iPad Pro 11 or 12.9 Pro ?

[Jacoblee23]

I debated this question back and forth (as a current 10.5 owner and a prior 12.9 owner). After much deliberation, I finally decided that the best answer to this conundrum is to buy both...otherwise I will just spend the next week reading MacRumors and obsessing about it

Nice! Cellular or Wifi models? Also how many GB?

 

[RickG]

The folio keyboard on the 12.9 is much closer to a real size keyboard- I took a pic so you can see the two side by side- try typing on the 11 and then try the 12.9 and for me it was a no brainer - the big one is the way to go - most of the people at the local apple store were getting the bigger one- it seems pretty fast- the 12.9 isn’t that big for me.

 

[SaddleSC]

Nice! Cellular or Wifi models? Also how many GB?

Both models are Space Grey WiFi 256GB...same configuration as my old 10.5.

 

[Sumter]

Honestly, I was dead set on 11” until today. I used 10.5” previously and 12.9” before that, so I thought I knew what I wanted.

I went into an Apple Store to pick up an ASK after work since I decided after preordering that I needed one. Naturally I veered straight towards iPads display while waiting for a Genius to help me out. As soon as I laid my eyes on 11” and 12.9” I realized I made the wrong choice. The new 12.9” is much smaller and manageable in size than its previous models. 11” next to it looked so small. I cancelled my pick up order and got 12.9” ASK instead, as well as buying 12.9” model on the spot. I went home and got my delivered 11”, went straight back to the Apple Store and returned it. I’m typing this on 12.9” and I’m in love.

 

[Maurier]

This year the 12.9 all the way baby. I don't even know why bother making the 11.
The 2018 12.9 is slightly bigger then 10.5, It's a no brainer.
Bigger screen , better multitasking and probably better battery life.
I liked Steve Jobs Apple better. Jobs told you what you needed and when and he kept it simple.
Now It's confusing and that's not a good thing.

 

[macmyworld]

The 12.9 is a fantastic piece of engineering. Very fast, light, and easy to hold. But — I can also see those who would love the 11 due to the smaller size. Both are very nice. Not bummer is the prices.

 

[Texh49]

I’m loving it as well, just not sold on the Smart Keyboard.

 

[lsh]

I’m also struggling to decide. I hate this. I come from 9.7 pro which i find I’m constantly zooming to read ... but Thst works fine.

I also bought both 12.9 and 11 but only opened 12.9 for the experience first.

I’m disappointed that I can only split side to side. I would benefit from 12.9 held portrait with split at top and bottom.

I have a 15” mbp ( big purchase year) that I can’t replace w iPad given windows only software I need which I run with bootcamp/VMware

I am going to try to use the 12.9 for emails and documents to see if the size is an advantage for me.

 

[seasurfer]

I spent an hour struggling in the Apple Store, finally decided to go with the 12.9".

For two reasons:
1. I am using it to watch TV shows and read pdf files a lot, the bigger screen size seems more real to me.
2. App optimization.

 

[Dammit Cubs]

Honestly, I was dead set on 11” until today. I used 10.5” previously and 12.9” before that, so I thought I knew what I wanted.

I went into an Apple Store to pick up an ASK after work since I decided after preordering that I needed one. Naturally I veered straight towards iPads display while waiting for a Genius to help me out. As soon as I laid my eyes on 11” and 12.9” I realized I made the wrong choice. The new 12.9” is much smaller and manageable in size than its previous models. 11” next to it looked so small. I cancelled my pick up order and got 12.9” ASK instead, as well as buying 12.9” model on the spot. I went home and got my delivered 11”, went straight back to the Apple Store and returned it. I’m typing this on 12.9” and I’m in love.

I feel like I did the exact same thing:

• I went into the apple store confident I would get the 11 because I have used the 12.9, i enjoy it because i complain at times on how big is it.
• after 1 hour of back and forth. I leave the store with a 12.9 instead of a 11 because the 12.9 next to the 11 makes the 11 look like a toy tablet. This is exactly the same thing i said when i bought the 12.9 vs to 10.5.

I will say, I did enjoy the compact size of the 11, it looked like a solid companion i can take into meetings for notes and references. sometimes i wonder if my original choice was correct. I feel like i need to buy both and run simulations.

The compact Size made me feel inclined to keep the tablet light: 64GB. But the 12.9 for some reason, compelled me to buy the 256 LOL when i only really need 128GB.

What was the observation that moved the needle. Web Browsing, I like how full the 4:3 aspect ration makes websites, its like a digital newspaper. the 11 in vertical, could not fill as much text and made it feel more...mobile. So I tried the 12.9

But even now, i'm torn.

Pencil is money tho.

 

[augustya]

I have both once you use 12.9 11 starts to look small, like having the max and then looking at a xs, also the aspect ratio is better on 12.9

This is 12.9" as the 11" iPad Pro 2018 ? is it ??
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Not sure if this is helpful? 12.9 inch.

View attachment 802181 View attachment 802180
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Yes so does it no look the same way on a 11" iPad Pro ??

 

[brendanlim]

Honestly, I was dead set on 11” until today. I used 10.5” previously and 12.9” before that, so I thought I knew what I wanted.

I went into an Apple Store to pick up an ASK after work since I decided after preordering that I needed one. Naturally I veered straight towards iPads display while waiting for a Genius to help me out. As soon as I laid my eyes on 11” and 12.9” I realized I made the wrong choice. The new 12.9” is much smaller and manageable in size than its previous models. 11” next to it looked so small. I cancelled my pick up order and got 12.9” ASK instead, as well as buying 12.9” model on the spot. I went home and got my delivered 11”, went straight back to the Apple Store and returned it. I’m typing this on 12.9” and I’m in love.

This EXACT situation happened to me today. Made the switch to 12.9 after seeing it in person. Still need to return the 11, though.

Surprised by how much smaller the 12.9 is. It definitely is noticeably heavier though.

 

[csurfr]

Funny how all of this works. I picked up a pencil at the Apple store here today and had a chance to look at both. The 12.9 is still a pretty big iPad, even with the size trimmed down. I feel like Apple has missed the mark with the home screen on the 12.9... same number of icons and such on the 11, which has less space between them.

I ordered an 11” LTE and might consider swapping it for the 12.9, but to be honest I’m not sure I need the bigger one. Taking notes, reading, and maybe a little Netflix here or there. It seems that the 11” will be great for that.

The only place where I think the 12.9 would truly excel for me is using it as a second display on the go with Duet (if it still works) or another solution. I have a 15” MbP and an ultrafine 4K for home use. And so it comes down to 1) usage in the bedroom for reading and 2) external screen usage (maybe) on the go. Tough decision, but hey, at least the pencil is solid.

 

[robby818]

I noticed that the 12.9" leans back a bit more when attached to the keyboard. Colors and brightness seemed slightly better on the 12.9" especially when I was looking at the gorgeous sample photographs Apple loaded on these store units, but that could have also been my imagination. A larger screen just shows so much more detail in photographs.

I bought the 12.9" because i will leave it on my kitchen island and I will not be traveling with it ever. I wouldn't want to carry around the 12.9, it is a little large for a regular backpack. I would get the 11" if I was going to be carrying it around.

 

[mpshah27]

Black Bar on the APPS ? what ? ok is that does that not appear in the 12.9" iPad Pro ?
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Does it the 11" really look tiny in front of the 12.9" as people here are saying ?

Yes it does but for my needs its the perfect companion as its not my primary computing device.

 

[eulslix]

I bought the 12.9" because i will leave it on my kitchen island and I will not be traveling with it ever. I wouldn't want to carry around the 12.9, it is a little large for a regular backpack. I would get the 11" if I was going to be carrying it around.

I guess I don't understand peoples portability needs. I've been carrying the bulky 15" Surface Book with me, without any problems or sense of extra weight at all. Same goes for the 15" MBP. I mean, you're carrying it on your shoulders.

What's important to me is that the thing feels light in my hand, which it indeed does once you free it from the monster of a keyboard.

 

[TinaBelcher]

OK, setting up my 12.9. I wasn’t sold on the bigger footprint, until I actually saw the 12.9 in person. As others have said, the 11 looks tiny next to it’s big brother. So far, I’m liking the larger screen and the roomier keyboard.

Like I said before, I’ve got an 11 sitting in my office at home that I’ll probably take out and take a look at tomorrow, but now, I’m thinking the 12.9 is a keeper. We shall see.

A few random observations:

The magnets on the keyboard folio are STONG. I have to man-handle this bad boy to change the viewing angle and fold the keyboard back. It’s probably just me needing to get a feel for how everything folds up and back and whatnot.

Screen is awesome.

Keyboard is nice, roomy and easy to type on. Still wish there were some dedicated function keys like on the Logitechs, but it’ll do for now.

It’s snappy, but not heads and shoulders above the 9.7 Pro this is replacing.

I’m still loading apps and all that fun stuff, so let me finish this beer and fire up some Netflix to see how it looks and sounds. Going to be a fun few days until I dial this puppy in!

EDIT/UPDATE: OK, I’m really digging this 12.9. I picked up a folio case along with the keyboard folio and with the case only, it’s a svelt little number. With the keyboard it’s a little chunkier but no more chunkier than my 9.7 with the ASK/silicone case. In fact, the 12.9 with the keyboard is just a hair thinner than the 9.7 and ASK/case combo. With just the folio case, it’s a lot thinner than the 9.7 ASK/case! I’m super impressed with the size of this thing. It really is almost all screen and not nearly the monster I thought it was going to be. Again, at the store, the 11 look tiny compared to the 12.9. Not to poo poo those who have the 11, I’m just pleasantly surprised I like the 12.9 as much as I do right now.

Pretty sure I made the right choice here.

Congrats on your new iPad pro!
Question: when you use the 12.9 in landscape mode isn’t it almost as tall as the old 12.9? That is my biggest concern and why I’m going with the 11 inch because I always have it in landscape in bed.

 

[macguy90]

I can't decide which one to get - can you help me make up my mind ?

Thx

I also struggled with deciding which size to buy at first, but once I got my 11-inch today I was immediately sure that I made the right decision. It's the most portable of the two sizes. It's slightly cheaper depending on which model you go for. The 11-inch display packed into what was formerly the 10.5-inch "footprint" just makes for the absolute perfect experience for casual use & productivity/creative work. As others before me stated, some people that will predominantly use the iPad Pro in landscape mode with a keyboard may find the 12.9-inch better suited to their needs. But if you're like me, the 11-inch will be your ideal option!

 

[redspear]

I had the 9.7” version and I always wanted a bigger screen.
The old 12,9 had a great screen but it was to big to hold on, and the 2017 10.5” was almost the same size. When I saw the new 12,9 I thinked that it was the one but was still afraid of it’s size.

Yesterday I loose my mind and bought the 12.9”

The first feeling that I had was the same after upgrading from my iPhone 5s to the 6s.
The screen is gorgeous and it’s easy to hold in one hand. Looking now to the 9.7” it looks like and iPad mini, it’s strange but it’s true. My wife stil likes more the smaller factor form

 

[Gillela]

I, like most coming from a 10.5, had the tough decision between 11 or 12.9.

I reserved both, and assessed the size differences in the Apple Store. I can only echo the opinions about the 12.9 making the 11 look like a mini. This was the main reason for me opting for the 12.9.

24 hours later I am starting to second guess myself

I primarily use the iPad at home / bed as a casual consumption device. Very little productivity work.
I travel fairly infrequently, maybe a couple of times a month at most, so portability is not a major factor for me.

I might be crazy, or just need time to adjust, but I'm not sure if the size is intimidating my view. The same viewing angles / positions are requiring me to thinking about where i'm looking and scanning the screen. Is this just me or have others had this feeling???

I am going to give myself until the weekend to decide and may end up switching out for an 11. Has anybody, in the UK, had any issues returning based not being completely satisfied within the 14 days?

 

[marmiteturkey]

I, like most coming from a 10.5, had the tough decision between 11 or 12.9.

I reserved both, and assessed the size differences in the Apple Store. I can only echo the opinions about the 12.9 making the 11 look like a mini. This was the main reason for me opting for the 12.9.

24 hours later I am starting to second guess myself

I primarily use the iPad at home / bed as a casual consumption device. Very little productivity work.
I travel fairly infrequently, maybe a couple of times a month at most, so portability is not a major factor for me.

I might be crazy, or just need time to adjust, but I'm not sure if the size is intimidating my view. The same viewing angles / positions are requiring me to thinking about where i'm looking and scanning the screen. Is this just me or have others had this feeling???

I am going to give myself until the weekend to decide and may end up switching out for an 11. Has anybody, in the UK, had any issues returning based not being completely satisfied within the 14 days?

I’ve returned things to Apple in the UK many times after a change of heart - they are very, very good.

I’m in the opposite boat - picked up an 11in yesterday and am 90% certain it’s the right choice, but still testing my assumptions over the 12.9 while I have the chance. As I have a 2018 15in mbp as well, I think I did - for meetings and a travel-light device, the 11 is pretty perfect I think.

 

[christophermdia]

Funny, I feel the folks who have a 15” MBP are the ones gravitating to the 12.9” iPad, naturally ... as can be said for laptop replacement people too ... but those coming from 13” pros who are not looking for replacements at the moment seemingly 11”. I am loving the 11 after checking them both out in the store, but I do have another 12.9 coming tomorrow and will make another final evaluation, although I hate opening it ... I have a MBP 13” which I don’t intend to replace at the moment, but probably should.

 

[iseras]

Funny, I feel the folks who have a 15” MBP are the ones gravitating to the 12.9” iPad, naturally ... as can be said for laptop replacement people too ... but those coming from 13” pros who are not looking for replacements at the moment seemingly 11”. I am loving the 11 after checking them both out in the store, but I do have another 12.9 coming tomorrow and will make another final evaluation, although I hate opening it ... I have a MBP 13” which I don’t intend to replace at the moment, but probably should.

I'm coming from a 1st gen 12.9 and and a 13' pro. Was set on the 11', but as soon as I played around with the new 12.9 it became a clear choice. The reduced size and weight is significant.

 

[George Dawes]

I cancelled my 256 order and went with the 1tb option

The 6 gigs of ram was the clincher for me , should hopefully future proof it a little more...

 

[jcborden]

I've have and love the iPad Pro 10.5 and ordered the 11" and whilst waiting started thinking about the 12.9". Ended up going into the Apple store yesterday and getting the 12.9" ASK and pencil. Also had the 11" delivered later again with ASK.

Being indecisive I have been playing quite a lot with both and have come to the conclusion that the 11" isn't worth the upgrade over my existing 10.5" given the real world advantages seem fairly small.

The 10.5" and 11" now look like minis compared to the 12.9" which with the ASK does feel quite bulky and I am beginning to think that a folio would be better for me given I am quite happy typing with the on screen keyboard and do a lot of diagram drawing so like the iPad to be relatively flat or supported by the triangle of a smart cover. I also don't like having to open it like a hard back book! I think a folio style case will suit my requirements much better.

There is some getting used to the bigger size, in particular typing whilst holding (e.g. in bed) requires a lot more effort as my fingers struggle to reach all keys in landscape mode. Having said all that, the screen is amazing and I am now fairly sure that I will be sticking with the 12.9