Rumors about the upcoming lauch of the fifth generation iPad are in full swing. The latest report suggests that the iPad 5 will be 15% thinner and 25% lighter than the iPad 4. The release date for this new iPad could be as early as June so this increased attention might well be warranted.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who tends to have reliable information has said that he believes the next Apple tablet will be dramatically thinner and lighter than the rather bloated fourth generation iPad. He estimates that the iPad 5 will be 15% thinner and 25% lighter than the current iPad. This falls in line with suggestions of a much more iPad mini-esque form factor. Kuo goes on to say that the next full-sized iPad will feature thinner bezels along the longer edges like the iPad mini which will in turn allow the device to be slightly narrower.
He also states that the next iPad will measure in at around 7.5 � 8.0mm in depth and weight just 500g. This is a very big drop in bulk. Kuo also states that the device will pack in an A7X processor but that the cameras will remain unchanged. The 5 megapixel iSight of the iPad 4 is not great but then again, very few people use their iPads to take pictures so it makes sense for Apple to concentrate on the more important issues.
The iPad mini is a beautiful device so it makes sense for Apple to revert to this appearance so that both of these products are in line with each other and it also promotes a more uniform look across the board. The next generation iPad looks to be the biggest leap since the third generation model bought us retina display. The iPad mini also looks set to have retina display added too. If all these changes do come about, it will make Apple's continued dominance in the tablet market difficult for rival vendors to falter.
