Macworld - USA (2019-12-B)

DECEMBER 2019 MACWORLD 89

virtually every external
hardware feature you can
expect from its pricier
models. It hits shelves
with iPadOS 13 (go.
macworld.com/ip13),
which greatly expands the
productivity possibilities
for Apple’s tablets.
With the success of
Apple Arcade and
hopefully of Apple TV+,
people outside the
ecosystem are suddenly
looking for affordable, low-commitment
devices for enjoying the Cupertino
company’s new services, and this device
gives these potential newcomers little to
complain about and much to fall in love
with. With the 10.2-inch iPad, “entry-level
Apple” now looks more appealing than it
has in a long time.

WIDER HORIZONS
The biggest outward difference in the two
models is that this year’s iPad is simply
larger than last year’s. At 6.8 by 9.8 inches,
the new model sits directly on top of last
year’s refreshed iPad Air with only an
extremely minimal thinness advantage in
the Air’s favor to distinguish them. (Last
year’s iPad measured 6.6 by 9.4 inches.)
They look so similar, in fact, that I kept
accidentally picking up the iPad Air while

preparing this review.

That, in turn, translates into a boost in

the size of the display size for the new

iPad, as the unlaminated LED display

comes with a resolution of 2160 by 1620

pixels compared to last year’s 2048 by

1536 pixels, although both have a pixel

density of 264ppi. (The iPad Air’s 2224 by

1668 display is a tad larger than both.)

That’s a tiny difference on paper but

you’ll feel it if you’re using the first-

generation Apple Pencil to highlight text or

scribble notes or draw in an app like

Procreate. Think of it this way—technically

the iPhone 11 Pro Max isn’t terribly bigger

than the iPhone 11 Pro, but you’ll notice the

size difference in your hands. The extra

room means also you have more room for

enjoying iPadOS 13’s improved

multitasking features, and more room

Apple’s Smart Connector: So many possibilities, so few options.