still using the A7 processor. So a huge improvement for a device that some people may get instead of an expensive smartphone. Guessing this upgrade is also becuase ios 13 will support for devices older than the A8 processor, an perhaps even the A8 processor too. Although I had heard ios 13 also won't support the iphone 6s which has an A9 processor, but I would be surprised if that happens.

Handsomedan

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#2201815 19-Mar-2019 16:00

mattwnz:

wellygary:

+the new ones will take the new pencil

Are you sure they take the 'new' apple pencil? It just says in the specs that it supports the apple pencil. Whereas the new pro says it supports the new apple pencil, and there are two versions of the pencil. Plus I would expect apple would want to reserve the new better one for the pro models.

No - these are Mark 1 Apple Pencil compatible only.

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wellygary

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#2201923 19-Mar-2019 18:54

Handsomedan:

mattwnz:

wellygary:

+the new ones will take the new pencil

Are you sure they take the 'new' apple pencil? It just says in the specs that it supports the apple pencil. Whereas the new pro says it supports the new apple pencil, and there are two versions of the pencil. Plus I would expect apple would want to reserve the new better one for the pro models.

No - these are Mark 1 Apple Pencil compatible only.

Edit: My Bad,

I has just assumed the new hardware would support the new pencil, little did I reckon about Apple's "divide and conquer" marketing strategy ...

mattwnz

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#2201925 19-Mar-2019 19:02

wellygary:

Edit: My Bad,

I has just assumed the new hardware would support the new pencil, little did I reckon about Apple's "divide and conquer" marketing strategy ...

Yeah, they always have to create a point of difference so their cheaper models aren't quite as good, so there is a reason to buy the more expensive ones. Although to be fair these are a pretty decent upgrades and not too badly priced, and best of all they didn't remove the headphone jack, and I suspect it isn't prone to the same type of bending issue as the new pro. So in some ways it is better than the new pro for some people.

My only issue with old pencil is the way it charges, needing to plug into the lightning port of the ipad, which risks breaking it. I would that thought they could release a new version that gets around this problem as a 1.5 model, as that must be a common thing to damage.

Handsomedan

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#2202275 20-Mar-2019 10:30

mattwnz:

My only issue with old pencil is the way it charges, needing to plug into the lightning port of the ipad, which risks breaking it. I would that thought they could release a new version that gets around this problem as a 1.5 model, as that must be a common thing to damage.

I use a cable plugged into a normal charging brick and the adaptor that came with my Pencil to charge it.

The only time I plug it into my iPad is if I need a quick charge if it's about to go flat...30 seconds gives another few minutes writing time.

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gehenna

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#2202282 20-Mar-2019 10:36

I had a little pencil case that had an internal battery and usb port, and came with a small usb cable, so I could charge the pencil from the case. It was great. Similar to the Belkin Apple Pencil case, but actually useful.

https://www.amazon.com/WILLGOO-Carrying-Apple-Pencil-Accessories/dp/B07DB1F5LF

Handsomedan

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#2202295 20-Mar-2019 10:56

gehenna:

Similar to the Belkin Apple Pencil case, but actually useful.

I use the Belkin Pencil Case all the time...it's quite useful(ish).

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FineWine

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#2202344 20-Mar-2019 11:59

Sorry for hijacking but Apple has also announced upgraded iMac Pro's and iMac lineup

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

mattwnz

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#2202927 21-Mar-2019 17:59

Also airpods 2 today. Still no easy way to control volume though. Also looks like the price of the non wireless charging model has increased by $10. But the wireless charging case version is quite a bit more. Wouldn't be surprised if it will be a new ipod tonight.

21brandon21

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#2203119 21-Mar-2019 22:17

Airpods 1 $260, Airpods 2 $350, $90 more for basically a case with wireless charging.

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