iPad Pro Rumors: Alleged 12.9" iPad Could Be A Tablet-Laptop Hybrid, Would Help Apple With Material Costs

Since December, iPad Pro rumors have been flowing like milk and honey in a dry land. Both Apple fans and mobile tech enthusiasts can't help but wonder what Apple has beneath its sleeves this year. 

Now, a new report claims that the upcoming 12.9" iPad Pro (or Maxi as others would call it) could be a tablet-laptop hybrid. 

According to GSM Arena and the Latin Post, Evercore Partners analyst Patrick Wang reports that the rumored iPad will be aimed at the business and education markets. 

However, Wang goes a step further and claims the new iPad Pro could be a tablet-laptop hybrid, a design similar to Microsoft's Surface slates. 

While this is certainly a far-fetched idea, this is also highly probable for a company like Apple who values profit unlike any other. In the report by GSM Arena, the chipset for MacBook Airs account for about 22 percent of its total materials cost, while the new iPad Air's chipset only costs 4 percent of its production expenses. 

This just means Apple will be able to profit more if it comes up with a bigger slate that will eventually replace the MacBook Airs in the market. And with a price range that is just slightly lower than the laptop, the rumored iPad Pro could be a great sell especially if it comes with a keyboard that comes near or matches the functionality and comfort of the MacBook keyboard. 

Of course this is all speculation, and as the year progresses, we would expect more details coming out in the form of leaks or even better, official announcements.