I’m finding more and more ways to fit my mini 5 with it’s big brother.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad Pro 11 or 12.9 Pro ?
- Thread starter George Dawes
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Thanks for the many responses - super helpful.
Not her magic keyboard has arrived I've now handed the 12.9" iPad Pro over to wife - and I've been using her old first generation iPad Air.
This has enabled me to play with Lightroom and read comics on a 9.7" iPad. From a comics perspective I find the 9.7" screen *totally* fine - especially with the pane zooming on the Kindle app. The ergonomics are also far superior.
Lightroom however is less good - with the tools visible the actual photo being edited is really quite small. An 11" screen would be better - but still nowhere a 12.9" experience.
However, I kinda feel that overall ergonomics probably mean more to me than just screen size - so I'm currently leaning towards the 11".
But again, thanks for the advice.
[automerge]1592216786[/automerge]
Just realised that I posted the above in the wrong thread. Doh!
Not her magic keyboard has arrived I've now handed the 12.9" iPad Pro over to wife - and I've been using her old first generation iPad Air.
This has enabled me to play with Lightroom and read comics on a 9.7" iPad. From a comics perspective I find the 9.7" screen *totally* fine - especially with the pane zooming on the Kindle app. The ergonomics are also far superior.
Lightroom however is less good - with the tools visible the actual photo being edited is really quite small. An 11" screen would be better - but still nowhere a 12.9" experience.
However, I kinda feel that overall ergonomics probably mean more to me than just screen size - so I'm currently leaning towards the 11".
But again, thanks for the advice.
[automerge]1592216786[/automerge]
Just realised that I posted the above in the wrong thread. Doh!
I’ve been holding off for a refurb 2018 11in 256gb model on U.K. store but couldn’t get anything!
I’ve just come across the curry’s/pcworld marketplace on eBay and picked up a brand new one for £689 (enter code PANORAMA for £60 off listed price).
Really happy with that price for the 256GB model! Only £40 more than Apple refurb price (if they had stock)
worth a look for anyone in same position:
I’ve just come across the curry’s/pcworld marketplace on eBay and picked up a brand new one for £689 (enter code PANORAMA for £60 off listed price).
Really happy with that price for the 256GB model! Only £40 more than Apple refurb price (if they had stock)
worth a look for anyone in same position:
Apple iPad Pro 1st Gen. 256GB, Wi-Fi, 11 in - Space Grey for sale online | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple iPad Pro 1st Gen. 256GB, Wi-Fi, 11 in - Space Grey at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!
www.ebay.co.uk
I jumped over from an iPad Air, to the 1st Gen 12.9". At the time, I had a 13" MBP, and was doing plenty of writing and annotating for my PHD. The MKB and Pencil 1 was the perfect tool - especially since my MBP's battery was nowhere near as long-lasting as the iPP.
But then I upgraded to a 15" MBP, and strangely, I started using my 12.9" less and less. I also managed to wrap up my PHD, and recently sold the 12.9".
Been debating long and hard about which size to go for next, but am increasingly coming down on the 11"... It's a difficult decision, made trickier by the latest generations of 12.9" being quite a bit smaller than the 1st generation. But I have realised that this will not be a laptop replacement, and I value portability over multitasking and larger keyboards. I guess I want to have an iPad that still feels, weight and size-wise, like a tablet, not a laptop.
Looking forward to when I can eventually find one in stock - think it's going to be a noticeable upgrade from my prior 1st Gen!
But then I upgraded to a 15" MBP, and strangely, I started using my 12.9" less and less. I also managed to wrap up my PHD, and recently sold the 12.9".
Been debating long and hard about which size to go for next, but am increasingly coming down on the 11"... It's a difficult decision, made trickier by the latest generations of 12.9" being quite a bit smaller than the 1st generation. But I have realised that this will not be a laptop replacement, and I value portability over multitasking and larger keyboards. I guess I want to have an iPad that still feels, weight and size-wise, like a tablet, not a laptop.
Looking forward to when I can eventually find one in stock - think it's going to be a noticeable upgrade from my prior 1st Gen!
I picked up the latest 11in Pro yesterday and it’s a great device. I wanted the 11 for mobility as I travel on business a lot, or at least I will do again when things get back to normal! I have my MacBook Pro 13in from last year for heavy productivity needs. But I think for one night only travel I can risk leaving the MacBook behind and take the iPad for emails and some light docs editing if needed. I think I’ll get the keys to go small keyboard from Logitech and maybe the pebble mouse for the iPad from Logitech just in case.
I’ll use the iPad as well for reading e-newspapers and they look great on this device in portrait. I also got the pencil 2 and I’m trying digital note taking apps like Noteshelf and Nebo and it’s great. I can use this for note taking in work and use Adobe pro to mark up PDFs and sign documents.
I’ll use the iPad as well for reading e-newspapers and they look great on this device in portrait. I also got the pencil 2 and I’m trying digital note taking apps like Noteshelf and Nebo and it’s great. I can use this for note taking in work and use Adobe pro to mark up PDFs and sign documents.
I was really on the fence when I was thinking which size I would go for if I was to buy one.
.... having had the IPP 10.5 I loved the feel of it, and it was exactly that reason you said... I loved the iPad as an iPad and there was a reason I used it in preference to my MacBook... It was a tablet I wanted not a laptop, so was worried that the 12.9 would ruin that feel and that I wouldn’t use it like I’d always had.
HOWEVER, I did go for the 12.9, and not a day goes by where I regret that, in fact, exactly the opposite! Everyday I just think ‘wow’ when I use it. I’m actually using my iPad more than ever before because it’s such a joy to use with the big screen. The feel has changed a bit, with the desktop version of Safari and the larger screen it does have the feel of a MacBook but with the added benefits of an iPad, can‘t really describe it other than I love it.
My iPP 10.5 somehow felt heavier than the 12.9 when I’m using it on the sofa or in bed... I think it’s just the really thin design which gives the impression it’s lighter. I use the iPad naked when on the sofa and in bed (which is an amazing experience after never taking the smart cover off my old iPad, even though it was just a case of pulling off the cover)... for other times I use an aftermarket magnetic folio case which is far better than the official Apple one at a fraction of the price.
Although I was wow’d by the Magic Keyboard case I didn’t take that plunge.
(I do have a Logitech Keys to Go Keyboard already, but will likely purchase another small Bluetooth Logitech keyboard along with a pebble mouse).
Have to say, for me, I would have regretted purchasing the 11” even though that’s the one I had initially wanted, and the one I kept reasoning myself to get whenever I thought 11 vs 12.9.
I know the 1st generation were huge! Even though the 2018/2020 look huge, they really don’t feel it (and my 10.5, which I had considered to be the perfect size feels sooooo small).
I‘m definitely in the 12.9 camp.
Last edited:
This is making me really excited for tomorrow when my 11in arrives. Can I ask what is the after market case you got? What made you not go for the MK?
I purchased:
ESR Rebound Magnetic Smart Case for iPad Pro 12.9" 2020/2018, Convenient Magnetic Attachment [Supports Apple Pencil Pairing & Charging] Smart Case Cover, Auto Sleep/Wake Trifold Stand Case - Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B083R6WS3Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_K-t6EbAGBJN
It’s magnetic, and even covers the Apple Pencil (the additional flap can be folded back out of the way).
I tried to convince myself to get the MK, but the price, and I didn’t really want it to feel like a laptop all of the time. I think the MK would only really be used occasionally (if you use it for work I can see why, but for my use the on screen keyboard is actually fine on the 12.9 for the majority of the time)... plus I have a Keys to Go Keyboard, although may get the slightly bigger keyboard from Logitech when they get stock in, along with a bluetooth mouse.
Yes, but for all of my reading I pick up the the 12.9 Pro, not the 10.5 Pro I still have.
Likewise. My 10.5 has been packed in it‘s box and never once wanted to get it back out after using the 12.9
Mine is out but I never use it. I even use the 12.9 for reading in bed. I pick up the 10.5 and it feels too small. Can't remember the last time I used my 8" Galaxy Tab. But this is all a matter of personal preference and there is no universal answer; what I like/prefer is irrelevant to what anyone else may prefer. This is like a poll on whether or not you want to eat sushi.
I'm thinking of buying my mother an 11" for her Xmas pressie , but I wonder what September will bring ? Maybe I'll wait , she has an air 2 that's on it's last legs according to her
Also can't believe this thread has turned out to be such a mega one - 444k views ! WOW
Also can't believe this thread has turned out to be such a mega one - 444k views ! WOW
11in delivered today and I love it!! It feels REALLY big at the moment, the 12.9 must feel gigantic at first!
It does especially when using it in your hand as a tablet. I’m very nearsighted so when I read I take off my glasses and hold the iPad pretty close to my face. With the 12.9” that means moving my eyes and head either side to side or up and down in portrait. This doesn’t happen with the 11”.
I finally convinced myself to go with 11”. So far I’m definitely not regretting it! I think the 12.9” is just too big to be portable, especially as I already have a 15” MacBook Pro.
I got a 2020 11” Space Gray 256GB, for those interested.
I got a 2020 11” Space Gray 256GB, for those interested.
I ordered the 11, I’ll admit as a cost savings because I knew I wouldn’t be able to live without the MK and Apple Pencil 2, but after a couple weeks now, I’m still beyond blown away. It’s the perfect size to take with me from room to room throughout the house and think it will serve well once the world starts to open back up for travel. Maybe the 12.9 is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but at an overall cost savings of 250 bux in these crazy times, I’ll take the 11 
Last edited:
The 2018/2020 12.9 looks and feels significantly smaller than the previous generations. I would recommend everyone who only has experience with 12.9’s before the 2018 model, to revisit the device and update personal experience.
I've just placed an order for a silver iPad Pro 11" 1Tb Wifi.
I'm hoping to use it for Lightroom, comic book reading, light Excel, maybe playing with remote code development.
This naturally points towards the 12.9". However my wife has the 12.9" iPP and it just *feels wrong* to me - too large and unwieldy. Ultimately, everything is a compromise and I had to choose between portability and ideal screen size - and portability won.
I'm really excited about it's arrival - it stands a chance of being a really great "unit of compute" which when I'm out and about is really portable and performant - and when I'm home can be plugged into a 32" 4K monitor. External display handling on iPPs really needs some work from Apple for it to really shine but I'm optimistic about this. Just as long as they don't use external display handling as a differentiator for ARM Macs ;-)
I'm hoping to use it for Lightroom, comic book reading, light Excel, maybe playing with remote code development.
This naturally points towards the 12.9". However my wife has the 12.9" iPP and it just *feels wrong* to me - too large and unwieldy. Ultimately, everything is a compromise and I had to choose between portability and ideal screen size - and portability won.
I'm really excited about it's arrival - it stands a chance of being a really great "unit of compute" which when I'm out and about is really portable and performant - and when I'm home can be plugged into a 32" 4K monitor. External display handling on iPPs really needs some work from Apple for it to really shine but I'm optimistic about this. Just as long as they don't use external display handling as a differentiator for ARM Macs ;-)
Last edited:
I just really impulsively bought A 12.9" one without seeing or trying it beforehand. I was initially quite shocked at how big it actually was but the screen is gorgeous and I find it comfortable to use as a handheld tablet so I’m really pleased I went with it so far, typing while holding it is in the only obvious compromise for the size so far.
It’s my first iPad in ages, last one was the first iPad Air, bought on release and sold a year later as I never used it. I found the size of the normal iPad such that it wasn’t big enough to stop my wanting to go to my MacBook for most things I didnt want to do on my phone and everything else was easier to do on my phone, so it became a bit redundant.
My main reasons for getting the 12.9 this time where that I want to do photo and video editing on it, something I wouldn’t find enjoyable on a smaller screen. And also to use for digital sheet music for playing piano, which again I have also found previous iPad sizes too small for. So far the 12.9 is ticking a lot of boxes that previous iPads/tablets haven’t been able to.
It’s my first iPad in ages, last one was the first iPad Air, bought on release and sold a year later as I never used it. I found the size of the normal iPad such that it wasn’t big enough to stop my wanting to go to my MacBook for most things I didnt want to do on my phone and everything else was easier to do on my phone, so it became a bit redundant.
My main reasons for getting the 12.9 this time where that I want to do photo and video editing on it, something I wouldn’t find enjoyable on a smaller screen. And also to use for digital sheet music for playing piano, which again I have also found previous iPad sizes too small for. So far the 12.9 is ticking a lot of boxes that previous iPads/tablets haven’t been able to.
Last edited:
Really glad I went with the 12.9". Having to socially distance at work means I'm not sitting at my desk. Instead of bringing my monitors to the conference room I setup my iPad as a second monitor and it has been perfect!
I picked up a 12.9” LTE iPad Pro (2020) with Magic Keyboard and I’m really liking the experience moreso than the 11” equivalent with the Magic Keyboard. I think the new Magic Keyboard had made the 12.9” the essential iPad Pro experience.
I've changed my mind and now want a 12.9". I've realised I will definitely use it more like a laptop 90% of the time and will appreciate the larger screen and magic keyboard. Of course for the last two weeks of checking every morning at 1:30am there have been no 2018 64gb WIFI models on the UK refurb store after there was a glut of them before. Not wanting to spend top wack of nearly a £1000 on a 2020 model I will just have to continue smashing the refresh button on the Apple refurb store! ?
I still think the 11" is the best all rounder so it still depends on your usage. Now if Apple made an in between size I'd be onboard.
I still think the 11" is the best all rounder so it still depends on your usage. Now if Apple made an in between size I'd be onboard.
I was one of those people stubborn and didn’t feel like the 12.9” was worth upgrading to since I already had an excellent 11” Pro with Magic Keyboard. I was very wrong, esp if you try out the 12.9.