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How Apple plans to simplify the 2024 iPad lineup
Imagine a world where choosing an iPad is as simple as picking a MacBook. That’s the vision Apple seems to be aiming for in 2024, as it plans to streamline its iPad lineup according to Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter.
Remember when buying iPads was easy? There was a big one or a small one – that was it. Today, it’s a different story, with models ranging from the Pro to the Mini, and several generations in between. Take the 11-inch iPad Pro and the iPad Air, for example. They are almost identical devices at a glance, making it hard for the average user to see the benefit of buying one over the other. Similarly, the 10th generation iPad and the Air have a puzzling $150 price gap, despite being very similar.
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The average user does not want to do a lot of research and watch hours of YouTube videos before deciding which model to buy. They don’t want to feel like they could have made a better choice because they didn’t understand the options.
The 2024 lineup might change all this. According to Gurman it seems as thought Apple preparing to take inspiration from its MacBook series. The current Apple laptop lineup is known for its clear-cut choices between the Pro and Air models because the models physically look different and offer easy to understand tradeoffs. Want the best MacBook? Buy the model with larger screen sizes and a thicker body to handle demanding workflows. Want a MacBook for everyday tasks? Buy the skinnier model with the slightly worse screen. This approach could be just what the iPad lineup needs.
Good
Starting at the bottom of the lineup, the iPad Mini is not going anywhere. The mini has a loyal fanbase despite the prevalence of large screen phones. iPad mini customer want to take the iPad-experience with them without lugging around a large tablet and keyboard. Rumours suggest a refresh…
