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Which is the best iPad Pro ?


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George Dawes

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Original poster
Jul 17, 2014
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I ended up buying the 11 for my mother as I bought her a 12.9 and she just couldn't handle the thing . Too heavy and big , gave it to my brother

The 11 is very close to her iPad air 2 in weight and size , seems the perfect compromise to me
 

Shanghaichica

macrumors G5
Apr 8, 2013
14,725
13,245
UK
Since getting a M1 MacBook Pro 13” I’ve used my 12.9” iPad Pro less and less. The screen sizes of the two are too close together so I’ve decided to sell the 12.9 and get an 11”. Seems a better combination to me.
I agree with this. I don’t have an M1 MacBook, I have an intel MacBook Air but with it being 13 inches I find the size difference between this and my 11 inch pro to work well. Before I upgraded my MBA I had an 11 inch MBA and a 10.5 inch pro and I found them too similar in size.
 

Precursor

Cancelled
Sep 29, 2015
1,091
1,066
Istanbul
Since getting a M1 MacBook Pro 13” I’ve used my 12.9” iPad Pro less and less. The screen sizes of the two are too close together so I’ve decided to sell the 12.9 and get an 11”. Seems a better combination to me.
The opposite for me
After I started using iPP with the keyboard folio (later with magic keyboard) and Apple pencil, I started using my Macbook less and less and finally I gave it away to my sister in law.
If I were allowed to have only one Apple device, it'd be an iPP 12.9"
 

The Game 161

macrumors Nehalem
Dec 15, 2010
30,974
20,168
UK
Since getting a M1 MacBook Pro 13” I’ve used my 12.9” iPad Pro less and less. The screen sizes of the two are too close together so I’ve decided to sell the 12.9 and get an 11”. Seems a better combination to me.
It’s weird I love the combo and use both equally

12.9 using this not sure I could go smaller for media viewing I must admit
 
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KittyKatta

macrumors 65816
Feb 24, 2011
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Since getting a M1 MacBook Pro 13” I’ve used my 12.9” iPad Pro less and less. The screen sizes of the two are too close together so I’ve decided to sell the 12.9 and get an 11”. Seems a better combination to me.
I feel that Apple has failed the 12.9 iPad Pro.

I've always been a 12.9 user because I kept waiting for those apps that will take advantage of a "laptop sized" screen. But this year it because clear that after 4 generations this was still just a scaled up iPad that was going nowhere. I understand that the size is exactly why many 12.9 users buy the big iPad, but for me the size started getting in my way so I jumped down to 11 and found this to be so comfortable. So now I do the MBP13/iPad11 combo. The Pro11 gets a majority of my use and a 2017 MBP13 for my "un-ipaddable" tasks.
 

Traverse

macrumors 604
Mar 11, 2013
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I feel that Apple has failed the 12.9 iPad Pro.

I've always been a 12.9 user because I kept waiting for those apps that will take advantage of a "laptop sized" screen. But this year it because clear that after 4 generations this was still just a scaled up iPad that was going nowhere. I understand that the size is exactly why many 12.9 users buy the big iPad, but for me the size started getting in my way so I jumped down to 11 and found this to be so comfortable. So now I do the MBP13/iPad11 combo. The Pro11 gets a majority of my use and a 2017 MBP13 for my "un-ipaddable" tasks.

That’s one reason I don’t really have an interest in the 12.9” iPad Pro. While there are instances where the larger display would be nice, the benefit doesn’t outweigh the cumbersome form factor.

While I’m not advocating for the 12.9” to get exclusive features, I wouldn’t complain for better optimization. Aside from a few applications that show an always-present sidebar, Apple really hasn’t pushed the experience forward for that size. Perhaps, though, that’s the intent. Push the iPad forward as a whole and let the people who want a bit more space go for it.

For right now, the only advantage someone can offer me is two full apps in 50-50 splitview, but I don’t mind the mobile views.
 

AVBeatMan

macrumors 603
Nov 10, 2010
5,968
3,849
I feel that Apple has failed the 12.9 iPad Pro.

I've always been a 12.9 user because I kept waiting for those apps that will take advantage of a "laptop sized" screen. But this year it because clear that after 4 generations this was still just a scaled up iPad that was going nowhere. I understand that the size is exactly why many 12.9 users buy the big iPad, but for me the size started getting in my way so I jumped down to 11 and found this to be so comfortable. So now I do the MBP13/iPad11 combo. The Pro11 gets a majority of my use and a 2017 MBP13 for my "un-ipaddable" tasks.

Great post. Thanks
 

KittyKatta

macrumors 65816
Feb 24, 2011
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While I’m not advocating for the 12.9” to get exclusive features, I wouldn’t complain for better optimization. Aside from a few applications that show an always-present sidebar, Apple really hasn’t pushed the experience forward for that size. Perhaps, though, that’s the intent. Push the iPad forward as a whole and let the people who want a bit more space go for it.
That’s why the “Apple is dropping the iPad Pro 11” rumors may actually be a good thing.

We own the Pro11 and Air4 and I have to say that these are NOT two distinctly different classes of iPad. So IF the Pro11 is holding back the advancement of the 12.9 in any way then Apple should branch out and see what a “Pro” iPad could really be. Optimize the interface for a big screen. Offer more ports. Introduce unique features. Offer “Pro” apps with 12.9 (2021) system requirements. They dont have to turn the iPad into a computer, but they should make the iPad PRO actually do more than an iPad.

I know it alienates those of us on the Pro11 but it’s better to move the platform forward than hold it back so that $299 users can have the exact same iPad experience as $1299 users (which has been the strategy for the last 5 years).
 

daddyd302

macrumors 6502
Feb 2, 2012
362
220
West Allis, WI
I originally had the 10.5 pro but wanted to upgrade just for the hell of it. I first traded it in for the Ipad Air 4 but my eyes were too used to the pro motion. I tried to get use to it but after a week, I took it back. I went for the 12.9 as I didn't want the 11 as it was too similar to the Air.


EDIT: Well that didn't last lol. I was interested in a mint 2020 11" pro 256G cellular on swappa at $900 but changed my mind and went for the Air 4 instead. I forgot to unsubscribe from the tread and the price went down to $880. Later on someone mentioned that the seller originally said he would sell it at $800 and after a few misunderstand comments, the seller agreed to sell it at $800.

I saw that no one bought it so I quickly hit buy and after some confusion because I was gonna go meet him for Ipad. We figured it out and swappa won't let you do paypal on local sales so the seller went ahead and let me buy it with paypal. I was able to get applecare right away on it too. So I'm reversing my vote lol.
 
Last edited:

ericwn

macrumors G5
Apr 24, 2016
12,114
10,906
I originally had the 10.5 pro but wanted to upgrade just for the hell of it. I first traded it in for the Ipad Air 4 but my eyes were too used to the pro motion. I tried to get use to it but after a week, I took it back. I went for the 12.9 as I didn't want the 11 as it was too similar to the Air.

Thanks for sharing. How’s the big one working out for you?
 

Traverse

macrumors 604
Mar 11, 2013
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That’s why the “Apple is dropping the iPad Pro 11” rumors may actually be a good thing.

We own the Pro11 and Air4 and I have to say that these are NOT two distinctly different classes of iPad. So IF the Pro11 is holding back the advancement of the 12.9 in any way then Apple should branch out and see what a “Pro” iPad could really be. Optimize the interface for a big screen. Offer more ports. Introduce unique features. Offer “Pro” apps with 12.9 (2021) system requirements. They dont have to turn the iPad into a computer, but they should make the iPad PRO actually do more than an iPad.

I know it alienates those of us on the Pro11 but it’s better to move the platform forward than hold it back so that $299 users can have the exact same iPad experience as $1299 users (which has been the strategy for the last 5 years).
My big concern with that is confusing the market. What you were advocating for almost sounds like a different class of device. I think Apple is very careful not to have significantly different variances within the “iPad“ line.

Although they could likely get away with it for the larger iPad Pro, which I doubt has mass market appeal.
 

George Dawes

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Original poster
Jul 17, 2014
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After using the 11 a bit I’ve come to the conclusion that a 12 would be a perfect compromise

The 12.9 is a bit unwieldy with one hand and the 11 screen doesn’t quite feel much bigger than the air 10.9

Maybe that’s why we’re hearing about 12.9 cancellations by Apple , the new model will be 12 ?
 

ericwn

macrumors G5
Apr 24, 2016
12,114
10,906
After using the 11 a bit I’ve come to the conclusion that a 12 would be a perfect compromise

The 12.9 is a bit unwieldy with one hand and the 11 screen doesn’t quite feel much bigger than the air 10.9

Maybe that’s why we’re hearing about 12.9 cancellations by Apple , the new model will be 12 ?

We are hearing about cancellations? Where?
 
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The Game 161

macrumors Nehalem
Dec 15, 2010
30,974
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UK
been lack of rumours about the 11 inch iPad Pro but nothing about 12.9

The 11 inch will still exists there are just limited rumours at the moment about a 2021 launch.
 

Tsepz

macrumors 601
Jan 24, 2013
4,885
4,697
Johannesburg, South Africa
After using the 11 a bit I’ve come to the conclusion that a 12 would be a perfect compromise

The 12.9 is a bit unwieldy with one hand and the 11 screen doesn’t quite feel much bigger than the air 10.9

Maybe that’s why we’re hearing about 12.9 cancellations by Apple , the new model will be 12 ?
Yeah the 12.9 is huge, I really thought I would leave my Air 2 for it but after trying the 2018 12.9 I was immediately put off and settled for a 2020 11” and simply could not be happier.

With the above said, there seems to be plenty of people who prefer the 12.9 especially for things like Photo editing, video editing and design/drawings/CAD, so I do wonder if reducing from 12.9 to 12 would not be a move in the wrong direction? The 12.9 strikes me as a device for niche users who require the larger display for some specific uses be it professional, hobbyist or even due to needing a larger screen due to poor vision etc...

I get the feeling there are many people who buy a 12.9 iPad Pro simply because it’s the most expensive iPad, they perceive it as being the best, I have noticed a lot of this “go big or go home” attitude with many Apple consumers who then realize they don’t need something so big and are better off with the smaller variant most times, think there is a lot of buying simply from perception and not actual need.
 

Loge

macrumors 68030
Jun 24, 2004
2,836
1,312
England
I had the 2018 11" Pro and then moved to the 12.9 in 2020. The reasons I prefer the 12.9 -
- many PDFs can be read full screen which look too small on the 11"
- better size for sheet music
- ebooks can be read in two column landscape with the iPad resting on the folio case, so no hands.
- I like the extra row of number keys (which they really should add to the 11" in portrait)
- websites typically display more content.
I still prefer the 11" for travel, but not been doing much of that lately.
 

pdoherty

macrumors 65816
Dec 30, 2014
1,491
1,736
I had the 2018 11" Pro and then moved to the 12.9 in 2020. The reasons I prefer the 12.9 -
- many PDFs can be read full screen which look too small on the 11"
- better size for sheet music
- ebooks can be read in two column landscape with the iPad resting on the folio case, so no hands.
- I like the extra row of number keys (which they really should add to the 11" in portrait)
- websites typically display more content.
I still prefer the 11" for travel, but not been doing much of that lately.
Ditto to all of this. It’s really bizarre listening to people argue that the 12.9 is too big. I know we’re discussing a tablet, but a lot of us put it into a keyboard case so there really is no effective difference in handling between the 11 and 12.9.

It would be like finding people arguing about Mac external monitors and suggesting a 24” was too big and how they‘d prefer a 17”.
 

secretk

macrumors 65816
Oct 19, 2018
1,494
1,229
Ditto to all of this. It’s really bizarre listening to people argue that the 12.9 is too big. I know we’re discussing a tablet, but a lot of us put it into a keyboard case so there really is no effective difference in handling between the 11 and 12.9.

It would be like finding people arguing about Mac external monitors and suggesting a 24” was too big and how they‘d prefer a 17”.

I can tell you why I am one of those people that claims that 12.9 is too big. I have a 15.6 inch that can be hooked to an external monitor of any size. Why would I buy a tablet that I would use only with keyboard as a laptop with iPadOS which is inferior IMO to desktop OS. I need tablet to use it as a tablet without keyboard. I do have keyboard but I tend to use it as a tablet quite often with pencil and for my small hands 12.9 is a big No No.
 
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