Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Which is the best iPad Pro ?


  • Total voters
    2,370

Cassady

macrumors 6502a
Jul 7, 2012
568
205
Sqornshellous
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.

Exactly what I ended up doing. Came from a 1st Gen 12.9”, that was being used less after getting the 15” MBP - with my finally realising that the 12.9” **felt** so close in size to the MBP, that I increasingly just took the latter to meetings...

Hoping the 11” will bring back my use of it again, some I really do appreciate its uses.
 
  • Like
Reactions: el beisbol

Cosmo M3

macrumors 6502
Sep 4, 2010
465
456
I bought the 11" a couple of months ago. I kinda feel I should have gone all the way to the 12.9" just because I like it so much and I want more of it... If that makes any sense....?

the 12.9” only made sense to me due to the Magic Keyboard.
 

Mr. Awesome

macrumors 65816
Feb 24, 2016
1,243
2,881
Idaho, USA
Exactly what I ended up doing. Came from a 1st Gen 12.9”, that was being used less after getting the 15” MBP - with my finally realising that the 12.9” **felt** so close in size to the MBP, that I increasingly just took the latter to meetings...

Hoping the 11” will bring back my use of it again, some I really do appreciate its uses.

I have a friend who has a 12.9”, and though the physical difference isn't that much, it FEELS like a much bigger device, especially when carrying it. You can’t really hold it up in your hands comfortably at all. You kind of have to keep it on your lap or on the Magic Keyboard.
 

lyngo

macrumors 6502a
Sep 10, 2007
871
1,499
I’m going to leave this here...


I’ve got to say that I agree with everything he says and still 100% satisfied going with the 11” over the 12.9”.

First off, I like this reviewer. It's on point and he covers everything very well and in a very concise way. Secondly the production of this video is right on point.
 

ssledoux

macrumors 601
Sep 16, 2006
4,412
4,243
Down south
I’m going to leave this here...


I’ve got to say that I agree with everything he says and still 100% satisfied going with the 11” over the 12.9”.

Hell, I already have the 11” and he sold me. ;-p

Seriously though, I really like his review. I wound up watching a couple others and they are really good, and thorough. Very well done.
 

el beisbol

macrumors member
Feb 27, 2011
63
46
Great video! Both production-wise and content. I don’t now that I would have the experience with the 12.9” that he did, but I do know that I use my 11” similarly - I love this go everywhere, always on, LTE, do-everything beast.
 

Dancin-Ted-Danson

macrumors member
May 17, 2020
40
24
I have the 2018 11" and a 2020 12.9". I use both... but use the 12.9" on the go instead of taking my 16" MBP due to it having LTE. I use the 11" for reading the news and content consumption. I never could get use to the 12.9" for holding and reading... it just seemed too big and heavy.

If I had to pick one then I think I would go with the 12.9", because it is more practical when it comes to productivity... as a laptop replacement though, it reminds me of the surface in that it isn't great as a tablet, and isn't great as a laptop. It just crosses enough Ts to make it the best compromise device
 

Cosmo M3

macrumors 6502
Sep 4, 2010
465
456
I have the 2018 11" and a 2020 12.9". I use both... but use the 12.9" on the go instead of taking my 16" MBP due to it having LTE. I use the 11" for reading the news and content consumption. I never could get use to the 12.9" for holding and reading... it just seemed too big and heavy.

If I had to pick one then I think I would go with the 12.9", because it is more practical when it comes to productivity... as a laptop replacement though, it reminds me of the surface in that it isn't great as a tablet, and isn't great as a laptop. It just crosses enough Ts to make it the best compromise device

pretty much my experience but couldn’t explain it as eloquently as you.
 

ssledoux

macrumors 601
Sep 16, 2006
4,412
4,243
Down south
I read all the 12.9 vs 11” talk, and people saying the 12.9 really isn’t that big, etc. Well, I was in Best Buy today with my SIL and picked up the 12.9 that was on display. Yes, the display is gorgeous, but OMG that thing is a LOT bigger than the 11”, and I just cannot imagine using it in all the ways I can use the smaller iPP.

I mean certainly if I had a smaller pad to use as a portable device, the 12.9 would be awesome for the desk, but for someone who can’t justify multiple pads that wants one versatile device, I am even more convinced that the 11 is the way to go. Of course YMMV, but I’ll only ever go 12.9 if I can find a need/reason to have more than one iPad.
 

Jamacfer

macrumors 6502
Sep 3, 2015
292
272
京都市
I read all the 12.9 vs 11” talk, and people saying the 12.9 really isn’t that big, etc. Well, I was in Best Buy today with my SIL and picked up the 12.9 that was on display. Yes, the display is gorgeous, but OMG that thing is a LOT bigger than the 11”, and I just cannot imagine using it in all the ways I can use the smaller iPP.

I mean certainly if I had a smaller pad to use as a portable device, the 12.9 would be awesome for the desk, but for someone who can’t justify multiple pads that wants one versatile device, I am even more convinced that the 11 is the way to go. Of course YMMV, but I’ll only ever go 12.9 if I can find a need/reason to have more than one iPad.

I was thinking the same thing too but for some months now my 12.9" iPad has been my daily driver both as tablet and laptop and I couldn't be more satisfied with the choice. In my opinion, since the new size of 2018 and with the new versions of the software that now allow a great versatility of use, the larger version is undoubtedly the way to go.
 

Mr. Awesome

macrumors 65816
Feb 24, 2016
1,243
2,881
Idaho, USA
I was thinking the same thing too but for some months now my 12.9" iPad has been my daily driver both as tablet and laptop and I couldn't be more satisfied with the choice. In my opinion, since the new size of 2018 and with the new versions of the software that now allow a great versatility of use, the larger version is undoubtedly the way to go.

I’m sure the 12.9” feels better as a laptop replacement, but for me (and many others, I’m sure), it functions as a supplement and alternative to my Mac. Since I already have a 15” MacBook Pro for my most intensive work, I can use the iPad as a more free-flowing creative canvas. In addition, the 11” is just much more portable than the 12.9”
 

Precursor

Cancelled
Sep 29, 2015
1,091
1,066
Istanbul
I’m sure the 12.9” feels better as a laptop replacement, but for me (and many others, I’m sure), it functions as a supplement and alternative to my Mac. Since I already have a 15” MacBook Pro for my most intensive work, I can use the iPad as a more free-flowing creative canvas. In addition, the 11” is just much more portable than the 12.9”

1593370035922.png
 
  • Angry
Reactions: dominiongamma

JagRunner

Suspended
Oct 18, 2018
580
2,735
Houston,Texas
I’m loving my 11. I use it as a tablet since I have a MBP for everything else. It’s a good size for around the house. I couldn’t imagine carrying around the 12.9 around the house For my use case.
 
  • Like
Reactions: George Dawes

Cassandle

macrumors 6502
Jun 4, 2020
316
297
I finally convinced my wife to get an iPad Pro. Was all set to get the 11” with MKB but popped into an Apple store today and had my first proper look at the 12.9”. It’s incredible. It somehow doesn’t feel as big as it is, the screen is incredible and the spacing on the keys on the MKB is better.

I went into the store thinking: “I know 11” is a great tablet size and I know the 12.9 MKB is going to be better (I’ve used a MBP for years and love the keyboard on it). Will the 11” be good as a laptop (with MKB attached)? Will the 12.9” be good as a tablet?”

In my opinion, the bigger screen and better keyboard size is a big plus for the 12.9” and it’s ability to feel much smaller and lighter means it will be a great tablet too.

So 12.9” it will be for me
 

mikehalloran

macrumors 68020
Oct 14, 2018
2,239
666
The Sillie Con Valley
There are a few apps that take advantage of the increased real estate. GarageBand is definitely one of them — which I use to my advantage.

The only reason I would move from my 2nd Gen 12.9 to the current version is to take advantage of the trackpad in the BRYDGE Pro keyboard.
BRYDGE Pro for iPad Pro

The one I have now doesn't have a trackpad, of course. Otherwise, it's by far the best keyboard I've ever used with an iPad.
 

MisterSavage

macrumors 601
Nov 10, 2018
4,850
5,749
I’m loving my 11. I use it as a tablet since I have a MBP for everything else. It’s a good size for around the house. I couldn’t imagine carrying around the 12.9 around the house For my use case.

Yep, I've been using my 11" even more than I normally do now that I'm WFH all the time. My dad is visiting and asked me to put my WiFi password in his 12.9". Using his reinforced that the 11" is the size for me.
 

rumz

macrumors 65816
Feb 11, 2006
1,226
635
Utah
I finally convinced my wife to get an iPad Pro. Was all set to get the 11” with MKB but popped into an Apple store today and had my first proper look at the 12.9”. It’s incredible.

The 2018 redesign definitely made the 12.9 feel smaller (I have a 2015 12.9 as well). Huge difference taking those bezels down on the top and bottom! It feels significantly less unwieldy.

That said... I still want a huge iPad for stationary work :p (17" or something like that). One can dream ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Precursor and jazz1

jazz1

Contributor
Aug 19, 2002
4,675
19,779
Mid-West USA
Yes, I sold my 2015 to a friend at a give away price for the 2018. I coudon’t believe the difference in handling, and weight. I’m wondering what might be next beyond the most recent version? So far I haven’t felt the need to replace the 2018.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.