iPad Pro 11 or 12.9 Pro ?

[navier]

On 2010 I bought my first and only iPad (the 1st Gen, with only 256 MB of RAM that maked it barely usable after few years and was totally abandoned by Apple shortly after the iPad 2 come out)...

I bought it because I had the hopes of a good Stylus support... sort of a Wacom with integrated iOS ans Apps... it never happened

These 3. Gen iPad Pros are truly what I always wanted (mainly to draw). The flat sides, like the original iPad, the small bezels and the Pencil and its charging concept is a dream

9 Years latter I am now struggling to decide between the 12,9" and the 11"

I was at the Apple Store and of course the 12.9" was "better" to draw but it is 250€ more expensive and the cases are also more expensive, which is not a serious problem but makes the comparison/decision somewhat unfair


And added problem for my personal situation is now with a toddler it won't let me use it at all and probably will want to grab it from my hands to play... oh iPad Pro, were where you 9 years ago!

 

[jimmy_uk]

On 2010 I bought my first and only iPad (the 1st Gen, with only 256 MB of RAM that maked it barely usable after few years and was totally abandoned by Apple shortly after the iPad 2 come out)...

I bought it because I had the hopes of a good Stylus support... sort of a Wacom with integrated iOS ans Apps... it never happened

These 3. Gen iPad Pros are truly what I always wanted (mainly to draw). The flat sides, like the original iPad, the small bezels and the Pencil and its charging concept is a dream

9 Years latter I am now struggling to decide between the 12,9" and the 11"

I was at the Apple Store and of course the 12.9" was "better" to draw but it is 250€ more expensive and the cases are also more expensive, which is not a serious problem but makes the comparison/decision somewhat unfair


And added problem for my personal situation is now with kids they won't let me use it at all and probably will want to grab it from my hands to play... oh iPad Pro, were where you 9 years ago!

Get the 11" and a 9" for the kids. Wouldn't be letting children play with a pro.

 

[iMi]

In the same boat. Picked up the 12.9 and ready to exchange for the 11. Replacing the 10.5. It’s a lot more difficult of a decision than it seems. I travel and have the new MacBook Pro 13. Having the larger iPad seems redundant. The smaller one would be more convenient on a plane. On the other hand, with iOS 13 coming out the larger iPad could finally become a laptop replacement for me. It’s amazing that apple actually addressed most of the issues I had with the 10.5 as laptop replacement, such as font management, improved file access, download manager.

Very undecided at the moment...

 

[gamedrin.93]

I have the 12.9’ 256GB Wifi (2018)

I don’t have laptop anymore so this will be my current setup while deciding what desktop I should buy. I’m not bothered by the weight. It’s still significantly lighter than my deceased 2011 MBP. I used it in my desk and my bed. Although using it in bed is pretty challenging. I bought a gooseneck mount for it.

My usage mainly involves:

- browsing
- emails
- watching movies
- music
- sketching

The 11” is a pretty good choice for portability. But I like having a bigger screen considering I neither have a laptop and a desktop.

 

[Ludatyk]

Very undecided at the moment...

If you already have a MBP, I would suggest go with the 11” model.

As you already stated.. having the 12.9” seems redundant, I agree with that. The 11” would seem like a better fit. iPadOS can do the same thing with 11”, so you won’t be missing much.

Although using it in bed is pretty challenging. I bought a gooseneck mount for it.

What gooseneck mount are you referring to?

 

[ThomasRGolden]

I had the 11” Pro yesterday and used it all day. I returned it today for the 12.9”. I find the larger screen much nicer for everything I do. I also prefer the larger keyboard of the keyboard folio. I was sure that the 11” was for me, but I was wrong. The 12.9” due to the shrunk size compared to previous generations is plenty portable. Multi-tasking is superb with the larger screen and iPadOS beta isn’t too bad either. I have a laptop and a desktop, but I think they will be collecting dust for a while.

 

[Molcroft]

I find this question more difficult than ever, because of the new possibilities iPadOS gives the iPad. I bought the 1st gen 12.9” iPP back in the days and must admit I never used it much due to its size and weight, sold it and switched to a 10.5” iPP. Couldn’t resist the 12.9” 2018 when it came and went for it. To me it’s not too large or heavy but I always wondered if the 11” would be the ”sweet spot”. Luckily it was time for my wife to update her iPad and she went for a 11” iPP. I’ve been using it for a few days now and every time I use it I miss the 12.9”, in my case I particularly miss the keyboard on the larger iPad. I find it so much more difficult to type on the on-screen keyboard, probably because of the space between the keys. Having said that, I would probably get used to it. My major concern switching from 12.9” to 11” is because I nowadays use my iPP as my main and only ”computer”. My main tasks on my iPP, besides the usual stuff email and web browsing, are writing articles and light photo editing. Long story short, for me the 12.9” comes out on top. For me, the race would be almost even if iPadOS weren’t to be released (I’m on dev beta on both iPPs). On a more personal note, being 40+ yo also makes the 12.9” more usable since when I’m on the 11” I sometimes need my glasses Sorry for the long rant!

 

[Damoh]

I have to admit, even though I'm a pretty tech-savvy guy, I've never been that clueless in my life before (even proposing to my girlfriend was an easier choice to be honest).

My wife got me an 2018 12.9 WiFi iPad Pro for our first anniversary and this, ladies and gents, is, where the problems start.

I'm currently owning a iPhone X (256) and an early 2015 Retina MacBook Pro and because of portability I was thinking about getting an iPad for school (teacher-school in August). Here comes the first dilemma, I explained to a friend of mine this morning: My MacBook is great, weight is ok, size is cool and battery is still doing a good job.

But having an 12.9 iPad gives me the same size, that I wanted reduced - but checking it out at the Apple Store I was not really convinced that the 11" is "big enough" for class PLUS if I add all the accessories I could easily buy a MacBook Air :x Plus, for media consumption the 12.9 would be a tad big compared to the 11, that is kinda small for work.

I didn't open it yet, so this could hunt me for the next few days until I decide on what device to keep, lol

 

[maflynn]

but checking it out at the Apple Store I was not really convinced that the 11" is "big enough"

What I found was the 11" is so deceivingly small in the apple store. It felt down right diminutive when comparing both. Yet when I came home with the 12.9 (this was like 2 years ago). I found the 12.9 to be too big.

I'm once again debating which size to get but for me, I usually hold the iPad upright in my hands for reaching or even playing games. I think the larger screen has many benefits but holding it upright is not one of them.

I don't have an answer as to what would work the best since I'm in the same quandary

 

[Damoh]

Agree, I can imagin that the 11" would be big enough, once you sit down and use it for some time - but due to some policies, I can't return a once opened iPad, therefore thinking about returning it anyway and buying it from Apple instead (whereas it's a bit more expensive).

But I agree, that the 12"-one could be too big for couch-potatoeing whilst good size for work

 

[Molcroft]

Agree, I can imagin that the 11" would be big enough, once you sit down and use it for some time - but due to some policies, I can't return a once opened iPad, therefore thinking about returning it anyway and buying it from Apple instead (whereas it's a bit more expensive).

But I agree, that the 12"-one could be too big for couch-potatoeing whilst good size for work

This makes me wonder if the perfect setup is a 12.9” iPP and a Mini 5? (sorry if I am slightly OT)

 

[Ludatyk]

but due to some policies, I can't return a once opened iPad, therefore thinking about returning it anyway and buying it from Apple instead (whereas it's a bit more expensive).

You can't return an opened iPad? But thinking of returning it anyways? I'm confused.

 

[rui no onna]

Agree, I can imagin that the 11" would be big enough, once you sit down and use it for some time - but due to some policies, I can't return a once opened iPad, therefore thinking about returning it anyway and buying it from Apple instead (whereas it's a bit more expensive).

But I agree, that the 12"-one could be too big for couch-potatoeing whilst good size for work

Similar situation. The 12.9 is a great size if working on a desk or bringing into meetings. Physical dimensions is around the same as a legal pad and the display itself is already smaller than A4/letter. Smaller than 12.9 and I've found showing documents to others requires constant zooming and panning.

What I did was keep my old 9.7 when I got the 12.9. Now, I have a 10.5 and a 12.9 and they still serve different use cases.
[doublepost=1562594582][/doublepost]

You can't return an opened iPad? But thinking of returning it anyways? I'm confused.

I'm guessing:

sealed box: ok to return
open box: not returnable

 

[sparksd]

Similar situation. The 12.9 is a great size if working on a desk or bringing into meetings. Physical dimensions is around the same as a legal pad and the display itself is already smaller than A4/letter. Smaller than 12.9 and I've found showing documents to others requires constant zooming and panning.

What I did was keep my old 9.7 when I got the 12.9. Now, I have a 10.5 and a 12.9 and they still serve different use cases.

Exact same reasoning here - recently got a 2018 12.9" Pro but will also keep the older 10.5" Pro.

 

[Ludatyk]

I'm guessing:

sealed box: ok to return
open box: not returnable

I get that. Just was hoping they could elaborate more on it. Where did they purchase it? How much cheaper was it given that they mention going to Apple (more expensive).

 

[MisterSavage]

What I found was the 11" is so deceivingly small in the apple store. It felt down right diminutive when comparing both. Yet when I came home with the 12.9 (this was like 2 years ago). I found the 12.9 to be too big.

It really does look like a Tic Tac in comparison to the 12.9 in the Apple Store. For a few minutes it really made me wonder if I was making a mistake because I was waiting to exchange my 12.9 for an 11.

 

[Damoh]

You can't return an opened iPad? But thinking of returning it anyways? I'm confused.

Here in Switzerland, not every retailer is ok with taking back products that are unsealed. It's ok, if you know that - and because it was a gift from my wife I was yet to open it.

But I can report that I opened the box and I'm setting up my first 12.9" iPad Pro next to my MB Pro 13" and my 24" monitor on the desk. And this is where my assumption comes to life - you need to use it a bit to confirm it's the right size. And 12.9" is my size for now. And there is hope, that I will get a smaller iPad in the future - just because of portability. But for the next four years, I'll be learning the stuff out of myself for the school to be able to do that

I'm happy - and I hope everyone will be too as soon as possible. Don't hesitate to ask etc.

 

[Phonzoxd]

Been using a 12.9 for 3.5 years. Bought a 10.5 2 weeks ago, and i dont ever want to switch back. The size and weight difference is quite big, and i dont feel cramped with the smaller screen.

 

[gamedrin.93]

If you already have a MBP, I would suggest go with the 11” model.

As you already stated.. having the 12.9” seems redundant, I agree with that. The 11” would seem like a better fit. iPadOS can do the same thing with 11”, so you won’t be missing much.



What gooseneck mount are you referring to?

I bought this

 

[PhallicPhillip]

I have been using the 11’ model for six months, and I have doubts every week about whether I’d be better off with the 12.9’. I think the footprint of the larger model being reduced this generation makes this such a tough choice. For now I’m sticking with my 11’ because I use it for a lot of reading. Next generation I think I’ll try the larger size. But the 11’ has served me well as a laptop replacement, especially now with iPadOS (I’m using the beta and loving it.)

 

[wib]

Here in Switzerland, not every retailer is ok with taking back products that are unsealed. It's ok, if you know that - and because it was a gift from my wife I was yet to open it.

But I can report that I opened the box and I'm setting up my first 12.9" iPad Pro next to my MB Pro 13" and my 24" monitor on the desk. And this is where my assumption comes to life - you need to use it a bit to confirm it's the right size. And 12.9" is my size for now. And there is hope, that I will get a smaller iPad in the future - just because of portability. But for the next four years, I'll be learning the stuff out of myself for the school to be able to do that

I'm happy - and I hope everyone will be too as soon as possible. Don't hesitate to ask etc.

Wow! The iPad screen looks much bigger than the MB Pro!!!!

Your picture seems to show a big difference. We'll have to hope the people who said they don't need a 12.9 as they already have a 13 inch don't see that...they may end up wavering...

Enjoy your tech!

 

[maflynn]

Been using a 12.9 for 3.5 years. Bought a 10.5 2 weeks ago, and i dont ever want to switch back. The size and weight difference is quite big, and i dont feel cramped with the smaller screen.

So you prefer the smaller version? Is there anything on the 12.9 that you miss?

I have doubts every week about whether I’d be better off with the 12.9’.

That's me, though I feel like for my usage it boils down to usage while holding it. Maybe I'd get used to it, but it just feels like I'd be holding a ginormous slab of glass

 

[spraycansoul]

Went to view iPad Pro's on Apple website (education store) , looks like its down at the moment.

 

[maflynn]

Went to view iPad Pro's on Apple website (education store) , looks like its down at the moment.

I'd say its down to roll out the summer incentives, you know buy a mac and get a beats or a gift card

 

[navier]

I bought this

I can't open the link, can you check it please?