Yesterday, in what has become an annual ritual, Apple unveiled its new product line. And while we’re always full of questions—ranging from “What is an Apple Watch?” to “Why is there a U2 album on my phone?”—neither Apple nor the multitude of tech bloggers who are eager to dissect the new product line’s particulars ever answer the most important one: Should you buy this? So we took a closer look at this year’s announcement to help you out.
Let’s start with the heavy hitter: the iPad Pro.
When Microsoft released the Surface Pro 3, they called it “The tablet that can replace your laptop.” And it seemed like it was true: the Surface runs a full version of Windows, and its ability to run a full version of Adobe Creative Suite—which Microsoft worked hard to integrate with the Surface’s touch screen—and the increased functionality of the Surface’s stylus made it seem like the company was delivering on the promise of their tagline. There was only one problem: the Surface has no cellular antenna, which means it has to connect to a wireless network to reach the internet. Which means it’s not a tablet so much as it is a very thin laptop.
With its massive size (12.9”), optional keyboard and stylus (the evocatively capitalized Pencil), and MS Office functionality, the iPad Pro would seem to be stepping into the gap that separated the Surface from the earlier iterations of the Apple tablet. There’s just one problem: the iPad Pro runs iOS, not OS X. And as anyone who’s ever tried to file a report from a music festival using an iPad and a bluetooth keyboard can tell you, no amount of mobility makes up for the increased functionality you take for granted on a desktop. The iPad Pro’s iOS platform will make navigating between apps and around the screen a prohibitive challenge, and it means that the functionality of the device’s apps will be limited compared to even an entry-level laptop—and all of that for a price that, when the keyboard and stylus are taken into consideration, nearly matches that of a MacBook Pro.
Should you buy it? Is the size of the page what you miss about reading the newspaper? If so, yeah, this is for you. Otherwise, the smaller (which is another way of saying “more affordable”) iPads are all you need.
iPhone 6S and 6S Plus
After so many years of different iPhone rollouts, it’s pretty clear that we aren’t going to get that jaw-dropping, life-changing announcement that we’re always hoping for. Every September, the story shifts slightly but still follows the same plot: faster, clearer, better. The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus are all of those things, but there’s nothing revolutionary about them. Yes, the camera is the best on the market today (a twelve-megapixel main and a five-megapixel selfie camera), and the stronger glass also provides the interface for the new 3D Touch system, but there’s nothing here worth “accidentally” stepping on your old phone for.
Should you buy it? If you’ve got a hankering for another accessory in rose-gold, then sure, but everyone else should pass.
Apple TV
Buying an Apple TV is the bobo equivalent of buying a boat. Sure, the upfront cost is reasonable (the new ones will run $149, while older models are now $69), but they are, for all intents and purposes, worthless without a cable subscription that can unlock all of those glossy apps. While the days of a la carte channel subscriptions seem to be on the horizon, Apple’s decision to unlock their set-top box’s platform for developers immediately makes the device a better value. And while the notion of playing games through an Apple TV remote seems…less than savory, it seems likely that they’ll update the iOS Remote app to improve navigation and take advantage of your phones’ and tablets’ touchscreens. Though it runs a solid $80 more than the classic Apple TV, this new version sounds like it may be worth it.
Should you buy it? If you don’t already have an Apple TV and have always wanted to play Candy Crush on a 75″ TV, totally.
Apple Watch 2
There was so much hoopla over the Apple Watch when it was unveiled last year, but when it really came down to it, the wristwatch computer was more novelty than necessity. Yesterday, Tim Cook tried to change that mindset with the announcement of “watchOS2”—a major internal upgrade for the Apple Watch. WatchOS2 should fix bugs and “complications” that users encountered when trying to use different third-party apps. While that might be exciting for people who already have (and are frustrated by) the Apple Watch, the most intriguing new watch development is the introduction of the gorgeous Hermès leather bands and sophisticated interface. Making your Apple Watch look that good will cost you though: the “Single Tour” band is $1,100 and the “Double Tour” is $1,250.
Should you buy it? If you find over a thousand bucks underneath your couch instead of a peanut, remember that money can be used for goods and services and GET THAT HERMÈS.
