iPad Pro 11 or 12.9 Pro ?

[jaybar]

Same here for me. The weight of the 12.9 with the MK was very problematic for me. Also b/c of nears, I tend to hold the iPad closer than most people and I had difficulty seeing the whole screen, particularly in portrait. I also find it much easier to read on the 11 Pro.

 

[weeesss]

After debating to wait and get the new 12.9 when it comes out, I bought the Magic Keyboard for my 2018 11” and am a satisfied customer. It makes watching and browsing in bed better and made me realize that with my 2 dogs, the 12.9 would be too big.

 

[DocklandNightShift]

I have the 2020 11”, every time I’m in a best buy or whatever I pick up the 12.9 but it just seems comically big. Unwieldy and hard to hold. I have an otter box case on my 11 and it’s larger than the old 9.7 I had but not too big that it isn’t totally portable and easy to use.
But I have a xs Max, a big tv. I use a 4K tv as a monitor. If they come out with the mini LED in just the 12.9 model I think I’ll try it and most likely end up liking it. I know they’re too big but I also once thought ipads themselves were silly and not needed. who knows ?

 

[George Dawes]

I agree the 12.9 is arguably unmanageable in the real world, too heavy too big , great for split screen but overall just far too heavy , my wrist aches after using it for awhile , can't say that for the 11

 

[Mt44]

I find the 11 a LOT faster than the 12.9 and the 6 gigs of ram vs 4 in my 12.9 really helps with multiple apps , my 12.9 slows down when i'm swapping between apps and some apps actually become a bit unresponsive !!

Overall I think a 12 would be the perfect compromise

Hmm is this actually a thing?

The smaller display lets the 11 move faster?

 

[pdoherty]

I’m guessing he’s comparing an older gen 12.9 to a newer 11

 

[Mt44]

We've been debating this topic for years. I love it. I've gone back and forth myself a few times.

For me the differentiator is multi-tasking. Side-by-side apps are just much more pleasant in the 12.9" package.

 

[George Dawes]

Yes it's a second gen 12.9 , is the new one a lot faster ??

after checking it appears to be 3rd gen . I think I’ll wait a few gens before upgrading

 

[Precursor]

I find the 11 a LOT faster than the 12.9 and the 6 gigs of ram vs 4 in my 12.9 really helps with multiple apps , my 12.9 slows down when i'm swapping between apps and some apps actually become a bit unresponsive !!

Overall I think a 12 would be the perfect compromise

That must be a placebo
My 12.9 also has 6 GB and I never experienced any slowing down.On the other hand, my 11" keeps locking up that I have to hard shut down all the time !!! It also feels A LOT slower and comically small, feels more like a toy for a kid.

 

[Macdude2010]

I currently have a 2018 11 inch Pro and love the size of it, but really want the XDR display of the 12.9. I’ve tried the 12.9 and find it kinda big but also heavy. I don’t know what to do for this generation :/

 

[bob24]

I currently have a 2018 11 inch Pro and love the size of it, but really want the XDR display of the 12.9. I’ve tried the 12.9 and find it kinda big but also heavy. I don’t know what to do for this generation :/

Exact same existing device and hesitation here. I really would like the deeper blacks for when I use the iPad to read in bed (in dark mode in a dim environment), and thus I am considering the 12.9.

But then if I’m being honest with myself I have always found the size/weight of the 11 to be a sweet spot and I wouldn’t even have considered the 12.9 if it wasn’t for the better display tech. So while it is a big shame to miss out on this I am leaning towards the 11 being the most reasonable choice for me.

 

[Donka]

I’m in the same boat but keeping hold of my 2018 11” till next refresh cycle where it is likely to get the mini led treatment.

 

[Robbosan]

Exact same existing device and hesitation here. I really would like the deeper blacks for when I use the iPad to read in bed (in dark mode in a dim environment), and thus I am considering the 12.9.

But then if I’m being honest with myself I have always found the size/weight of the 11 to be a sweet spot and I wouldn’t even have considered the 12.9 if it wasn’t for the better display tech. So while it is a big shame to miss out on this I am leaning towards the 11 being the most reasonable choice for me.

I got the MK to try with my 11" 2018 pro to see if i like it and maybe go to the 12.9, I don't, not that there is anything wrong with the keyboard it's excellent, i just prefer to use the iPad as a iPad with folio case only, don't like it with no case. I Have a iMac if need a keyboard.
Will be keeping my 11" till it dies, no point trading for the new 11" i can see, i ould be wrong though.
I like the aspect ratio better on the 11", the 12.9 seems to square to me and don't think you get that much bigger screen for video as the black bars are bigger top and bottom, could be wrong there too lol.

 

[MrGimper]

Exact same existing device and hesitation here. I really would like the deeper blacks for when I use the iPad to read in bed (in dark mode in a dim environment), and thus I am considering the 12.9.

But then if I’m being honest with myself I have always found the size/weight of the 11 to be a sweet spot and I wouldn’t even have considered the 12.9 if it wasn’t for the better display tech. So while it is a big shame to miss out on this I am leaning towards the 11 being the most reasonable choice for me.

I just bought a kindle. No sarcasm intended... I have a 10.5 Pro and I just decided to buy a kindle for reading. As I use my iPad for browsing, watching movies, TV etc, I'm going with the 12.9. It's an inch bigger in width and height, and the weight of my 10.5 with a snap case on. I'll adapt.

 

[spiderman0616]

I just bought a kindle. No sarcasm intended... I have a 10.5 Pro and I just decided to buy a kindle for reading. As I use my iPad for browsing, watching movies, TV etc, I'm going with the 12.9. It's an inch bigger in width and height, and the weight of my 10.5 with a snap case on. I'll adapt.

I just reclaimed my iPad mini 3 from my son (He has the newest base model) strictly for reading and watching movies in bed. It's totally superfluous and I will likely never use it because my 12 Pro Max is so much faster and nicer, but it's still good to have SOME kind of iPad laying around for those specific use cases. I just really don't need a MacBook AND an iPad Pro. One or the other will get the job done just fine.

 

[Macdude2010]

I keep going back and forth between buying just the 11 or buying the 11 and 12.9 both. I can sell my current 11 for around $700

 

[JM91Six]

I got the MK to try with my 11" 2018 pro to see if i like it and maybe go to the 12.9, I don't, not that there is anything wrong with the keyboard it's excellent, i just prefer to use the iPad as a iPad with folio case only, don't like it with no case. I Have a iMac if need a keyboard.
Will be keeping my 11" till it dies, no point trading for the new 11" i can see, i ould be wrong though.
I like the aspect ratio better on the 11", the 12.9 seems to square to me and don't think you get that much bigger screen for video as the black bars are bigger top and bottom, could be wrong there too lol.

This is accurate. 12.9 is tough to hold for sure. But not horrible. I have a 2018 11” and debating on upgrading. I bought the 12.9 at first and returned for the 11 and never looked back. Wish the 11” had the xdr display

 

[pdaholic]

The 12.9" is Ginger, and the 11" is Mary Ann.

 

[Robbosan]

I just reclaimed my iPad mini 3 from my son (He has the newest base model) strictly for reading and watching movies in bed. It's totally superfluous and I will likely never use it because my 12 Pro Max is so much faster and nicer, but it's still good to have SOME kind of iPad laying around for those specific use cases. I just really don't need a MacBook AND an iPad Pro. One or the other will get the job done just fine.

I have a 12 max too but it’s no where near as good for reading and video as my 11” pro, I can hold it one handed lying in bed too, can’t do that with a MacBook.

 

[ericwn]

I keep going back and forth between buying just the 11 or buying the 11 and 12.9 both. I can sell my current 11 for around $700

I’d buy both and test and just return one if it doesn’t work for you.

 

[MrGimper]

I have a 10.5 Pro and have literally just come back from the local Curry's where I tried out a 12.9 for the first time. I love it, took all of 5 mins to adjust. Not too heavy, not too big, such a nice bigger screen. After 10 mins I didn't want to give it back and the 11 I then tried seemed like a toy. Glad I did it, totally fallen for the 12.9 now and will be ordering the 1TB on pre-order day. I'll also go for silver as the SG is a fingerprint magnet, and I just love the contrast and rawness of the silver, and I think any nicks etc will be less visible.

The 12.9 is literally an inch bigger in width and height. By some of the comments you read, you'd think you need a wheelbarrow or a Chinook to transport it anywhere.

EDIT: To point out the "not too heavy" was also taking into account the security bolt on the back of the device, which the assistant, who owns a 12.9, said was probably most of the weight I was holding.

 

[spiderman0616]

I have a 12 max too but it’s no where near as good for reading and video as my 11” pro, I can hold it one handed lying in bed too, can’t do that with a MacBook.

I've been down that road too--I had the 2018 11" Pro and the 2020 12.9" Pro. The 11" Pro was great for what you're describing, but not ideal for productivity. The 12.9" was great for productivity but awkward to use as a tablet. People kept telling me I'd get used to it and I never QUITE got there. At one point I gave up using it as an iPad and realized I had really just spent an extra $350 to turn it into a thicker, heavier MacBook Air/Pro except that it was thicker, heavier, harder to open on a flat surface, and had a REALLY weird squarish aspect ratio.

I love iPads--I really do. I'm just not sure I love them for productivity anymore, unfortunately. It's sad.

 

[max2]

Wow this is the most epic poll ever!

 

[secretk]

I've been down that road too--I had the 2018 11" Pro and the 2020 12.9" Pro. The 11" Pro was great for what you're describing, but not ideal for productivity. The 12.9" was great for productivity but awkward to use as a tablet. People kept telling me I'd get used to it and I never QUITE got there. At one point I gave up using it as an iPad and realized I had really just spent an extra $350 to turn it into a thicker, heavier MacBook Air/Pro except that it was thicker, heavier, harder to open on a flat surface, and had a REALLY weird squarish aspect ratio.

I love iPads--I really do. I'm just not sure I love them for productivity anymore, unfortunately. It's sad.

This is the reason why I have the 11 inch iPad and not the 12.9 inch. Any productivity that requires long typing sessions, multiple apps and documents creating I do on my laptop. However I do consider digital note taking, books reading and brainstorming with pencil productivity too. So in this sense I do use the iPad for productivity but a specific kind that cannot be done (or is inferior) on laptop.

 

[spiderman0616]

This is the reason why I have the 11 inch iPad and not the 12.9 inch. Any productivity that requires long typing sessions, multiple apps and documents creating I do on my laptop. However I do consider digital note taking, books reading and brainstorming with pencil productivity too. So in this sense I do use the iPad for productivity but a specific kind that cannot be done (or is inferior) on laptop.

I've been down that road too--I do like taking handwritten notes, but I'm not a very good artist. Apple Pencil + the Serif apps is an absolute dream though, especially on the 12.9" model. But more often than not, the 12.9" was too bulky for that. And then if I switch down to the 11" for that purpose, now I don't have my laptop-sized iPad.

I had to come to terms with the fact that the overall more versatile device is the iPad, but the more efficient device is the Mac. I think what I'll probably do at some point is get a new mini that I can use with Apple Pencil, but I'm not doing that until they redesign it. Right now it's the same design from 2012, which does not interest me at all.