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lcseds

macrumors 65816
Jun 20, 2006
1,228
1,120
NC, USA
I have an 11". Wife has the 12.9". I'm ordering a 12.9". Always snickered at the larger iPhone people had until I tried it. Totally hooked on the larger screen of anything. The 12.9 looks huge, but the 11" looks way too small to me these days. Might be my 62 year old eyes too.
 

AVBeatMan

macrumors 603
Nov 10, 2010
5,968
3,849
Anyone use solely the 12.9”? I mean around the house, carrying around etc. And do you use a case or just use as is?
 

Frankfurt

macrumors 6502a
Dec 4, 2016
740
889
USA
Anyone use solely the 12.9”? I mean around the house, carrying around etc. And do you use a case or just use as is?
I transitioned from a 10.5” IPP to the M2 12.9 IPP with MKB. If you primarily use this device for reading / watching in your lap, then definitely it is less comfortable than a 11”. I use it also as an office device for video conferencing and email. Hence, better suited for me that way.
 
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rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,916
13,261
Anyone use solely the 12.9”? I mean around the house, carrying around etc. And do you use a case or just use as is?

Personally, I wouldn’t want to use the 12.9” as my sole iPad.

I have all sizes but if I can only keep, I’m definitely sticking to 11”. That choice is made easier now with the More Space zoom option on M1/M2 iPads (basically gives you almost the same desktop resolution as the 12.9” default zoom on 10.9-11”).
 

xxFoxtail

macrumors 6502a
Nov 8, 2015
753
1,074
NY
If you’re using it as a laptop replacement or mostly at the desk, get the 12.9”. If you’re using it mostly as a tablet, get the 11.”
 
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Traverse

macrumors 604
Mar 11, 2013
7,711
4,491
Here
I purchased a 2021 12.9 inch iPad Pro. While in some contexts, it’s truly amazing, and others. It falls flat. Ultimately, if you want a laptop replacement that can kind of be a tablet go for the larger one. If you want a tablet that can act as a laptop in a pinch get the 11 inch.

My true preferences for iPads came when I ended up getting an iPad mini 6. It was purchased on a whim and I suddenly realized I was reaching for the iPad mini 75% of the time even in contexts where a larger screen would be more comfortable, or the much higher quality screen would be a parent. I found that I prioritized portability.
 
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subjonas

macrumors 603
Feb 10, 2014
6,253
6,736
Looks like you already made decision, OP, but I would have said (or maybe this will benefit someone else reading this), if the handling weight is the concern, but the smaller screen for everything is a deal-breaker, have you considered a MacBook Air + iPad Mini combo? The total carrying weight (eg. in a bag) would be more by about 250 grams, but for that you get a 60 gram lighter handling weight with the MBA compared to 12.9 + MK, plus less top heavy, a desktop OS, and the Mini is obviously way lighter than the 12.9. Compared to the 12.9, the MBA would be more optimized for productivity and the small iPad would be more optimized for very casual use.
Price difference can vary depending on storage and cellular options, but if you match 256gb on both the iPP and MBA and go base on everything else with no cellular, then the MBA + Mini combo is $150 more, which isn’t nothing but within comparable range.
But obviously this wouldn’t work if you need/want touch or pencil input on a large screen, or if you’re more concerned with total carrying weight, or if you want to carry around by hand (no bag)—which I’m sure at least one of these is the case for many. But this could be a good option for others.
 

BaddAdvice

macrumors 6502a
Jul 9, 2016
508
609
So, when the redesign came out in 2018, I was 12.9” all the way. At the time, I didn’t have a laptop, so the 12.9 was my “take it anywhere“ device - and I did. Fast forward to now, and I have a 14” MacBook Pro, along with a 6th gen iPad Mini. I noticed the 12.9” sat, mostly unused as if I wanted a large screen the MacBook easily fit the bill and if I just wanted to fart around on the couch, the Mini did the trick. However, there was a gap that an 11” tablet could fill for those times I wanted more screen, but didn’t want to lug around my MacBook. So, for me, the 11“ pro now is part of the rotation, and so far, I’m digging It. Plus, there’s some pretty decent sales on the M1 Pros. Now, just gotta sell my 12.9!
 
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chikorita157

macrumors 6502
Mar 8, 2019
284
442
Germantown, MD
I have an 11“ iPad Pro M1 with the Magic Keyboard, which is basically the same as the M2 and the big plus it’s portable as I am carrying two tablets (2018 and 2021 iPad Pro 11”) in my laptop bag along with my work laptop to the office. My mom has the 12.9 and it’s huge. If I want something that huge, I may as well go with a Macbook Air, but I do admit that the 12.9 would work great with Stage Manager.
 

AVBeatMan

macrumors 603
Nov 10, 2010
5,968
3,849
So, when the redesign came out in 2018, I was 12.9” all the way. At the time, I didn’t have a laptop, so the 12.9 was my “take it anywhere“ device - and I did. Fast forward to now, and I have a 14” MacBook Pro, along with a 6th gen iPad Mini. I noticed the 12.9” sat, mostly unused as if I wanted a large screen the MacBook easily fit the bill and if I just wanted to fart around on the couch, the Mini did the trick. However, there was a gap that an 11” tablet could fill for those times I wanted more screen, but didn’t want to lug around my MacBook. So, for me, the 11“ pro now is part of the rotation, and so far, I’m digging It. Plus, there’s some pretty decent sales on the M1 Pros. Now, just gotta sell my 12.9!
I agree with you; the 11" seems to hit all the right spots. The 12.9 may be better for some things (TV, YouTube etc) and the mini for others (reading books, portability etc) but...the 11" seems the perfect solution. Now, please "GET OFF MY LAND!" (in the UK) 😊
 
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stevemiller

macrumors 68020
Oct 27, 2008
2,057
1,607
I’m trying to wait out a decent screen update for the 11”, but I’m getting nervous with rumours of even larger 14” and beyond iPads. Is it possible that 12.9” becomes the “small” pro size and 11” is relegated to the budget iPads (they’re all pretty much that size anyway)

I have the 9.7” pro which is getting noticeably more laggy than any of my other devices, but honestly the one thing i don’t want is a substantially larger footprint. :(
 

berrymatcha

macrumors newbie
Nov 11, 2014
20
11
Singapore
i have 10.5 2017. decided 12.9 after 127362178 considerations.. but ... after awhile of usage i think 12.9 is too huge for me for scribbling school notes.
i do have m1 24" imac for actual work stuff...
so returning the 12.9 and ordering 11 after my exams.

id suggest people to LIFT IT up and simulate situations than to just "look" at it on display like me (it never felt that big at store?!)

also, m2 pencil x hover x ipad os seem to be having crazy handwriting issues.

seems like ipad sales don't do crazy well or not enough people scribbling on their m2 to raise the concerns loud.
calling apple now and probably go to stores and raise it to them after my exams.
 
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