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Which is the best iPad Pro ?


  • Total voters
    2,370

Stev150

macrumors regular
Nov 8, 2013
155
239
That's basically what I have. I have a 27 inch iMac, a 15 in MBP (I use this for work now) and then iPad mini, 11 inch Pro and now will get the new 12.9 pro. I will probably give my old pro to my wife.
Nice .. looks more like I will order a 11” pro in the next few days. I just need to decide on a 2018 refurb or 2020 model ? 128gb would probably be sweet spot ?
 

Porterhouse

macrumors 6502
Aug 13, 2011
381
179
USA
Hm, what’s a computer function that the smaller iPad cannot perform? Do you refer to drawing or something where more screen estate is just more comfortable?

Don't get me wrong--I love the 11inch iPad! But I teach online; if I was going to use my iPP as a computer replacement, then I'd probably want the 12.9 just for the larger screen. Otherwise, I'm very happy with the 11. It's the perfect size for putting on my iPad pillow and reading, possibly doing some light work, and anything else that might come up.
 
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DSTOFEL

macrumors 65816
Feb 11, 2011
1,063
817

LostAggie

macrumors 6502a
Aug 15, 2011
510
163
The 12” is awesome! Loved using it but laying in bed or on the couch and using was awkward. Also, my wife would complain at night about the amount of light that 12” screen would generate.

Packing in bags for quick trips that are typically smaller was a pain.
 

Lacos

macrumors member
Jun 27, 2010
56
3
Germany
I really can't decide regarding the size (11" vs. 12.9"). Have an MBP 13" for private usage on my home desktop with a 4k monitor and the MBP 16" for work.

Would use the iPad on my couch for reading/editing work (Word, PDF) documents, surfing and writing mails. Beside this i would like to learn code for iPad OS - i like the AR features of the new iPad (i am working a Java Developer).

I like the idea of the split mode - reading document and browsing, for example. Is the experience better on the 12.9" model? Are there any differences in the apps regarding the size (11" vs. 12.9")?

High mobility is not necessary for me. The iPad would stay at home. Maybe i would take it for vacation oder sometimes to work.

BR, Lacos
 

Fat.tofu

macrumors regular
Mar 24, 2020
121
150
Last year i had this dilema as well. Coming from 1st gen 12.9” i ended getting the 11” 2018 for the portability.

One year later.. still loving the decision. No regret.

I love how portable the 11” is. I can carry it anywhere and fits on most tiny cafe tables and economy class plane tray :)
Mind you i dont use split screen much but i do use slide-over alot and the 11” is sufficient for that.

I do draw, image editing, illustration, layout editing, 3d mockups and i dont find 11” too small, in fact it still amazed me what i can do on this little lightweight machine. The size makes everything fun.

out of topic but ipad 11 pro completely makes my macbook pro 2018 95% collecting dust i ended up selling it.

My suggestion is if you always almost gonna use the ipad on the table, the 12.9 is great for the larger screen. But if you want to carry your ipad everywhere like i do and use it one hand like a tablet, pick the 11” for sure :) I think its a more versatile size.

Oh also if you do a lot of typing on the 11”, do get the smart / external keyboard because the on-screen keyboard blocks like 50% of the screen when on landscape... ?
 
Last edited:

Fat.tofu

macrumors regular
Mar 24, 2020
121
150
Thank you. Mobilitiy is not a heavy case for me. Still take the 11"?

In that case get the 12.9” for the extra screen estate and better split screen

on 12.9”, if you split screen 50% | 50% you still get regular sized UI on both
on 11”, both apps turns into a compact mode ( similar to iphone ui but wider)

ref:

Hope it helps.


B313F053-1FB9-4860-8D15-889587FFF3A5.jpeg
 

GDF

macrumors 68000
Jun 7, 2010
1,511
1,599
Based on what I see on this forum, 50 percent of the people get the 11 and the other 50 percent get the 12.9. I have the 11 and always have had the smaller size, but this time trying the 12.9 for more screen. Really don’t think portability will be that bad, but will see.

I have MS Surface X and really like that. Seems more modern than the iPad now look wise. I am so into the Apple ecosystem, that it is hard to switch though and wish I could get my texts/imessages on the SPX too, but not able too, so thought the 12.9 iPad would be closer to the SPX.

If I don’t like the 12.9, I will just return and keep my 11. :)
 

metalsiren

macrumors 6502a
Oct 28, 2017
908
1,627
Based on what I see on this forum, 50 percent of the people get the 11 and the other 50 percent get the 12.9. I have the 11 and always have had the smaller size, but this time trying the 12.9 for more screen. Really don’t think portability will be that bad, but will see.

I have MS Surface X and really like that. Seems more modern than the iPad now look wise. I am so into the Apple ecosystem, that it is hard to switch though and wish I could get my texts/imessages on the SPX too, but not able too, so thought the 12.9 iPad would be closer to the SPX.

If I don’t like the 12.9, I will just return and keep my 11. :)

yea I had the SPX and it made me realize that I missed the bigger screen, comping from my 11in 2018 that is so trying the 12.9. I returned the SPX because the main apps I needed where only x86 and not ARM but hardware wise was really nice.
 
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GDF

macrumors 68000
Jun 7, 2010
1,511
1,599
yea I had the SPX and it made me realize that I missed the bigger screen, comping from my 11in 2018 that is so trying the 12.9. I returned the SPX because the main apps I needed where only x86 and not ARM but hardware wise was really nice.

Make sense. I really like the form factor of the SPX. I think it looks more modern than the iPad now. Apple really needs to update the designs on the next Pro update. Resting on their laurels is not good. :)
 

MDePew24

macrumors 6502
Jun 23, 2008
252
147
Ballwin, MO
Nice .. looks more like I will order a 11” pro in the next few days. I just need to decide on a 2018 refurb or 2020 model ? 128gb would probably be sweet spot ?
You're good with a 2018 model in my opinion.
[automerge]1585073553[/automerge]
I have a 27" iMac in my home office and have had a 11" iPad since Dec 18, thinking of getting the 12.9" next and give my wife my 11" to replace her iPad 5.
I only travel with it 3-4 times a year so will just get base model 128gb wifi.

Only thing not sure is in bed as can hold the 11" iPad in one hand.
This is my exact situation.
 

subjonas

macrumors 603
Feb 10, 2014
6,258
6,737
Make sense. I really like the form factor of the SPX. I think it looks more modern than the iPad now. Apple really needs to update the designs on the next Pro update. Resting on their laurels is not good. :)
Eh? Apple just redesigned the iPad Pro a year and a half ago. How often should companies overhaul their designs? Not to mention the ipp and spx look pretty similar. Everything is just turning into a glass slate with slim bezels.
 

GDF

macrumors 68000
Jun 7, 2010
1,511
1,599
Eh? Apple just redesigned the iPad Pro a year and a half ago. How often should companies overhaul their designs? Not to mention the ipp and spx look pretty similar. Everything is just turning into a glass slate with slim bezels.

Eh - still looks similar to the older ones. Check out a SPX. Looks much sleeker. I am an Apple Fanboy and have heard similar comments from other people that love their iPads too. The Pro is not that much different than the old gens. :)
 

subjonas

macrumors 603
Feb 10, 2014
6,258
6,737
Eh - still looks similar to the older ones. Check out a SPX. Looks much sleeker. I am an Apple Fanboy and have heard similar comments from other people that love their iPads too. The Pro is not that much different than the old gens. :)
I have seen the SPX. We’ll just have to disagree on pretty much all counts.
 

limesmoothie

macrumors 6502a
Apr 20, 2009
919
697
Edinburgh, Scotland
I've gone 12.9 on the 2020 Pro, I've been using a 10.5 Air for about 6 months and it is great for trips on the go, but I'm keen to have more screen real estate.

I take my MBP 13 out with me most days, so the 12.9 is not a big difference. If it is too big, I can swap it out for an 11.
 

lowfreq

macrumors member
Mar 8, 2020
66
18
I've always had the 10.5-11" iPads, and currently have a an 11"2018 iPad Pro..

Im doing more with online learning so figured the 12.9" would be better suited for that. Deteriorating eyesight also plays a factor in this sadly. I just simply am becoming less and less able to use smaller screens for somethings.
 

mikemj23

macrumors 6502
Jul 27, 2010
472
208
Last year i had this dilema as well. Coming from 1st gen 12.9” i ended getting the 11” 2018 for the portability.

One year later.. still loving the decision. No regret.

I love how portable the 11” is. I can carry it anywhere and fits on most tiny cafe tables and economy class plane tray :)
Mind you i dont use split screen much but i do use slide-over alot and the 11” is sufficient for that.

I do draw, image editing, illustration, layout editing, 3d mockups and i dont find 11” too small, in fact it still amazed me what i can do on this little lightweight machine. The size makes everything fun.

out of topic but ipad 11 pro completely makes my macbook pro 2018 95% collecting dust i ended up selling it.

My suggestion is if you always almost gonna use the ipad on the table, the 12.9 is great for the larger screen. But if you want to carry your ipad everywhere like i do and use it one hand like a tablet, pick the 11” for sure :) I think its a more versatile size.

Oh also if you do a lot of typing on the 11”, do get the smart / external keyboard because the on-screen keyboard blocks like 50% of the screen when on landscape... ?
 

Rangers94

macrumors 6502
Sep 20, 2014
337
332
I’m going with the 12.9” along with the Smart Keyboard. I plan on making it my main computer. My iMac is 5 years old now so it’s getting a little long in the tooth and I’m ready to transition to the iPad as my main computer.

My iPhone XS Max display is plenty big and a pleasure to use to browse the internet, consume video, etc...

However, as far as sitting at a desk/table or even using it on your lap,(I love how you can just quickly snap the iPad 12.9” right out of the new Smart Keyboard) the 12.9” iPad Pro will be replacing my iMac. I think it’s time. :)
 
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LostAggie

macrumors 6502a
Aug 15, 2011
510
163
I’m going with the 12.9” along with the Smart Keyboard. I plan on making it my main computer. My iMac is 5 years old now so it’s getting a little long in the tooth and I’m ready to transition to the iPad as my main computer.

My iPhone XS Max display is plenty big and a pleasure to use to browse the internet, consume video, etc...

However, as far as sitting at a desk/table or even using it on your lap,(I love how you can just quickly snap the iPad 12.9” right out of the new Smart Keyboard) the 12.9” iPad Pro will be replacing my iMac. I think it’s time. :)

I could totally see doing this if I wasn’t working on my masters. Too many applications needed...
 
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tothemoonsands

macrumors 6502a
Jun 14, 2018
586
1,279
I’m going with the 12.9” along with the Smart Keyboard. I plan on making it my main computer. My iMac is 5 years old now so it’s getting a little long in the tooth and I’m ready to transition to the iPad as my main computer.

My iPhone XS Max display is plenty big and a pleasure to use to browse the internet, consume video, etc...

However, as far as sitting at a desk/table or even using it on your lap,(I love how you can just quickly snap the iPad 12.9” right out of the new Smart Keyboard) the 12.9” iPad Pro will be replacing my iMac. I think it’s time. :)

Are you opting for the Smart Keyboard over the Magic Keyboard due to cost or availability (now vs. in May) or is there another reason?
 

Thoams

macrumors newbie
Sep 22, 2019
12
30
The Hague, the Netherlands
The 11" vs 12.9" dilemma keeps me up too. I now have a 10.5" iPad Pro that I want to upgrade.
Using it for consuming and photo editing, and I take it with me... ALL THE TIME.

I'd really like to get the 12,9" version, but I'm scared it'll be too big to throw in my backpack...
 
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