Rumors of a new, larger iPad for 2014 have started to get some traction. AppleInsider cites the Chinese publication, PadNews, which says iThing manufacturer Foxconn has built five prototype versions of an alleged 12.9-inch tablet featuring 2K and/or 4K screen resolutions. It is being suggested that a 2K resolution version would be released first, as early as April, with a 4K version following later in the year. For reference, 2K resolution is 2048 × 1152 with a total of 2,359,296 pixels, and 4K resolution is 4096 × 2304 with 9,437,184 pixels. The Retina display on the current iPad Air is 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution, which is generally considered a 2K display.
AppleInsider notes, “In November, a report from The Korea Times cited an official at a local Apple parts supplier as saying the 12.9-inch Retina display was already being manufactured by a “first-tier” Korean display maker. Earlier that month, the source of the 12.9 inch iPad rumor said Apple was in advanced testing of either an 11.4 inch or 12.9 inch tablet.”. As with the iPad mini, Apple may be trying to cover all the bases with a larger iPad, as unwieldy as it may seem. Given that a 12.9 inch iPad would be close to the size, if not weight and thickness, of the 11 inch MacBook Air, this might not make a lot of sense. However, consider if you will, the idea that Apple’s plan may be to replace the smaller laptop with an iPad product. With the proliferation of thin keyboard covers from makers such as Zagg and Logitech, you can nearly approximate the experience of using a MacBook Air. Personally, I would ned to stick with a full-on laptop to run Mac only software, but it’s an interesting idea. As for the 12.9 inch iPad, we’ll just have to wait and see if this product is waiting next in line with the Apple television.