'Monster' iPad Pro coming for enterprise, but is Apple a tad too late?

Finally, we are just a day away from Apple unveiling its new iPhone models, along with much talked about Apple TV and long-time rumoured iPad Pro . While upgraded iPhones and Apple TV are just in time, we aren’t sure if we could say the same about the monster sized iPad.

A TechPro Research graph clearly shows how tablets are used in organisations:

Apple may have planned the iPad Pro to hit markets earlier, but due to reasons best known by Apple there’s been a no show for almost two years since we first heard about the device in 2013. It would have been great a year or two ago, but a lot of water has flown since then and tablets as a product category is on the path of extinction, if we may say so. Cannibalised by phablets and slower replacement cycles, tablet sales including the iPad have dipped year-on-year.

Apple’s record-breaking profit figures this year were driven by the new iPhone models , and the iPad sales were said to be weaker than Mac . Now, Apple’s Plus model is definitely here to further sabotage the iPad mini sales, but a larger iPad with a giant display isn’t going to woo audiences as it comes with the portability trade off. Apple is well aware of that and is aiming the new device at the enterprise sector.

Going by the rumoured specs , the iPad Pro will feature a giant 12.9-inch display, support stylus, side-by-side app views, Force Touch, Bluetooth keyboard and USB Type-C. Yes, we’re looking at the possibility to convert the tablet into a hybrid, and that’s the reason why Apple has been claiming it is aimed at enterprise.

However, the whole production delay drama seems to still continue. Some reports have been pointing at November shipment while others say the device will begin production early next year. Some reports also point out that the company may give it a skip. In the past, the iPad Pro is said to have faced delays due to larger screen production.

While the availability of the device is still unclear, it seems to be too late to attract the enterprise audience. It would have perfectly made sense a year or two ago, when we saw the gradual shift to hybrids. “Microsoft’s ecosystem has delivered better options on converged devices. The slate of ultrabooks, two-in-one devices and similar devices has improved dramatically. The launch of Windows 10 will also help the corporate push for these devices," points out ZDnet .

“Enterprises could go for an iPad Pro, but many corporations just plowed through a PC upgrade cycle. These companies are looking to consolidate tablet and PC buys not engage in two separate replacement cycles,” the report further adds.

So, even if it’s looking to replace PCs and laptops, we are well aware that PC and laptop replacement cycles last much longer. Moreover, it may also hamper its own Mac sales. Besides, there could be mere shifting of users rather than adding newer users.