Latest iPad raises bar to new heights

Now, the most affordable iPad can take full advantage of this amazing input device, expanding its potential and creative possibilities for a wider audience.

The new iPad isn’t too different from last year’s model in looks or how it works. Side-by-side, there isn’t too much to tell them apart — similar size and colours, ie, gold, silver and space grey.

You should still be able to use all the accessories from the fourth gen iPad from 2012, on the new 2018 (sixth generation) model. You can choose storage options from 32GB or 128GB and with or without cellular with prices starting from €369.

Under the hood there’s a significant boost in to the processor although you still only get 2GB of RAM. In my benchmarking, Apples custom, 64-bit A10 Fusion processor onboard the new iPad has similar performance to the iPad Pro 9.7.

This is the same chip found in the iPhone 7 and 7 plus and has improved graphics performance that not only mean games run smoother but also helps with augmented reality software and other apps that require input from the GPU.

This means an overall smoother user experience from switching between apps to faster load times. Games like Fortnite and Asphalt 8 run incredibly smooth with no issues or frame skipping.

All this is fine and dandy, but by far the most exciting new feature is the fact that you can now use the Apple Pencil on the new iPad, something that was exclusive to the iPad Pro up to now. I know the Apple Pencil isn’t for everyone, but I’m excited to see it being used more in, and for, education.

Kids just love using the Apple Pencil and college students can benefit in so many ways too from taking notes in lectures to carrying a light device that will keep them going all day without bulky chargers. Speaking of which, it takes hours to charge the iPad using the supplied 10 watt charger.

I tried using the Apple 29 watt charger with USB-C to thunderbolt cable and got the charge rate up to nearly 14 watts for improved charging times. The same fast charging setup allows me to charge my iPad Pro at the full 29 watts. I don’t think this is going to bother too many but is worth mentioning.

The Pencil support brings so many new features including apps like Procreate for those like me, who like to draw and paint.

The ability to annotate PDFs or sign digital documents is useful and taking notes in meetings with software like Goodnotes means you never have to buy another notepad again. It also means finding those notes later is a simple search on iOS.

To test the new iPad with the Apple Pencil I did some drawings and handwriting. Coming from the perspective of a heavy iPad Pro user, I had limited expectations.

The experience was a surprising pleasant one. Yes, there is a little lag and because the iPad doesn’t have a laminated screen there’s a gap between the tip of the pencil and the actual screen. This didn’t bother me too much in my time using it in apps like Procreate or Adobe Draw and not at all anywhere else.

While using the new iPad, I found that while I was drawing and looking directly down on the screen, I didn’t notice this ‘air gap’. However, if you look at the screen at an angle, the gap is noticeable.

For sure, going back to the iPad Pro provides a pen on paper like experience, but if you don’t need this for professional purposes, you will be more than happy with the less expensive iPad.

Being used to the larger, 12.9 iPad Pro, I found the iPad great for sketching and taking notes thanks to its smaller form factor.

That said, I do prefer the larger screen for more detailed artwork and, when I tried to import some of my work from Procreate on my 12.9 iPad Pro onto the iPad, I got a message saying the file exceeded the hardware capabilities of the device.

That being said, the iPad Pro is designed for a more professional market and features a better processor, more RAM, better cameras, an incredible screen with 120Hz refresh rate, True Tone and P3 colour gamut along with a quad stereo speaker array.

The new iPad still has a great screen albeit more reflective, which makes it less ideal than the Pro for sketching or general use outdoors. It’s still super bright with excellent colour rendition and the mono speakers sound great but when watching movies, you’re only getting sound from one side.

The iPad has lots of options when it comes to Bluetooth keyboards but does not have the iPad Pro’s Smart Connector hardware. Again, considering the user base the new iPad is geared towards it’s no big deal considering the myriad of inexpensive keyboards if required at all.

Overall, the new 2018 iPad is an unbeatable tablet for the price. Even if you don’t want the incredible features the Apple Pencil has to offer, it’s still a fantastic device.

Best of all, if you buy the 2018 iPad, you don’t have to buy the Pencil, but when you change your mind, or decide to give it a go later, you’ll have the hardware to do so. The iPad is not a replacement for the iPad Pro, but many will enjoy the benefits of some pro features without the pro prices.

Available at Compu B, Harvey Normans, PC World and Apple.com/ie.