iPad Pro 2020 adds trackpad support

iPad Pro 2020

The new Apple iPad Pro 2020 includes technology never seen before on a tablet. This includes 3D-sensing LiDAR capabilities, laptop-besting performance and enhanced camera and audio capabilities. We’ll cover all of this in our upcoming review, however, another standout feature is trackpad and mouse support. You can experience this with the cleverly designed 2020 Magic Keyboard accessory.

Clever cantilever keyboard

The iPad Pro 2020 Magic Keyboard cover may be the biggest iPad productivity upgrade yet, as it includes a trackpad for precise cursor control on the 11 or 12.9” touch screen tablet. It features a cantilevered stand for a viewing angle adjustment of up to 130° (90° is a right angle) and has a USB-C port for charging.

The Magic Keyboard has strong magnets that firmly hold the iPad so it can ‘float’ above the keyboard. Apart from looking great, the design reduces the overall footprint for using in tight spaces like airplane trays and shallow desks.

The additional USB port means that you can charge your iPad while using its internal USB-C port to connect to external hard drives and cameras.

iPad Pro 2020

The keyboard has been upgraded to the type you’d find on a laptop. It uses Apple’s latest scissor mechanism, with 1mm of travel, and the keys light up for use at night.

When you’re ready move, the Magic Keyboard detaches and folds around the iPad to prevent scratches.

The new trackpad and mouse support is part of iPadOS 13.4, so it will flow on to other iPad Pro models. Apple confirms that the backlit Magic Keyboard cover is backwards compatible with Gen 3/4 12.9” and Gen 1/2 11” iPad Pros.

On-screen, Apple has created a special circular ‘cursor’, similar to a mouse pointer when using the trackpad. This can adapt to what you’re interacting with, so it will change shape for entering text or selecting buttons.

iPad Pro 2020

Gestures are also supported for swiping between desktops or accessing control and multi-function panels. In essence, the gestures are similar to those that you’d use on MacBook trackpads.

iPad Pro 2020 Price and Availability

  • Towards the end of March
  • Magic Keyboard in May
  • Silver and Space Grey
  • 1-year warranty and optional cost Apple Care+
  • 11/12.9” Wi-Fi/LTE base models (128GB) from $1329/1579 and $1649/1899
  • Magic Keyboard cover 11/12.9” 11/12.9” $499/589
  • Apple Pencil Gen 2 $219
  • Smart Keyboard cover 11/12.9” $299/349
  • iPad trade-in program may apply

GadgetGuy’s take – iPad Pro 2020 has some stand-out features

Is it better than an Android tablet?

The Samsung S6 Wi-Fi/LTE (GadgetGuy article here) costs $1299-1499 and accessories are a lot cheaper. It has a Surface-like kickstand, fast 45W charging and detachable keyboard/magnetic pen. Android has a huge selection of Apps, and the 4096-pressure Pen is excellent for designers. However, the new iPad Pro has hardware and capabilities beyond many Android tablets, such as its Augmented Reality LiDAR sensor, ultra-wide camera, 5 microphones and other capabilities.

Is it better than Windows on Arm?

Samsung has Windows on ARM Galaxy Book2 (GadgetGuy Review here Tablet/3:2 OLED/Pen) and Galaxy BookS (GadgetGuy review here – Clamshell, 16:9 IPS, No Pen). Microsoft has the Surface Pro X (GadgetGuy review here – tablet, 3:2 IPS, Pen). Lenovo and HP have WOA options. These are all excellent devices at around $1699 (Microsoft charges about $500 extra for the Pen and keyboard). It all depends if you are happy to use Windows on ARM, which does have its compromises.

Is it better than a full-fat Windows 10 Surface Pro?

The Surface Pro uses an Intel/AMD x86 64-bit device that is found on Windows laptops and some Macs. The 10” Surface Go ($599/839 plus pen/keyboard) and the 12.5” Surface Pro 7  ($1249-3749 plus Pen/Keyboard $338) offer a Windows computing experience in a portable tablet format, if this is what you’re after. HP, Lenovo and others also offer Surface-like devices too, so there’s a lot of choice.

iPad Pro 2020 specifications:

11” Model A2068 and 12.9” Model A2069

Display

  • 11” 2388×1688, 264ppi, P3 wide colour gamut, 600nits (claimed), low reflectivity, IPS LED
  • 12.9” 2732×2048, 264ppi, as above
  • Both have native 50/60Hz screens enhanced to 100/120Hz (Australia uses 50Hz power)
  • No mention of screen protection level apart from ‘laminated display.’

Processor/RAM/Storage

  • Apple A12Z ARM SoC with neural engine and coprocessor
  • RAM – not specified but we believe 6GB
  • Storage – 128GB standard and 256/512GB and 1TB (factory order – not user upgradable)

Size/sound/mic/ports

  • Two speakers either landscape side (total four)
  • Three mics (top portrait side) and one landscape side likely for noise reduction – total 4
  • 4G LTE nano sim (on LTE model)
  • USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
  • Magnetic keyboard connector
  • NO 3.5mm combo audio port

Battery/Charger

  • 11/12.9” 28.65/36.71Wh up to 9/10-hour use LTE/Wi-Fi (in lab conditions so expect less in real-life use)
  • 18W (5V/3A and 9V/2A) charger
  • Missing – Wireless and reverse charging (some articles mistakenly mention this)

Camera rear

  • 12MP primary wide, f/1.8, 1.22um, dual pixel PDAF
  • 10MP Ultra-wide, f/2.4, 125° FOV
  • LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) ToF scanner up to 5M for depth perception and AR
  • HDR, AF, 4K@24fps (no EIS) and 1080/720p with EIS
  • HEIF or JPEG
  • Dual-tone flash
iPAd Pro 2020

Camera Front

  • 7MP, f/2.2, screen flash, HDR
  • 1080p@30/60fps with EIS
  • Facetime Audio and Video
  • Face ID/NFC for Apple pay

Comms

  • Wi-Fi 6 AX, BT 5.0
  • GPS on LTE model only
  • 4G LTE Model nano-SIM, and eSIM
  • LTE Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40 41 42, 46 48, 66 71 – a world modem
  • Wi-Fi calling depends on carrier

Care: While this looks like a global model, eSIM IMEI numbers must be activated in the country of original sale, e.g. Australian stock is pre-registered to Australian Telcos. Once activated here, the eSIM will then work overseas. Nano SIM has no pre-registration.

Build

  • Glass front (no screen protection specified)
  • Aluminium back and frame
  • 11” 247.6×178.5×5.9mm x approx. 470g
  • 12.9” 280.6 x 214.9×5.9mm x approx. 640g

For more details, please visit Apple’s pages here