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iPad Pro 11 or 12.9 Pro ?
- Thread starter George Dawes
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Oh God....probably the same I've been trying to fight against for the last week.
I've done a really great job rationalizing that I need both, but I'm trying to convince myself that that's crazy!
My iPad Pro 12.9 (2018) without the folio keyboard weighs less than 1kg.
With the folio case and pencil is umm my is still lighter than the MacBook.
IPad Pro 12.9 (2018) is just okay (not heavy and not light) to be used as a tablet and as a notebook. Best of both.
Soon when iOS 13 releases next year, the 12.9” will be the chalice for many.
For now I suggest people who want to use the iPad Pro more as a tablet to go for the 11” model.
Same here.
IPhone XS Max for phone and on the go work.
IPad Pro 12.9 for tablet use and office work
I initially went with 11-inch - coming from iPad Mini 4 and iPad Air, 12.9” looked gigantic. Since I wanted it to be a companion to my MacBook Pro, not to replace it, and I was going to use it for reading and light work on the couch and bed, plus a few more specific use cases (like using it as a secondary EFB/Nav in the airplane cockpit). So 11-inch seemed like a no-brainer for me, I didn’t even consider buying 12.9 one.
After a few weeks of using my 11” and reading this thread, I’m not so sure anymore. I can still return my 11-inch thanks to holiday return policy, so I still have a chance to switch.
The main factor driving the decision is mostly the eye strain I’m getting from using my 11-inch. I had the same problem with all my small screen devices except for my iPhone X and, what’s interesting, my iPad Mini 4. I guess higher pixel densities on those two make it easier on the eyes when using close to my face.
Anyway, I went ahead and bought 12.9”. I got a regular folio as keyboard folios are not in stock anywhere. I like it, but I wish there was a way to fold it without exposing microfiber lining to inevitable dust or dirt on the table surface.
So after one day of use I noticed that the eye strain is much less than using 11-inch, as I can hold it farther away from me. It also seems like the screen is a bit... well, it’s difficult to explain, but my 11-inch is sharp, but for some reason more difficult to focus on. I got used to it after a while, but I like the screen of my new 12.9-inch more.
I do miss better portability of 11-inch though. It’s easier to use in bed and when you walk with it in hand it just looks like a book or organizer, while 12.9-inch looks like a computer.
So, we’ll see. But if it is indeed easier on my eyes, that’s good enough reason to switch for me... As for the size - well, I had Surface Pro 3 before and it was even heavier than the new iPad... If it wasn’t for eye strain, I still think that 11-inch is better suited for my use cases though... But I really enjoy extra screen space
After a few weeks of using my 11” and reading this thread, I’m not so sure anymore. I can still return my 11-inch thanks to holiday return policy, so I still have a chance to switch.
The main factor driving the decision is mostly the eye strain I’m getting from using my 11-inch. I had the same problem with all my small screen devices except for my iPhone X and, what’s interesting, my iPad Mini 4. I guess higher pixel densities on those two make it easier on the eyes when using close to my face.
Anyway, I went ahead and bought 12.9”. I got a regular folio as keyboard folios are not in stock anywhere. I like it, but I wish there was a way to fold it without exposing microfiber lining to inevitable dust or dirt on the table surface.
So after one day of use I noticed that the eye strain is much less than using 11-inch, as I can hold it farther away from me. It also seems like the screen is a bit... well, it’s difficult to explain, but my 11-inch is sharp, but for some reason more difficult to focus on. I got used to it after a while, but I like the screen of my new 12.9-inch more.
I do miss better portability of 11-inch though. It’s easier to use in bed and when you walk with it in hand it just looks like a book or organizer, while 12.9-inch looks like a computer.
So, we’ll see. But if it is indeed easier on my eyes, that’s good enough reason to switch for me... As for the size - well, I had Surface Pro 3 before and it was even heavier than the new iPad... If it wasn’t for eye strain, I still think that 11-inch is better suited for my use cases though... But I really enjoy extra screen space
I’m happy I went for the 12.9 as it shrunk quite a bit in the two months I’m using it.
Personally, I could never see me go for the 11”, it would feel tiny to me right now.
Perfect size, both in productivity and portability.
Personally, I could never see me go for the 11”, it would feel tiny to me right now.
Perfect size, both in productivity and portability.
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I just grabbed the 11 to replace the 10.5 which had a major battery issue out of the box, drained quickly and came with 98% capacity out of the box, a week later already down to 96%. Rather than exchange for another one to fix the battery and worry about the bright spot, I opted to just move right into the new one (so I can worry about bending, lol). For me this was a no-brainer - the 11 is the perfect size, and this is coming from someone that ALWAYS used to get the biggest version of stuff, because bigger is obviously better. The 12.9 Pro is damn nice but it doesn’t come with an ounce of convenience. My fiancé has one, when I decided to move into a 2018 Pro I tried to take hers with the Smart Keyboard for a test - doesn’t fit in my bag. My one complaint about the new iPads bending tendencies aside is how the Smart Connector is not on the back rather than the side, and as cool as the new cases look I don’t like how it’s harder to change between the folio and the keyboard, and the sides are exposed. Because of this, I bought a neat 11” sleeve with foam inserts to put it in before putting it in my tablet bag. That stuff aside, this is a damn nice tablet. If I don’t get any structural problems in a year or two when it gets updated to iPad Pro S with stronger aluminum like the 6S, I’ll probably go for that for structural reasons, otherwise the 11 is the perfect tablet.
Yup. It’s a toughy. I am an artist who travels a lot, so I ultimately chose the 11” because it worked best for me. But i have friends who travel a lot who chose the 12.9”. It’s all very subjective & personal. Bottom line is that no matter which you go with, you’re gonna get a kick ass device that will crush anything you throw at it.
For me the 11” is more convenient. I enjoy being able to use it in portrait mode without it seeming like a shore. I once had the 12.9” 1st gen iPad pro and it just wasn’t practical for me.
For sure. It shouldn’t be such a struggle, but I guess I’m torn between portability and couchability vs pure screen size/weight. Good to know that either way, ya can’t go wron.
Anyone else? This thread has 52 pages!
No I know, I meant is anyone STILL struggling - haha.
I can't decide which one to get - can you help me make up my mind ?
Thx
11” for media, reading, surfing, email. It is much more wieldy.
12.9” for illustration, sketching, productivity and multitasking. The bigger screen is great.
The good thing? Both are amazing for all of these tasks. Is the 12.9” still very portable? Yes. Can you sketch and multitask on 11” well? Yes. So go with your gut feeling, both sizes are great.
It depends on the use case/portability really, I went from the 9.7s to 10.5 hence naturally I opted for the 11; with more screen estate compared to the 10.5 as well as the thin form factor when holding without a case.
Frankly I have never considered the 12.9
Frankly I have never considered the 12.9
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Santa delivered a 12.9 a few days ago and I’m having a great time doing everything on this machine. I especially like reading on the bigger screen. At 6’4”, I’m a little bigger than the average bear so ymmv.
Having used the smaller form iPad since the first generation, this is the first 12.9 that tickled my curiosoty. Glad I made the change.
Having used the smaller form iPad since the first generation, this is the first 12.9 that tickled my curiosoty. Glad I made the change.
I voted 11-inch, but finally decided to switch to 12.9. I still think that the smaller iPad is better for my needs, but I was getting severe eye strain using it. I could feel it even after 15 minutes.
I really never considered 12.9-inch before, bit decided to try it to see if it is better. Well, after a week of using it, I'd say it's much-much better for my eyes. I can read for hours without getting any eye strain!
It still feels a bit too big for a tablet, but not unmanageable, and I value eye comfort much more.
BTW, both are LTE models, and both are slightly bent, but not noticeable in everyday use.
I really never considered 12.9-inch before, bit decided to try it to see if it is better. Well, after a week of using it, I'd say it's much-much better for my eyes. I can read for hours without getting any eye strain!
It still feels a bit too big for a tablet, but not unmanageable, and I value eye comfort much more.
BTW, both are LTE models, and both are slightly bent, but not noticeable in everyday use.
I tried both. The 12.9 has a wonderfully large display and is great for making music on the table or watching pictures. Unfortunately it is a bit too heavy to carry around with me the whole time. Also, I have some space problems on the desk with the device.
The 11" is perfect for carrying around with it, good for watching movies and I can hold it in one hand for a long time without it getting too heavy.
I have not finally decided what size I keep, I could still swap. Currently it looks like I'm keeping the 11".
The 11" is perfect for carrying around with it, good for watching movies and I can hold it in one hand for a long time without it getting too heavy.
I have not finally decided what size I keep, I could still swap. Currently it looks like I'm keeping the 11".
It mostly boiled down to which I preferred for PDFs or comics. 12.9 won pretty easily. The price however didn’t. After returning I got a 2nd gen 12.9 for around 699. I couldn’t see paying what Apple is asking for current pro until oled or at least a significant screen improvement. Factor in bending issues, adaptors for usb, etc and this made the most sense.
I agonised over this decision for weeks (actually probably months...) and flipped between the sizes various times, convinced that I was choosing the one over the other. For context I have an iPhone XS Max and 15 inch MacBook Pro, using the iPad for casual use on the couch, in bed and on the go coming from an ageing iPad Air. I also use it with the Apple Pencil for taking notes for studies and the occasional typing without an external keyboard.
My main concern was that I wanted the 12.9 and all the benefits that came with the bigger screen but didn’t want the extra size and weight to hinder what I normally do with it. After spending an hour or so in the Apple Store deliberating I went for the 12.9 and I haven’t looked back. I have used it for hours at a time without a case on my lap sat on the sofa reading, writing and browsing and never thought it was too big or heavy. I put in in my bag for work and it just reminds me of my old 12 inch MacBook only much lighter. I can type holding it in portrait with my thumbs and I have never once found it unwieldy although I do have fairly big hands. Now when I go back to my XS Max it feels small and cramped if you can believe that! My girlfriend has picked it up to read and to use it as a notepad and loves the size as well (she uses an iPad mini 4 as her main device).
As other people have said on countless occasions it is ultimately a personal preference but if this decision making sounds familiar and you’re worried that couch use might be tricky give it a go at home. It’s actually significantly lighter than my 1st gen iPad which was never particularly cumbersome to use and if you end up disagreeing with me you can always swap it out for the 11 inch anyway! Hope this helps some of you.
My main concern was that I wanted the 12.9 and all the benefits that came with the bigger screen but didn’t want the extra size and weight to hinder what I normally do with it. After spending an hour or so in the Apple Store deliberating I went for the 12.9 and I haven’t looked back. I have used it for hours at a time without a case on my lap sat on the sofa reading, writing and browsing and never thought it was too big or heavy. I put in in my bag for work and it just reminds me of my old 12 inch MacBook only much lighter. I can type holding it in portrait with my thumbs and I have never once found it unwieldy although I do have fairly big hands. Now when I go back to my XS Max it feels small and cramped if you can believe that! My girlfriend has picked it up to read and to use it as a notepad and loves the size as well (she uses an iPad mini 4 as her main device).
As other people have said on countless occasions it is ultimately a personal preference but if this decision making sounds familiar and you’re worried that couch use might be tricky give it a go at home. It’s actually significantly lighter than my 1st gen iPad which was never particularly cumbersome to use and if you end up disagreeing with me you can always swap it out for the 11 inch anyway! Hope this helps some of you.
I bought the 11” model and changed my vote. Primary usage: drawing.
The old 9.7” was small when I bought the 12.9” Pro in 2015. 12.9” was definitely the way to go back then for sketching. However, the device was so large that it was uncomfortable to hold.
The 11” has the best of both worlds. Large enough screen and great feel in the hand. So far I love it! And it’s way cheaper too...
I finally decided for the 12.9 inch Wi-Fi model.
Here is why:
All 11 inch models I have had shadows in the display and are poorly lit.
All LTE models, whether 11 or 12.9 inches I had were bent.
The only thing left was the 12.9 inch, which also has dark corners and shadows, but these are not so noticeable in the larger display and only Wi-Fi so that it does not come already bent.
The new iPad Pros have power and are great to use, but Apple should work on them in terms of quality. Somewhat thicker aluminum should improve the bending and a stricter quality control of the displays would also be announced.
I also have an iPhone XS Max and this is qualitatively perfect, why is not that synonymous with the iPad Pros that definitely play in the same price range.
Here is why:
All 11 inch models I have had shadows in the display and are poorly lit.
All LTE models, whether 11 or 12.9 inches I had were bent.
The only thing left was the 12.9 inch, which also has dark corners and shadows, but these are not so noticeable in the larger display and only Wi-Fi so that it does not come already bent.
The new iPad Pros have power and are great to use, but Apple should work on them in terms of quality. Somewhat thicker aluminum should improve the bending and a stricter quality control of the displays would also be announced.
I also have an iPhone XS Max and this is qualitatively perfect, why is not that synonymous with the iPad Pros that definitely play in the same price range.
Last year I purchased both the 10.5 and 12.9 gen 2. Found myself using the 10.5 nearly all the time, the 12.9 being awkward to use on the couch and carry around.
I ended up selling both the 10.5 and 12.9 on eBay, and purchased the 2018 11 and 12.9.
This year it’s the exact opposite, I’m using the 12.9 almost exclusively and the 11 intermittently. The 12.9 feels much more stable on my lap, and even though it’s slightly heavier and thicker with the keyboard folio, it’s definitely more compact. If I had to choose only one, I’d go 12.9 all the way.
I ended up selling both the 10.5 and 12.9 on eBay, and purchased the 2018 11 and 12.9.
This year it’s the exact opposite, I’m using the 12.9 almost exclusively and the 11 intermittently. The 12.9 feels much more stable on my lap, and even though it’s slightly heavier and thicker with the keyboard folio, it’s definitely more compact. If I had to choose only one, I’d go 12.9 all the way.