14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is reportedly anticipating an “era of convergence” where tablet computers will push PCs to the brink of extinction, leaving us working with slate devices from dusk ‘till dawn.
An official at a local Apple supplier in Korea tells The Korea Times that “Apple’s local first-tier display supplier is now producing a 12.9-inch Retina Display to be used in the new iPad, which will be coming out sometime early next year.”
Cited (but not quoted as saying this), the official added that “Apple is increasingly interested in introducing bigger iPads as the U.S.-based consumer electronics giant is already acknowledging that tablets will replace PCs in an era of convergence.”
Apparently, the Cupertino giant has plans to phase out traditional computers sooner than you might think. Of course, the “MaxiPad” rumor is far from new, and it hasn’t gained much traction with analysts.
But all that might change, considering these new tidbits.
“That display is now being manufactured by the supplier's plant in Korea,” the source said.
The display will have improved picture quality thanks to the adoption of UHD technology. Apple’s Retina displays already set the benchmark today.
“As the Apple partner intends to boost its lineup for displays that have almost ultra high-definition (UHD) quality, the upcoming iPad will provide very clear quality similar to that of UHD,” the official noted.
One way Apple could indeed phase out traditional computers with iPads is by equipping said iPads with physical keyboards built inside their Smart Covers, much like the Microsoft Surface Pro.
Tablets are already chipping away at the PC’s slice of the pie, but many industries (i.e. the creative community) still relies on powerful workstations, and the mouse + keyboard combo.
It will be a while before these are replaced by tablets. While Apple may introduce its 13-inch iPad with the aforementioned intentions next year, you can bet that traditional PCs won’t go away anytime too soon.