People who are thinking about 12.9 should compare the 12.9 from previous generations to the new one.
You will appreciate the new 12.9” so much more.
You will appreciate the new 12.9” so much more.
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iPad Pro 11 or 12.9 Pro ?
- Thread starter George Dawes
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11” is no doubt easier to carry and that is practically the only benefit.
But then those of us who have been using 12.9” for 2 years, the new 12.9” is an improvement.
And 11” a down grade.
At least that is my view.
But then those of us who have been using 12.9” for 2 years, the new 12.9” is an improvement.
And 11” a down grade.
At least that is my view.
Honestly, the thread-title is part of creating this '11" vs 12.9" war'.
There is no 'best' iPad Pro 2018. Both iPad's are great on it self. The size is just a matter of preference.
For me its a no-brainer. I went for the 12.9" as I use the keyboard quite often (desk). Portability is no difference for because I'd use a bag/sleeve no matter the size. On the couch or in bed, the iPad is leaning on my chest or lap. Holding a tablet up one or two-handed for a long time does not feel natural to me anyway.
And as stated before, you will get used to the size real fast. At first it might feel a little overwhelming but after a few days the iPad feels a lot smaller. Taking that into consideration, I'd be a little concerned that the 11" would feel too small to my liking.
There is no 'best' iPad Pro 2018. Both iPad's are great on it self. The size is just a matter of preference.
For me its a no-brainer. I went for the 12.9" as I use the keyboard quite often (desk). Portability is no difference for because I'd use a bag/sleeve no matter the size. On the couch or in bed, the iPad is leaning on my chest or lap. Holding a tablet up one or two-handed for a long time does not feel natural to me anyway.
And as stated before, you will get used to the size real fast. At first it might feel a little overwhelming but after a few days the iPad feels a lot smaller. Taking that into consideration, I'd be a little concerned that the 11" would feel too small to my liking.
You could be right. But for me it is not worth since I don't work with it - using it just for media (like music, video, browsing). For this I feel more comfortable with the 11.
If that is all you are using it for, save money and don’t get a Pro. You won’t need it at all. I doubt you will even use one feature that is exclusive to the pro with the things you are needing to do.
You're right, but I like the bigger screen of the 11 compared to that of the 10.5. Further, there is a relatively small price difference between both. And the 11 is faster than the 10.5, which means that it is more future proof.
Don’t forget the stereo sound from the iPad Pro even for media consumption is a lot better than the standard iPad.
I suspect the sound slightly better for the larger iPad, as it was from the previous generation. Has anyone compared?
I suspect the sound slightly better for the larger iPad, as it was from the previous generation. Has anyone compared?
And people who are suggesting other users here that if they want an iPad only for Media Consumption go for the 2018 iPad not the Pro let me just remind them, the colour saturation, picture quality and the Sound between that and the 11" iPad Pro is a huge huge difference. No Match IMO atall !!
Not to mention the regular iPad is only limited to 128GB. Anything above will have to go for a Pro.
If Apple had a 256GB I’d stay non-Pro for a couple more years...
Well last week after numerous trips to apple store and following this thread religiously finally took the plunge and went for 12.9 during black friday offers.
Initially thought I'd go for 12.9 but then when I went to see them gravitated towards the 11, mainly for portability and it's just fun and feels a bit more like the mini that I have and love.
Then when I went back again suddenly started gravitating towards the 12.9 - mainly for the keyboard and using split screen.
Then started thinking about the 11 and how portable it was and more usable it would be for in bed, sofa - more like a book than a magazine and it was cheaper and I was about to order...
But in the end took into account what people had said and realised this is an laptop replacement for me (as macbook 12 inch was stolen) so it made sense for me to go for bigger screen and keyboard. I used to take my macbook with me on travels so will do that with ipad but for day to day commute where the 11 would be much better I basically realised I very rarely do that now with my ipad mini - just end up using my phone, so it's going to spend most of it's time in my flat as a computer and as a screen for my bedroom where I don't have a tv. When I do travel it will be going in my bag just like the macbook used to without issue.
So have voted for 12.9 not as best ipad but as one I went for as to be honest I really liked the intimacy, portability and fun of the 11 as well but in my circumstances really looking forward to the 12.9 arriving.
Initially thought I'd go for 12.9 but then when I went to see them gravitated towards the 11, mainly for portability and it's just fun and feels a bit more like the mini that I have and love.
Then when I went back again suddenly started gravitating towards the 12.9 - mainly for the keyboard and using split screen.
Then started thinking about the 11 and how portable it was and more usable it would be for in bed, sofa - more like a book than a magazine and it was cheaper and I was about to order...
But in the end took into account what people had said and realised this is an laptop replacement for me (as macbook 12 inch was stolen) so it made sense for me to go for bigger screen and keyboard. I used to take my macbook with me on travels so will do that with ipad but for day to day commute where the 11 would be much better I basically realised I very rarely do that now with my ipad mini - just end up using my phone, so it's going to spend most of it's time in my flat as a computer and as a screen for my bedroom where I don't have a tv. When I do travel it will be going in my bag just like the macbook used to without issue.
So have voted for 12.9 not as best ipad but as one I went for as to be honest I really liked the intimacy, portability and fun of the 11 as well but in my circumstances really looking forward to the 12.9 arriving.
Last year, I bought both the 10.5” and the 12.9” 2nd gen. I’ve held off upgrading either of them this year until now. I’ve been reading reviews and spent a little time debating which one to upgrade. It was a decision that I found too hard last year and that’s how I ended up with both. I liked the 10.5 for carrying in my handbag and having an iPad with me everywhere I went, plus for eBooks. But at home, I found myself reaching more and more for the 12.9”. My usage is mostly consumption (Internet, forums, YouTube, Games, TV shows), but yet I still gravitated toward the larger screen. I use my iPads on a table, on my lap, in the car, at work, in bed, etc, and find that I rest one end of it on the table, my lap or the bed, so the weight isn’t an issue except for moving between locations and even then it’s just from the car to my work office for the most part.
So I’ve made my decision to upgrade my 12.9” 2nd gen to the 3rd gen. This will make it even more portable while I had slowly gravitated to the 12.9” more over the 10.5”. I’ll keep the 10.5” for now, probably just for eBooks and one hand Internet or forum browsing for the most part.
So I’ve just ordered the 12.9” 1TB space grey + cellular model with a grey folio cover and pencil. I respond to forums and use Messages and Facebook Messenger, etc on my iPad, so do type a bit, but not a lot and will hold off on the keyboard cover for now. I expect to get it down the track though. I usually use the pencil for writing notes in meetings rather than the keyboard, but I’d use the keyboard for journaling and correspondence on my next trip so might wait until then to get one.
It will be a change for me to now take the 12.9” with me everywhere when I was previously doing that mostly with the 10.5”, but I have a handbag that is big enough and I used to carry my iPad 3 everywhere and figure this can’t be as heavy since I’d put a heavy leather case on my iPad 3 and I’m just going with the folio cover (for now).
I might be a bit crazy in that I haven’t gone into a store to try them, but I’m basing my decision on my experience with my 2017 iPads, lots of reviews and also reading this thread. I am currently wheelchair bound and am going to hospital on Wednesday for double total knee replacements so that’s why I haven’t made it out to see the new iPads in person. I’m in my mid 40’s but my knees have been destroyed by 25 years of rheumatoid arthritis. I’ve ordered now and delivery is between 18th and 27th December and I am expecting to get home from hospital between 20th and 24th December. I’ll take my 12.9” 2nd gen to hospital and look forward to having my 3rd gen arrive. Reading about the iPads has been helpful in trying to keep my mind off surgery and I may not have upgraded this year if it wasn’t for immersing myself with iPad Pro reviews and this forum to keep my mind off surgery. iPads are my favourite things and this has been keeping me sane.
So I’ve made my decision to upgrade my 12.9” 2nd gen to the 3rd gen. This will make it even more portable while I had slowly gravitated to the 12.9” more over the 10.5”. I’ll keep the 10.5” for now, probably just for eBooks and one hand Internet or forum browsing for the most part.
So I’ve just ordered the 12.9” 1TB space grey + cellular model with a grey folio cover and pencil. I respond to forums and use Messages and Facebook Messenger, etc on my iPad, so do type a bit, but not a lot and will hold off on the keyboard cover for now. I expect to get it down the track though. I usually use the pencil for writing notes in meetings rather than the keyboard, but I’d use the keyboard for journaling and correspondence on my next trip so might wait until then to get one.
It will be a change for me to now take the 12.9” with me everywhere when I was previously doing that mostly with the 10.5”, but I have a handbag that is big enough and I used to carry my iPad 3 everywhere and figure this can’t be as heavy since I’d put a heavy leather case on my iPad 3 and I’m just going with the folio cover (for now).
I might be a bit crazy in that I haven’t gone into a store to try them, but I’m basing my decision on my experience with my 2017 iPads, lots of reviews and also reading this thread. I am currently wheelchair bound and am going to hospital on Wednesday for double total knee replacements so that’s why I haven’t made it out to see the new iPads in person. I’m in my mid 40’s but my knees have been destroyed by 25 years of rheumatoid arthritis. I’ve ordered now and delivery is between 18th and 27th December and I am expecting to get home from hospital between 20th and 24th December. I’ll take my 12.9” 2nd gen to hospital and look forward to having my 3rd gen arrive. Reading about the iPads has been helpful in trying to keep my mind off surgery and I may not have upgraded this year if it wasn’t for immersing myself with iPad Pro reviews and this forum to keep my mind off surgery. iPads are my favourite things and this has been keeping me sane.
@millydog
Having both sizes of iPad definitely makes it an easier upgrade - most people are having to debate between one or the other. In my case I decided I didn't need both sizes that I had bought last year even though I enjoy them both in different scenarios so did have a lot of sour searching to do!
Anyway, best wishes for op and hope you have speedy recovery with your new iPad to get you through it.
Having both sizes of iPad definitely makes it an easier upgrade - most people are having to debate between one or the other. In my case I decided I didn't need both sizes that I had bought last year even though I enjoy them both in different scenarios so did have a lot of sour searching to do!
Anyway, best wishes for op and hope you have speedy recovery with your new iPad to get you through it.
@Donka
Yes, you are right, having both sizes already makes it easier for me this year. I did really struggle with this same decision last year though since I was initially just going to get one device. I purchased the 10.5” at release and found that a month later, I was thinking and reading about the 12.9” all of the time, so I ended up with both.
I didn’t say in my previous post though that I have thought that returning to only having one iPad would be best. Then I’d only have to maintain one in terms of files. Both of my iPads are cellular as well, so I’d make a decision at the beginning of the day as to which one I was going to take with me and switch my SIM card to that iPad. So in my mind, even though I have both sizes, I’ve been considering my newly upgraded iPad to be my main iPad, the one that will get the SIM card and go with me everywhere. I guess that what I’m trying to say is that I’m trying to consolidate back to just one iPad, but I’m finding it hard to let go of the smaller one even though I’ve picked the larger one for my main iPad now.
Thank you for the best wishes for my op. I’ll be really looking forward to my new iPad so I do think that is going to help me get through it, it’s keeping my mind occupied as best as I can manage for now anyway.
Yes, you are right, having both sizes already makes it easier for me this year. I did really struggle with this same decision last year though since I was initially just going to get one device. I purchased the 10.5” at release and found that a month later, I was thinking and reading about the 12.9” all of the time, so I ended up with both.
I didn’t say in my previous post though that I have thought that returning to only having one iPad would be best. Then I’d only have to maintain one in terms of files. Both of my iPads are cellular as well, so I’d make a decision at the beginning of the day as to which one I was going to take with me and switch my SIM card to that iPad. So in my mind, even though I have both sizes, I’ve been considering my newly upgraded iPad to be my main iPad, the one that will get the SIM card and go with me everywhere. I guess that what I’m trying to say is that I’m trying to consolidate back to just one iPad, but I’m finding it hard to let go of the smaller one even though I’ve picked the larger one for my main iPad now.
Thank you for the best wishes for my op. I’ll be really looking forward to my new iPad so I do think that is going to help me get through it, it’s keeping my mind occupied as best as I can manage for now anyway.
12.9 so much better with the keyboard in place and when I want portability then I use my max, Best of both worlds to me
My thoughts exactly.
If I had an iPhone 6 or iPhone 7 or iPhone 8 (not the plus models) I would have got the 11”.
Having the iPhone Xs Max, I can do a lot with the big screen phone and it is a lot more portable than the iPad Pro 11”.
Is the screen suppose to flex? On my 11, I find that when I press firmly with my fingers or pencil, the screen is flexing in.
After having the 1st gen 12.9 for over 2 years, I really thought I’d like the smaller 11” model. I was definitely wrong. It’s going back after 10 days of usage traveling with me from home to work to home every day. My new 12.9 came in last night and this fits the bill perfectly. Paired with the smart folio, it’s perfect. Silly, but having the number keyboard without switching back and forth is a welcome again. Brought it to work with me today and portability is not an issue.
If you’ve had a 12.9 in the past, stick with a 12.9
If you’re on the fence, for the price the iPad Pro already is, I’d recommend going with the 12.9
If you’ve had a 12.9 in the past, stick with a 12.9
If you’re on the fence, for the price the iPad Pro already is, I’d recommend going with the 12.9
I definitely think thats a subjective thing
Have a 12.9 gen 2, and got 11" and I feel like I definitely made the right choice. Not just pricing wise but feel wise...
and already have ASK/pencil for 12.9 gen2 so not in a rush to get those again for my 11" just want to use it as a tablet
it also replaced my 9.7 pro that I had, and put funds towards that. And coupled with the micro center sale to lessen the blow but
Oh absolutely subjective, just an opinion. It was pretty hard to downgrade the screen size for me. Gave it a solid 10 days, but in the end, sticking with a 12.9 works best for my needs.
I also do not think the 12.9 is unwieldy like older versions. This is very portable in a bag or just carrying in your hand
Like my first gen 12.9, I can see holding on to this version for a good 3 years at least
Well after an agonizing 3 weeks I just made it official and returned my 11.
It came down to having a top of the line desktop gaming pc and no laptop. The 12.9 will serve my portable use cases as a laptop and a tablet. If I need extreme portability, I’ll use my iPhone XS Max
As others have said this is a decision purely based on your use cases. For me, phones get bigger and bigger. It’s closing the gap on tablets. If we have an all screen OLED 7 inch in a year the 11 tablet is a little redundant especially with the same operating system
I’m a bit concerned about the fragility of the 12.9 but it’s something I’ll watch through it’s return period.
To anyone else making this decision. Think through your use cases and the other devices at your disposal and what you envision using each device for.
When viewing pages side by side with my iPhone XS Max/11/12.9 I realized I was paying 1100 to have the same viewable content blown up by 50%. It was too redundant. The 12.9 has more viewable content on the screen, better speakers, and overall just feels like the flagship iPad. I don’t think either is wrong. But now that I have made my decision, I’m not second guessing it at all.
It came down to having a top of the line desktop gaming pc and no laptop. The 12.9 will serve my portable use cases as a laptop and a tablet. If I need extreme portability, I’ll use my iPhone XS Max
As others have said this is a decision purely based on your use cases. For me, phones get bigger and bigger. It’s closing the gap on tablets. If we have an all screen OLED 7 inch in a year the 11 tablet is a little redundant especially with the same operating system
I’m a bit concerned about the fragility of the 12.9 but it’s something I’ll watch through it’s return period.
To anyone else making this decision. Think through your use cases and the other devices at your disposal and what you envision using each device for.
When viewing pages side by side with my iPhone XS Max/11/12.9 I realized I was paying 1100 to have the same viewable content blown up by 50%. It was too redundant. The 12.9 has more viewable content on the screen, better speakers, and overall just feels like the flagship iPad. I don’t think either is wrong. But now that I have made my decision, I’m not second guessing it at all.
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