Apple’s iPad event had a lot to like. New iPads with new chips and sizes, a new Apple Pencil and even software updates. If you’re a big fan of Apple hardware, well, it was probably a good day. You can now get an update and thinner iPad Pro, if that’s your problem.
But as I watched the event and analyzed the news immediately afterward, I ran into a personal sticking point. While it’s welcome that iPads are becoming more powerful, they’re challengingly priced and even outpace many computers. Which seems a bit retrospective. Here’s how TechCrunch reported the matter:
It’s also an expensive machine: the iPad Pro starts at $999 for the 11-inch model. The 13-inch version costs $1,299. And the iPad Pro doesn’t come with a keyboard or Pencil in the box, so you often end up paying more than the price of a MacBook Air.
These prices increase by $200 if you want cellular connectivity. So if you wanted a new 13-inch iPad Pro with cellular connectivity and a keyboard, you’re way over the base price of a Macbook Pro. You know, a real full-featured computer with no caveats.
The problem here is that Apple’s chips are great and its laptops are super nice. I’m writing this from an M-based MacBook Pro right now, and it’s really lovely. I just can’t imagine paying a similar ticket price for something that isn’t as capable as a productivity device. And has a more locked down operating system to boot. I could be completely crazy here, but the pricing and positioning of Apple’s impressive new devices leaves me perplexed. Let’s talk about it.
techcrunch
