Apple knew exactly what they were doing with the iPad. While its design is finally in line with its contemporaries, it is just different enough to hint at the future of the iPad line and is not compatible with almost all previous accessories.

10th Generation iPad

With the same brain as the iPhone 12, which was Apple’s top-of-the-line chip for mobile two generations ago, the iPad runs the same iPadOS16 and in most cases is just as capable.

Only by putting it side by side with a 5th generation, iPad Air would most people realise the difference in the two device’s colour, dimension, weight, performance, and perhaps display quality (despite both using the same display technology.

I think this is a good thing. The price for the iPad starts at RM2,099 while starting price of the iPad Air is RM2,899. RM800 is a lot for a gap, although there, is not cavernous to most people.

Plus, a first for an Apple mobile device, the iPad comes with a meter-long braided USB-C charging cable.

Magic Keyboard Folio

On top of that, the new Magic Keyboard Folio for the iPad is RM1,249 while the 4th generation Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air and iPad Pro is RM1,479.

I’m not comparing the Smart Keyboards because the Magic Keyboards are the best-made and designed tablet keyboards on the market. I’ve tested a few from other brands for other tablets and somehow no one else gets it right, the travel and the feel of the keys on a Magic Keyboard are in a league of their own and the whole thing does not bend. Why does every other device maker makes keyboards that bend for their tablets?

Of course, the Magic Keyboard Folio is not perfect. It comes in two pieces, a keyboard that attaches to the bottom of the iPad and a stand that attaches to the back of it. The combo solves a problem some people have with the Magic Keyboard where it can’t fold back and is stuck in “laptop mode”.

However, when attached to the iPad, the Magic Keyboard Folio almost doubles the thickness and weight of the whole thing. When folded open, with the kickstand propping the device up and the keyboard ready to be used, the whole thing has a large footprint.

On top of all that, the keyboard does not have a backlight but has an extra row of function keys instead.

To be fair other tablets use the same two-piece solution as well, but their quality, even for a first-party accessory, is lacking.

Together, the iPad and the Magic Keyboard Folio make a compelling entry-level laptop. With iPadOS16 and the front-facing camera now in the middle of the long side of the device, it feels and functions more and more like a laptop.

I think in time other devices in the iPad line will have their front-facing camera moved as well and the Magic Keyboard will get an extra row of keys too.

Apple Pencil

Oh, about that compatibility with the 1st generation Apple Pencil. What were they thinking? It is like fitting a square peg in a round hole with extra pieces. Good thing the adapter is included with the Apple Pencil now. And I admit, some aspiring visual artists with limited budgets would still be grateful to get it at RM479.

For a full overview of the 10th-generation iPad go here.