iPad Pro 11 or 12.9 Pro ?

[tdbrown75]

It's interesting hearing the different opinions and reasoning why people ultimately choose one over the other. I would be interested to know for those who ultimately decide to go with the 11 inch how much the difference in price is a factor in the decision vs. simply concluding that the form factor is more appropriate for their needs. Some have suggested that if you can afford it, the 12.9 inch is the way to go, but I would imagine the additional cost is not the most important issue for many, although I could be wrong.

Price not at all a factor in me choosing the 11" over the 12.9".

Tim

 

[The Game 161]

Can’t wait for my Smart Keyboard to arrive for my 12.9 as using it on its own I’m finding tough in the hand but I knew this. Love the device though and will be the best combo with my max

 

[augustya]

Actually, i don’t think you’ll miss anything on the media experience at all. Check this out... I was at the Apple Store the other day comparing the 11” & 12.9”. One of the tests i did was playing the same 4k video of Tokyo on both ipads side by side. Both beautiful. And with the 11” ipads different aspect ratio, it’s actually closer to cinema 16:9. Yes, the 12.9” picture is obviously bigger, but Notice how the black bars on the top and bottom are actually bigger on the 12.9” and less on the 11”. The 11” actually fills more of it’s screen with video.

Just something to ponder. Again, both beautiful media consumption devices to be sure.

That is a great observation ! The only thing to know further here is this black bar thing only specific to this video as it is the way it is shot or would that be the case with all YouTube videos on the 12.9" iPP? But looking at the video it does makes sense to what you are saying.

 

[jazzer15]

Well, for better or worse I've decided to exchange the 12.9 for the 11. I spent a fair amount of time playing with the 12.9 today (a relative's iPad) and while I really love the screen, I have concluded that the 80/20 rule is at play. For my use, 80 percent of the time (or more) the 11 inch would be preferable, while maybe 20 percent of the time I might like to have a little more screen real estate. Coming from a 9.7, I suspect the 11 inch will still be a noticeable difference and after I stop comparing it to the 12.9 constantly, I doubt I will even question it anymore. Hopefully, they will have my preferred configuration in stock when I go to swap them in a bit.

 

[Falhófnir]

As a 12.9 user from the start I honestly think when I do upgrade (atm I’m more than happy with my iPad for what it’s used for) I will downsize to the 11”. As I don’t use it with the type cover and don’t even really do a lot of multitasking, the extra size is pretty wasted on me, and, while it is nice for watching videos I think the aspect will allow the 11” to retain more of the video size from the 12.9” than the 10.5” could.

 

[melman101]

This thread is starting to scare me. LOL

 

[mathewr]

i went to apple store today to look at the iPads. i currently have 10.5 pro. while the 12.9 with larger screen would be nice, i just don't think i can use it while holding it with one hand. therefore i decided the 11 inch is the one for me.

 

[lax28]

Just changed my vote to the 11”. There is only one major use at work that I really use the 12.9 for. I exchanged the 12.9 for a 11 and will try to use at work in place of my old 12.9, as long as it works out there it will be the best choice for me. Otherwise, I may go back to the 12.9, but then keep my 10.5 to use around the house like I have been doing. I was really hoping to be able to get back to using a single iPad. The last year I have been using both my gen 1 12.9 (which I have been leaving at work often) and my 10.5. When I breakdown my usage I am about 60/40 with the smaller getting used more, but that is also the one I have LTE on so it goes everywhere too...like a lot of us else here I am back and forth on which one. Using my 14 day window to try the 11.

 

[joscejrod]

Actually, i don’t think you’ll miss anything on the media experience at all. Check this out... I was at the Apple Store the other day comparing the 11” & 12.9”. One of the tests i did was playing the same 4k video of Tokyo on both ipads side by side. Both beautiful. And with the 11” ipads different aspect ratio, it’s actually closer to cinema 16:9. Yes, the 12.9” picture is obviously bigger, but Notice how the black bars on the top and bottom are actually bigger on the 12.9” and less on the 11”. The 11” actually fills more of it’s screen with video.

Just something to ponder. Again, both beautiful media consumption devices to be sure.

Great observation and video!! For me, one of the mayor grips of the ipad is the aspect ratio, too bad for enjoying videos and films (big black bars). Now with 11” model you have the best of both worlds!

 

[Dammit Cubs]

I’m still do my EXTENSIVE comparison between the two. I haven’t really left the house and been using them in real usage models. I have been using them every 2 days.

Basically,
It depends on what you will use it for. I noticed that the 11 inch’s portability over the 12.9 is invaluable at times. While i noticed that the 12.9 was more effective when at a desk.

Currently, i’m Still annoyed by the resolution issues which i want the app developers to fix but currently, it’s Been okay so far. I’ll give more insight in the coming days.

 

[MisterSavage]

Well, for better or worse I've decided to exchange the 12.9 for the 11. I spent a fair amount of time playing with the 12.9 today (a relative's iPad) and while I really love the screen, I have concluded that the 80/20 rule is at play. For my use, 80 percent of the time (or more) the 11 inch would be preferable, while maybe 20 percent of the time I might like to have a little more screen real estate. Coming from a 9.7, I suspect the 11 inch will still be a noticeable difference and after I stop comparing it to the 12.9 constantly, I doubt I will even question it anymore. Hopefully, they will have my preferred configuration in stock when I go to swap them in a bit.

That was my situation. Two years on a 9.7 and I just exchanged my 12.9 for an 11. It's a noticeable difference and I am so happy with my decision. I wish more apps supported the native resolution but those changes are coming.

 

[Nismo73]

Lol. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a poll on here that’s 50/50 after so many votes.

 

[MCube74]

For me 11” is just too small after using 12.9” for 2 years.

I have the same feeling when I use my wife’s iPhone 8 when I am using my iPhone Xs Max

When you are used to big sizes, switching to smaller factor feels odd.

I have a sling bag which I carry to work. I used to put my 12.9” Gen 1 in my bag and it used to just fit. Hehe. Now the 12.9” Gen 2 goes in and comes out smoothly.

If you are already carrying a bag to work or school, there should be no problems using the bigger iPad.

If you don’t carry a bag, then I can see how the 11” can be easier to carry.

So glad the new 12.9” is smaller and lighter than the previous gen models. It is just perfect for my needs.

I am so spoilt for bigger screens. Be it my TVs at home, my phone and iPads.

If I can get a bigger screen then why not.

I see people manage their works also on their big phones like Galaxy Note and probably also iPhone Xs Max. If portability is of highest priority then there are so many options.

The best way to make a decision is to have both iPads in split screen mode. See if you can manage to do your work comfortably in split screen.

I felt so much more comfortable with the bigger screen.

 

[augustya]

Wow ! It is really astonishing at the same time overwhelming how the poll has changed in favour of the 11" in the last 2 days, the 12.9" started with a clear lead looking as if it was gonna make a clean sweep. But the 11" quitely made its way blowing the socks of everyone here ! Quite a dark horse very clearly ! Way to go ! Wooohooo ! lol !!

 

[christophermdia]

Pained me to take back my 12.9 today in favor of the 11 ... I know it’s the right decision, but wish I had more days to play ... I leave on a long work trip tomorrow so I had no choice ... I feel I could have made the 12.9 work but, practically, the 11 is truly best ... while I opted for 512gb vs. 1TB, I still have 40 movies loaded, of which I’ll likely watch 1-2 since I travel a lot of international flights and always have a monitor anyway ... but it gives me my favorites anyway ... still have 220GB free with every app I could ever need and about a hundred I don’t need loaded up ... may throw a few Netflix series on there as well ...

 

[thadoggfather]

If you’re mostly using in landscape and with ASK 12.9 / watch tons of content

If you’re wanting more of a tablet experience / portability the 11

 

[augustya]

Coming from a 9.7, I suspect the 11 inch will still be a noticeable difference and after I stop comparing it to the 12.9 constantly, I doubt I will even question it anymore.

Very perfectly said !! someone coming from a 9.7" or a 10.5" iPP the 11" will still be a noticeable difference. And one has to stop comparing it to the 12.9" to be able to appreciate the 11" as an individual device.

 

[vapourtrails]

Very perfectly said !! someone coming from a 9.7" or a 10.5" iPP the 11" will still be a noticeable difference. And one has to stop comparing it to the 12.9" to be able to appreciate the 11" as an individual device.

The ergonomics of the 11” seem better than the larger 12.9 to me. I even prefer the new aspect ratio as it’s closee to 35mm over 4/3 which never looks as good for photos and framing.

 

[augustya]

I even prefer the new aspect ratio as it’s closee to 35mm over 4/3 which never looks as good for photos and framing.

Didn't understand ! Can you explain this a bit more ? Does the 11" iPad Pro have a different aspect ratio than the usual 4:3 aspect Ratio that Apple has been using over the years ?

 

[Dammit Cubs]

Yea, it’s slightly more narrow

 

[Gillela]

Well I ended up returning the 12.9 and got the 11 instead. Was a bitter sweet decision that, like many of the posts above, I knew it was the correct decision for my use case.

I wanted to get on with the 12.9 more than I did. When the 12.9 is used for viewing videos (from a reasonable distance) and using split screen apps it is an exceptional device. The screen and sound quality are a true upgrade from anything I have experienced with iPads.

The 11, to me, feels more incremental of an upgrade in comparison. I think my opinion is tarnished by using the 12.9. This is not to say I am down on the 11, it is a wonderful device, but it feels less of an upgrade in comparison to the 12.9.

When I compare the 11 seperately to 9.7 / 10.5 it is a nice, albeit modest, size increase. Also the black boarder issue on 11 is making the device seem smaller than it is, hopefully updates start coming through this week. This was noticeably less of an issue with the 12.9.

The fact remains that when I grab the 11 for whatever my needs it delivers. This just wasn't the case with the 12.9, it was just a bit too big and unwieldy for the majority of the time, and the few occasions when the size wasn't an issues it truly excelled. As with the analogy above, the 80-20 split couldn't be justified.

I hope at some stage Apple move to a 12" tablet, this will be the true sweet spot for me.

Thanks for the opinions people have shared here, it has helped me bring into focus my own thoughts on the issue by listening to others experiences.

 

[The Game 161]

Well I ended up returning the 12.9 and got the 11 instead. Was a bitter sweet decision that, like many of the posts above, I knew it was the correct decision for my use case.

I wanted to get on with the 12.9 more than I did. When the 12.9 is used for viewing videos (from a reasonable distance) and using split screen apps it is an exceptional device. The screen and sound quality are a true upgrade from anything I have experienced with iPads.

The 11, to me, feels more incremental of an upgrade in comparison. I think my opinion is tarnished by using the 12.9. This is not to say I am down on the 11, it is a wonderful device, but it feels less of an upgrade in comparison to the 12.9.

When I compare the 11 seperately to 9.7 / 10.5 it is a nice, albeit modest, size increase. Also the black boarder issue on 11 is making the device seem smaller than it is, hopefully updates start coming through this week. This was noticeably less of an issue with the 12.9.

The fact remains that when I grab the 11 for whatever my needs it delivers. This just wasn't the case with the 12.9, it was just a bit too big and unwieldy for the majority of the time, and the few occasions when the size wasn't an issues it truly excelled. As with the analogy above, the 80-20 split couldn't be justified.

I hope at some stage Apple move to a 12" tablet, this will be the true sweet spot for me.

Thanks for the opinions people have shared here, it has helped me bring into focus my own thoughts on the issue by listening to others experiences.

Glad you found what works for you

I’m still waiting for my 12.9 Smart Keyboard and I’ve found holding my 12.9 is very uncomfortable and has hurt my hand a little but me getting the 12.9 was to always use it with keyboard. For browsing and general tasks for portability it gets what my max is for. Felt a better combo

However I can certainly see why 11 inch iPad makes me sense for those who use more on sofa etc

 

[jcborden]

I've also exchanged my 12.9" for the 11". I loved the screen on the 12.9, who wouldn't, but for me and my usage it was just awkward/uncomfortable to hold and just a little unwieldy. That was made worse by the smart keyboard which meant you had to open it like a large hardback book and added significant weight. I also didn't like reading in bed with it, finding it not comfortable to type on in landscape as my normal landscape mode of typing in bed is just to use my thumbs which didn't reach and portrait is just too unbalanced.

So I'm now using the 11" with smart keyboard and very pleased. I use it a lot at work for diagrams and miss the additional screen real estate a bit, but the 11" is a joy to carry anywhere and to hold.

Decision made! Good luck with yours

 

[Gillela]

One thing I forgot to mention was the weight. Initially I found the 12.9 to be noticeably heavier going from a 10.5, something I anticipated with the 40% increase. However, having now used both 11 and 12.9 it is less of an increase between the two models than I thought it would be.

For me, in the real world testing the 11 is an increase in weight feel compared to the 10.5. I am using a smart folio (not keyboard) vs a smart cover. I also think the balance of the device is just different.

 

[vapourtrails]

Didn't understand ! Can you explain this a bit more ? Does the 11" iPad Pro have a different aspect ratio than the usual 4:3 aspect Ratio that Apple has been using over the years ?

Yes it’s closer to standard 35 mm. I’ve done quite a bit of photography and I was never sold on the 4/3 aspect ratio for composition