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Which is the best iPad Pro ?


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    2,370

prospervic

macrumors 65816
Aug 2, 2007
1,154
1,433
NYC
Well, tomorrow is my last day I have before I can’t return my 12.9. I’m still not sure what to do. I really prefer the 12.9 to my old 10.5 and find myself being much more productive and just overall enjoying it a lot more. It’s my main work device and consumption device. However, the $800 difference is making it hard to swallow. It’d be easier if I could just sell my 10.5 AND my laptop, but I can’t. I’m in school for Finance, and Excel for iOS is still missing out on a lot of capabilities I will need to use.

The 12.9 is hands down one of my favorite Apple products I’ve ever had. It’s made me vastly prefer iPads to computers for work and for fun. The flexibility and capabilities it has are very freeing and fun. But should I really spend $800 when I’m still tied to my laptop at times, and I could get 75% of the experience on my 10.5 that would be more portable and therefore go better with my laptop anyways? I just don’t know. I don’t like seeing my bank account down $800 and I still can’t rely on this 12.9 fully yet, but it’s also one of my favorite devices I’ve ever used. Ugh.
[doublepost=1549511814][/doublepost]You could do what I did, and just keep both. Works great for me!
 

scotsmandc

macrumors 6502
Sep 26, 2015
396
268
Well, tomorrow is my last day I have before I can’t return my 12.9. I’m still not sure what to do. I really prefer the 12.9 to my old 10.5 and find myself being much more productive and just overall enjoying it a lot more. It’s my main work device and consumption device. However, the $800 difference is making it hard to swallow. It’d be easier if I could just sell my 10.5 AND my laptop, but I can’t. I’m in school for Finance, and Excel for iOS is still missing out on a lot of capabilities I will need to use.

The 12.9 is hands down one of my favorite Apple products I’ve ever had. It’s made me vastly prefer iPads to computers for work and for fun. The flexibility and capabilities it has are very freeing and fun. But should I really spend $800 when I’m still tied to my laptop at times, and I could get 75% of the experience on my 10.5 that would be more portable and therefore go better with my laptop anyways? I just don’t know. I don’t like seeing my bank account down $800 and I still can’t rely on this 12.9 fully yet, but it’s also one of my favorite devices I’ve ever used. Ugh.

Yolo
 
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xxray

macrumors 68040
Jul 27, 2013
3,115
9,412
Thanks for all the advice everyone. I decided to return the 12.9 and keep the 10.5. Reasons were:
  • At this moment, I’d prefer to see my bank account be larger than to make an unnecessary purchase even though I loved it.
  • Since I still rely on my laptop for things, it didn’t make sense to me to have 2 large devices (the 12.9 and my laptop) that do most of the same things.
  • Although the main reason I loved the 12.9 was the extra functionality the larger screen provided, I was a little afraid that I’d get tired of the larger size as I kept it longer.
  • My device didn’t come bent, but I was scared that it might bend over time from normal use, and then I’d be screwed.
  • The 10.5” still provides ~75% of the experience for me.
The main factor of my decision was the first one I listed above (saving money), but the rest of the reasons were still relevant.

Switching back to the 10.5, I immediately felt a lot more limited and I noticed one of the games I started playing on the 12.9 made my 10.5 really warm and drained the battery very significantly more compared to the 12.9 (that’s what you get with a 100% graphics performance improvement) which was a bit disappointing.

However, the portability and lighter weight was refreshing after using the 12.9 for 2 weeks, the 10.5 still provides a great, although different, experience, and I feel very happy to see my bank account with ~$1200 added back to it. The 12.9 is definitely my preferred iPad experience, but I won’t be upgrading iPads until my 10.5 becomes unusuable or until I can fully rely on an iPad and sell my laptop.
 

kp98077

macrumors 601
Oct 26, 2010
4,312
2,764
Whistler, BC
Thanks for all the advice everyone. I decided to return the 12.9 and keep the 10.5. Reasons were:
  • At this moment, I’d prefer to see my bank account be larger than to make an unnecessary purchase even though I loved it.
  • Since I still rely on my laptop for things, it didn’t make sense to me to have 2 large devices (the 12.9 and my laptop) that do most of the same things.
  • Although the main reason I loved the 12.9 was the extra functionality the larger screen provided, I was a little afraid that I’d get tired of the larger size as I kept it longer.
  • My device didn’t come bent, but I was scared that it might bend over time from normal use, and then I’d be screwed.
  • The 10.5” still provides ~75% of the experience for me.
The main factor of my decision was the first one I listed above (saving money), but the rest of the reasons were still relevant.

Switching back to the 10.5, I immediately felt a lot more limited and I noticed one of the games I started playing on the 12.9 made my 10.5 really warm and drained the battery very significantly more compared to the 12.9 (that’s what you get with a 100% graphics performance improvement) which was a bit disappointing.

However, the portability and lighter weight was refreshing after using the 12.9 for 2 weeks, the 10.5 still provides a great, although different, experience, and I feel very happy to see my bank account with ~$1200 added back to it. The 12.9 is definitely my preferred iPad experience, but I won’t be upgrading iPads until my 10.5 becomes unusuable or until I can fully rely on an iPad and sell my laptop.
Understandable ! I returned by 12.9 yesterday for the 11, due to portability mainly as I’m always on the go!! 11”
Is a great sweet spot.
 

LoveMyMacPro

Suspended
Aug 22, 2015
239
235
Neither. Don't like the new aspect ratio on the 11 and the 12.9 is WAY too big. I chose not to upgrade and stay with my 9.7 Pro.
 

prospervic

macrumors 65816
Aug 2, 2007
1,154
1,433
NYC
Neither. Don't like the new aspect ratio on the 11 and the 12.9 is WAY too big. I chose not to upgrade and stay with my 9.7 Pro.
I highly recommend the 10.5. The difference in screen real estate is substantial, and the slimmer side bezels allow for greater immersion in your content. Plus, it has ProMotion & True Tone. If those don't grab you, then the P3 Wide color gamut definitely should. Colors are much richer and more vibrant.

Best of all, it's on sale pretty much all the time at one vendor or another, typically $100 - $150 off list.
 

ryanwarsaw

macrumors 68030
Apr 7, 2007
2,746
2,441
Finally got my iPad 11”. The last iPad I had was an iPad Air years ago. I can say this thing feels like a completely different device, I voted. For the 11” in the poll but think the wording is a little wrong. Is the 11” better? Who can say. However I can say it is by far the most impressive Apple product I have bought since AirPods.

It doesn’t feel much bigger if any at all over my past iPad. However I can tell if you went back to the old one it would feel tiny. Typing in landscape is easy. I think the 12.9 would be a little unwieldy to do this with. For me the 11” is a better size but it also comes at a better price. I think if you are going to use a folio keyboard or similar often the 12.9 might be the better choice.

That being said if you pay that much maybe a MacBook is better. So for me this size at this price is the only iPad that makes sense, I thought about the 10.5 but am happy with my purchase of the 11”.
 

dljor

macrumors 6502
Nov 3, 2013
292
32
i am getting a 11" as well. My 12.9" feels quite heavy with he otter box symmetry case when I hold it to browse web or watch video.

Unfortunately, i cannot return the 12.9" anymore.
 
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ryanwarsaw

macrumors 68030
Apr 7, 2007
2,746
2,441
i am getting a 11" as well. My 12.9" feels quite heavy with he otter box symmetry case when I hold it to browse web or watch video.

Unfortunately, i cannot return the 12.9" anymore.

It seems like there maybe another person out there that is stuck with an 11 but wants the 12.9. Perhaps it wouldn’t be hard to find somebody that wouldn’t mind trading? If you offered an even trade you could probably easily find somebody. If I even traded the size down I would be looking to get LTE or more storage if possible. Not sure what specs your 12.9 has but seems a waste to get another iPad and keep the big one.
 

subjonas

macrumors 603
Feb 10, 2014
6,257
6,737
Neither. Don't like the new aspect ratio on the 11 and the 12.9 is WAY too big. I chose not to upgrade and stay with my 9.7 Pro.

I highly recommend the 10.5. The difference in screen real estate is substantial, and the slimmer side bezels allow for greater immersion in your content. Plus, it has ProMotion & True Tone. If those don't grab you, then the P3 Wide color gamut definitely should. Colors are much richer and more vibrant.

Best of all, it's on sale pretty much all the time at one vendor or another, typically $100 - $150 off list.

I’d only recommend the 10.5 if you don’t mind the idea of all your apps slowly becoming (slightly) un-optimized. The screen size/resolution was a one-off, and I believe will eventually not gain support (optimization) from future app updates and new apps. It will have to either use scaled up 9.7” apps or shrunken 11” apps with black bars (I wonder which actually). But not sure how long it will take to get there.
 

JD2015

macrumors 6502a
Sep 16, 2014
849
526
I own an IPP 12.9 3rd gen. I use split view and slide over all the time. I therefore, really appreciate the real screen as helps me when I want to multi task and do work. Using an 11inch would be still okay for these use cases but I enjoy the additional real estate there 12.9 gives me as do a lot of writing and use split screen for referencing.
[doublepost=1549838528][/doublepost]
This^^^ my only complaint would have to be the angles of the Smart Keyboard as well.
The ASK is very convienient and I use it on a daily basis. However, have pre ordered the Brydge keyboard because it has better angles, backlit keys and I am hoping provides a slightly better typing experience.
 

Fthree

macrumors 65816
Mar 14, 2014
1,313
506
I own an IPP 12.9 3rd gen. I use split view and slide over all the time. I therefore, really appreciate the real screen as helps me when I want to multi task and do work. Using an 11inch would be still okay for these use cases but I enjoy the additional real estate there 12.9 gives me as do a lot of writing and use split screen for referencing.
[doublepost=1549838528][/doublepost]
The ASK is very convienient and I use it on a daily basis. However, have pre ordered the Brydge keyboard because it has better angles, backlit keys and I am hoping provides a slightly better typing experience.
I agree with you on multitasking on the 12.9. It’s almost unreal how much space there is to work on or just reference. The ability to pull up a third small app works extremely well as well.
 

subjonas

macrumors 603
Feb 10, 2014
6,257
6,737
The choice seems pretty straigtforward to me. 11” is more casual and mobile. If you have a reason to go bigger that’s worth sacrificing some of that casualness and mobility, get the 12.9.
For me, the reason for getting the 12.9” was because I like having a big drawing canvas. As a bonus, the 12.9” size makes it a better laptop stand-in than the 11 (for tasks that don’t require desktop software). For all casual use, I prefer the iPad mini anyway. So for my uses, the 12.9 (plus the mini) is perfect.

I have to agree. I think it’s the best of both worlds.

I think it’s the worst of both worlds lol. Ultimately it’s personal/subjective of course. I’m glad Apple offers choices.
 
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Fthree

macrumors 65816
Mar 14, 2014
1,313
506
The choice seems pretty straigtforward to me. 11” is more casual and mobile. If you have a reason to go bigger that’s worth sacrificing some of that casualness and mobility, get the 12.9.
For me, the reason for getting the 12.9” was because I like having a big drawing canvas. As a bonus, the 12.9” size makes it a better laptop stand-in than the 11 (for tasks that don’t require desktop software). For all casual use, I prefer the iPad mini anyway. So for my uses, the 12.9 (plus the mini) is perfect.



I think it’s the worst of both worlds lol. Ultimately it’s personal of course. I’m glad Apple offers choices.
I believe that the next software update will make some of the 11 users go up to 12.9 next year. Full laptop replacement
 

ssledoux

macrumors 601
Sep 16, 2006
4,412
4,243
Down south
I think it’s the worst of both worlds lol. Ultimately it’s personal/subjective of course. I’m glad Apple offers choices.[/QUOTE]

Of course! That’s what makes the world go round right?

For someone who wants only one iPad, and wants a nice desktop experience along with the portability, the 11” is a great choice. I like having just one that does everything I need rather than two separate devices in addition to my phone.

I had both the first and 2nd generation 12.9 iPPs. They were amazing devices for sure, but I never took them off my desk. The portability of the 11” just gives me more bang for my buck.
 
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tps3443

macrumors 65816
Jan 24, 2019
1,406
908
NC,USA
Man, I picked up a olderr Samsung galaxy tab 7” tonight and it felt like a phone haha lol. It looked so small, and I only have the 11” iPad, I couldn’t Imagine the 12.9 model. Your TV’s might get smaller on you haha.
 

Donka

macrumors 68030
May 3, 2011
2,851
1,443
Scotland
Of course! That’s what makes the world go round right?

For someone who wants only one iPad, and wants a nice desktop experience along with the portability, the 11” is a great choice. I like having just one that does everything I need rather than two separate devices in addition to my phone.

I had both the first and 2nd generation 12.9 iPPs. They were amazing devices for sure, but I never took them off my desk. The portability of the 11” just gives me more bang for my buck.


This. I had both sizes last time round which had its pros and cons. I decided, given the two devices were just as capable, it was time to consolidate to a single device. 11 was my choice with zero regrets.
 
Last edited:
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ascender

macrumors 603
Dec 8, 2005
5,022
2,897
I just purchased the 11”. I am very happy with it, but wish I could adjust the angle more on the Apple Smart Keyboard. That is my only complaint.

Agreed. I do think its a great keyboard to use on the go, but when at home I’m using a Magic Keyboard with a stand for the iPad and I’ve ordered a Brydge for those times where I do want to be sitting with it on my lap for extended periods of time and/or when portability isn’t an issue.
 
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subjonas

macrumors 603
Feb 10, 2014
6,257
6,737
This. I had both sizes last time round which had its pros and cons. I decided, given the two devices were just as capable, it was time to consolidate to a single device. 11 was my choice with zero regrets.

Personally I never considered having both the 12.9 and 11 since I find them much too similar in size and function. That’s why I opted to complement my 12.9 with an iPad mini. The two extreme sizes specialize in their tasks with the least amount of compromise for me. But of course if one needs to combine their functions, that’s where the mid-size iPads come in.
 

Donka

macrumors 68030
May 3, 2011
2,851
1,443
Scotland
I did have the mini 4 as my travel iPad but took it on a week long vacation in the US and sold it on my return. While it was extremely portable and certainly better than no iPad, I just felt it was too small to be enjoyable as my only device when away from home. At the time, the 10.5 and 12.9 were different enough that both had their uses and the 10.5 didn’t feel like a compromise when travelling like the mini did.
 

subjonas

macrumors 603
Feb 10, 2014
6,257
6,737
I did have the mini 4 as my travel iPad but took it on a week long vacation in the US and sold it on my return. While it was extremely portable and certainly better than no iPad, I just felt it was too small to be enjoyable as my only device when away from home. At the time, the 10.5 and 12.9 were different enough that both had their uses and the 10.5 didn’t feel like a compromise when travelling like the mini did.

Yeah there are so many variables—what tasks one wants to achieve, which device one prefers for each task, what other devices one has handy—that makes everyone’s situation so different.
Personally, I could only see myself getting one of the mid-size ipads if I traveled a lot and needed to do both (light) work and leisure on my trips, and if it was crucial to pack super light (if 12.9 and mini are too much for some reason). Also I would have to be in a different line of work because my work pretty much requires the 12.9” size.
 
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