The newest iPad has a hidden feature that could allow it to truly replace your laptop.
Apple unveiled the latest addition to its iPad lineup at its "Loop You In" event earlier this month, showing off a 9.7-inch version of its business-minded iPad Pro. While the presentation showcased the device's 12 MP camera and four-speaker audio system, it did not touch on what could be the most appealing feature of the built-for-business tablet: It can run Microsoft Office completely free.
While the smaller iPad Pro is not the first Apple tablet to run Microsoft's productivity suites free of charge, it is a benefit its bigger brother, the original 12.9-inch iPad Pro could not support. While Microsoft offers the mobile versions of its Office apps for free, it restricts their use to devices with a screen size of 10.1-inches or smaller, according to The Verge. So, while early adopters of the original iPad Pro flocked to the powerful tablet for its ability to run apps with desktop-like performance, they had to pay to run their familiar Office productivity programs. The 9.7-inch iPad Pro, on the other hand, can run those same apps with the same performance for no charge at all, as long as users are willing to give up a bit of screen space.
This realization comes just as Apple has begun selling Microsoft's Office suite for iPad Pro directly on its site. According to a Steven Sinofsky tweet cited by the Verge, the "order flow for the iPad Pro includes option to add Office 365 subscription" at checkout, starting at $70 a year for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
Business users who want to run similar apps on their larger tablets for no charge can still take advantage of Apple's iWork suite, which includes Pages, Keynote and Numbers.
For more tips on how to make the most of your Apple products at work, contact MC Services today. Our certified IT consultants can provide Apple training and Mac IT support to help your business improve efficiency and productivity.
