Apple could transform notebook market with 12-inch hybrid ‘iPad Pro’
Apple has its eyes on the notebook market with the soon-to-be released 12-inch iPad hybrid, which is going to see the company make major inroads into the notebook PC landscape, said Christopher Riley, MD of notebook and accessories retailer, The Notebook Company.
“This is certainly an interesting move by Apple,” said Riley, adding that the introduction of the 12-inch iPad hybrid will “drastically change” the notebook PC battlefield.
It is expected that the new iPad model, powered by an Apple-built t next-generation “A8” processor, will launch in autumn in the United States.
“Analysts believe this new device will stir up the traditional, established notebook market — an industry that Apple rival Microsoft has been trying to corner, but not with a great deal of success, with its own hybrid laptop-tablet devices running the Windows 8 platform.
“Additionally, “said Riley, “the new Apple hybrid will also create price competition. Its launch will undoubtedly also expand the reach, and fortunes, of chipmaker, ARM, which makes the reference designs for Apple’s A-series chips. Needless to say, ARM’s gains would fire a broadside at Intel, the dominant player in traditional computer chips.”