iPad Pro 11 or 12.9 Pro ?

[millydog]

I have really been struggling with whether or not to purchase the keyboard folio. I was a HUGE fan of the ASK, and I hate that they made it into a folio and added that bulk. I just haven’t been able to jump on the bandwagon.

Of course, now that we’ve gotten some actual DECENT WiFi out here in the boonies, I am toying with getting another iMac (the new ones are trying really hard to suck me in), and possibly going back to a more basic iPad - even a mini I can just throw in my purse.

IDK - I’m struggling.

The thing is, I NEVER do anything with my pro that a lot of people do. I don’t watch movies, play games, etc. I mainly use it for work stuff, and that’s generally typing documents (I do have a full size bluetooth keyboard that’s awesome), using the internet, etc. I have a single game I play regularly and I usually wind up playing it on my phone at least half the time because I don’t wind up wanting an iPad in my lap.

I have a 10.5 pro for my work-at-home job (provided by the girl I work for), and it’s usually in my lap for editing photos, so when I put it away, I often just grab my phone.

Anyway, just rambling, and realize this has ZERO to do with the topic here, but hey - maybe someone can tell me what to do. ;-p

I understand your struggle. I have a question for you though, you say that you have a 10.5 for work. Is your decision to replace that iPad with a new work device or is the new device for your personal use?
Assuming that you are getting a new work device, these are some options.…
1) Buy an iMac for home and use the 10.5 for portability.
2) Upgrade to a 12.9 since you already work from an iPad, this sounds feasible and you will gain screen size and still have the option to take your device with you.
3) Use an ‘at home’ device (iMac/MacBook/iPad Pro) and maybe add the mini. To be honest, I just tried adding the mini to my devices and I found it too small now as an iPad. I used it in the past, but now my 10.5 feels like my mini replacement.
Of these options, what do you think? Could option 2 be good? Buy a 12.9?
I’ll be adding the Brydge keyboard to my 12.9, but the keyboard will stay home most likely and the iPad will go out with me.

 

[tps3443]

Exchanged my 11” for the 12.9” tonight and man I made the right decision. The new form factor of the 12.9” makes all the difference. It’s the perfect device for me. The 11” was just to small and I have a feeling with the new iOS 13 rumors I would regret the 11”.

Anyone that thought the old 12.9” was too big, try one of the new ones. Same large screen, much lighter and much smaller footprint. I can’t recommend it enough.

I own the 11” and I think having 6GB of ram would be more important to me. Some of these apps are very demanding.

 

[justinTlME]

I own the 11” and I think having 6GB of ram would be more important to me. Some of these apps are very demanding.

Yeah idk. Wasn’t as worried about the RAM. There isn’t anything you can throw at this thing that it can’t do. Head room for years. The 1TB is just overkill for me. I feel like they only added the extra ram because it was needed to be able to grab the files from the larger storage device quickly.

 

[Hipdad]

I originally ordered an 11”, but now i’ve also ordered a 12.9” from Best Buy. I think I’m going to go 12.9”.

My main thing was finding out that Apple still didn’t change the size classes on the 11” - so when two apps are split 50/50 they are still using iPhone size UI’s and not iPad size like the 12.9”. That was the one thing I missed from my short time with the original 12.9”, it just makes it feel like much more of a desktop level experience.

Can you help me to understand what “size classes” are? And since as you mentioned the 11 doesn’t have a desk top level science class but rather a iPhone size class what does that mean? Thanks so much

 

[MCube74]

Yeah idk. Wasn’t as worried about the RAM. There isn’t anything you can throw at this thing that it can’t do. Head room for years. The 1TB is just overkill for me. I feel like they only added the extra ram because it was needed to be able to grab the files from the larger storage device quickly.

Will come to know when iOS 13 releases.

The new iPad Pro will also have 6GB ram.

 

[MCube74]

Can you help me to understand what “size classes” are? And since as you mentioned the 11 doesn’t have a desk top level science class but rather a iPhone size class what does that mean? Thanks so much

Trust me.

11" or 12.9" has not much difference when typing with a keyboard.

Yes it will be more comfortable to type with the 12.9" model but it is not day and night difference.

I would say the comfort in handling and carrying the iPad Pro is more important.

I have had just about enough time with both models to judge.

 

[tps3443]

Yeah idk. Wasn’t as worried about the RAM. There isn’t anything you can throw at this thing that it can’t do. Head room for years. The 1TB is just overkill for me. I feel like they only added the extra ram because it was needed to be able to grab the files from the larger storage device quickly.

The ram on all iPads, and iPhones is only used for applications and the iOS, no ram is used for managing storage on the 1TB or any iOS devices. This was just a silly rumor someone started around the launch date is all.
[doublepost=1556336718][/doublepost]

Will come to know when iOS 13 releases.

The new iPad Pro will also have 6GB ram.

Apple will probably do the same thing on the next launch, they offer 4GB of ram and 6GB of ram currently. Well, we have had 4GB of ram since 2015 in the original iPad Pro 12.9”

When the new iPads come out 6GB of ram will become a standard for Pro iPads. With probably an option for 8GB or possibly even more! This is the first time I’ve seen apple do something like this. So, it is possible the next top dog iPad Pro May have like 1.5TB or even 2TB of storage, and possibly 8GB to 12GB of ram and cost $2,299-$2,499 lol

 

[tskwara]

Can you help me to understand what “size classes” are? And since as you mentioned the 11 doesn’t have a desk top level science class but rather a iPhone size class what does that mean? Thanks so much

Size classes are used by developers to code screen layout variants. Only on a 12.9 iPad in landscape mode will the two 1/2 screen views be interpreted by the app code as two iPad sizes screens. When coded appropriately, the two apps use iPad layouts.

 

[MCube74]

The ram on all iPads, and iPhones is only used for applications and the iOS, no ram is used for managing storage on the 1TB or any iOS devices. This was just a silly rumor someone started around the launch date is all.
[doublepost=1556336718][/doublepost]

Apple will probably do the same thing, they offer 4GB of ram and 6GB of ram. Well, we have had 4GB of ram since 2015 in the original iPad Pro 12.9”

When the new iPads come out, 6GB of ram will become a standard for Pro iPads. With probably an option for 8GB or possibly even more! This is the first time I’ve seen apple do something like this. So, it is possible the next top dog iPad Pro May have like 2TB of storage, and 12GB of ram and cost $2,299 lol haha

I am sure iOS 13 will some use for the extra ram or else Apple will not increase the ram for future phones and iPads.

iPad Pro 11" 1TB will also benefit from iOS 13.

By the way, when will the beta release for the public? How can I register for the beta program?

 

[rui no onna]

The ram on all iPads, and iPhones is only used for applications and the iOS, no ram is used for managing storage on the 1TB or any iOS devices. This was just a silly rumor someone started around the launch date is all.

Just because it's transparent to the end user rather than reserving RAM exclusively for storage doesn't mean it's not happening. It's not like iOS reports the GPU is using xx% of RAM either but you can pretty much expect that it uses a huge chunk when playing games.

Those really high storage scores you got for Performance Test/PassMark? Quite likely in part due to RAM caching. If the storage controller doesn't use RAM, we're more likely to see Crucial BX500 level performance rather than Samsung 970 Pro.

Granted, normal use, I see most of the extra 2GB on 1TB models being available to apps. I think the inner workings of the Apple A12X (all parts of it) would be very interesting to read about. As an SSD enthusiast, I'd love to see how that part works (iirc, Apple bought an SSD maker a few years back and it seems they've incorporated that into their chipsets). Alas, it's all protected IP.

 

[MCube74]

Size classes are used by developers to code screen layout variants. Only on a 12.9 iPad in landscape mode will the two 1/2 screen views be interpreted by the app code as two iPad sizes screens. When coded appropriately, the two apps use iPad layouts.

I wonder which iPad Pro model gets released later this year.

May be both sizes with faster CPU and 8gb Ram

That will be the best upgrade for iOS 13.

 

[ssledoux]

I understand your struggle. I have a question for you though, you say that you have a 10.5 for work. Is your decision to replace that iPad with a new work device or is the new device for your personal use?
Assuming that you are getting a new work device, these are some options.…
1) Buy an iMac for home and use the 10.5 for portability.
2) Upgrade to a 12.9 since you already work from an iPad, this sounds feasible and you will gain screen size and still have the option to take your device with you.
3) Use an ‘at home’ device (iMac/MacBook/iPad Pro) and maybe add the mini. To be honest, I just tried adding the mini to my devices and I found it too small now as an iPad. I used it in the past, but now my 10.5 feels like my mini replacement.
Of these options, what do you think? Could option 2 be good? Buy a 12.9?
I’ll be adding the Brydge keyboard to my 12.9, but the keyboard will stay home most likely and the iPad will go out with me.

Well, the 10.5 was actually provided to me by the girl I work for and I don’t keep any of my personal stuff on it. It’s linked to her Apple ID and cloud because she uploads pictures to her cloud and I access them to edit and save them. Basically that iPad is what it is, won’t change, and doesn’t affect my decisions for my personal use.

So I, personally, have an 11” iPP, and my XR. Most of what I do for my business (Disney travel agent) is just online and using pages or Word to type up itineraries. I also use my iPad for some other basic stuff, but nothing that really REQUIRES a pro.

When I went to iPP, I did it because our internet access was horrible and I decided to go all in with LTE. Now, our LTE has gotten worse and we are back with satellite, but it is a LOT better than what we had before.

The only thing I really missed about having a desktop was the ability to store my photos, upload into Shutterfly, and make books. I’ve never been able to find a good way around it with the iPad.

So if I went back to an iMac, I could do all my work on it, do all the photo stuff I’d like to do, and have a mini or more basic iPad strictly for play/FB, etc, although losing Face ID might make me cry.

 

[millydog]

Well, the 10.5 was actually provided to my by the girl I work for and I don’t keep any of my personal stuff on it. It’s linked to her Apple ID and cloud because she uploads pictures to her cloud and I access them to edit and save them. Basically that iPad is what it is, won’t change, and doesn’t affect my decisions for my personal use.

So I, personally, have an 11” iPP, and my XR. Most of what I do for my business (Disney travel agent) is just online and using pages or Word to type up itineraries. I also use my iPad for some other basic stuff, but nothing that really REQUIRES a pro.

When I went to iPP, I did it because our internet access was horrible and I decided to go all in with LTE. Now, our LTE has gotten worse and we are back with satellite, but it is a LOT better than what we had before.

The only thing I really missed about having a desktop was the ability to store my photos, upload into Shutterfly, and make books. I’ve never been able to find a good way around it with the iPad.

So if I went back to an iMac, I could do all my work on it, do all the photo stuff I’d like to do, and have a mini or more basic iPad strictly for play/FB, etc, although losing Face ID might make me cry.

Ok, so the 10.5 is your work iPad, then you have an 11” iPP for your personal iPad. My thought is that you already have the best iPad right there. But if you need to buy a Mac and need to reduce the cost of your iPad then maybe the Air 3 or mini 5 are worth considering. I mentioned to you already that when I tried the mini 5, I found it too small now, but that is a personal decision. It was so fast and cute, I just couldn’t justify keeping it when it was an additional iPad for myself. If it had more Pro features then I might have kept it. I would have liked it to use the Apple Pencil 2, Face ID and have an upgraded rear camera. I use my 10.5 camera to scan documents and that would have been even better on the mini 5 if the camera was equivalent to the 10.5 camera. If these things are updated in another release then I will likely get one.

Back to you....maybe get a MacBook Air and keep the 11”? Or if you want an iMac, consider whether you can keep the 11” as well or if you need to trade it in. You already use the 10.5 & 11”, so replacing the 11” with another 10.5” or Air 3 would reduce costs and not seem like something too alien to you. A 10.5” or Air 3 might also be able to use the same keyboard that you use for the work 10.5” if you use one.

Apple did have the photos app in the iPad that allowed book creation and I was very disappointed that they dropped that. I’d love to find a good scrapbooking app for the iPad and I’d find it especially good to use on the 12.9 screen, but then again the 10.5 is more portable. I’m considering upgrading my 10.5 to the 11” iPP (gen 2) when it comes out. I love the 12.9 size, but find it quite large and heavy for taking out of the house, while my 10.5 is great for that. Yet at times while using the 10.5, I miss the bigger screen. So I have a hard time deciding between those two sizes.

 

[ssledoux]

Ok, so the 10.5 is your work iPad, then you have an 11” iPP for your personal iPad. My thought is that you already have the best iPad right there. But if you need to buy a Mac and need to reduce the cost of your iPad then maybe the Air 3 or mini 5 are worth considering. I mentioned to you already that when I tried the mini 5, I found it too small now, but that is a personal decision. It was so fast and cute, I just couldn’t justify keeping it when it was an additional iPad for myself. If it had more Pro features then I might have kept it. I would have liked it to use the Apple Pencil 2, Face ID and have an upgraded rear camera. I use my 10.5 camera to scan documents and that would have been even better on the mini 5 if the camera was equivalent to the 10.5 camera. If these things are updated in another release then I will likely get one.

Back to you....maybe get a MacBook Air and keep the 11”? Or if you want an iMac, consider whether you can keep the 11” as well or if you need to trade it in. You already use the 10.5 & 11”, so replacing the 11” with another 10.5” or Air 3 would reduce costs and not seem like something too alien to you. A 10.5” or Air 3 might also be able to use the same keyboard that you use for the work 10.5” if you use one.

Apple did have the photos app in the iPad that allowed book creation and I was very disappointed that they dropped that. I’d love to find a good scrapbooking app for the iPad and I’d find it especially good to use on the 12.9 screen, but then again the 10.5 is more portable. I’m considering upgrading my 10.5 to the 11” iPP (gen 2) when it comes out. I love the 12.9 size, but find it quite large and heavy for taking out of the house, while my 10.5 is great for that. Yet at times while using the 10.5, I miss the bigger screen. So I have a hard time deciding between those two sizes.

Yeah I went to the Apple store yesterday and looked at stuff. I just want all of it. Period. Well, except a MacBook. I have just never had any desire to have a laptop.

I could absolutely keep the iPP if I go back to having an iMac, but it would definitely be overkill.

 

[chfilm]

I hate apple for not making a 12” iPad Pro. I had the 11” for half a year now and love it, really love it, but since I sold my MacBook Pro for a lack of usage I felt the desire grow to have another big screen device again with me to write on. So I got the 12.9” yesterday as well. Now I have them both, not sure which one I like more... typing this on the 11” in portray mode two handed, and love it while walking around the flat. But once sitting on a desk the 12.9” is unbeatable... can you help me justify owning both devices? Or am I being ridiculous?

 

[RedlegsFan]

I currently have both devices. Started off with the 11 ended up getting the 12 a couple of weeks ago and I love it. I fully intended to sell my 11 but I have been using them both around the house. I know it’s crazy, because I certainly don’t need both but I just can’t get to the point to actually put it up for sale... in time, possibly.

 

[tskwara]

I currently have both devices. Started off with the 11 ended up getting the 12 a couple of weeks ago and I love it. I fully intended to sell my 11 but I have been using them both around the house. I know it’s crazy, because I certainly don’t need both but I just can’t get to the point to actually put it up for sale... in time, possibly.

I’m with you on this. I have 11, 12.9, and Mini 5. All three get some daily usage. Having multiple sizes of iPad or Mac is a luxury, but it is part of my profession. It’s a calming experience for sure.

 

[thiagueirass]

I’ve read several pages of comments and I can’t decide yet.

I'm not a designer or an illustrator. My use would be to make notes with pencil, make mindmappers, read PDFs, ebooks and other typical studying activities, besides basic use (browsing, watching videos, photos, social networks...).

At first, I was tempted to get the bigger model. But the size, and especially the weight, made me afraid. The 12.9 iPad weighs slightly less than my old iPad 4, of which I had issues thanks to the weight (use with one hand was very bad, soon tiring). I do not know if the larger size of the new iPad Pro would make its weight more balanced, better distributed.

 

[Dave245]

Personally i like more screen estate so i vote for 12.9" iPad Pro. The new one (2018) is also smaller and lighter than the old 12.9" making it even more portable. Not sure how much weight the smart keyboard folio adds tho.

I don't have the 2018 designed iPad Pro, i'm still using the 2017 version. It's a great iPad that i use everyday for photo edits, note taking, drawing, watching Netflix, Now TV, Youtube and so on. I also play games like Tropico (a game that i use to play on my Mac).

I think with time the iPad Pro is going to get better and better. IOS 13 is rumoured to bring a few more great features (dark mode, external storage support, even mouse support). If IOS 13 turns out to be a great software update, personally i may upgrade my iPad to the new design.

Also the Apple Pencil got a couple of BIG updates, the double tap feature (works in different apps and has different uses) the fact that it can now be attached to the iPad Pro magnetically and charged at the same time.

 

[augustya]

I feel there should be a stickie that should be made in this thread which goes like...."Unless and Untill someone has a specific requirement, in most cases 11" is the recommended device for anyone and everyone" Extra screen space and all that is fine, but then you are delving outside the Tablet Category into a hybrid Laptop/Tablet Category so bear that thing in Mind !!

 

[Precursor]

I feel there should be a stickie that should be made in this thread which goes like...."Unless and Untill someone has a specific requirement, in most cases 12.9" is the recommended device for anyone and everyone" A *little* more portability and all that is fine, but then you are delving outside the Tablet Category into a hybrid phone/Phablet Category so bear that thing in Mind !!

Suck it up 11ers! You lost by 23 votes!

 

[augustya]

I feel there should be a stickie that should be made in this thread which goes like...."Unless and Untill someone has a specific requirement, in most cases 12.9" is the recommended device for anyone and everyone" A *little* more portability and all that is fine, but then you are delving outside the Tablet Category into a hybrid phone/Phablet Category so bear that thing in Mind !!

Suck it up 11ers! You lost by 23 votes!

You are sounding as if you are in a tug of war to prove who is superior !! I am not doing that !!

I am talking logical thing. Without any rush of blood !! So cool down ! This is not some election battle !!

 

[MisterSavage]

At first, I was tempted to get the bigger model. But the size, and especially the weight, made me afraid. The 12.9 iPad weighs slightly less than my old iPad 4, of which I had issues thanks to the weight (use with one hand was very bad, soon tiring). I do not know if the larger size of the new iPad Pro would make its weight more balanced, better distributed.

Apple does have a nice return policy. I've actually never returned one of my Apple products before this. I bought the new 12.9 IPP sight unseen because I thought the size reduction would be perfect for me. I just could not warm up to it and traded it to an 11 with no hassle.

 

[kupkakez]

Yeah I went to the Apple store yesterday and looked at stuff. I just want all of it. Period. Well, except a MacBook. I have just never had any desire to have a laptop.

I could absolutely keep the iPP if I go back to having an iMac, but it would definitely be overkill.

Man I relate to this lol I just want all of the things! I ended up recently getting a MBP even though I don't NEED it. The iPad 11" suffices for everything except a couple of games I play casually (Sims 4 and WoW). I did have a 7 year old Windows desktop I was using for that but I just wanted the MBP to complete my family of Apple stuff, not to mention all the integration etc.

An 11" iPad and 15" MBP is absolutely overkill for me as well but I wanted it and I know even if I sold one I'd be right back to wanting again! I say if you can afford it go for the iMac and keep the iPP.

 

[ssledoux]

Man I relate to this lol I just want all of the things! I ended up recently getting a MBP even though I don't NEED it. The iPad 11" suffices for everything except a couple of games I play casually (Sims 4 and WoW). I did have a 7 year old Windows desktop I was using for that but I just wanted the MBP to complete my family of Apple stuff, not to mention all the integration etc.

An 11" iPad and 15" MBP is absolutely overkill for me as well but I wanted it and I know even if I sold one I'd be right back to wanting again! I say if you can afford it go for the iMac and keep the iPP.

Based on the feedback here about the pricing if I was to sell the pro, I’ll definitely keep it, even if I get the iMac. Since I’m not gonna be selling the pro, I think I’ll likely hold off a few months on the iMac and just see how I’m still feeling about it then. I don’t work much at any of my jobs during the summer, and I’d likely do the interest-free financing on the iMac, so I’m thinking I’ll wait til early fall. That’ll also give me time to be sure it’s not just a spontaneous decision, and that it’s something I’d really use.

I DO have my daughter’s older iMac here, and I’m thinking of bringing it inside (it’s in my outside office) to see if I’d use it, and how it would affect my use of my iPad as well.

I just know it’ll be nothing like using a new one since it’s nearly 10 years old!