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The Apple iPad Pro 9.7 Inch Gives You More For Less (Especially When Compared to the 12.9 Inch iPad Pro)

Apple's latest 9.7-inch iPad Pro, while smaller and using the same A9X chip from Apple as the original 12.9-Inch iPad Pro, surprisingly packs a lot more features despite its lower price tag.  The 9.7-inch Pad Pro supports 4K@30fps video while the 12.9-Inch iPad Pro only supports 1080p@30fps.

The 12.9-Inch iPad Pro seems more like a notebook replacement, even supporting USB Power Delivery over the Lightning connector similar to the Apple 15" MacBook Pro (Late 2016) or Apple MacBook (Early 2016).  By comparison, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is closer to the iPhone 6s/6s Plus and iPhone 7 in its support of 4K video @ 30 fps and slo-mo 720p video @ 240 fps (or 1080p video @ 120 fps). The 12.9-Inch iPad Pro only supports slo-mo video at 720p video @ 120 fps.

You typically don't expect to get a good camera in a notebook PC so the 12.9-Inch iPad Pro only has a 8 megapixel back camera while the 9.7-inch iPad Pro supports a 12 megapixel back camera similar to that found on the iPhone 7.

It's interesting that the 9.7-inch iPad Pro supports the same wide color P3 display that is supported on the iPhone 7, Apple 15" MacBook Pro (Late 2016), and Apple iMac with Retina 4K Display (Late 2015) while the 12.9-Inch iPad Pro does not include this P3 display support.

We purchased the 9.7-inch iPad Pro at Best Buy together with the Apple Smart Keyboard for 9.7-inch iPad Pro.  It was one of the few purchases we made at Best Buy that day which we didn't have to return due to product or packaging defects.

Opening up the 9.7-inch iPad Pro revealed Apple's typical iPad accessories, namely the USB to Lightning cable, 12W USB power adapter, Apple stickers, and documentation.

The curves on the 9.7-inch iPad Pro make it comfortable on the eyes as well as to hold.

The magnetic Smart Connector on the side is used to connect either the Apple Smart Keyboard for 9.7-inch iPad Pro or the Smart Cover For 9.7-Inch iPad Pro.  For the Smart Keyboard for 9.7-inch iPad Pro, the Smart Connector will transmit both data and power between the keyboard and the iPad.

One of the best features on the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is the quad-speakers which provide a surprisingly loud and clear sound similar to the 12.9-Inch iPad Pro although with less bass.

The initial setup screens for the 9.7-inch iPad Pro are similar to other iPad models.

One of the nice things about using the 9.7-inch iPad Pro and 12.9-Inch iPad Pro compared to traditional PC notebooks is their portability and convenience to use them anytime during flights (at least in the USA).  Also, in a world being increasingly dominated by Apps that only run on iOS and Android platforms, the iPad will continue to grow in popularity.