Apple updates MacBook Air with improved internals for $999, new iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard

[Humza]

What just happened? Apple has revealed refreshed versions of the MacBook Air and the Mac mini, both of which now come with more storage as standard. The iPad Pro has also received a full revamp, now powered by an updated A12Z Bionic SoC alongside a new Magic Keyboard accessory that features a built-in trackpad.

Users disappointed with Apple's butterfly keyboards on the MacBook Air will be pleased to know that the ultrabook's latest version now comes with scissor switches like its bigger 16-inch Pro sibling and gets a performance boost with Intel's 10th-gen Ice Lake CPUs. Base models get dual-core Intel Core i3 and i5 processors, configurable up to a 1.2Ghz quad-core i7.

Thanks to Intel Iris Plus graphics, Apple also notes performance improvements of up to 80 percent in daily workloads like video editing and playing games. The laptop's base storage now starts at 256GB, doubling the previous amount, and maxes out at 2TB.

Apple is also touting these additional features in the new MacBook Air:

• A three-mic array for more clear voice capture for FaceTime calls
• Force Touch trackpad for precise cursor control and multi-touch navigation
• Thunderbolt 3 ports for data transfer, charging and video output in a single connector
• Support for up to a 6K external display (including the Pro Display XDR), a first for MacBook Air

The new MacBook Air is now available to buy with a $999 starting price or $899 for students. A fully configured machine goes up to $1,500 and above, but perhaps what's most important is that base machines receive Apple's usual combination of solid build quality, great quality display, and now a more reliable keyboard.

iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard

Apple's latest iPad Pro is now powered by a new A12Z Bionic chip. The updated silicon includes an 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, which offers the "highest performance ever in an iPad," along with 10-hours of battery life and 60% faster LTE speeds.

Apple even goes on to claim that the device is "more powerful than most Windows PC laptops."

The most noticeable update to the iPad Pro, however, is added support for the new magnetic Magic Keyboard that features a floating design and cantilevered hinges to support viewing angles of up to 130 degrees.

Interestingly, the accessory is backward compatible with last year's iPad Pro models and comes with a USB-C passthrough for charging and features a backlit, scissor-switch keyboard with 1mm key travel.

Both 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad models feature a new camera array that features a 12MP camera and a 10MP Ultra Wide camera, improved mics and a LiDAR scanner for depth-sensing. This last addition is meant to be used for augmented reality applications.

This cursor behaviour is not like a PC. It’s like a hybrid of focus engine and normal mouse pointer. Super interesting. pic.twitter.com/BC0tAhdJEZ

— Benjamin Mayo (@bzamayo) March 18, 2020

There's trackpad support here as well, with the upcoming iPadOS 13.4 update (dropping on March 24). Apple says that the cursor experience has not been copied from macOS, but "completely reimagined for iPad." You can take a peek on the video below how the cursor works, jumping from one actionable option/button to another, it'll be interesting to see how users adopt this. With the iPadOS update, third-party apps are expected to work with the trackpad without any update required.

As is usually the case with Apple accessories, the Magic Keyboard comes at a premium and will cost $299 for the 11-inch model and $349 for the 12.9-inch version, with availability expected sometime in May. Both iPad Pros carry identical pricing to previous versions but receive double the base storage at 128GB. Ordering is now live with deliveries expected later this month.

The last of Apple's refreshed hardware includes the Mac mini. The small PC gets an update in storage space, doubling it for the base version which now starts at 256GB for $799, while the new 512GB config starts at $1,099.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/84440-apple-updates-macbook-air-improved-internals-999-new.html

 

[QuantumPhysics]

$999

Just in time for our $1000 welfare checks from the Federal Reserve.

 

[psycros]

Imagine paying $1000 for a laptop that can barely run Photoshop or high-def 3D games from a decade ago.

 

[Squid Surprise]

Once it's fully configured, the iPad Pro runs almost $2,000.... I'd say it's crazy, except the iPhone 11 Pro Max costs the same, and people bought those in droves...

I recently got several hundred dollars in Staples gift cards, so I might pick the 11" - assuming they carry it...

 

[m4a4]

Apple says that the cursor experience has not been copied from macOS, but "completely reimagined for iPad."

And I hope you have the option to switch to a cursor experience that copies macOS, because the snapping sounds like it could be annoying for a regular mouse lol

 

[wiyosaya]

crApple marketing in action. Magic Keyboard.

 

[CharmsD]

the Magic Keyboard comes at a premium and will cost $299 for the 11-inch model and $349 f

Thanks for the laughs "apple". These already look like the worst.products.ever. Lol

 

[Squid Surprise]

Thanks for the laughs "apple". These already look like the worst.products.ever. Lol

Other than just Apple hating... which is always popular... any actual reasons?

Cause, other than price, they're actually looking pretty amazing.

 

[CharmsD]

Other than just Apple hating... which is always popular... any actual reasons?

Cause, other than price, they're actually looking pretty amazing.

A craptop is a craptop is a craptop. I have one thank you.

This!~>

Is just another craptop. There's no need for me to expound on what I see there (tortured materials science, random sourced parts, inherent disposability, insane product markup..etc) just that some, but not all of us, are amazed by mediocrity.

 

[texasrattler]

Its not like we will see these anytime soon or even the customers. Why bother bringing something out when most cant see it or even buy it. Stupid move on Apples part. Should have waited for things to calm down a bit. Greed never ceases to amaze me. China hasnt even gone back to work in the factories yet and Apple closed its stores.

 

[Squid Surprise]

Its not like we will see these anytime soon or even the customers. Why bother bringing something out when most cant see it or even buy it. Stupid move on Apples part. Should have waited for things to calm down a bit. Greed never ceases to amaze me. China hasnt even gone back to work in the factories yet and Apple closed its stores.

They’re available next week - and you can buy them online...
And since so many people are stuck “self-isolating”, this is actually something that people need and want

 

[Squid Surprise]

A craptop is a craptop is a craptop. I have one thank you.

This!~>

Is just another craptop. There's no need for me to expound on what I see there (tortured materials science, random sourced parts, inherent disposability, insane product markup..etc) just that some, but not all of us, are amazed by mediocrity.

Ahhh... so mindless hate... fair enough... but the build quality is vastly superior to most other devices... and they’re tablets, not laptops... still prefer the Surface Pro, but these are pretty nice.

 

[CharmsD]

Ahhh... so mindless hate... fair enough... but the build quality is vastly superior to most other devices... and they’re tablets, not laptops... still prefer the Surface Pro, but these are pretty nice.

Thanks for the compliment, it's appreciated! Here's a nice entertaining video for you, I met this person and spent time in their store a few years ago. Great people are everywhere.

That's gonna sting.

 

[Christiaaan]

Imagine paying $1000 for a laptop that can barely run Photoshop or high-def 3D games from a decade ago.

Imagine not caring about photoshop or games.

 

[texasrattler]

They’re available next week - and you can buy them online...
And since so many people are stuck “self-isolating”, this is actually something that people need and want

I know they are. I work for a retailer. You wont be finding many instore. Lot of items are limited thats coming in. Also changes are being made starting on monday for a lot of companies. Stores will close or have limited staff even limiting customers. Buy, with what money. Lot of ppl have lost jobs incase you havent been paying attention. While some companies have a paid leave option not all do.
Yes you can buy online but thats always been a option. However even Amazon have said things will take time to deliever. Hell a new york Amazon distribution has the virus there. But if you cant work, then you also cant pay for things. Government will help with some things coming up but if you have to choose between rent/food n new computer. It wont be the computer.

 

[CharmsD]

I know they are. I work for a retailer. You wont be finding many instore. Lot of items are limited thats coming in. Also changes are being made starting on monday for a lot of companies. Stores will close or have limited staff even limiting customers. Buy, with what money. Lot of ppl have lost jobs incase you havent been paying attention. While some companies have a paid leave option not all do.
Yes you can buy online but thats always been a option. However even Amazon have said things will take time to deliever. Hell a new york Amazon distribution has the virus there. But if you cant work, then you also cant pay for things. Government will help with some things coming up but if you have to choose between rent/food n new computer. It wont be the computer.

Schools are giving out wireless hotspots and Chromebooks, anyone dying for a new apple product can wait or shop around. Excess food distributions are also going on - already. Those are good steps and others will come...the government's proposal/promise of 2-3 k$ direct to workers, will go a way to soften [edit spelling] the personal economic hit. And Iran seems to have a load of relief money coming to the US, I'm not quite sure what that's about.

 

[Squid Surprise]

I know they are. I work for a retailer. You wont be finding many instore. Lot of items are limited thats coming in. Also changes are being made starting on monday for a lot of companies. Stores will close or have limited staff even limiting customers. Buy, with what money. Lot of ppl have lost jobs incase you havent been paying attention. While some companies have a paid leave option not all do.
Yes you can buy online but thats always been a option. However even Amazon have said things will take time to deliever. Hell a new york Amazon distribution has the virus there. But if you cant work, then you also cant pay for things. Government will help with some things coming up but if you have to choose between rent/food n new computer. It wont be the computer.

Despite the world being upside down right now, this will pass.... and people will go back to buying stuff.... and there are plenty of people who will order this online (I bet many have done so already)....

While many have lost jobs, there are plenty of people who have lots of money - and plenty more who will buy on credit because they want something to consume content while they’re holed up at home with nothing to do....