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

puckhead193

macrumors G3
May 25, 2004
9,578
862
NY
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 can't decided on which to get. Right now I use my iPad like most people. On the couch, in bed, trips to the bathroom when i know i'm going to be sitting for a while. At first I thought the 11 inch but now with the new iOS coming out and all the added features. I like the idea of the 12 but still think about how i normally use the iPad. I currently have a 15" MacBook pro so normally if I travel for the weekend I just take my iPad for traveling but if i'm going away for a while and want to do actual work (video and photo editing) i need my laptop and carrying both a laptop and 12in iPad might be crazy.
Do you find the 12" a pain to use on the couch, in bed at night, or sitting in the oval office for a while?

Ive been to the apple store and I like both for different reason. Apple needs to add a couch and a toilet in the store so I can test them both out :p
 
  • Like
Reactions: navier and Frosties

MisterSavage

macrumors 601
Nov 10, 2018
4,854
5,755
Ive been to the apple store and I like both for different reason. Apple needs to add a couch and a toilet in the store so I can test them both out :p

The Apple Store has a good return policy. I bought the 12.9" thinking I would like it with the reduced size but returned it for an 11". Other people in this thread have done the opposite!
 

spiderman0616

Suspended
Aug 1, 2010
5,670
7,499
Of course most people will choose 12.9, it’s the ‘best’ one.

I went with 11”.
I'm actually surprised that it's only 2% more in this survey. Pretty even split, 51-49. And that's among a crowd that's probably pretty tech-y. I wonder what it is among "the normals".
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,920
13,265
I'm actually surprised that it's only 2% more in this survey. Pretty even split, 51-49. And that's among a crowd that's probably pretty tech-y. I wonder what it is among "the normals".
Lol, I expect most normies are rocking the entry level iPad 9.7" or iPad Air 3. Heck, there are probably a lot who still use the almost 5-year old iPad Air 2 and are still perfectly content with it. :p
 
  • Like
Reactions: spiderman0616

spiderman0616

Suspended
Aug 1, 2010
5,670
7,499
Lol, I expect most normies are rocking the entry level iPad 9.7" or iPad Air 3. Heck, there are probably a lot who still use the almost 5-year old iPad Air 2 and are still perfectly content with it. :p
My son is still using an iPad Air 2 daily and loving it!

My aunt who is not a techy at all but is a professional graphic designer is using a 12.9” iPad Pro.
 

MacAtYou

macrumors newbie
Nov 16, 2018
17
18
Started with the 11, loved it, but was tempted to go bigger, especially because it’s slowly turning in to my main all in one device for photos, simple video editing etc. Ended up getting 12.9. Loved it outta the box, something reminded me of my very first experience of an iPad all over again - the screen looked amazing. But I still had some doubts and wondered if it was too big. But the more I used it the more it blew my mind!

12.9 better for multitasking split screen, better keyboard (numbers on top row and more characters), better deeper sound, the battery life seams a touch better, and the bigger screen is better when it’s on a table or desk. I mainly use it hand held, but on occasion I do use it on a stand with A wireless apple keyboard which is a ridiculously good set up. I don’t have a problem holding it with one hand for ages either. Very pleased with the 12.9:)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Precursor

sparksd

macrumors G4
Jun 7, 2015
10,000
34,319
Seattle WA
Lol, I expect most normies are rocking the entry level iPad 9.7" or iPad Air 3. Heck, there are probably a lot who still use the almost 5-year old iPad Air 2 and are still perfectly content with it. :p

Yeah, the non-tech people I know (I'm a retired engineer) are all using older iPads and tell me that they work just fine for them and they are not interested in shelling out money for something new - no return on investment from their perspective. Same with their smartphones.
 
  • Like
Reactions: navier

Ken1222

macrumors member
May 16, 2011
61
21
Havre de Grace, Md
I did find that the 12.9 is too heavy in the recliner or couch, since my habit is to hold it in portrait mode with the left hand and use the right for scrolling / one handed typing. It doesn't take long for me to feel the fatigue in the left arm, going all the way up to my surgically repaired rotator cuff. In my opinion the 11 is the clear choice for couch use. But I love my 12.9 on the DR table for reading newspapers and magazines.
LOL...like the post above that suggests Apple put a couch and toilet in the store for real-world testing...
 

tps3443

macrumors 65816
Jan 24, 2019
1,406
908
NC,USA
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:


You are kidding right? I think you are unaware of what applications the storage will help in. Or what the memory will help with. What are his benchmarks showing me? CPU test, Compute test, Enoding 4K video, and how many FPS the device get.. Why the hell would more ram and storage help in any of those? Both iPads have the same GPU, and CPU! Regardless of 512GB or 1024GB

A 1TB will easily double the read and write performance of a 512GB model.
The 1TB is using parallelism for the nand storage, and while also using a larger cache too the performance is remarkable.

If you’d like to see a real comparison, let me know. That was the worst comparison video I’ve ever seen in my life.

It was like comparing a F150 to a F250, and saying the F150 is just as good because both trucks can stop from 60MPH in 90 feet lol.

Don’t forget that there are plenty of apps that totally fail to run correctly on a 4GB of ram iPad. And then there’s the apps that simply do not allow you to do certain things. And these certain options are unlocked with strictly a 6GB ram iPad.

You sir are not on the level. I can push 5GB+ of ram utilized working my 11” very hard. Something that a regular iPad will chug in as it starves for more ram, I’ve been there. As I’ve only experienced it to many times.

The read and write performance between the two is incredible. And these videos are laughable to me. As they inform some buyers to make the wrong decision. The gentleman in the video is wrong plain and simple.
 
Last edited:

saberahul

macrumors 68040
Nov 6, 2008
3,650
120
USA
Why did you say that? Do you think the bigger one is too heavy?
Too heavy? No. But it is heavier than the 11” and uncomfortable to hold with one hand to read a book. After a while you just get tired. With the 11”, it’s much easier to maneuver and read books on. However, for me, that wasn’t enough to justify the 11 over the 12.9.
 

hancuriang

macrumors regular
Jan 17, 2019
110
121
The 12.9 weight is more bearable if you keep it in landscape mode (which i do all the time). It becomes less top-heavy. i dont think the 12.9 one is meant to be used in portrait mode.

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?

He speaks out of his experience so his opinion is valid. youll have to guess what he uses his ipad for and reflect from that...

In the end, it still depends on what you will use the ipad for...
Will you bring it anywhere? I know a subset of ipad buyers bought it as either a cintiq/companion alternative or a digital sketchbook. If its the first then the 12.9 will be great but if its the latter the 11 will be better... cintiqs and companions are bulky and heavy, this ipad is featherweight compared to it... however 11 and 12.9 identical in any ways except the screen size so in the end its still a matter of big screen vs portability...

If you plan your ipad to be a laptop replacement (it is for me) then get the 12.9 one bc the screen size and keyboards match most laptops, if you plan to use it as a regular ipad/bigger iphone then get the 11. Its just the question of bigger screen vs portability... Keep in mind, 12.9 is heavier but its something you can adjust over time... it is still portable but not as portable as the 11 one but it is possible to bring it with you anywhere. HOWEVER, 12.9 is very awkward to hold while standing and like i said, it is very awkward to use in a portrait mode... youll have to put it on the desk/stand. 11 is definitely more portable and i believe you also can definitely adjust with the smaller screen even when its gonna be laptop replacement...

it is still a possibility when you get either one and you’ll think the other one is better. and sometimes its just human nature to desire what they dont have... :p i know bc i saw the 11 and thinking why didnt i buy that one... but i also know had i bought the 11 i would have thought why not 12.9... youll have to own both to objectively decide which one is better for you... like MKBHD
 
  • Like
Reactions: navier

ericwn

macrumors G5
Apr 24, 2016
12,118
10,910
You are kidding right? I think you are unaware of what applications the storage will help in. Or what the memory will help with. What are his benchmarks showing me? CPU test, Compute test, Enoding 4K video, and how many FPS the device get.. Why the hell would more ram and storage help in any of those? Both iPads have the same GPU, and CPU! Regardless of 512GB or 1024GB

A 1TB will easily double the read and write performance of a 512GB model.
The 1TB is using parallelism for the nand storage, and while also using a larger cache too the performance is remarkable.

If you’d like to see a real comparison, let me know. That was the worst comparison video I’ve ever seen in my life.

It was like comparing a F150 to a F250, and saying the F150 is just as good because both trucks can stop from 60MPH in 90 feet lol.

Don’t forget that there are plenty of apps that totally fail to run correctly on a 4GB of ram iPad. And then there’s the apps that simply do not allow you to do certain things. And these certain options are unlocked with strictly a 6GB ram iPad.

You sir are not on the level. I can push 5GB+ of ram utilized working my 11” very hard. Something that a regular iPad will chug in as it starves for more ram, I’ve been there. As I’ve only experienced it to many times.

The read and write performance between the two is incredible. And these videos are laughable to me. As they inform some buyers to make the wrong decision. The gentleman in the video is wrong plain and simple.

Can you provide a list of these apps that you claim are not running correctly without 6GB of RAM. With that I mean not enabling an additional track or some +1 audio track performance but I’d like to see which really aren’t working properly as you claim. Thanks.
 

The Game 161

macrumors Nehalem
Dec 15, 2010
30,980
20,169
UK
The 12.9 weight is more bearable if you keep it in landscape mode (which i do all the time). It becomes less top-heavy. i dont think the 12.9 one is meant to be used in portrait mode.



He speaks out of his experience so his opinion is valid. youll have to guess what he uses his ipad for and reflect from that...

In the end, it still depends on what you will use the ipad for...
Will you bring it anywhere? I know a subset of ipad buyers bought it as either a cintiq/companion alternative or a digital sketchbook. If its the first then the 12.9 will be great but if its the latter the 11 will be better... cintiqs and companions are bulky and heavy, this ipad is featherweight compared to it... however 11 and 12.9 identical in any ways except the screen size so in the end its still a matter of big screen vs portability...

If you plan your ipad to be a laptop replacement (it is for me) then get the 12.9 one bc the screen size and keyboards match most laptops, if you plan to use it as a regular ipad/bigger iphone then get the 11. Its just the question of bigger screen vs portability... Keep in mind, 12.9 is heavier but its something you can adjust over time... it is still portable but not as portable as the 11 one but it is possible to bring it with you anywhere. HOWEVER, 12.9 is very awkward to hold while standing and like i said, it is very awkward to use in a portrait mode... youll have to put it on the desk/stand. 11 is definitely more portable and i believe you also can definitely adjust with the smaller screen even when its gonna be laptop replacement...

it is still a possibility when you get either one and you’ll think the other one is better. and sometimes its just human nature to desire what they dont have... :p i know bc i saw the 11 and thinking why didnt i buy that one... but i also know had i bought the 11 i would have thought why not 12.9... youll have to own both to objectively decide which one is better for you... like MKBHD
I have both 11inch and 12.9 and to be honest i couldn’t do without either now...i certainly didn’t think i could get the same kind of usage or even amount of time but i have somehow.
 

tps3443

macrumors 65816
Jan 24, 2019
1,406
908
NC,USA
Can you provide a list of these apps that you claim are not running correctly without 6GB of RAM. With that I mean not enabling an additional track or some +1 audio track performance but I’d like to see which really aren’t working properly as you claim. Thanks.

Well for one you cannot edit 4K video in Adobe Rush without 6GB of ram. Ark survival evolved micro stutters pretty badly too. I am leaving out a few others. There are a few workarounds, but it still sucks.
 

AustinIllini

macrumors G5
Oct 20, 2011
12,699
10,567
Austin, TX
My iPad isn't a replacement for my Laptop and I have a 13" MBA, so for me the 11" was the best choice. If I were to abandon my Mac altogether, I would go 12.9...maybe

I have had convertible laptops in the past and anything over 11" is just starting to get too unwieldy in tablet mode.
 

ericwn

macrumors G5
Apr 24, 2016
12,118
10,910
Well for one you cannot edit 4K video in Adobe Rush without 6GB of ram. Ark survival evolved micro stutters pretty badly too. I am leaving out a few others. There are a few workarounds, but it still sucks.

But you claimed there is plenty of apps that don’t run properly and now you say you have one app with stutters and one app that has more features. Are there other apps that don’t run as intended where the developer aims for just 6GB devices? Just curious.
 

spiderman0616

Suspended
Aug 1, 2010
5,670
7,499
My iPad isn't a replacement for my Laptop and I have a 13" MBA, so for me the 11" was the best choice. If I were to abandon my Mac altogether, I would go 12.9...maybe

I have had convertible laptops in the past and anything over 11" is just starting to get too unwieldy in tablet mode.
I use my 11" iPad Pro as a laptop replacement. I don't have my own personally owned laptop anymore, and my work laptop stays docked and running in clamshell mode on my desk at all times. I use it for Office/iWork, Affinity Photo, ProCreate, and lots of other productivity apps, and I also use it for all the usual entertainment tasks as well. (books, music, podcasts, video, etc.)

I have had all three generations of iPad Pro, the 9.7", then the 10.5", and now the 11". The reason I keep gravitating toward the smaller sizes is that I find the iPad Pro so enjoyable to use in so many situations AWAY from my desk. For example, I love photo editing and drawing/painting with my Apple Pencil, but I hate doing those things at a desk. I much prefer the couch or my bed for those activities. I have pretty small hands, so the 11" Smart Keyboard Folio is comfortable to type on when I need it for longer form writing.

So whether I'm doing content creation OR consumption, I prefer the smaller iPad for both because I find the portability makes it a more versatile device. There is only one task for my job that I do that requires me to use a Mac, and that's going to be resolved in iPadOS, so soon I technically won't need the Mac at all anymore.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AustinIllini

fitcious

macrumors 6502
Nov 2, 2014
314
288
I just bought a second hand 12.9 512gig 3rd gen for $1080. I was debating for a long time too but 12.9 won me over because I think it will be easier to use when ios13 comes out for iPad
 
  • Like
Reactions: Precursor

sparksd

macrumors G4
Jun 7, 2015
10,000
34,319
Seattle WA
I just bought a second hand 12.9 512gig 3rd gen for $1080. I was debating for a long time too but 12.9 won me over because I think it will be easier to use when ios13 comes out for iPad

Best Buy currently has the 2018 12.9 512GB WiFi for $1199 and I'm considering getting one as a desktop complement to my 10.5" iPP. I like the larger screen real estate and want to move forward on the accessory side from Lightning to USB-C.
 

fitcious

macrumors 6502
Nov 2, 2014
314
288
That's a great deal! Was the iPad in good shape?
It’s the cellular version too!

Silver color. I would say the condition is 8.5/10. There’s a thumb size scratch in the screen but not visible when on.

I added Apple care to it, so might just bring it in and pay $49 for screen replacement. Even with $49 added to $1,080, it’s still a great deal. Esp with cellular version
 

tps3443

macrumors 65816
Jan 24, 2019
1,406
908
NC,USA
But you claimed there is plenty of apps that don’t run properly and now you say you have one app with stutters and one app that has more features. Are there other apps that don’t run as intended where the developer aims for just 6GB devices? Just curious.

Look, I spent like 40 hours testing a 512GB against against a 1TB. Give me a couple days and I will put together a list of all of the apps I had trouble with. I’m very busy though. I have tons and tons and tons of screenshots, and video, and all kinds of resources of problems with a 4GB model iPad with me comparing it directly to a 1TB ipad.

This is why I purchased a 1TB.

Like I said, you can make the 4GB models work. But, it isn’t always smooth. That is why I was after. It is hard to edit a timeline when your getting 1 frame per second. That was my main issue! On top of everything.
 

spiderman0616

Suspended
Aug 1, 2010
5,670
7,499
It’s the cellular version too!

Silver color. I would say the condition is 8.5/10. There’s a thumb size scratch in the screen but not visible when on.

I added Apple care to it, so might just bring it in and pay $49 for screen replacement. Even with $49 added to $1,080, it’s still a great deal. Esp with cellular version
I'm pretty nitpicky about scratches, but for that deal, I think I could have been able to overlook it. Can you feel the scratch with a fingernail or when using Apple Pencil?
 
  • Like
Reactions: fitcious
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.