A couple of weeks ago we already reviewed the strengths and weaknesses of the MediaPad M5 And, of course, now it's time to do the same with what will undoubtedly be its most complicated rival: we review the best and worst of iPad 2018, the strengths and weaknesses most highlighted by all the independent reviews of the new tablet from Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), that have already appeared.
The strengths of the iPad 2018
We start by reviewing the most interesting features of the iPad 2018, the main reasons to bet on it if we are thinking of renewing our iPad or Android tablet.
Performance
It must be said that the best valued features of the new iPad 2018 are no surprise, starting with the performance. And you know that this model has replaced the A9 with the A10 of the iPhone 7, and although it still lags behind the A10X that we have in the iPad Pro 10.5, as we could see in a test video with both, it is not too far behind and is, in any case, clearly above what is usual in tablets in its price range, being even capable of editing 4K video with some ease. The only downside that can be put is that it stays in only 2 GB of RAM and it does not shine so much in the multitasking section (for example, if we have two apps on split screen and we open a third one in a floating window, the first two will be frozen).
Support for Apple Pencil
This was another fixed bet for the pools regarding what the characteristics of the game were going to be. iPad 2018 in the analyzes and, indeed, it has not failed: it may be that the Apple Pencil It is not exactly an essential accessory (for many users a keyboard may be more useful, for example), but it is the kind of tool that in the end is difficult to do without when given a chance, after all, one of the best stylus that we can use. This morning we have also left you a selection of accessories and apps for Apple Pencil so that you can get even more out of it if you dare to get one of them.
Being an iPad
There are many who in favor of this iPad 2018 (as was the case with the iPad 9.7) simply say that it is an iPad, which is true that it implies an obvious positioning compared to Android tablets, but that we must recognize whatever ours is which has some indisputable arguments, not so much perhaps for what refers to the quality of the finishes (there are others that can already rival it in this regard), as for software issues: iOS 11 has been a great improvement for multitasking, we are guaranteed updates for years and without delays and the App Store still has the largest collection of optimized apps for tablets.
The price
In the reviews that come to us from the United States, this is not a point that stands out so much because there the price has not changed (except for the discount for schools), but in our country you cannot stop mentioning it, because the iPad 2018 Yes, it has met the expectations of a price drop compared to its predecessor here and it must be recognized that $350 for 9.7 inch iPad It is a trick that is difficult to beat. As we saw in our comparison with iPad models, It is true that the iPad Pro 10.5 is superior in many sections but considering that you have to pay double for them, betting on this other more affordable seems a reasonable decision in terms of quality / price ratio.
The weak points of the iPad 2018
Although the evaluations are very positive in general, there are always things that at least can be improved: this is what they liked the least about the iPad 2018.
Lack of innovation in design
No one doubts the quality of the design and the finishes of the tablets of Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC),, but the truth is that we have found that in many reviews it has sided with the cons of this iPad 2018 the lack of innovation in this section, how little stimulating it is in this regard. It is true, however, that this is the kind of criticism that we normally do, most of us who are dealing with new tablets all the time and are always wanting to see new things, rather than a concern that any buyer would normally have. Those who are looking for something groundbreaking, in any case, already know that we are rarely going to find it in the mid-range, in any case, and that they have to put their eyes on the future. iPad Pro 2018.
Lack of smart connector
That one of the most frequent criticisms made of it is the lack of a smart connector is another good sign for those who are thinking of buying the new iPad 2018, because it is certainly a minor detail. It is true that he would have been grateful if he had come with him and we have already discussed that many hoped that there would also be a smart keyboard for this model because, as we have said above, for many the keyboard is a more important accessory than the stylus. In any case, there are good options if we are looking for one and, in general, we are not going to suffer from a lack of accessories. To begin with, since the dimensions have not changed, in general, any of the accessories for iPad 9.7 They will be worth it with him too.
The price of Apple Pencil
Another issue that is often highlighted as a negative point is the price of the Apple Pencil which, of course, is not included, and here we have to say that we agree, at least in part. Before the presentation, some speculated that the iPad 2017 could come with a more affordable version of the apple stylus and it seems to us that it would have made sense, because, although the fact that it is supported is undoubtedly positive, the fact that the main accessory for a 350 euro tablet is one that costs $100 it is still something strange. It is good that those interested have the option of using it, at whatever price, in any case.
That the screen is not laminated
We always insist that one of the few things that did not leave a good taste in our mouths at all of the iPad 9.7 last year is the one that will arrive without laminated screen, because it is something that in recent years we have become accustomed and that it is strange that it is missing in a tablet of a certain level. Technically we can count it as part of that list of extras that we will enjoy if we bet on the iPad Pro 10.5, but it really deserves a separate mention since this is not an improvement that that model introduced, but a feature that was already in iPads of previous years and that, simply, has been lost. It affects the thickness, in addition, and is the main culprit that the iPad 2018 remains relatively thick.