iPad Pro 2 release date rumors: Hybrid's release to affect MacBook Pro 2016?

The current Apple iPad Pro lineupApple

Reportedly, the iPad Pro 2 is such a powerful hybrid that it may affect other Apple lineups, competing directly with the MacBook Pro 2016 itself.

According to iTech Post, although Apple has yet to come out with the specs of its upcoming lineups, the rumored features and details on the iPad Pro 2 makes it a worthy competitor even with the MacBook Pro 2016, and this may affect the latter's release. The 2016 edition of Apple's premiere laptop is supposed to come out later this year. However, with the specs of the iPad Pro 2 reportedly on par with the new laptop, Apple fans may decide to wait for the new slate to release next year, instead of getting the new MacBook Pro.

Apple is hinting at this possibility by saying that the current-gen iPad Pro is already on par with most computers. If the Cupertino-based tech giant steps up the specs and feature for the iPad Pro's follow-up, then it can be expected that the iPad Pro 2 will be able to accomplish both business-centric and graphics-intensive tasks. Rumored features of the iPad Pro 2 include a new variant with full macOS Sierra, instead of iOS 10; a more powerful A10X chipset with overhauled Apple Pencil; and bundled Smart Connector and Smart Keyboard add-ons. Meanwhile, since the hybrid slate is more portable than a laptop in terms of weight and dimensions, Apple fans may indeed prefer the new slate over the 2016 laptop edition.

However, it still remains to be seen if the iPad Pro 2 will indeed give the MacBook Pro 2016 a run for its money, since the laptop is expected to come out with premium, top-tier specs like the new Intel Kaby Lake processor, Force Touch trackpad and an OLED bar touch panel, USB Type-C  port and 4K display.