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Which is the best iPad Pro ?


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    2,370

nlkccom

macrumors 65816
Sep 18, 2008
1,121
1,803
After much and much debating, back and forth, 12.9 it is! It’s the wow factor that helped me with the decision. Will use my 10.5 if I want to go small. 12.9 if I want to go big.
 
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StarShot

macrumors 65816
Mar 31, 2014
1,151
397
I can't decide which one to get - can you help me make up my mind ?

Thx :)
I chose the iPad 10.5. Best Buy has it for $525 (Black Friday) AND it has a 3.5mm jack with 64 GB (more than I need). For those with weak math skills, that $275 less than the new iPad 11". Enough to buy a fancy keyboard and still have $100 for Starbucks. Yeah, I know the 11" is high power, but I don't need that feature.
 

Oreon

macrumors 6502
Oct 30, 2011
300
465
From what I can see the main issue is when you have both side by side, and run the risk of obsessing over each (be it at home or the apple store), I probably wouldn’t be able to decide that way.

The best way is to just pick one, stick with it for a week or so then swap up or down depending on if you find it too big or small.

Glad I went with the 12.9 now, it amazes me every time I pick it up.
 

George Dawes

Suspended
Original poster
Jul 17, 2014
2,980
4,332
=VH=
Yeah , the 12.9 weight isn't that big a deal as it's spread over such a large area , i can easily hold it in one hand , with just one finger supporting it

It's so well made and solid ( so much for bendgate... :confused: ) it is very stable. Overall 10/10 from me !:apple:

I had a slight issue pairing the pencil but even that worked out ok eventually.

I did find one odd quirk regarding restarting it , I seemed to have to hold down the volume and power button to do a full restart not just the power as in my old iPads .
 
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Matz

macrumors 65816
Apr 25, 2015
1,161
1,690
Rural Southern Virginia
Well, after having all but decided I needed an 11, I ordered the 12.9, figuring I’d at least give it a try and return it if it seemed too large and cumbersome.

Didn’t take that long for me to decide to keep the 12.9. I’m not a pro user by any definition of the term, but I really enjoy the screen and keyboard.
 

thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Oct 1, 2007
16,125
17,042
Well, after having all but decided I needed an 11, I ordered the 12.9, figuring I’d at least give it a try and return it if it seemed too large and cumbersome.

Didn’t take that long for me to decide to keep the 12.9. I’m not a pro user by any definition of the term, but I really enjoy the screen and keyboard.

The software keyboard or folio keyboard?

Having a full size makes a difference for the keyboard

I was never satisfied with my 9.7 one, nor with 10.5 playing around, I suspect it to be the same with the 11 honestly
 

Matz

macrumors 65816
Apr 25, 2015
1,161
1,690
Rural Southern Virginia
The software keyboard or folio keyboard?

Having a full size makes a difference for the keyboard

I was never satisfied with my 9.7 one, nor with 10.5 playing around, I suspect it to be the same with the 11 honestly

The Apple folio keyboard. Expensive, but based on my experience with multiple other keyboards on iPads, it’s worth the price. I like the feel of the keys, the connection with the iPad is rock solid, and I don’t miss having to have a Bluetooth connection at all.
 

Strider64

macrumors 68000
Dec 1, 2015
1,511
13,533
Suburb of Detroit
I never had an iPad before buying the new 12.9" iPad Pro, so I guess I really can't judge of the 11 inch model. I chose the 12.9 for the simple reason of it being a little bit bigger screen. The only time I really notice it is if I lay down to use it, but I rarely lay down using any electronic gizmo. I do say that I'm very impressed with the new iPad, but I wish Apple would loosen their neck ties a little and give iOS/Application the capability of using the full potential of the iPad. That is one thing I never did understand about Apple and that is why they restrict their hardware? Though Apple isn't the only company that does this, for camera companies such as Nikon and Canon have restricted their new full-frame mirrorless cameras. I think companies are afraid that if a lot of people buy the new product that they will forget about other products that they sell.
 
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thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Oct 1, 2007
16,125
17,042
You guys don’t mind the $200 premium for 12.9? I guess get the size you want and need of course but I hate that apple hiked it from 150 last year
 

The Game 161

macrumors Nehalem
Dec 15, 2010
30,980
20,169
UK
You guys don’t mind the $200 premium for 12.9? I guess get the size you want and need of course but I hate that apple hiked it from 150 last year
Yeah it sucks but I wanted the bigger screen and smaller form factor. After getting the max I felt I didn’t use my 10.5 as much on the sofa so thought get the bigger screen for work and when i’m Sat up at home.
 
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jterp7

macrumors 65816
Oct 26, 2011
1,292
161
I’ve had the iPad Pro 12.9” since it was released. I have other iPads in the smaller sizes. The Pro is my favorite. There are times it replaces my MacBook Pro. I love the split screen ability, and the ease of using the on screen keyboard.

thats definitely one plus of the 12.9. I can almost type normal speed with the full size keyboard...not true on the 10.5 or 11. Of course this assumes its laying on a table or in your lap vs the super easy two thumb mode on the mini, which is a bit slower on the 10.5/11 and just horrible on the 12.9
 

thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Oct 1, 2007
16,125
17,042
I got sucked into the BF SALE hype $100 off

Sold my 9.7 pro 32 after that and a $60 gift card I barely paid over $400 to upgrade to an 11 pro 64. Not too shabby

And still keeping my 12.9 gen 2 around for a while
 
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Maukey

macrumors regular
Apr 26, 2010
168
195
I have to eat my words. I’ve had the 11” for the past few weeks. I just knew it was the one I needed and vowed not to even look at the 12.9”. I have a 13” MBP and I felt the 11” made the most sense for my use cases which is an every where companion device for media consumption, email, browsing, note taking, and light personal doc/spreadsheet use. I don’t even purchase the keyboard folios with my iPads as I prefer pencil and folio only. In this scenario the 11” is the only logical choice or is it?

Well, after spending too much time on MacRumors I begin to get curious about the 12.9”. So much so that I picked one up last week. In summary, the 11” is boxed up and ready to return to Best Buy. The wow factor is just amazing on this thing. It really feels like an upgrade, especially for me coming from a 10.5”. The weight and size complaints are really blown out of proportion in my opinion. I have both with the regular folio and have no problem holding either with one hand when needed. Now I will admit, I’m a 6’ 200lb man, but my wife is 5’ 4” 125lbs and when I let her hold the 12.9” for the first time her first comment was, “ooohhh...this is lighter than I expected.” The 12.9” is only slightly heavier, but I get much better multitasking capabilities in my opinion. On the 11” I wasn’t as likely to go into multitasking mode simply for the fact that the screen was small. I really used it more like a phone with one app at a time. I don’t know, it’s like the 12.9” begs me to use multitasking. Before I know it I’ll have YouTube and Safari in split screen while responding to an email in the hover window.

If you’re like me and you’re trying to decide if you can use the 12.9” like a true tablet, my advice is to take it home and try it for yourself. You may find that it’s not as bad as you may be thinking. Now I just need to determine if I even need my MBP anymore
 

bubbagumpshrimp

macrumors 6502
Jun 16, 2008
356
92
Apple really made it hard by creating these two sizes of iPads didn’t they? :)

After purchasing the 12.9 and trying the 11 for the last few days, there was a period of time that I thought I might be returning the 12.9, but after much (somewhat wasted) thought, I’ve reversed my decision.

For me, it simply comes down to this; Since I own an iPhone Max and a MacBook Pro, neither the 11 or 12.9 is mandatory. They are a convience for work (photo editing, typing etc) and recreational use. The pros of the 11 being a portable device would make sense if I didn’t own a very capable device called iPhone. I agree with many on here that holding the 11 in one hand is much more enjoyable than the larger 12.9, but when I pick up my (ever growing) iPhone, I get the same feeling. In fact, I’d say the iPhone is actually the better portable device overall because of its pocketablilty and smaller on screen keyboard for quick responses.

I’ve concluded that I would rather my pro tablet feel more like a laptop than a larger iPhone. When my 12.9 becomes tiring while sitting up in bed, I will grab my iPhone and turn comfortably to my side. First world problems.
 

jterp7

macrumors 65816
Oct 26, 2011
1,292
161
I have to eat my words. I’ve had the 11” for the past few weeks. I just knew it was the one I needed and vowed not to even look at the 12.9”. I have a 13” MBP and I felt the 11” made the most sense for my use cases which is an every where companion device for media consumption, email, browsing, note taking, and light personal doc/spreadsheet use. I don’t even purchase the keyboard folios with my iPads as I prefer pencil and folio only. In this scenario the 11” is the only logical choice or is it?

Well, after spending too much time on MacRumors I begin to get curious about the 12.9”. So much so that I picked one up last week. In summary, the 11” is boxed up and ready to return to Best Buy. The wow factor is just amazing on this thing. It really feels like an upgrade, especially for me coming from a 10.5”. The weight and size complaints are really blown out of proportion in my opinion. I have both with the regular folio and have no problem holding either with one hand when needed. Now I will admit, I’m a 6’ 200lb man, but my wife is 5’ 4” 125lbs and when I let her hold the 12.9” for the first time her first comment was, “ooohhh...this is lighter than I expected.” The 12.9” is only slightly heavier, but I get much better multitasking capabilities in my opinion. On the 11” I wasn’t as likely to go into multitasking mode simply for the fact that the screen was small. I really used it more like a phone with one app at a time. I don’t know, it’s like the 12.9” begs me to use multitasking. Before I know it I’ll have YouTube and Safari in split screen while responding to an email in the hover window.

If you’re like me and you’re trying to decide if you can use the 12.9” like a true tablet, my advice is to take it home and try it for yourself. You may find that it’s not as bad as you may be thinking. Now I just need to determine if I even need my MBP anymore

i have to admit trying it in the store really sucks because of all the theft protection attached to it. You guys are making me really think about it now lol
 

Glockworkorange

Suspended
Feb 10, 2015
2,511
4,184
Chicago, Illinois
Getting the 11” iPad Pro is like getting a slighter bigger iPad Pro 10.5 from last year.

The size is same but slightly bigger screen.

The big advantage is with 12.9”. When compared to older 12.9” iPad Pro the new one is smaller with the same screen size.

So generally speaking it is the one most people will be ordering since you get a big screen with a smaller form factor.
I tried them both in store and went with the 12.9. It doesn’t really feel that big in use. It’s certainly manageable
 
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mikzn

macrumors 68040
Sep 2, 2013
3,005
2,299
North Vancouver
I have to eat my words. I’ve had the 11” for the past few weeks. I just knew it was the one I needed and vowed not to even look at the 12.9”. I have a 13” MBP and I felt the 11” made the most sense for my use cases which is an every where companion device for media consumption, email, browsing, note taking, and light personal doc/spreadsheet use. I don’t even purchase the keyboard folios with my iPads as I prefer pencil and folio only. In this scenario the 11” is the only logical choice or is it?

Well, after spending too much time on MacRumors I begin to get curious about the 12.9”. So much so that I picked one up last week. In summary, the 11” is boxed up and ready to return to Best Buy. The wow factor is just amazing on this thing. It really feels like an upgrade, especially for me coming from a 10.5”. The weight and size complaints are really blown out of proportion in my opinion. I have both with the regular folio and have no problem holding either with one hand when needed. Now I will admit, I’m a 6’ 200lb man, but my wife is 5’ 4” 125lbs and when I let her hold the 12.9” for the first time her first comment was, “ooohhh...this is lighter than I expected.” The 12.9” is only slightly heavier, but I get much better multitasking capabilities in my opinion. On the 11” I wasn’t as likely to go into multitasking mode simply for the fact that the screen was small. I really used it more like a phone with one app at a time. I don’t know, it’s like the 12.9” begs me to use multitasking. Before I know it I’ll have YouTube and Safari in split screen while responding to an email in the hover window.

If you’re like me and you’re trying to decide if you can use the 12.9” like a true tablet, my advice is to take it home and try it for yourself. You may find that it’s not as bad as you may be thinking. Now I just need to determine if I even need my MBP anymore

Yeah - this is a tough choice until you give it a try (probably still a tough choice - after trying :confused: lol) - I was on the fence too - now very happy with the 12.9, love that it is kind a like a full size page for viewing documents, great for you-tube / Netflix / videos also the quality of display is more apparent with the larger screen for larger images and videos.

I use mine most for personal consumption but also use it for work / sales presentation and communication - literature, keynote and technical documents - the bigger screen is great tool for communicating with clients.
 

Devyn89

macrumors 6502a
Jul 21, 2012
964
1,801
I ended up with the 11” and think it’s the right size for me. I use my iPad in bed a lot so it’s easy to hold and I rest it on my legs. I seriously love this iPad.
 
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Martek1954

macrumors newbie
Oct 17, 2014
25
17
Loving my decision to take the 11 back and getting the 12.9. Absolutely made the right choice for me after trying both. I use my iPads daily and for many hours. I check Twitter, emails, Facebook. etc. but most of my time is spent playing hidden object games and coloring. Old lady stuff but makes me happy and content. Love to do word puzzles also. Still have a mini and my old 9.7 pro but using this steadily since I got it.
 
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