iPad Pro 11 or 12.9 Pro ?

[davidwoon]

Just adding my 2 cents after reading 23 pages of comments;

Coming from an iPad air2, i initially wanted the 11 inch. Like many of you, going to the apple store, and picking up the 12.9 did make it feel slightly larger than i would be comfortable with.

however, just take a look at what 2019 has in store.. many more multiplayer online games are investing heavily on mobile platforms (the fastest growing market), as well as Apple supposedly investing into streaming media.

All of these points to the fact that the iPad should be a top of the class media consumption device, and i think that while the 11" is great for mobility and portability, the 12.9 is right on top to be the best device to multitask, watch apple streaming content, play games, do work, emails, read, etc.

So i've decided to go with the 12.9", and while it is slightly larger , it is better to adjust your viewing behaviour to a size of a product, than having to put up with a smaller device which will be more frustrating in the long term, in my opinion.

thank you.

 

[MacFinnley]

btw, while it's not a full 'mouse', I'm loving the new keyboard function of holding the onscreen keyboard spacebar to move the cursor around vs. touch.

Yeah. i love that feature, too. Sadly this is impossible with the smart keyboard attached. I‘d love to move the cursor with a key.

 

[chfilm]

It is really THE HARDEST decision Apple has ever put upon me, it's crazy. Originally had a space grey 11" ordered for launch day. Got it and disliked the color, also was uncertain about the size. Went to the store, checked out the 12.9" and found it super nice, but too big and heavy with the keyboard attached to it.
Ordered a silver 11" for store pickup and sent back the space grey one.
Today when I went to get the new 11", I saw the 12.9" again and suddenly felt it was super nice and beautiful and not so heavy at all. Actually I couldnt believe how small it looked.

I went back home with the 11", but now I'm uncertain again if I made the right choice... The thing is the 12.9" really has a bigger Wow factor. But I'm kinda going with my brain instead of my gut here, because I know the 11" is SO much more portable and more likely that I'll sit with it in the café to read something etc... Really dont know what to do, I guess I would have to have both for a while to compare, but argh... anybody else in this situation?

 

[MacFinnley]

[QUOTE="chfilm, post: 26800100, member: 764882]anybody else in this situation?[/QUOTE]
Yep, itˋs SO hard. Tried both in store and like them both for what they are. Ordered the 11 inch and waiting for delivery while I‘m unsure about my decision...

 

[richpjr]

Yeah. i love that feature, too. Sadly this is impossible with the smart keyboard attached. I‘d love to move the cursor with a key.

You can that now, can’t you?

 

[Mac407]

So I bought both 11 and 12.9. Received the 11 inch first , loved it. Portable, light, and great screen. Received the 12.9 a few days later. Loved it, bigger screen is much more immersive, when browsing the web on safari the pages look like they would on a desktop vs a phone like the 11 inch did. Was easier on the eyes.

That said kept going back and forth on which model to keep. Both are great, both have their pros and cons. At the end, I decided to keep the 12.9. And return the 11. WIth my job I travel all the time on a plane, the 12.9 fit my luggage tablet pouch no issues. I can comfortable hold the 12.9 on the chair, couch, or bed. The 11 inch was obviously easier as its smaller, just like how my iPhone X is even easier..That said I enjoyed what the bigger screen had to offer more. SPecially if IOS 13 gives more desktop like features. For only a $200 premium in price I feel I get more bang for the buck. You’re mileage my vary, I don’t think you can do wrong with either choice this time around.

 

[Rck1984]

It is really THE HARDEST decision Apple has ever put upon me, it's crazy. Originally had a space grey 11" ordered for launch day. Got it and disliked the color, also was uncertain about the size. Went to the store, checked out the 12.9" and found it super nice, but too big and heavy with the keyboard attached to it.
Ordered a silver 11" for store pickup and sent back the space grey one.
Today when I went to get the new 11", I saw the 12.9" again and suddenly felt it was super nice and beautiful and not so heavy at all. Actually I couldnt believe how small it looked.

I went back home with the 11", but now I'm uncertain again if I made the right choice... The thing is the 12.9" really has a bigger Wow factor. But I'm kinda going with my brain instead of my gut here, because I know the 11" is SO much more portable and more likely that I'll sit with it in the café to read something etc... Really dont know what to do, I guess I would have to have both for a while to compare, but argh... anybody else in this situation?

Is it really that much more portable though? How are you bringing your iPad? In a sleeve or bag I guess? Well, the difference is about 200gr then. Saying the 12.9 isn’t portable is crazy in my opinion. It’s as big/heavy as a decent sized book. Isn’t that portable? Man, I remember the days luring my 17” laptop everywhere.

The 12.9” incl keyboard is still lighter and smaller than the new MBA for example.

 

[iseras]

It is really THE HARDEST decision Apple has ever put upon me, it's crazy. Originally had a space grey 11" ordered for launch day. Got it and disliked the color, also was uncertain about the size. Went to the store, checked out the 12.9" and found it super nice, but too big and heavy with the keyboard attached to it.
Ordered a silver 11" for store pickup and sent back the space grey one.
Today when I went to get the new 11", I saw the 12.9" again and suddenly felt it was super nice and beautiful and not so heavy at all. Actually I couldnt believe how small it looked.

I went back home with the 11", but now I'm uncertain again if I made the right choice... The thing is the 12.9" really has a bigger Wow factor. But I'm kinda going with my brain instead of my gut here, because I know the 11" is SO much more portable and more likely that I'll sit with it in the café to read something etc... Really dont know what to do, I guess I would have to have both for a while to compare, but argh... anybody else in this situation?

It comes down to what you want to use it for. If you’re primarily going to be using it for consumption, go with the 11. For creation, 12.9 is a clear choice. And frankly, the 11 isn’t much more portable than the 12.9.

 

[MJBarnes]

Anyone keeping both?

 

[jazzer15]

btw, while it's not a full 'mouse', I'm loving the new keyboard function of holding the onscreen keyboard spacebar to move the cursor around vs. touch.

Thanks. I just learned something new.

 

[Thebigkahuna]

It is really THE HARDEST decision Apple has ever put upon me, it's crazy. Originally had a space grey 11" ordered for launch day. Got it and disliked the color, also was uncertain about the size. Went to the store, checked out the 12.9" and found it super nice, but too big and heavy with the keyboard attached to it.
Ordered a silver 11" for store pickup and sent back the space grey one.
Today when I went to get the new 11", I saw the 12.9" again and suddenly felt it was super nice and beautiful and not so heavy at all. Actually I couldnt believe how small it looked.

I went back home with the 11", but now I'm uncertain again if I made the right choice... The thing is the 12.9" really has a bigger Wow factor. But I'm kinda going with my brain instead of my gut here, because I know the 11" is SO much more portable and more likely that I'll sit with it in the café to read something etc... Really dont know what to do, I guess I would have to have both for a while to compare, but argh... anybody else in this situation?

Yes, me. I bought the 12.9 and was wowed by it. Being used to the air 2 though made it feel way too unwieldly. Especially in portrait mode. I switched it for the 11 inch yesterday and while it is a great device and much more comfortable to use it doesn’t have the wow factor that I felt with the 12.9. I am now reconsidering one last swap back to the 12.9... I may just order the 12.9 and use both for a week and then decide. Using the 12.9 in split screen was an awesome experience, as was using it with YouTube and Procreate. One thing I was definitely missing when I first got the 12.9 was a good case. I’m thinking that with a good case I can use to prop it up on my lap would make it a more comfortable experience. Have to say though after reading this entire thread, many of us are a bit kooky when it comes to Apple devices!

 

[MacFinnley]

You can that now, can’t you?

With the Smart Keyboard? How?

 

[chfilm]

Yes, me. I bought the 12.9 and was wowed by it. Being used to the air 2 though made it feel way too unwieldly. Especially in portrait mode. I switched it for the 11 inch yesterday and while it is a great device and much more comfortable to use it doesn’t have the wow factor that I felt with the 12.9. I am now reconsidering one last swap back to the 12.9... I may just order the 12.9 and use both for a week and then decide. Using the 12.9 in split screen was an awesome experience, as was using it with YouTube and Procreate. One thing I was definitely missing when I first got the 12.9 was a good case. I’m thinking that with a good case I can use to prop it up on my lap would make it a more comfortable experience. Have to say though after reading this entire thread, many of us are a bit kooky when it comes to Apple devices!

Haha, man I feel you!
I think you highlighted a critical point though, the case situation.
Because with any enclosure or even the smart keyboard attached, the 12.9" becomes a MONSTER, while otherwise it's really great I think.
I always use the keyboard since the 10.5", and it really adds so much to the device, that I wouldn't want to go back anymore, or to have to carry such a goliath around all the time.. but that screen... ahhhhh

 

[MisterSavage]

I’m thinking that with a good case I can use to prop it up on my lap would make it a more comfortable experience.

Another option is a lap pillow. I bought the Flipy and it held the 12.9 perfectly on my lap!

 

[richpjr]

With the Smart Keyboard? How?

Maybe we aren’t talking about the same thing. When using the ASK and typing text, you can move the cursor around with the arrow keys. Were you talking about something else?

 

[Thebigkahuna]

Another option is a lap pillow. I bought the Flipy and it held the 12.9 perfectly on my lap!

Cool thanks, I may try that.

 

[Mainsail]

Maybe we aren’t talking about the same thing. When using the ASK and typing text, you can move the cursor around with the arrow keys. Were you talking about something else?

On the virtual iPad keyboard, you can hold your finger down on the space bar and it transforms the virtual keyboard into a trackpad. If you tap once with the other hand, you can highlight. It is a very nice new feature for iOS 12.

 

[richpjr]

On the virtual iPad keyboard, you can hold your finger down on the space bar and it transforms the virtual keyboard into a trackpad. If you tap once with the other hand, you can highlight. It is a very nice new feature for iOS 12.

I understand that, but I was responding to this "Sadly this is impossible with the smart keyboard attached. I‘d love to move the cursor with a key." If you have the ASK attached you can use the cursor keys so I wasn't sure what was being asked.

The irony of the virtual keyboard trick is that Apple is sort of admitting that people do need a way to move the cursor around, kind of what a trackpad or mouse would do!

 

[feard]

I thought the pillow was a joke, but there it is on Amazon. I got the new 12.9 and what a great machine. Only issue is I use a lot on my lap and it feels HUGE. When using split screen I have to look around to find what I am looking for. Thinking of going back for the 11, already sold my 10.5.

 

[vapourtrails]

I was settled on the 11" model for portability but I realized I was comparing it to my wife's older 12.9 which I always felt was a bit much. After another visit to Apple I decided on a switch. It's a tough call but since I plan to use Photoshop next year I figured the bigger screen would be a benefit. Surprising the newer 12.9 does not feel much heavier although it is a bit less comfortable in portrait mode. I plan on skipping the keyboard case to keep it lighter.

 

[MisterSavage]

I thought the pillow was a joke, but there it is on Amazon. I got the new 12.9 and what a great machine. Only issue is I use a lot on my lap and it feels HUGE. When using split screen I have to look around to find what I am looking for. Thinking of going back for the 11, already sold my 10.5.

Not a joke! I exchanged the 12.9 for an 11 but I still use that pillow.

 

[feard]

Not a joke! I exchanged the 12.9 for an 11 but I still use that pillow.

Are you glad you went to the 11 from the 12.9? What was the main reason? If I go to the 11, I will have extra money for the pillow. For $39, why didn't I think of that!

 

[MisterSavage]

Are you glad you went to the 11 from the 12.9? What was the main reason? If I go to the 11, I will have extra money for the pillow. For $39, why didn't I think of that!

It is expensive and there are other ones available that are cheaper.

I am very happy that I exchanged my iPad. I am coming from a 9.7 and it feels like a nice upgrade in screen size. The other one just felt too big for me.

 

[Porterhouse]

I have a cheaper pillow as well. I've used one for the last couple of years--it's very handy and convenient. Another bonus is that the keys of the ASK don't bother me when they're folded back against the pillow!

 

[Greenmeenie]

When I use my iPad in bed, I just prop it up against some bunched up blanket, or a spare pillow. Sometimes I use my cat. Ha ha. Kidding. But Don’t think i’d ever buy a special pillow specifically designed to hold an iPad tho...but that’s just me. Whatever works is cool.