iPad Pro...mini?

When the original iPad Pro was introduced in September 2015 the company emphasised a need for 'professionals' to have a tablet with a larger screen. That may be so for designers or people looking for a tablet to replace a laptop. But some people may have prefered the smaller screen of the 9.7 inch Pro that followed. Now, the smaller alternative to the 12.9 inch behemoth has also seen a size increase from 9.7 inches to 10.5.

Is there a place in the market for a smaller device aimed towards professionals?

Up until recently i personally wouldn't believe so. Given the fact that all iOS devices are basically the same, arguably, stretched out versions of the iPhone, there is little need to have 6 very similar devices with slightly varied screen sizes. Some may say you could do away with the Mini all together.

However, with the release of iOS 11 just three months away and the iPad Pro's compatibility with accessories that standard iOS devices don't have, opinion has shifted.

a smaller, 7.9 inch, tablet for professionals may well cover an untapped market.

iOS 11 will bring more functionality to the Apple Pencil. Making notes straight from the lock screen and searchable handwritten notes from spotlight being just the start. Where better to take notes than a notebook sized tablet? Surely, this is more logical and easier than taking notes on a 12.9 inch metal and glass slate. Imagine, walking around your office space or building site etc with a small, handheld tablet in one hand and a smooth plastic stylus in the other ready and willing to jot down notes at will. Won't you look impressive and important!

Then what is you need to scan a document on the go? Apple showcased another feature in notes from iOS 11. a built in document scanner. Which from previews and beta tests, seems to work better than most alternative options available. the downside, using the largest two tablets may put some strain on your wrist. Using a mini would be much simpler. As would using markup before firing it off to a colleague.

A 'professional grade' iPad mini could mean a lot for the modern professional. Wave goodbye to using notebooks and clipboards on the move. Lets hope Apple can stretch their somewhat limited thinking.

NOTE: Tim Cooke, you can probably give a 8 inch smart keyboard cover a miss.

Do you think a smaller version of the popular iPad pro would be useful or just another device in an already saturated market? Let us know on the usual chanels.

#iPad #iOS #ios11 #Apple #Tablet