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Analyst Skeptical About Imminent Launch for 12.9-Inch 'iPad Pro'

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A rumored 12.9-inch iPad may still have significant development time left, according to an analyst at IHS, a supply chain research firm. According to CNET, IHS analyst Rhoda Alexander said there were a number of different larger panels, that could be potentially for a larger iPad, floating around display manufacturers -- but not in volumes necessary for an imminent launch.

"Some manufacturers over the last six months have received sample quantities of a larger panel. They're playing around with a product that could possibly be an iPad-related product," she told CNET in a phone interview.

"Various sizes are being reported with 12.85 inches being one of the sizes," she said.

12_9_ipad_ipads_dark

Mockup of 12.9-inch iPad next to iPad Air and iPad mini

Alexander went on to say that IHS did not see significant shipments of any of the larger panels, and suggested that there may not be a market for iPads larger than the current 9.7-inch model. "We have to get a lot further down the line in terms of seeing really strong indicators from Apple that such a product exists, and we're just not at that point."

Samsung launched a 12.2-inch Galaxy tablet earlier this year with some reviewers saying the device was not very portable and awkward to hold for long periods of time.

According to a research report from Evercore analyst Patrick Wang, Apple's larger iPad may be aimed at the enterprise market. Recent rumors have indicated that the 12.9-inch iPad will launch no earlier than the third quarter of 2014.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Neutral)

Top Rated Comments

HiRez Avatar
HiRez
159 months ago
"Analyst" is skeptical? Shouldn't everyone be skeptical?
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
L
lk400
159 months ago
One analyst says that the product another analyst made up isnt ready yet. Analystception.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
J
jasonefmonk
159 months ago
I think the app grid starts to fail with that many icons. It's reminds me of the things I don't like about Launchpad.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
O
organerito
159 months ago
Musicians like me who have already left paper behind would love this size. Average music is 8 1/2 x 11 and larger, and tough on the eyes with the standard iPad. I've been hoping for a while that this rumor is true.

I am there with you!
I am an organist. if I play a two-keyboard organ, the iPad is still ok. If I play any organ with more than 3 keyboards, the iPad is too small.
People in orchestras, choirs would love to have a 8 1/2 x 11 iPad. The only complain I always hear about the iPad as a music sheet reader is its small size.
I would two iPads Pro on release day.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
melendezest
159 months ago
Who is this product aimed at?

Pro users (better off using MacBook Pro if they are doing serious work)
Regular users (they will use iPad or iPad mini)

*Sigh*

"Pro Users". "Serious work". Why does everyone like to oversimplify everything and put it in a box?

People are using the iPad for "serious work". They are getting paid for it. Hence, "Pros" are using iPads. Perhaps you mean "computing intensive tasks" as the only instance of "serious work"?

Who is this product aimed at? Anyone who likes or can benefit from a bigger screen, more typing real-estate, the iPad app ecosystem, and does not require the high-powered laptop to do autocad or whatever. Musicians would definitely be all over it.

Something like this:

MacRumors content image

or this:

MacRumors content image

or this:

MacRumors content image
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A
Alighieri
159 months ago
Musicians want this!

Musicians like me who have already left paper behind would love this size. Average music is 8 1/2 x 11 and larger, and tough on the eyes with the standard iPad. I've been hoping for a while that this rumor is true.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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