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Which is the best iPad Pro ?


  • Total voters
    2,370

Donka

macrumors 68030
May 3, 2011
2,849
1,442
Scotland
I have both models, but I find myself repeatedly going back to the 11" because of the lighter weight. That 12.9" screen is inarguably nicer though!
This is exactly why an online screen comparison doesn’t give the full picture. In images, the 12.9 always looks more attractive. I had both previously and decided I should consolidate to one. Quite simply, I used the 11 more even though the larger screen of the 12.9 was preferable in many circumstances.
 

Shanghaichica

macrumors G5
Apr 8, 2013
14,725
13,245
UK
My main "reason" for going with the 11" is that I feel the 12.9" is too close in size to my 13" MacBook Pro. The 11" and 13" seems a better combination.
I suppose they are different enough and it depends what you would use it for. However the 12.9 has always been too large to be portable for me. I also have a 13 inch MBA and I don’t find that portable either but the form factor is different. I’ve always preferred the 11/10.5 inch form factor as it’s easier for me to carry around the house. I find even the 11/10.5 inch to be to cumbersome for outside use. That’s why I always have an iPad mini.
 

pdaholic

macrumors 68000
Jun 22, 2011
1,956
2,909
This is exactly why an online screen comparison doesn’t give the full picture. In images, the 12.9 always looks more attractive. I had both previously and decided I should consolidate to one. Quite simply, I used the 11 more even though the larger screen of the 12.9 was preferable in many circumstances.
Yeah the 12.9 is not only heavy but awkward. I like to take notes with the pen, and holding it up with one arm is tiring. The 11 also gets tiring, but I can go longer! I’ve got a mini, and love using it for writing, but the screen is not big enough for comfortable multitasking and the lack of a physical keyboard makes it less capable. Hopefully Apple can make the next generation devices lighter. The 11 hits the sweet spot for now.
 

millydog

macrumors 6502a
Oct 21, 2007
564
516
Australia
This topic is coming up again for myself as well. I have a iPP 12.9” 2018 and iPP 10.5 2017. I’ve been using the 12.9” mostly for the past year as I worked from home during that time. I can now return to working in the office and will begin to do so this coming week. I previously found the 12.9” a little bulky and heavy to take to the office (just for lunch time and personal use) and now I will also need to take my work laptop to and from the office every day as well (in case of another lockdown). So I’m considering whether I will upgrade to the 11” this year. When I pick up my 10.5” now though, it feels small after using the bigger iPad for so long. I’m not sure if I just need adjustment time or it’s too late as I used the 12.9” for so long.
For my use cases though (mostly consumption), the 11” makes sense and would be more portable.

So, I’m not yet fully decided, but I’m leaning towards getting the 11” 2021 this year. I’d like to consolidate to one iPad, but unless Apple brings out a 12”, I don’t think that I can, so I’ll likely keep my 12.9” as well for home.
 
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1rottenapple

macrumors 601
Apr 21, 2004
4,758
2,774
Another current one or the next version? What features are you hoping for?
Nah 3rd 2018. I gave my 64gb 2018 12.9 to my wife then got a 2020 11 128gb. Basically it had nothing to distinguish it aside from the price so I got a refurbished 11 with 64gb 2018. Love it but I do like the big screen for split screen. So I’d love to get a 2018 with at least 256 fb or more with lte. I’d keep my 11in though but it would be nice to have a big screen to use from time to time.
Other features like mini led aren’t compelling. And don’t even get me started on the camera. A camera I’ve used like 10x or less. And it’s mostly to take pic of stuff to sell on line.

I’m just guessing and hoping but I’d like to buy a 2025 iPad with folding capabilities. That’s be awesome. 9iniPad but 12 in or more of needed. By 2025 I hope it’s the 3rd revision and all the bugs with folding screen have worked out and it is glass. That’d would be idea. But for now I’d like to get a big screen iPad.
 

ofarlig

macrumors 6502a
Jun 23, 2015
931
1,148
Sweden
I think it depends on what you want to do with it. If you want to hold it in your hands the 11” is the way to go, that is why I have always gone for the 11” previously. And if you are more going for a laptop replacement that mostly will sit in the keyboard the 12.9” really is the way to go, much better multitasking and so on.

Most of my browsing/youtube used to be while holding the device which in the end was not good ergonomically. Holding something that was still heavy that much is most likely what gave me severe problems with my carpel tunnels even before I’ve hit mid 30s...

So after going 10.5” - > 11” -> 12.9” -> 11” I am now back on the wifes 12.9” and will most likely buy the 12.9” when the 2021 update hits. Since I stopped holding stuff my hand pains more or less dissapeared so I guess that is a reason to continue with the laptop replacement size.
 

stanza.richi

macrumors 65816
Dec 5, 2019
1,108
1,700
Italy
This is exactly why an online screen comparison doesn’t give the full picture. In images, the 12.9 always looks more attractive. I had both previously and decided I should consolidate to one. Quite simply, I used the 11 more even though the larger screen of the 12.9 was preferable in many circumstances.

Well if you bought the bigger one thinking that could be lighter than the smallest one, the problem maybe is not the online screen comparison ?
 
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jaybar

macrumors 68020
Dec 11, 2008
2,074
640
Hi

Today, I switched from the 12.9 to the 11 Pro, with a new purchase. I hardly ever used the Pro 12.9 with the MK. It was just too big and uncomfortable for me. Too heavy. Also my vision is such that the 12.9 in portrait mode proved problematic.

However, the switch raised some issues. My iPad 12.9 was the current version. Most trade-in services won’t take a current model, particularly Apple. Do I have to delay getting a trade-in, until the next iPad?

How does the Verizon trade work? Is it a lump sum, or are payments spread over an extended period?

Last, is there any way to reduce the key press sensitivity on the Magic keyboard for the IPP 11?

Thanks

Jay
 

Donka

macrumors 68030
May 3, 2011
2,849
1,442
Scotland
Well if you bought the bigger one thinking that could be lighter than the smallest one, the problem maybe is not the online screen comparison ?
I had both sizes and the mini - all had their use cases but decided to cut down to one and the 11 was the most used. I didn’t buy the bigger one thinking it would be lighter, not sure where you got that from.
 

cardfan

macrumors 601
Mar 23, 2012
4,431
5,627
An 11 pro with same screen gets a pass from me. I’ll either get the 12 or wait for Air update.
 

satchmo

macrumors 603
Aug 6, 2008
5,219
6,092
Canada
I’m using a 10.9 iPad Air and find it great as a tablet, not so great as a laptop.

However, instead of getting the 12.9, I think the rumoured 14” M1 MacBook Pro might be the better route.
 
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kevjen888

macrumors 6502a
Jul 13, 2008
767
236
I have a 15” MBP so as a portable media watching device I went with the 11” pro. But it basically replaced my MBP after I paired it with the magic keyboard. Now I regret they I sheikh even gotten the 12.9” because I’m on it all the time
 

LFC2020

macrumors P6
Apr 4, 2020
16,874
38,037
When I held the 12.9 in portrait, b/c of my vision, I had to move my head significantly upward to see the whole screen. Got rather annoying. I like viewing in portrait.
Agree, my 12.9” pro looks stupid when using It in portrait mode. ?
 

LFC2020

macrumors P6
Apr 4, 2020
16,874
38,037
not particular interested in the folding phone but the iPad... id love that. I want my phones to be thin.
I imagine the folding iPad as similar to folding magazine back for the 9 inch mode and then the big screen mode fold it out.
Might be onto something there, 2 iPads in 1 ?
 
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stanza.richi

macrumors 65816
Dec 5, 2019
1,108
1,700
Italy
I had both sizes and the mini - all had their use cases but decided to cut down to one and the 11 was the most used. I didn’t buy the bigger one thinking it would be lighter, not sure where you got that from.


From your own post where you write that online screen comparison isn’t useful.

This is exactly why an online screen comparison doesn’t give the full picture.
 
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pdaholic

macrumors 68000
Jun 22, 2011
1,956
2,909
From your own post where you write that online screen comparison isn’t useful.
He didn’t say it wasn’t useful, just that the buyer should consider more than the screen size when buying. For example, my 12.9 nearly flips over backwards when I balance it on my legs as I sit on the toilet. In contrast, the 11 balances just fine, at least until my legs fall asleep. You can’t come to that conclusion by looking at an online screen shot.
 
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