Apple fans can finally get their hands on the firm’s newest, and most affordable, iPad.
Simply dubbed “iPad”, the hardware is a refreshed version of Apple’s entry-level tablet which first debuted back in March last year.
If you want to get technical, the product is actually the seventh-generation iPad and totes a slightly larger 10.2-inch Retina Display as opposed to the 9.7-inch panel offered on its predecessor.
Screen aside, the new iPad also boasts speedy internals that Apple claims should deliver performance two-times faster than the “top selling Windows PC” in the same price bracket.
Additionally, the hardware also comes with capable cameras on its front and rear – perfect if you are one of the surprisingly high number of people seen capturing pictures or video outdoors with the tablet.
Of course, the new iPad comes in both Wi-Fi only and cellular models, with the former starting at £349, and the latter for £479.
Apple unveiled the seventh-generation iPad on September 10. The product debuted alongside the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, and the Apple Watch Series 5.
Discussing the new tablet Apple Vice President of Product Marketing Greg Joswiak said: “The new iPad packs even more value into our most popular and affordable iPad model featuring a bigger 10.2-inch Retina display, support for Apple Pencil and for the first time, the full-size Smart Keyboard.
“The new iPad was built to run iPadOS, which introduces powerful new ways to multitask, manage and mark up documents, use Apple Pencil and view more information at a glance on a redesigned Home screen.
“This new iPad with iPadOS takes everything people love about our most popular iPad and makes it even better for creating, learning, working and playing.”
As mentioned by Joswiak, the new tablet will run Apple’s new iPadOS operating system out the box.
Apple launched iPadOS this Tuesday, September 24, and marks the first time the tablet series has enjoyed its own operating system, rather than running the same version of iOS as found on the iPhone.
iPadOS has been designed from the ground up to cater to the iPad’s screen size, power and productivity tools.
Changes are visible as soon as the user loads up the tablet’s home screen – there is now space for widgets that allow for quick access to apps such as Calendar, Weather and more.
Apple’s new operating system also makes multitasking easier with two new features called Split View and Slide Over that make it easier to manage multiple programmes at once.
There’s also a cavalcade of other features in iPadOS worth shouting about, such as improved Apple Pencil support, a revamped Files app and desktop-class browsing with Safari.
In addition to coming pre-installed on Apple’s seventh-generation iPad, iPadOS is also available as a free download right now for these tablet models:
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro
• 11-inch iPad Pro
• 10.5-inch iPad Pro
• 9.7-inch iPad Pro
• iPad (6th generation)
• iPad (5th generation)
• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad mini 4
• iPad Air (3rd generation)
• iPad Air 2