iPad Pro 11 or 12.9 Pro ?

[BATman.Berlin]

Portability and one handed use is making the 12.9 prohibitive to me. I had one for one week a while ago and returned it, because it is to big for me. If you use it as a laptop replacement, might be different, but using it as a tablet was creating wrist pain.

 

[jazz1]

I totally argree that the 12.9 is not for up in the air one handed use. Mine is in my lap, on a desk, or on a laptop lap board. Though in bed, with the folio bent in the triangle support it isn’t really that bad. Note I do also have a Magic Keyboard folio, that surprisingly works well on my lap, on my knees.

I can certainly see that for some uses a smaller iPad would be best. Totally hand held, in the air, I’d probably recommend a smaller iPad. But for a pseudo laptop replacement bigger is better!

 

[Tsepz]

I thought the 12.9 would be for me but after playing with one I realized it was pretty unwieldy for what I need and so happily settled for the 11”, pretttty happy with it as it replaces my old Air 2 nicely. It is not much bigger than the Air 2 but the larger screen in a similarly sized body is so much better.

I think the 12.9 is fantastic for people who need a large canvas for drawing, video editing etc... For everyone else I think the 11” is great.

Happily rewatching The Sopranos every night on my 11”, web browsing, YouTube. Social Media etc.. whether it be on my Desk being used with my BT keyboard or in my hand when sitting on the couch.

 

[Nikhil72]

Been devouring ebooks on my 12.9 in bed and the more I use it in tablet form, the less I feel uncomfortable. I’d say it was a monthlong adjustment from my old 11” but it essentially feels like a hardcover book. For video viewing, etc i never use it handheld. Happy i ended up sticking it out with the 12.9 rather than retreating.

 

[Shanghaichica]

The 12.9 is nice but it’s too unweildy. Definitely not lapable. I upgraded from the 10.5 pro to the 11 inch pro last week. 11 inches is the biggest I can go. It’s the sweet spot. I still have an 11 inch MBA. I never liked the 13 inch because it was too big and not compact. Only thing I need to decide now is whether I was the magic keyboard or the Logitech keyboard with trackpad. I had the Logitech keyboard for my 10.5 and I loved it. I don’t know if I can do without the function row and kickstand. I’m using the standard Smart Keyboard now and I miss the trackpad. I feel like an animal as Rene Ritchie would say having to touch the screen.

 

[SisterBlue22]

I thought the 12.9 would be for me but after playing with one I realized it was pretty unwieldy for what I need and so happily settled for the 11”, pretttty happy with it as it replaces my old Air 2 nicely. It is not much bigger than the Air 2 but the larger screen in a similarly sized body is so much better.

I'm literally about to replace my beloved Air 2 with a Gen 2 11", and I'm so excited for it to get here - in a MONTH.

 

[IngerMan]

From the poll in this thread, they are both popular sizes and either is great choice. I had the 12.9 pro back in 2016 but sold it when I got a 2016 13" MBP, it did not make sense to have both. I was using a iPad Mini in between 2016 till recent. Now I have the 11" iPP 2nd Gen and after getting the MK, I sold my newer 2020 MBA. The iPP machine is really great, and with the MK I am in wow how much it seems like a laptop.

I think the difference on the size choice comes down to using a keyboard and it depends on how big your paws are . I have long thin digits and for me the typing on the 11" MK is smooth, it feels right for me. My coworker has large hands and large thick digits and no way would it be smooth for him.

@Shanghaichica check out my ten year old waterfield sleeve from my old 11" MBA I am using for the 11" iPP, glad I kept all my sleeves and bags from the past. You won't find these for sale anymore.

 

[Tsepz]

I'm literally about to replace my beloved Air 2 with a Gen 2 11", and I'm so excited for it to get here - in a MONTH.

You will love it!

Here is my 2020 iPad Pro 11” next to my aging iPad Air 2
As you can see, size wise there is not much between them, but the screen real estate is amazing on the 11”.

 

[Neodym]

The poll clearly shows the popularity of either size. But I‘d like to dispute the notion that the 12.9 is targeted only at clearly defined niche groups like video editors (or watchers) or professional users. With the 2018 format change, the 12.9 has become much more compact and the screen real estate is still amazing even for hobbyists „only“ surfing the net.

Without onscreen keyboard, there‘s more space to display the increasingly complex and ad-cluttered websites out there. With the keyboard on, there‘s more space left to display e.g. the preview or earlier posts that are being referred to.

And for aging people (of course no one would admit to age at all ;-), the 12.9 allows to increase zoom even further and still have a sufficient amount of content on screen. And the bigger virtual keys of the onscreen keyboard are easier to hit even with slightly trembling fingers. Hope I now didn’t spur the notion that the 12.9 is for older people only :-D

 

[Precursor]

The poll clearly shows the popularity of either size. But I‘d like to dispute the notion that the 12.9 is targeted only at clearly defined niche groups like video editors (or watchers) or professional users. With the 2018 format change, the 12.9 has become much more compact and the screen real estate is still amazing even for hobbyists „only“ surfing the net.

Without onscreen keyboard, there‘s more space to display the increasingly complex and ad-cluttered websites out there. With the keyboard on, there‘s more space left to display e.g. the preview or earlier posts that are being referred to.

And for aging people (of course no one would admit to age at all ;-), the 12.9 allows to increase zoom even further and still have a sufficient amount of content on screen. And the bigger virtual keys of the onscreen keyboard are easier to hit even with slightly trembling fingers. Hope I now didn’t spur the notion that the 12.9 is for older people only :-D

I'm 44, wouldn't consider myself "old", but biology is biology. My eyesight is not getting better as I age, and it is the reason I upgraded to 12.9" immediately after I purchased the 11", as I found myself pinching to zoom a lot on the 11".
I don't care if it's a couple grams heavier. I purchased the damn thing to use, not carry around.

 

[Hallstar]

I bought the iPad Pro 11 (2018) and used it as my daily driver until the 2020 version was released, I then upgraded to this as I wanted more onboard storage.

On both occasions, i battled with the ‘which size is right for me’ and on both occasions i concluded that the 11 was right, mostly due to its size and portability.

But, i always had that niggling ‘what if...’

And yesterday, I succumbed to it and am now writing from my new 12.9 (2020)... and i love it!

Granted i am still in the honeymoon period with it, but it does feel right.

 

[Robbosan]

I use my 11” in bed a lot morning and night, I can hold it one handed, 12.9 would be no good for me.

 

[Tsepz]

I bought the iPad Pro 11 (2018) and used it as my daily driver until the 2020 version was released, I then upgraded to this as I wanted more onboard storage.

On both occasions, i battled with the ‘which size is right for me’ and on both occasions i concluded that the 11 was right, mostly due to its size and portability.

But, i always had that niggling ‘what if...’

And yesterday, I succumbed to it and am now writing from my new 12.9 (2020)... and i love it!

Granted i am still in the honeymoon period with it, but it does feel right.

I get that ‘what if’ feeling to ? but having tried a 12.9 before I know I would struggle, I have actually thought of buying a 12.9 as my desktop only computing device and then having my 11 as my mobile computing device ?

 

[zehcnassurfero]

I bought the iPad Pro 11 (2018) and used it as my daily driver until the 2020 version was released, I then upgraded to this as I wanted more onboard storage.

On both occasions, i battled with the ‘which size is right for me’ and on both occasions i concluded that the 11 was right, mostly due to its size and portability.

But, i always had that niggling ‘what if...’

And yesterday, I succumbed to it and am now writing from my new 12.9 (2020)... and i love it!

Granted i am still in the honeymoon period with it, but it does feel right.

I have the same doubt, but I can’t decide which size is better for my usage. And I want to buy a 13” or 16” MBP, so it’s more difficult to decide for me.

Before, I used an iMac 21.5” and an iPad Pro 12.9”, but since a few months I sold the iMac and the iPad Pro, and now I bought a 11” iPad Pro that it isn’t already to ship yet, but my doubt if it’s enough to take notes and study.

 

[Hallstar]

I take a lot of notes during meetings and the 12.9 offers enough additional screen real estate to make real difference.

I am still getting accustomed to the overall size of the 12.9 over the 11, but i am confident i have made the right choice in the 12.9

 

[SisterBlue22]

You will love it!

Here is my 2020 iPad Pro 11” next to my aging iPad Air 2
As you can see, size wise there is not much between them, but the screen real estate is amazing on the 11”.
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Wow, this is EXACTLY what I wanted to see, thanks so much for the comparison photos, I really appreciate it! I'm happy I picked the 11" for what I need. It still hasn't shipped! My Apple Pencil arrived yesterday, and it can't wait to meet it's new friend. Hoping for a flip to "Preparing to ship" today.

 

[rainafterthesun]

I love my MacBook Pro 13” (prior I had rosegold macbook) and the 12.9 is essentially a good compliment to the 13”. I’m studying for an exam...and the ipad is preferable to MacBook for reading PDFs.

I used to be anti-large but now I prefer the bigger screens with the smallest size font (so not a visual thing ?).

small hands (petite person here) but I like the horizontal view (two pages like a real book) on the 12.9 vs 11.

3 exams, the 1st has either a digital copy (price included in the exam) or a print copy that costs $150. If the other two exams are similar that easily eats $450 into the iPad price (or so I tell myself).

after the exams I’ll either pass the iPad to my parents or keep it for recreational purposes.

 

[zehcnassurfero]

I love my MacBook Pro 13” (prior I had rosegold macbook) and the 12.9 is essentially a good compliment to the 13”. I’m studying for an exam...and the ipad is preferable to MacBook for reading PDFs.

I used to be anti-large but now I prefer the bigger screens with the smallest size font (so not a visual thing ).

small hands (petite person here) but I like the horizontal view (two pages like a real book) on the 12.9 vs 11.

3 exams, the 1st has either a digital copy (price included in the exam) or a print copy that costs $150. If the other two exams are similar that easily eats $450 into the iPad price (or so I tell myself).

after the exams I’ll either pass the iPad to my parents or keep it for recreational purposes.

Is it not redundant to have the same size in both devices?

 

[rainafterthesun]

Is it not redundant to have the same size in both devices?

Not for me.

I prefer that size. The 11” is too small for me.

I would stick with just the MBP (especially since I tricked it out) but I need something that has the same size approx but is even more mobile).

 

[Harmonious Zen]

It’s funny, I used to think the 12.9 was laughably big. Then I got one and I couldn’t go back. With a case on, it’s basically the same weight as the MacBook 12” I used to have which I loved (for the form factor, not the performance). That thing was super portable and so is this. I have no problems one-handing this and, if not, using it in its case is fine too. Outstanding iPad.

 

[Neodym]

Not for me.

I prefer that size. The 11” is too small for me.

I would stick with just the MBP (especially since I tricked it out) but I need something that has the same size approx but is even more mobile).

If Apple should bring back the 12“MB, equipped with higher performance Apple Silicon chips, you should take a closer look. The 12“ is fantastic for portability and exceeds an iPad 12.9 in terms of usability (physical keyboard does not take away screen real estate, Trackpad).

Sure you can approach something similar with Apple‘s Magic keyboard for the iPad, but I guess it‘d become heavier and thicker than a 12” MB then.

 

[rainafterthesun]

If Apple should bring back the 12“MB, equipped with higher performance Apple Silicon chips, you should take a closer look. The 12“ is fantastic for portability and exceeds an iPad 12.9 in terms of usability (physical keyboard does not take away screen real estate, Trackpad).

Sure you can approach something similar with Apple‘s Magic keyboard for the iPad, but I guess it‘d become heavier and thicker than a 12” MB then.

I appreciate the insight but I use iPad for specifically browsing online, reading books, and also plan on getting the pencil to draw/color...

My mbp was mainly for school (just graduated) and doubles as a desktop/tv for the longest time. Ive been thinking about getting an iPad again but I can always use the mbp to watch movies (though it’s a bit clunky with the keyboard attached) and my iPhone for reading books.

however the books are more fun, short ones roughly 300-500 pages.

the cfa is 600 pages for the first volume of the first exam. I tried it on my iPhone before deciding to finally get the iPad.

Once I can travel again it’ll also be easier to take with me then my mbp

 

[limesmoothie]

I bought the 12.9 for working at home during lockdown, and have been loving using it, especially with the MK. I have loss of mobility in one arm after an illness and it has enabled me to get so much done - way more comfortable to use than my MBP.

However, I find the 12.9 a bit difficult to carry around now we’re back at work, so am waiting for delivery of an 11 to use on the go. The 12.9 can stay in my study at home. I use these devices so much for work and leisure that it makes total sense for me. The only thing I’d really like is full screen mode when docked to a monitor...

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

The 12.9 is nice but it’s too unweildy. Definitely not lapable. I upgraded from the 10.5 pro to the 11 inch pro last week. 11 inches is the biggest I can go. It’s the sweet spot. I still have an 11 inch MBA. I never liked the 13 inch because it was too big and not compact. Only thing I need to decide now is whether I was the magic keyboard or the Logitech keyboard with trackpad. I had the Logitech keyboard for my 10.5 and I loved it. I don’t know if I can do without the function row and kickstand. I’m using the standard Smart Keyboard now and I miss the trackpad. I feel like an animal as Rene Ritchie would say having to touch the screen.

The Magic Keyboard is superb.

You’ll love it.

 

[pdoherty]

It’s funny, I used to think the 12.9 was laughably big. Then I got one and I couldn’t go back. With a case on, it’s basically the same weight as the MacBook 12” I used to have which I loved (for the form factor, not the performance). That thing was super portable and so is this. I have no problems one-handing this and, if not, using it in its case is fine too. Outstanding iPad.

The 12.9 is my preferred iPad size, too. It’s the “screen becomes insensitive to input after X months” problem that’s keeping from buying another. My last one was had it, was replaced under warranty, and *that* one ended up with it, too, and is now a brick. The structural design is too weak/thin.