iPad Pro 11 or 12.9 Pro ?

[subjonas]

I think you probably have much better eyesight than I do. To me, going from 9.7" to 7.9" already requires 20-25% adjustment in font size. I use my iPads in landscape so even on 9.7", there's more scrolling on websites than I'd like already. I prefer pagination to scrolling and I find reading in 2-column lansdcape mode with my favorite ereader app on mid-size iPads is pretty perfect.

Also, in my case, 300g is still too heavy for single-handed use (RSI). Even the Kindle PW3 (205g) is stretching it comfort-wise. All my purses fit mid-sized iPads just as well as the iPad mini so the mini doesn't really give me any benefits over the mid-size iPads.

Going by my large extended family, the ones who have good eyesight are content to stick to their smartphones. Those with not so good eyesight prefer mid-size iPads or even bigger. The only small tablets I see are Amazon Fire but I expect that's more because it's ~$50 ($25-35 on sale) rather than because it's small.

My eyesight is ok. Getting worse. I only compared the mini text size to the 12.9’s, which was a little less than 25% bigger on this site. But I think the other iPads should be the same as the 12.9” since they share the same 264 ppi. Only the mini has 326 ppi.

But sure, like I said, if one already scrolls more than they want, obviously going smaller doesn’t make sense. If you like having double pages on the screen, that’s a valid preference. iPad mini wouldn’t be for you.

That’s interesting. Eyesight acuteness is a gradual spectrum, why do you suppose there’s such a big jump in preference from smartphone to midsize iPad in your family?

 

[rui no onna]

That’s interesting. Eyesight acuteness is a gradual spectrum, why do you suppose there’s such a big jump in preference from smartphone to midsize iPad in your family?

Lol, probably because of the big jump in ages. Oldest among cousins is early 30s while most of the parents are now retired or at retirement age (and can easily afford nice things).

The thing is a lot of people just don't see the value in tablets. A smartphone is a necessity these days but there are fewer people who will spend $$$ on both phone and tablet. The ones I've talked to asking for advice on what iPad to buy tend to want to see bigger size differentiation between their phone and tablet to justify the tablet purchase.

Being on MacRumors where a number of members even have mutiple iPads tends to skew perspective.

Desktop vs Mobile vs Tablet Market Share United States Of America | Statcounter Global Stats

This graph shows the market share of desktop vs mobile vs tablet in United States Of America based on over 5 billion monthly page views.

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Desktop vs Mobile vs Tablet Market Share Worldwide | Statcounter Global Stats

This graph shows the market share of desktop vs mobile vs tablet worldwide based on over 5 billion monthly page views.

gs.statcounter.com

 

[rkuo]

I actually didn’t even really mean having two iPads necessarily. I do use a 12.9 for productivity, but some people only use their Mac (or pc) for productivity, and just use the iPad as a consumption device. As an aside, I think since we’re in a time where an iPad can be interchangeable with a MacBook for a lot of people, it shouldn’t be too crazy to have two iPads, one for productivity and one for consumption. Or at least only as crazy as it is to have a MacBook for productivity and an iPad for consumption.

But back to what I was saying, I was just posing the question of whether the 11” is the best size for such a use case (consumption only). It definitely can be best if one uses it a lot for watching movie/shows or comics, basically more image-based type of consumption. That’s probably a lot of people, if not most, but if anyone is like me who really just needs to do text (or audio)-based consumption, it’s my opinion that those needs are served pretty much just as well on a small device, which then has the added huge benefit (to me) of being able to be held comfortably with one hand for long periods of time, as well as going places that larger iPads can’t go.

Again, not to say the mini is for everyone. Definitely not for people who want a productive device (with rare exceptions). You make a good point that how much one makes use of their dedicated device is a key factor. If I didn’t do a lot of text-based casual consumption, then I wouldn’t have the mini. Or if I didn’t have much need to be productive while very mobile, then I wouldn’t have the 12.9”, and would just make do with my bulky 15” MacBook Pro. Or if I did both, but just to less extremes than I do now, then I would probably get an iPad size in the middle. Like we all keep saying, it comes down to individual needs and preferences.

I used my mini mostly as a vastly better web surfing machine than my phone. In portrait mode you get a full sized web page, so if I was sitting somewhere killing time, the Mini was just a lot better.

I don’t watch a ton of long form content or listen to music on my iPad’s ... definitely use YouTube quite a bit, tho. I’d say as far as screen size and movies go, stepping up from a phone is a big improvement, but I could care less if I was watching a movie on a Mini vs an iPad Pro 12.9.

I need some sort of productive device with me when I travel, so at least the 11” is required so I can Remote Desktop with a real keyboard and pointing device. The mini wouldn’t come with me when I travel ... too many devices already. At home, I guess I could make use of it, but then I’d be juggling and charging another iPad, so there’s still a downside to having one regardless of the extra cost.

 

[kamikazeeMC]

I use my 11” more horizontally and have been using 50/50 split more than I thought I would. Moving files around, YouTube tutorials and Procreate, Safari with Word while using the on screen keyboard. I can see areas where 12.9” would be nice, but not once have I felt frustrated or limited by the 11”.

My eye sight is pretty good, I have the general system fonts set to the smallest and Safari’s zoom defaulted at 85%. It’s been 3 weeks now since packing up my desktop which had a 34” ultrawide and have not missed it.

 

[aZZaneko]

I don’t watch a ton of long form content or listen to music on my iPad’s ... definitely use YouTube quite a bit, tho. I’d say as far as screen size and movies go, stepping up from a phone is a big improvement, but I could care less if I was watching a movie on a Mini vs an iPad Pro 12.9.

That’s interesting. I had a Mini4 laying around doing nothing, so I tried to turn it into my movie watching device for the bed but was surprised to find that the Mini and my iPhone Max have exactly same width in landscape, so all I was gaining with the iPad were black stripes on the top and the bottom. And that black was not even good compared to the much deeper one on the phone, so I’m planning to just sell the Mini now. No matter how lovely it looks and feels in the hand, I just can’t find anything to do with it.

Remote desktop works surprisingly well on the big phone screen for me btw. Obviously depends on the tasks one needs to perform. But in all honesty, if I didn’t want a pencil for my more creative needs, I’d be perfectly fine with the phone and a foldable BT keyboard I have on the way as my only portable solution.

 

[Jamacfer]

I use my 11” more horizontally and have been using 50/50 split more than I thought I would. Moving files around, YouTube tutorials and Procreate, Safari with Word while using the on screen keyboard. I can see areas where 12.9” would be nice, but not once have I felt frustrated or limited by the 11”.

My eye sight is pretty good, I have the general system fonts set to the smallest and Safari’s zoom defaulted at 85%. It’s been 3 weeks now since packing up my desktop which had a 34” ultrawide and have not missed it.

That's interesting, in our long debates on the best size we often forget the eyesight which is a very important factor. When I had the 10.5" and then the 11" I used to set the Safari’s zoom defaulted at 110% so I got small space. Now with the 12.9" the situation improved a lot.

 

[secretk]

That's interesting, in our long debates on the best size we often forget the eyesight which is a very important factor. When I had the 10.5" and then the 11" I used to set the Safari’s zoom defaulted at 110% so I got small space. Now with the 12.9" the situation improved a lot.

Eyesight is definitely a factor. That being said I would advise against setting the bigger text size just because. What I mean is set the text size to the minimum you can read without strain or issues. Otherwise you risk getting lazy eyes. We spend way too much time on our screens. We also tend to not maintain the distance between us and the screen that we should. Because of this it is important to not set things up so easy that our eyes get lazy.

Another thing I want to mention. Size is not everything. Contrast matters too. For example I do not increase the size too much as I play with contrast and other settings.

I have astigmatism to the point where without glasses I cannot read any book or any text on monitor/screen. I just see areas of colors and that's it. So I know pretty well what it means to not see but I also know that if I don't want to keep increasing my diopters I need to be careful in how I use digital devices and how I strain my eyes. Eyesight issues are usually related to decreased function in the eye muscles. That usually happens when we made things way too easier for our eyes. We spend all of our time on the screen, fixed distance and there is no reason for our eyes muscles to work. This is why it is advisable to change the focus from time to time so that the eyes muscles can work. And this is why from time to time I do try to read on smaller size screen.

 

[Jára Tyky]

I use my 11” more horizontally and have been using 50/50 split more than I thought I would. Moving files around, YouTube tutorials and Procreate, Safari with Word while using the on screen keyboard. I can see areas where 12.9” would be nice, but not once have I felt frustrated or limited by the 11”.

My eye sight is pretty good, I have the general system fonts set to the smallest and Safari’s zoom defaulted at 85%. It’s been 3 weeks now since packing up my desktop which had a 34” ultrawide and have not missed it.

You start to feel frustrated as you try 12.9".

 

[kamikazeeMC]

You start to feel frustrated as you try 12.9".

While it’s not the same as owning it for a period of time, I have gone to the shop numerous times to compare the size directly and like the plus phones I didn’t feel like I was gaining anything. I find the way iOS is I’m happy with the 11”, if this was a desktop class OS (which I don’t want iOS to be) than I probably would want a bigger size.

When I pull lines on Procreate I’m fine, sure I could benefit from a bigger canvas, but I’d rather the smaller device in other areas (it’s my main compute device).

What I’m trying to say, if the 12.9” is better for you, by all means go for that. But to say that if you’re looking at a desktop/laptop replacement or it’s you’re main device the 12.9” is the only way to go, I don’t agree with.

 

[Jára Tyky]

I changed 12.9” after 14 days of using for 11” of because I was thinking exactly what you wrote. But after only few days I found out that I was very wrong. Multitasking and split screen on 11” was s*it. It was the same as on old Air2. Almost useless. And I was missing bigger size so much that I went for change again. The reason behind this is that 11” Ipad Pro uses only mobile versions apps in multitasking, 12.9” uses full desktop apps.
so I was in both camps and i am superhappy about my decision now. And because our local stores were out of 12.9” sizes, I was using new Ipad Pro 11” for one month before returning (I made friend with one guy selling there and later with manager as well). So I can right now say with 100% guarantee that 12.9” is better iPad. You can not make comparison when sou try it in shop. You have to have it for at least two weeks. I am very doubtfull that in the store you have enough time to try multitasking to compare..

 

[subjonas]

Lol, probably because of the big jump in ages. Oldest among cousins is early 30s while most of the parents are now retired or at retirement age (and can easily afford nice things).

The thing is a lot of people just don't see the value in tablets. A smartphone is a necessity these days but there are fewer people who will spend $$$ on both phone and tablet. The ones I've talked to asking for advice on what iPad to buy tend to want to see bigger size differentiation between their phone and tablet to justify the tablet purchase.

Being on MacRumors where a number of members even have mutiple iPads tends to skew perspective.

Desktop vs Mobile vs Tablet Market Share United States Of America | Statcounter Global Stats

This graph shows the market share of desktop vs mobile vs tablet in United States Of America based on over 5 billion monthly page views.

gs.statcounter.com

Desktop vs Mobile vs Tablet Market Share Worldwide | Statcounter Global Stats

This graph shows the market share of desktop vs mobile vs tablet worldwide based on over 5 billion monthly page views.

gs.statcounter.com

Gotcha. Yeah I definitely wouldn’t consider tablets very mainstream. It’s true people don’t want a device too close in function to their phones. Big phones aren’t ideal consumption devices since they still have to be small enough to function as a phone, but probably good enough for most, especially for young people with sharp eyes and limited to no disposable income.

 

[subjonas]

I used my mini mostly as a vastly better web surfing machine than my phone. In portrait mode you get a full sized web page, so if I was sitting somewhere killing time, the Mini was just a lot better.

I don’t watch a ton of long form content or listen to music on my iPad’s ... definitely use YouTube quite a bit, tho. I’d say as far as screen size and movies go, stepping up from a phone is a big improvement, but I could care less if I was watching a movie on a Mini vs an iPad Pro 12.9.

I need some sort of productive device with me when I travel, so at least the 11” is required so I can Remote Desktop with a real keyboard and pointing device. The mini wouldn’t come with me when I travel ... too many devices already. At home, I guess I could make use of it, but then I’d be juggling and charging another iPad, so there’s still a downside to having one regardless of the extra cost.

Same, I watch only non-cinematic shows and movies on my iPads, or just have them playing in the background, so it doesn’t matter to me which iPad, big or small. It could even be my iPhone. Any long form video I care about is watched on my tv.

I also bring only my iPad Pro (12.9”) with me on trips and coffee shops etc. for productivity. Mini stays home. I like traveling as light as possible, and consumption is a lower priority when I’m out, so if the desire arises I can make do with either the 12.9” or my phone. It’s at home where consumption is a priority, so that’s where my mini becomes my most used device. It also handles phone duties so I don’t use my phone at all at home.

 

[mfm77]

I just got my iPP 11 to replace my screen-failing IPP 10.5. WOW, this is a beautiful tablet!

 

[kamikazeeMC]

The reason behind this is that 11” Ipad Pro uses only mobile versions apps in multitasking, 12.9” uses full desktop apps.

The apps still function the same, just the 11” has a cut down UI which I’m fine with. If I was on an actual desktop using a bunch of programs sure, but under iOS where you can only have 2 apps side by side with a third in slide over I’m happy with it. That’s great if the 12.9 is perfect for you.

I’ll leave it at ignorance is bliss on me sticking with the smaller 11”, if I ever become serious about art in the future maybe I’ll get a bigger one when I upgrade. I want the slightly smaller size and weight while still having the hardware advantages over the non pros. Almost a month in using this full time and I have not questioned my decision, that alone is enough.

 

[hipnetic]

I’m just posting a quick reply to test out the Magic Keyboard that I bought for the 2018 refurb iPad 11 I recently bought. The keyboard/case got delivered a few minutes ago. It was an open box (“Excellent condition”) from Best Buy which was available for shipment for about $255 + tax.

First impressions are pretty great. Touch-typing on the top row does cause my fingernails to hit/glance the bottom of the iPad, but it’s not a big deal. I’ve got the whole thing on my lap, just to test out how usable it is that way, and so far so good.

The biggest issue I’m seeing as I touch-type on this is the undersized hyphen key, which I use quite a bit. My natural hand/finger movement ends up hitting the zero instead. This is probably a non-issue (or less of an issue) on the 12.9” Magic Keyboard.

I have a MBP 16, so the iPad is really a supplemental device for me, mostly used for graphic design. When I’m working in any room of my house, I think I’d still prefer to use my MBP with its much larger display and roomier keyboard with dedicated keys for brightness, volume, etc. But once the world starts opening up again, I could see myself wanting to take this thing with me whenever I step out of the house, where I could (for example) hang out at the bar that my niece works at and toggling between watching NFL GamePass, surfing the web, and replying on forums. I don’t think I‘d be as apt to take a 12.9” model with me everywhere, and the 12.9” model still wouldn’t be likely to replace my MBP 16 usage around my house.

At $250+, this is an awfully expensive “case/cover” for the iPad 11, but I do a *LOT* of touch-typing as part of my typical web usage, so the lack of a physical keyboard on the iPads have always made them 2nd-class citizens for me. This really changes things for me. Who knows...maybe I will grow to love it so much that I *do* find myself using it around the house and leaving my MBP 16 on my home office desk more often.

Oh...so one more minor complaint: the undersized trackpad. More specifically, the height of it (the width seems fine). Personally, I think I’d be happier with a Magic Keyboard/case that has a longer (vertically) trackpad, even if it meant that the case was larger than the iPad itself, if that makes sense. They could even go a bit longer still and give it another top-row of keys for volume/brightness/etc. The overall weight probably wouldn’t be much more...it would mostly just be physically larger. But not a huge deal...I think I can deal with the undersized trackpad for now.

 

[Nikhil72]

But not a huge deal...I think I can deal with the undersized trackpad for now.

one random tip for the smaller iPad keyboard is to enable faster scrolling in the pointer accessibility settings. Makes you less likely to feel the cramp while scrolling which is likely the main area where height will feel limited m

 

[Loge]

One thing I prefer about the 12.9 is the extra row of number keys on the on-screen keyboard. I know you can do the down swipe gesture thing, but it still seems so much easier to have the numbers right there.

 

[spiderman0616]

One thing I prefer about the 12.9 is the extra row of number keys on the on-screen keyboard. I know you can do the down swipe gesture thing, but it still seems so much easier to have the numbers right there.

YES! I don’t do a lot of screen typing, but this is one big benefit I noticed right away on the 12.9” that makes things a lot easier.

 

[cmonkey1976]

YES! I don’t do a lot of screen typing, but this is one big benefit I noticed right away on the 12.9” that makes things a lot easier.

Despite voting for the 11, and sitting on the fence about replacing my IPP10.5 I’ve just ordered a 12.9 for pickup tomorrow. Excited.... haven’t been brave enough to purchase the Magic Keyboard yet though.

Excited.
so, I’m now in the 12.9 camp thanks to endless youtube videos and these forums

 

[Ghettopops]

I watched many the videos before I took the plunge and bought the 20' 12.9, happy birthday to me. This is the first Apple product I've owned since the 3Gs. Love the size of this as it is very comparable to my SP. Many things I need to adjust to as my ecosystem is strongly Android.

 

[Precursor]

I watched many the videos before I took the plunge and bought the 20' 12.9, happy birthday to me. This is the first Apple product I've owned since the 3Gs. Love the size of this as it is very comparable to my SP. Many things I need to adjust to as my ecosystem is strongly Android.

Happy birthday
Get ready, the 12.9" iPP will be the best device you've ever owned!

 

[pedregosa]

Just picked up an 11”. Been using the 12.9” since 2018 and they really feel like two different classes of devices. Before that, it was using the 10.5” and old 12.9”.

It’s similar to using an iPad mini when it first came out in 2012 compared to iPad 2 or the “new iPad”.

My perspective is that if you enjoy using an iPad in portrait, get the 11. If you enjoy landscape, get the 12.9. This is despite aspect ratio.

Definitely keeping my 12.9 with magic keyboard. Debating whether or not to keep this one. The one thing I’m curious about is if iPadOS has better external display support and Microsoft updates Office to 13.4 support in a solid manner, the 11 hooked up as a desktop and highly portable could be super intriguing

Even with existing external monitor support, the 11 plus a 4K desktop monitor is a great combo.

 

[cmonkey1976]

I picked up my new iPadPro 2020 12.9 this morning and have been using it constantly setting up apps and playing with it whilst sat on the sofa and can’t say that I’ve noticed the weight or any difficulty using on the sofa.

Wasn’t sure I’d get an iPad as my three year iPad Pro 10.5 was as good as the day I got it... then there was the flip flopping between 11 and 12.9 (having settled on the 11). However, I did change my mind and glad I did - this 12.9 is amazing and my 10.5 feels so small now.

So pleased I changed my mind and went with the 12.9

I don’t have the Magic Keyboard (yet, at least!).

It’s kind of nice now that the decision has been made after reading, watching and flip-flopping so much.
Sometimes you just have to go for it.

 

[spiderman0616]

I picked up my new iPadPro 2020 12.9 this morning and have been using it constantly setting up apps and playing with it whilst sat on the sofa and can’t say that I’ve noticed the weight or any difficulty using on the sofa.

Wasn’t sure I’d get an iPad as my three year iPad Pro 10.5 was as good as the day I got it... then there was the flip flopping between 11 and 12.9 (having settled on the 11). However, I did change my mind and glad I did - this 12.9 is amazing and my 10.5 feels so small now.

So pleased I changed my mind and went with the 12.9

I don’t have the Magic Keyboard (yet, at least!).

It’s kind of nice now that the decision has been made after reading, watching and flip-flopping so much.
Sometimes you just have to go for it.

Yep—for me, it’s on the Magic Keyboard when I’m at my desk or the kitchen table, and off the Magic Keyboard when I’m on the couch or in bed. I don’t find it crazy heavy or awkward to use as a tablet, and think of it as a normal size now.

 

[lyngo]

Well everyone, I am in the midst of the “struggle” with all of this, too. I am waffling back and forth and also desiring to want to want (repeated on purpose) the 12.9” iPad Pro. I do travel and I do have the new MacBook Air, but I also love the tablet experience. I have the 11” that I would pass on to my wife if I end up with the 12.9” which is sitting in a box from Best Buy (cellular edition) along with the new MK.