Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Which is the best iPad Pro ?


  • Total voters
    2,370

dominiongamma

macrumors 68030
Oct 19, 2014
2,518
5,467
Phoenix. AZ
I have a "problem" and I hope you can help me with this: I just cannot decide me between the 11" and the 12.9".
The iPad should be just for media consumption and maybe for reading PDF papers and books. Actually, I'm comfortable with both, just I think that the 11" could be a bit (too) small for watching videos; on the other side, the 12.9" could be a bit (too) big for "couch media consumption" and for travel with a macbook. Is it just my feeling that I'm more willing to use the 11" "on-the-fly" than the 12.9"?! :confused:
I went through this last few days and decide to go for the 12.9. It’s better with spilt screen and multitasking with a bigger screen. This version is lighter then the previous generation so it’s easier to hold.
 
  • Like
Reactions: baypharm

hemon

macrumors 6502
Oct 4, 2014
323
114
I went through this last few days and decide to go for the 12.9. It’s better with spilt screen and multitasking with a bigger screen. This version is lighter then the previous generation so it’s easier to hold.

Thank you for this reply. It helps me a bit, but I'm not interested in split screen and multitasking since I don't want to work with the iPad.
 

Porterhouse

macrumors 6502
Aug 13, 2011
381
179
USA
Thank you for this reply. It helps me a bit, but I'm not interested in split screen and multitasking since I don't want to work with the iPad.

I went through the same thing, as did quite a few others. (Just see the length of the thread!)

I tried both sizes; they each have their merits, and I wouldn't be surprised someday if I found the 12.9 on sale somewhere I might pick it up. But right now, the 11 is doing great for me. It's small enough that I can take it on the go, but still the same spectacular machine. In fact, I was using it in a hospital waiting room a few days ago, and someone came up to ask me about it. The clarity of the screen caught her eye, and she asked me several questions about it.

For me, the 11 is great, but obviously, I can't say for you (though it does feel like you're leaning that way.) I will say that no matter which size you get, you're going to get a spectacular machine!
 

mac4good84

macrumors 6502
Feb 11, 2012
277
247
I'm in the market for a new iPad, and if it is to be the Pro, it will most certainly be the 11 inch. What I love about the 11 inch is the smaller bezels making the device even more portable than the 10.5 inch (we were using minis for a long time at my house). My wife loves portability, but I love a larger screen. I tested the 12.9 inch once (this was when the size was first released) and despite having plenty of screen to use, it just became to much of a burden to carry around. It was unwieldy, heavy and uncomfortable after a while. We have a 15 inch MacBook Pro, so for any tasks that I will need a larger screen for, I will end up using the MacBook when not using the iPad.

The 11 inch I feel I can carry around the house with ease and it feels much more comfortable in the hands for long-term use. It's just my two cents, but unless I needed the 12.9 inch size screen for work purposes which I don't, I won't ever get an iPad that size for myself and my wife certainly wants nothing to do with it either lol.
 
Last edited:

Wuzz

macrumors newbie
Aug 11, 2005
8
1
London, UK
It’s a difficult decision. Screen size vs portability.

I had to go with Portability - I’ve just upgraded from the original 12.9” ipad Pro to the 11”.

The weight of the original 12.9 (with the back protector and the keyboard) was too much and hindered my daily use when out and about (on trains/buses etc). It wasn’t easy to get out of my bag quickly (I’ve got the Pad & Quill Heritage roll-top bag). I’d also get cramp from holding the ipad for excessive periods of time. It ended up just sitting in a Yohann stand for watching netflix whilst I used my macbook.

So I thought I’d give the 11” a try. Aim is to use it on commutes and whilst at work in my hospital. I’ve got some templates set up for notability and hopefully it will reduce on paper use (stop misplacing handover sheets etc). Most of things I need a computer for that I can’t do on the iPad (data crunching in excel, R and the like) I’ll do on my old macbook which can stay at home.

I think the biggest problem is that I can’t put it down! I’m constantly writing, reading, and checking things up on it. Absolutely loving the size, even with the keyboard. Pretty awesome!
 
  • Like
Reactions: MisterSavage

dominiongamma

macrumors 68030
Oct 19, 2014
2,518
5,467
Phoenix. AZ
I was worried I chose the wrong size but after few days glad I’ve chosen 12.9 it feel normal now and I use it in my hands. The split screen works great in the 12.9
 

hemon

macrumors 6502
Oct 4, 2014
323
114
I cannot decide myself: emotionally I would like to stay with the 12,9 because of the screen, but rationally I just cannot justify the price of my use: I read news, browsing I would watch videos while travelling or so, maybe I would read some pdf-paper. I feel that the iPad 11 now is too small: every time I use it I want to grab to the 12,9 because I have that feeling. I also tried just to use the iPad 11 for a while but that feeling is always there. I hate that!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pipper99

jongriff

macrumors regular
May 28, 2003
192
128
Lawford, UK
It’s a difficult decision. Screen size vs portability.

I had to go with Portability - I’ve just upgraded from the original 12.9” ipad Pro to the 11”.

The weight of the original 12.9 (with the back protector and the keyboard) was too much and hindered my daily use when out and about (on trains/buses etc). It wasn’t easy to get out of my bag quickly (I’ve got the Pad & Quill Heritage roll-top bag). I’d also get cramp from holding the ipad for excessive periods of time. It ended up just sitting in a Yohann stand for watching netflix whilst I used my macbook.

So I thought I’d give the 11” a try. Aim is to use it on commutes and whilst at work in my hospital. I’ve got some templates set up for notability and hopefully it will reduce on paper use (stop misplacing handover sheets etc). Most of things I need a computer for that I can’t do on the iPad (data crunching in excel, R and the like) I’ll do on my old macbook which can stay at home.

I think the biggest problem is that I can’t put it down! I’m constantly writing, reading, and checking things up on it. Absolutely loving the size, even with the keyboard. Pretty awesome!

I bought the 12.9 and honestly thought I would end up doing exactly this. I really wanted the bigger screen and all the benefits it brings but thought that it was going to be too cumbersome. I’m delighted to report that I’ve never looked back, for me at least it is perfectly comfortable using it without a cover reading for hours on the sofa as well as videos and light work. Clearly it’s a very personal thing but for me the 12.9 is definitely the one and having had it for several months I even think that I could go a bit bigger in the future...!
 

max2

macrumors 603
May 31, 2015
6,421
2,044
It all matters if you are going out and about with it!

If it stays at home 12.9 inch if you bring it with you outside your house 11 inch.
 

Vilacr

macrumors regular
Feb 4, 2002
148
15
For me I decided to go back to college to finish my MS in chemical engineering. I already owned the IPP 10.5 and assumed it would be fine for note taking and writing out the occasional paper as I also own a 15" macbook pro and surface book for other tasks. Boy was I wrong (for me anyway). Mind you I lift weights heavily so take that into consideration. The screen on the 10.5 was much to small for my liking, so I traded it in on the 12.9 iPP and what a difference. The 10.5 was fine for watching movies, youtube and browsing the web but was not good for me when I needed it to take notes, using split screen and more involved tasks. Your use case maybe different I only wanted to add my two cents because my situation changed and needed a bigger IPP.
 
  • Like
Reactions: catean and subjonas

Pipper99

macrumors 68040
Aug 14, 2010
3,823
3,772
Fort Worth, TX
I cannot decide myself: emotionally I would like to stay with the 12,9 because of the screen, but rationally I just cannot justify the price of my use: I read news, browsing I would watch videos while travelling or so, maybe I would read some pdf-paper. I feel that the iPad 11 now is too small: every time I use it I want to grab to the 12,9 because I have that feeling. I also tried just to use the iPad 11 for a while but that feeling is always there. I hate that!

I felt similarly. Ultimately, the 12.9 won because it was delightful every time I used it: I didn't derive the same pleasure from the 11. I just enjoy the bigger iPad more.
 

shoppy

macrumors 65816
Mar 4, 2007
1,072
64
Hants
You sold it or you passed it to your children? Or you sold it to your children?
I sold one 11" and gave one to children as wife wanted to stick to 12.9". My wife and I both have 12.9" iPad pros and love them, I have picked ups the keyboard, like it but it makes it bulky IMHO and I am not sure if I trust the magnets. Also picked up another 11, but not used that yet.
 

tps3443

macrumors 65816
Jan 24, 2019
1,406
908
NC,USA
I sold one 11" and gave one to children as wife wanted to stick to 12.9". My wife and I both have 12.9" iPad pros and love them, I have picked ups the keyboard, like it but it makes it bulky IMHO and I am not sure if I trust the magnets. Also picked up another 11, but not used that yet.

I think you own every new Apple product available lol.
 

subjonas

macrumors 603
Feb 10, 2014
6,257
6,737
I sold one 11" and gave one to children as wife wanted to stick to 12.9". My wife and I both have 12.9" iPad pros and love them, I have picked ups the keyboard, like it but it makes it bulky IMHO and I am not sure if I trust the magnets. Also picked up another 11, but not used that yet.
Hope you didn’t lose too much selling and rebuying
 

wba1990

macrumors 6502
Oct 1, 2015
482
282
Birmingham, England
Did many people on here upgrade form the 2nd gen IPP to the new 12.9 version?

Currently a debate I’m having as it stands with myself and curious what made people upgrade, and if months down the line they have any feedback/regrets etc
 

subjonas

macrumors 603
Feb 10, 2014
6,257
6,737
Did many people on here upgrade form the 2nd gen IPP to the new 12.9 version?

Currently a debate I’m having as it stands with myself and curious what made people upgrade, and if months down the line they have any feedback/regrets etc
When the 3rd gen 12.9 came out with reduced bezels and only Face ID, I actually upgraded from my 1st gen to a 2nd gen because I much prefer bezels and Touch ID, and I wanted the last device that had those so that it could last as long as possible. Otherwise I would have stayed on my 1st gen until it became a problem, or until there was a new must-have feature. Nothing about the 3rd gen is must-have to me, but everyone is different.
 

UltimateSyn

macrumors 601
Mar 3, 2008
4,970
9,206
Massachusetts
I could be wrong but I have a feeling us 12.9” owners are going to be that much happier when iOS 13 comes with the new home screen and redesigned stack-cards multitasking. Has the potential to improve immensely upon what is already my all-time favorite Apple product.
 

jagolden

macrumors 68000
Feb 11, 2002
1,587
1,501
I have a "problem" and I hope you can help me with this: I just cannot decide me between the 11" and the 12.9".
The iPad should be just for media consumption and maybe for reading PDF papers and books. Actually, I'm comfortable with both, just I think that the 11" could be a bit (too) small for watching videos; on the other side, the 12.9" could be a bit (too) big for "couch media consumption" and for travel with a macbook. Is it just my feeling that I'm more willing to use the 11" "on-the-fly" than the 12.9"?! :confused:

I went from a Mini to the 12.9 inch and would never look back. The page screen size is great for comics and magazines and in general the screen acreage is great for photo retouching and illustration, and I look forward to Serif/Affinity releasing their page layout app this year (betas have been excellent).
Web surfing and media consumption are also excellent experiences on it. I take it with me. Use a laptop or courier bag (depends) and no issues. I have it in a heavy leather folio by oberondesign.com.
It’s comfortable in my lap when sitting or on my chest when in bed.
When reading books and holding in landscape, you get two nicely sized columns of text.
It’s like a small tv monitor when watching video/movies.
 

petvas

macrumors 603
Jul 20, 2006
5,479
1,808
Munich, Germany
I have been using the 12.9 iPad for a week now and I am more than satisfied with my choice. I enjoy the big screen and don’t think that the iPad is difficult to use or heavy. Of course I using both hands to hold the iPad, but that is ok considering the size of the device.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikzn and baypharm
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.