iPad Pro 11 or 12.9 Pro ?

[ofarlig]

Been using my 12.9” since April now and had the Magic Keyboard since that came out. I am noticing I am mostly using it with the keyboard so it feels like I could just as well get a laptop then. I am noticing that using it in my hands is just too unwieldy so I very rarely do that which was something I liked with the 11”, I ran most things on the iPad. Now if I want to sit on the terrace and listen to some audio book I take my phone instead of the tablet.

Really considering going back to the 11” just because it was actually used like a tablet and not like a laptop. But I guess I would wait for the next update.

 

[James Godfrey]

Hi

I am planning on getting an iPad Pro in the very near future but keep swinging between 11 inch and 12.9 inch...

I am replacing my MacBook Pro 13” with this and possibly also replacing my iPad Air 3... sort of like combining the two.

Over the past couple of years I have used my iPad a fair bit and mainly used my MacBook on odd occasions to type up documents and use GarageBand.

I like the size of the 12.9 for its screen size... but I like the 11 inch because I can do everything I can do on the 12.9 but I have more portability (I will likely be using the device about 60%% as a tablet and about 40% as a laptop replacement)...

iPad Pro 12.9 Pros
-Larger Screen
-Easier for typing up docs and using GarageBand
-A full sized keyboard with the Magic Keyboard Case

iPad Pro 11 Pros
-More portable
-Better as a tablet
-Likely less likely to suffer a bend
-Can do everything that the iPad 12.9 can do
-Cheaper

Which do you recommend for me based on the above? I am going to check them out in my local Currys/PC World tomorrow.

 

[Jedimindtrick]

Given what your stated use cases, I’d say the 11.

With that said, keep your return window in mind. I loved my 11 so much that I began doing more work on it than I expected. So I returned it for the 12.9 and have been loving it ever since.

The 11 is still far more comfortable as a tablet though.

 

[0128672]

I'd recommend the 12.9 with the Magic Keyboard, especially because it's going to replace your MBP. With the MK it's a super combo and the keyboard, as you mentioned, is very comfortably sized.

 

[Closingracer]

The 11 imho. I love the portability of my 11. The 12.9 is nice but the screen is too big. The 11 is almost reaching too big imho

 

[sparksd]

Portability has never been an issue for me with the 12.9" Pro. I also own the 10.5 Pro but always grab the 12.9, even when going out. The extra screen size is great.

 

[Maukey]

I tell people if you’re replacing a MacBook, get the 12.9. It‘s better than the 11 for multitasking and productivity. My general recommendation is a 12.9 + Mini. 12.9 for movie watching and laptop type tasks, and the Mini for bed, couch, toilet, and other tablet type situations ?. The 11 is a little better than the 12.9 to use one handed, but the Mini w/ Pencil is PERFECT for that in my opinion. If that doesn’t work for you and your preference is a single iPad, the 11 is a little better as a one hand tablet, especially in portrait mode, the 12.9 is a little better at a desk and as a laptop replacement where you’ll be doing typing and multitasking. Pick based on which configuration you‘ll use it in the most.

 

[ejin222]

It seems that your use case constitutes writing up documents and Garage Band. For those two alone, the 12.9" is better by far. And especially if you went to the MBP for writing, I would recommend the 12.9".

 

[Neodym]

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.

My suspicion is that it is heat-related. When under heavy load or charging, the older 12.9 iPads got pretty hot. When you then keep it in a full case, the heat can not be gotten out of the system fast enough.

That’s probably one of the main reasons why Apple never offered a case for the older 12.9 iPP’s, but only Smart Cover, which do leave the heat sink (a.k.a. backplate) free for heat dissipation.

The 2018 models seem to partly still suffer from this problem (judging from reports in the forums), so the 2020 version was improved again under the hood to reduce the issues further. Apple made some remarks pointing in that direction. And one fellow posted heat images from 2018 and 2020 iPP’s (iirc), showing a significant difference in heat, mainly coming from some display drivers close to the edge of the device.

I expect, however, that the problem still isn’t completely solved and hope the issue to be gone with the next complete redesign. Until then I went for Apple Care for the 2020 12.9 to tide me over - never felt the need for Apple Care for one of my several iPads so far.

 

[pdoherty]

My suspicion is that it is heat-related. When under heavy load or charging, the older 12.9 iPads got pretty hot. When you then keep it in a full case, the heat can not be gotten out of the system fast enough.

That’s probably one of the main reasons why Apple never offered a case for the older 12.9 iPP’s, but only Smart Cover, which do leave the heat sink (a.k.a. backplate) free for heat dissipation.

The 2018 models seem to partly still suffer from this problem (judging from reports in the forums), so the 2020 version was improved again under the hood to reduce the issues further. Apple made some remarks pointing in that direction. And one fellow posted heat images from 2018 and 2020 iPP’s (iirc), showing a significant difference in heat, mainly coming from some display drivers close to the edge of the device.

I expect, however, that the problem still isn’t completely solved and hope the issue to be gone with the next complete redesign. Until then I went for Apple Care for the 2020 12.9 to tide me over - never felt the need for Apple Care for one of my several iPads so far.

That could well be the case. Possible damage from heat or delamination of the display and touch surface over time.

And, because you have the Amiga ‘boing’ ball as your avatar (and I was a huge Amiga guy), I will give your theory additional credence... just because.

 

[ofarlig]

I switched back to the 11" today after 5 months with the 12.9". When I switched to the bigger one it felt huge and now the smaller one feels tiny, but I instantly started using it the way I wanted. Instead of more or less only wanting to use it docked in the magic keyboard I just picked it up in one hand and used it, even walked around a bit.

So it seems the usage pattern I wanted is only achievable with the 11" for me, I even got the cellular version this time around because I wanted to try that out.

 

[iex]

Hello,

I would like to buy an Ipad Pro and I have difficulties to choose the right size for me.
I have tried both at stores and can't decide yet...
My idea to buy an IPad came from my need to write down my notes / idea and for drawing.
The goal is to use the Ipad mainly with the Pencil.
I love to walk and dream, at that time I would like to writing down/draw.
As I love to take photo too I'm often on the way with it (I can image to carry both, the camera and the ipad)
At the store, my first impression with the 12.9 was that it was too heavy.
I think that the 11" fits to my needs. But the 12.9 seems better for drawing, for multitasking and for the eyes ?.
The Ipad will not a replacement of a laptop because I don't have a laptop and second if I buy a laptop it will be to code with it.

What could you recommend me ?

Thank you!

 

[Neodym]

As I love to take photo too I'm often on the way with it (I can image to carry both, the camera and the ipad)

Could you also imagine using the iPad’s camera to take photos and leave the stand-alone camera at home during your walks?

 

[iex]

Could you also imagine using the iPad’s camera to take photos and leave the stand-alone camera at home during your walks?

No I can't imagine that. I think I will rarely take photos with the Ipad.
I have a Fuji xt3 Camera and love to use it for my photos and can't even image to take photos with a phone/ipad.
I do photos sometime with my phone but in another way.

But I think there may have situations when I can Imagine to take either only the camera or the Ipad...
I depends of the moment if I want to be concentrated to do only Photos or only drawing

 

[ericwn]

Hello,

I would like to buy an Ipad Pro and I have difficulties to choose the right size for me.
I have tried both at stores and can't decide yet...
My idea to buy an IPad came from my need to write down my notes / idea and for drawing.
The goal is to use the Ipad mainly with the Pencil.
I love to walk and dream, at that time I would like to writing down/draw.
As I love to take photo too I'm often on the way with it (I can image to carry both, the camera and the ipad)
At the store, my first impression with the 12.9 was that it was too heavy.
I think that the 11" fits to my needs. But the 12.9 seems better for drawing, for multitasking and for the eyes ?.
The Ipad will not a replacement of a laptop because I don't have a laptop and second if I buy a laptop it will be to code with it.

What could you recommend me ?

Thank you!

It’s really just personal preference. From the use case stated any iPad can be used for drawing. Obviously the portability aspect is better with the more compact models. It will come down to you trying them. If you buy from Apple in most countries you get two weeks return window. Try the iPad during this time and send it back if you are not happy.
Only you can decide what works best for you.

 

[slimejester]

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.

This device is probably coming this year and will be the first ARM Mac. I would love one of these.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Been using my 12.9” since April now and had the Magic Keyboard since that came out. I am noticing I am mostly using it with the keyboard so it feels like I could just as well get a laptop then. I am noticing that using it in my hands is just too unwieldy so I very rarely do that which was something I liked with the 11”, I ran most things on the iPad. Now if I want to sit on the terrace and listen to some audio book I take my phone instead of the tablet.

Really considering going back to the 11” just because it was actually used like a tablet and not like a laptop. But I guess I would wait for the next update.

Kind of glad I didn’t get the 12 inch iPad Pro. I always felt it was too big. Got the 11 inch which incidentally I do mostly use with the Smart Keyboard but I ended up upgrading my MacBook in the end. I think I just like to keep their use cases separate.

 

[Taco1933]

I just ordered an 11. Sounds like the consensus is that if you use it like a regular iPad and not a laptop, that’s the right way to go. I think it will be, at least for me. I never thought my iPad Air 2 was too small, and I’m still gaining a bit of extra space. I just hope this one lasts as long as my current one. It’s had a good run until the last few months or so.

 

[Tsepz]

These last 2 weeks have been so crazy at work so much that I go to my room and just collapse on my bed and barely feel like using my iPad except to stream radio while working, do a little personal web browsing, watch series and movies that I fall asleep to lol ?
Its times like these I am happy I went for the 11” iPad Pro, as the 12.9 would have simply been too much for me to even bother carrying round the house when streaming radio and doing a little bit of personal web browsing.
In fact even this 11“ iPP felt a little much over these past few days.

 

[ericwn]

I just ordered an 11. Sounds like the consensus is that if you use it like a regular iPad and not a laptop, that’s the right way to go. I think it will be, at least for me. I never thought my iPad Air 2 was too small, and I’m still gaining a bit of extra space. I just hope this one lasts as long as my current one. It’s had a good run until the last few months or so.

I would say the consensus if there is one is that it’s a personal preference and that most people can probably make either size work. One just gets the one that works best for oneself.

 

[Taco1933]

I would say the consensus if there is one is that it’s a personal preference and that most people can probably make either size work. One just gets the one that works best for oneself.

I’m not trying to classify every iPad owner. I’m just trying to get an idea of which iPad similar users are buying to help me determine which I should buy.

 

[ericwn]

I’m not trying to classify every iPad owner. I’m just trying to get an idea of which iPad similar users are buying to help me determine which I should buy.

If you have the opportunity to buy from anywhere with a return policy in place, I’d give it a try. 11 vs 12.9 turned out no real majority leader over the years, just because it’s less than two inches on between the two and it’s easy for many to adjust to both.

There won’t be a better judge than yourself for what works best for you.

 

[Taco1933]

If you have the opportunity to buy from anywhere with a return policy in place, I’d give it a try. 11 vs 12.9 turned out no real majority leader over the years, just because it’s less than two inches on between the two and it’s easy for many to adjust to both.

There won’t be a better judge than yourself for what works best for you.

I’ve never been unhappy with the size of my current iPad, so I was looking for compelling reasons to get something different. If there was some phenomenal feature that was only available on the bigger one, I’d do it.

Im buying from Apple. Im not sure what their exchange policy is, but I’ll be surprised if I need to use it.

 

[ericwn]

I’ve never been unhappy with the size of my current iPad, so I was looking for compelling reasons to get something different. If there was some phenomenal feature that was only available on the bigger one, I’d do it.

Im buying from Apple. Im not sure what their exchange policy is, but I’ll be surprised if I need to use it.

Perfect, with Apple you can use the device during the return period and return it if it’s somehow not to your liking. Both iPad Pro devices are feature identical just like the iPhones too, other than having different size screens and batteries.

 

[Neodym]

I’ve never been unhappy with the size of my current iPad, so I was looking for compelling reasons to get something different.

I used to have the “Plus“ iPhones since they had been introduced. Eventually tried the „normal“ XS, in order to see whether the smaller size may be a better choice for me. After one year of extensive testing (didn’t want to give up early), I was finally convinced that I really prefer the bigger iPhones and went back to a “Max” device.

If you know only the smaller size iPads, why not give the bigger size a chance to convince you? Either you like it - or your preference for the smaller screen is reinforced. In either case your final decision should become easier.