Do you really need a 9.7-inch iPad Pro?

Just now, Apple's twice-a-year new product launch conference ended. This shortest launch conference in history hastily brought up the iPhone SE, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, new Apple Watch straps and several new software. After the launch conference, looking back at this iPad Pro, I can't help but ask myself, is this really what we need?

Last fall, Apple released the first generation of iPad Pro. The combination of 12.9-inch screen and Smart Keyboard reflects the strong business and portable style. Half a year later, Apple released this small-sized iPad Pro. In my opinion, it is a product with unclear positioning, and even feels like a product that was reluctantly launched to occupy the market.

First of all, the 9.7-inch model is still not compatible with OS X. We all know that iOS is more suitable for entertainment, but the only Apple system that really involves office work is OS X. OS X is better than iOS, which is more entertainment-oriented, in terms of software platform layout, software compatibility, and business operation experience. This is also what netizens criticized the most after the launch conference last year. How much productivity can a productivity tool that is not compatible with OS X really generate?

Secondly, Vice President Schiller said that there are currently 200 million users of the 9.7-inch iPad, while there are as many as 600 million users who currently use Windows computers and have not changed their computers in 5 years. Mr. Schiller may think that the combination of the two will allow many people to choose the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, but I don’t think so. Products with unclear positioning will make users entangled in their choices. Business users may feel that the 9.7-inch screen is too small and it is tiring to work; and users who focus on entertainment may wonder how useful the keyboard is to them. Although the editor admits that he absolutely does not have Apple’s foresight, he still speculates that Apple is too hasty to release this product.

Third, the lack of a 64GB version is like the lack of a 32GB version of the iPhone. They deliberately put a dilemma in front of users to promote the sales of the 128GB version. I think that since this pricing method has been hotly discussed online in recent years, it is better to give up. Making money but losing the support of the people is disadvantageous to themselves.

In addition, the new device is said to be a smaller version of the iPad Pro, but it also looks like an iPad Air with a keyboard. The body lacks highlight functions, there is no 3D Touch, and it is even the first iPad product without an independent name and is only distinguished by size. I don’t know what the intention is.

Of course, the new 9.7-inch iPad Pro is not without merits. I think it may be more suitable for female users who prefer SOHO. The small and light body can be easily squeezed into a girl's shoulder bag, and can be taken out and used at any time in a coffee shop or book bar. Moreover, the configuration of this iPad Pro is indeed quite good, with A9X+M9 processing chip, retina screen, and 12 million pixel camera, which can be regarded as the best among tablets. However, it is still difficult to enter the office field by relying on a few software or installing a keyboard, so I think the smaller iPad Pro has a narrower demand and is in a more embarrassing situation.

After watching Apple's press conferences for several years, I feel that the iPad product line is becoming increasingly marginalized. I wonder if Apple will develop a hot-swappable MacBook and stop updating the iPad. I still vaguely remember the excitement of watching Apple's press conferences in the first year, but it is difficult to see those exciting works today. Perhaps, just like life, Apple will become more and more dull.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.