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Which is the best iPad Pro ?


  • Total voters
    2,370

subjonas

macrumors 603
Feb 10, 2014
6,258
6,737
As a fellow 12.9 user I was actually hoping to get a bigger iPad one day!
I would definitely consider a bigger iPad, probably up to 15”. It would be even better for creation and productivity, especially if I could use it as a Cintiq with my 15” mbp. But I also value the 12.9’s portability as a device I carry in my bag almost every day, and often hold in my arm while drawing, and sometimes there’s the issue of table space. It would be a really tough choice so I’m almost glad Apple hasn’t given me the option yet hahah.
 

Shirasaki

macrumors P6
May 16, 2015
16,263
11,764
I wish I’d gone for the 1tb and it’s extra 2 gigs of ram as I can definitely see slowdowns when a few apps are open

Maybe next year ...
Even 4GB is not enough? Oh gosh. Apple has gone from excellent optimisation to a brute force style arms race? I feel worried about my $1700 iPad Pro.
 

MCube74

macrumors 65816
Nov 22, 2010
1,323
611
Hong Kong
I would definitely consider a bigger iPad, probably up to 15”. It would be even better for creation and productivity, especially if I could use it as a Cintiq with my 15” mbp. But I also value the 12.9’s portability as a device I carry in my bag almost every day, and often hold in my arm while drawing, and sometimes there’s the issue of table space. It would be a really tough choice so I’m almost glad Apple hasn’t given me the option yet hahah.
In the future you will never know if MacBooks will have a touch screen and removable keyboards. Kind of like the Microsoft Surface Pro.
 

tps3443

macrumors 65816
Jan 24, 2019
1,406
908
NC,USA
Even 4GB is not enough? Oh gosh. Apple has gone from excellent optimisation to a brute force style arms race? I feel worried about my $1700 iPad Pro.

Greatly depending on what you are doing, depends whether or not 4GB is even enough. I was having trouble with 4GB of ram when editing 4K video, and running certain games with a application minimized. I have touched 5GB of ram being utilized on my 1TB model before. Over 4GB+ of ram was active. And 1GB was in inactive applications. And about 600MB was free.

The 4GB iPads have 3.69GB of available ram, before it is even turned on. So you can surely burn through it and cause performance issues. I could easily repeat this every time.

I have yet to be able to do the same on a 1TB iPad Pro. It seems for now that 6GB is more than enough! Even if I tried over and over again. I couldn’t slow one down. So, I guess it feels kinda like you get what you pay for with a 1TB model.
 
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MCube74

macrumors 65816
Nov 22, 2010
1,323
611
Hong Kong
That is why I said, instead of worrying about 12.9" or 11", better consider investing in 1TB model.

Will 11" 1TB model LTE be ideal for all your needs?
 

subjonas

macrumors 603
Feb 10, 2014
6,258
6,737
In the future you will never know if MacBooks will have a touch screen and removable keyboards. Kind of like the Microsoft Surface Pro.
Apple has spoken against that idea, but yeah who knows, it’s possible they could change their minds. Rather than touch screen and removeable keyboard, however, I’d want pencil input only and a convertible form factor like a yoga (less top heavy and overall weight should be a little lighter).
 

Shirasaki

macrumors P6
May 16, 2015
16,263
11,764
Greatly depending on what you are doing, depends whether or not 4GB is even enough. I was having trouble with 4GB of ram when editing 4K video, and running certain games with a application minimized. I have touched 5GB of ram being utilized on my 1TB model before. Over 4GB+ of ram was active. And 1GB was in inactive applications. And about 600MB was free.

The 4GB iPads have 3.69GB of available ram, before it is even turned on. So you can surely burn through it and cause performance issues. I could easily repeat this every time.

I have yet to be able to do the same on a 1TB iPad Pro. It seems for now that 6GB is more than enough! Even if I tried over and over again. I couldn’t slow one down. So, I guess it feels kinda like you get what you pay for with a 1TB model.
Uh well. I think I might better waiting for another year or two at the very least to see if Apple raises RAM amount for lower end pros. Investing $2300 on 1TB model for A12X seems too excessive. I need to chop another arm to be able to afford it.
 
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jimmy_uk

macrumors 68020
Oct 19, 2015
2,478
3,306
UK
In the future you will never know if MacBooks will have a touch screen and removable keyboards. Kind of like the Microsoft Surface Pro.
I think the direction of travel will be a merger of MacOS and iOS which will result in a few different forms factors but the modular tablet will win out I think. This is a long way off, next 3-5 years?

The Windows laptop market is now experimenting again with new ideas (dual screen laptops peak my interest) along with Microsofts Surface team and this will help move the concepts and designs on and put pressure on Apple to also innovate. That said I'm sure Apple know their roadmap for the next 10 years at least.
 
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zipur

macrumors 6502a
Mar 3, 2011
588
84
The great state of Texas
Don’t believe the hype that it’s the same size as a piece of paper. The 12 is to big to carry around daily. To heavy to hold for extended periods. It is to big to use out in public. Which is why I returned my 12.
The 11 is a great size. Get a thin case and you’re golden
 
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rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,920
13,265
Don’t believe the hype that it’s the same size as a piece of paper. The 12 is to big to carry around daily. To heavy to hold for extended periods. It is to big to use out in public. Which is why I returned my 12.
That's not hype, it's just fact. That said, carrying around a letter-sized clipboard, binder or hardbound book feels just as awkward.
 

thiagueirass

macrumors member
Sep 24, 2015
72
21
Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) has just wrote on Twitter: “It's Day 6 since I took my laptop out my backpack and starting bringing the 11" LTE iPad Pro everywhere. Love the form factor - typing and carrying is definitely easier/more fun than the 12.9". No regrets yet.”

What you think, guys?
 

Ludatyk

macrumors 603
May 27, 2012
5,965
5,133
Texas
What you think, guys?

To each his own.

Once Apple first released the 1st generation 12.9” iPP, I’ve been a believer of the form factor. I just prefer the larger screen real estate, period.

I’m now on the 3rd generation 12.9” iPP and I don’t plan on downsizing. I’m learning new things daily with the iPadOS and can’t wait for others to experience it.

I take my iPP out on occasions, leave my iPhone at home while having the iPP and Apple Watch. And it’s not as dreadful as others claim to be, mainly because I’ve grown accustomed to it..
 

ericwn

macrumors G5
Apr 24, 2016
12,118
10,910
Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) has just wrote on Twitter: “It's Day 6 since I took my laptop out my backpack and starting bringing the 11" LTE iPad Pro everywhere. Love the form factor - typing and carrying is definitely easier/more fun than the 12.9". No regrets yet.”

What you think, guys?

I don’t know (or care) who that person is but to each their own. Some prefer the bigger, some the smaller device. Just pick the one that works better for yourself - and only you can be the judge of that.
Both are nice tablets at the end of the day.
 

wba1990

macrumors 6502
Oct 1, 2015
482
282
Birmingham, England
Currently got a 2017 iPad Pro 12.9

Been debating getting one of the newer ones for a while, today actually been looking at different cellular prices etc

Just can’t make my mind up if “downgrading” from a 12.9 to 11 will be a massive difference/huge miss for me

Need to get to a store and have a go on the 11
 

MisterSavage

macrumors 601
Nov 10, 2018
4,854
5,755
Currently got a 2017 iPad Pro 12.9

Been debating getting one of the newer ones for a while, today actually been looking at different cellular prices etc

Just can’t make my mind up if “downgrading” from a 12.9 to 11 will be a massive difference/huge miss for me

Need to get to a store and have a go on the 11

It's crazy how much smaller the 11 looks in the store compared to the 12.9. This is speaking as someone who switched to the 11. It almost made me think I was making a mistake.
 

The Game 161

macrumors Nehalem
Dec 15, 2010
30,980
20,169
UK
Using both is working at the moment well I must admit. Using the 12.9 far more than I expected even with 11 inch at home
 
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MCube74

macrumors 65816
Nov 22, 2010
1,323
611
Hong Kong
It is possible the 12.9" model will sell better once iPad OS is officially released. It will also probably even slow down the sales of MacBooks.

I for one am super happy with my 11" model and it works great with iPadOs Beta 1.
I have the 1TB LTE model with the extra Ram.
 

Ace008

macrumors member
Sep 6, 2017
30
14
SoCal
1TB iPad Pro FTW! The extra ram is incredible, and the storage speed of the 1TB iPad pros are blistering fast! Storage benchmarks on my 1TB 11” LTE can run circles around even 512GB model iPads. If you are transferring large files in to movie editing apps, or moving around a lot of data. It all helps out the experience.

I’m still happy with my 11” 1TB. I think the weight of the 12.9” is a turn off for me. If I could afford both, then sure but that is just not in my budget.

We can only assume that the 1TB iPad pros are going to last 5-7 years pretty easily.

What you're saying, all sounds like someone who is not exactly on the level. Why don't you take a look at this video and then explain how your conclusion is so very different:
 

Ken1222

macrumors member
May 16, 2011
61
21
Havre de Grace, Md
I bought the 11 soon after it came out, and then started thinking about the 12.9. After endless visits to online reviews, message forums, and stores, I bought the 12.9 when Best Buy recently discounted it $200. My plan was to use the 15 day return window to compare with the 11 and then decide. That came & went, and I now have both iPads, and am happy with my decision. Am not a power user, not a student, just a soon to be retiree who enjoys both for different reasons.
My 11 stays on the sofa & recliner (and occasional trips to the bathroom). Also goes with me when I travel. At home, I enjoy researching TV shows or movies while I watch as well as doing emails and reading digital newspapers during baseball or football games, etc.
The 12.9 stays on the dining room table and is primarily used when I want to read the full digital newspapers or any of the 55 magazines I follow on Apple News+ and also for looking at financial pages. It's almost like viewing the actual magazine page, which I like.
Of course I know it's not cost effective, but I got each of them on sale, which softens the pain.
Once you spend time with the 12.9, the 11 seems so small...but that's what makes it great for the sofa.
 

subjonas

macrumors 603
Feb 10, 2014
6,258
6,737
I bought the 11 soon after it came out, and then started thinking about the 12.9. After endless visits to online reviews, message forums, and stores, I bought the 12.9 when Best Buy recently discounted it $200. My plan was to use the 15 day return window to compare with the 11 and then decide. That came & went, and I now have both iPads, and am happy with my decision. Am not a power user, not a student, just a soon to be retiree who enjoys both for different reasons.
My 11 stays on the sofa & recliner (and occasional trips to the bathroom). Also goes with me when I travel. At home, I enjoy researching TV shows or movies while I watch as well as doing emails and reading digital newspapers during baseball or football games, etc.
The 12.9 stays on the dining room table and is primarily used when I want to read the full digital newspapers or any of the 55 magazines I follow on Apple News+ and also for looking at financial pages. It's almost like viewing the actual magazine page, which I like.
Of course I know it's not cost effective, but I got each of them on sale, which softens the pain.
Once you spend time with the 12.9, the 11 seems so small...but that's what makes it great for the sofa.
I think there are good reasons to have two iPads of different sizes. But for me, I prefer more distinction—the 12.9 for productivity and Mini for casual use on the couch and around the home. And when traveling, I take my 12.9 since I like having that big screen option, plus the Mini’s uses can pretty much be filled by either that or my iPhone.
 

spiderman0616

Suspended
Aug 1, 2010
5,670
7,499
Still not regretting my decision to go 11", even as the role my iPad has taken in my work flows has increased more and more. I still look at the 12.9" models every time I'm in an Apple store just to reset my own perspective a little bit, and they're just not "bigger enough" where I have remorse for not going with the bigger model.

I think for me it's mostly because of where/how I use the iPad. When I do any serious photo editing, art, or anything else creative, I like to be comfortable on the couch or sitting up in bed with the iPad propped up on a pillow. I don't love sitting at a desk while using the Apple Pencil. When I read, I like to have the iPad in landscape with a page of the book on each side, and the 11" feels more the size of a small hardback book to me in that setting. When I'm out running the kids around to their activities, I like having the smaller iPad just because it's that much lighter and smaller and easier to deal with. I know the 12.9" isn't THAT much bigger or heavier, and I'm not going to kill my arms carrying either model, but I do prefer the more portable models.

I still keep an open mind for the next gen models. My photo editing projects have been taking more and more of my time and at some point I might want the bigger one for that. Same with my art projects. But for now, I'm humming along just fine with the smaller model.
 

saberahul

macrumors 68040
Nov 6, 2008
3,650
120
USA
Used the 11 inch for quite a while and then got rid of it. Got the 12.9 and tried that and got rid of it. I liked the mobility of the 11 so got it again, but then started to realize a key factor for me - how much more productive I was using the 12.9. I now have the 12.9 again and don’t regret one bit.

IMO 12.9 adds a lot more flexibility that the 11 cannot. Weight is an issue, but the 12.9 enables me to leave my MBP at home. If I need Mac functionality, I just use VNC to connect remotely.
 

ericwn

macrumors G5
Apr 24, 2016
12,118
10,910
Used the 11 inch for quite a while and then got rid of it. Got the 12.9 and tried that and got rid of it. I liked the mobility of the 11 so got it again, but then started to realize a key factor for me - how much more productive I was using the 12.9. I now have the 12.9 again and don’t regret one bit.

IMO 12.9 adds a lot more flexibility that the 11 cannot. Weight is an issue, but the 12.9 enables me to leave my MBP at home. If I need Mac functionality, I just use VNC to connect remotely.

That’s quite a lot of back and forth but on the other hand you made sure you got the tool that really works best for you based on your experiences! It might be easier next time to just get both sizes, test them, then return the one you don’t like so much and keep the other. Thanks for sharing!
 
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