Apple is refreshing its entry-level iPad with an updated chip. The 8th-generation tablet includes the company’s A12 Bionic chipset, which Apple debuted with the iPhone XS in 2018. Apple says the chip delivers significantly improved graphical performance over the A10 processor that was in its previous entry-level iPad model.
The A12 chip brings Apple’s “Neural Engine” processing capabilities to its entry-level iPad for the first time, with a promise of twice the graphics performance. Apple says that the new model will still fit existing cases, including its keyboard case and those made by Logitech. It’ll also still work with the first-gen Apple Pencil, like the previous model.
The new iPad will also run iPadOS 14 and offer the new features that Apple had showed off for the upcoming software update, including the new Apple Pencil features like hand-written text input.
It still features a 10.2-inch display with ample bezels around the screen. As before, it includes support for the company’s first-generation Apple Pencil that’s the one you have to awkwardly plug into a Lightning Port to charge. You can also use the tablet in conjunction with Apple’s Smart Keyboard thanks to the included Smart Connector port.
The updated tablet will start at $329, making it the same price as the current model, with availability starting this Friday. Education customers will be able to buy the tablet for $299.
