iPad Pro 11 or 12.9 Pro ?

[c14nhl]

My 1st iPad was the Air 2. Since owning the Air 2, the iPad has been my only computer in the home. I have a work supplied Windows laptop for work, which can only be used for work.

Since the Air 2, I’ve had each iteration of the iPad Pro with Pencil & Apple made keyboard case. I’ve always chosen the smaller of the 2 devices but had envy of those with the 12.9”. I wanted the extra screen real estate but this size seemed too much, not portable enough.

I have the 2018 11” and today received the 2020 12.9”, finally deciding to give it a shot.

I‘ve of course not had the device long and I won’t be travelling with it any time soon due to what is going on in the world. But from the limited time I’ve had, I’m delighted to have went for the 12.9”.

It feels heavier. There is no doubt about that. But dealing with the size isn’t an issue at all. Love having the larger screen. It’s funny how quickly you get used to it actually, going back to the 11” to grab something made it feel very small!

 

[The Game 161]

Back in the 12.9 crew as of tomorrow

 

[Jamacfer]

It feels heavier. There is no doubt about that. But dealing with the size isn’t an issue at all. Love having the larger screen. It’s funny how quickly you get used to it actually, going back to the 11” to grab something made it feel very small!

Hello, what about surfing the internet, reading a book, gaming in the bed or carrying it around home? Does it seem heavy or uncomfortable comparing it to the 11”?

 

[mpConroe]

I would say that 11’’ is the way to go.thats because is similar to the original iPad made with Steve Jobs. 12’’ is for illustrators or someone who doesn’t have a tv and needs bigger screen to watch movies. For me, the more important is the size of SSD. 32GB in old iPad was not enough. 256 seems fine, like a sweet spot.

I just dont like my cover for my new iPad - it doesn’t protect the edges.

 

[c14nhl]

Hello, what about surfing the internet, reading a book, gaming in the bed or carrying it around home? Does it seem heavy or uncomfortable comparing it to the 11”?

I’ll say before I answer that I nearly always use my iPad either resting against my knee or flat on a desk. Because of that I don’t notice the weight during use really.

Carrying around the house, absolutely fine. I say that specifically talking about moving from location to location. I don’t use it on the move.

I rarely play games but I would assume the addition weight would be noticed if the game requires you to hold the device in front of you. Not a game changer, but if you felt the 11” was heavy in that scenario.

Happy to try any specifics if you wish.

 

[ericwn]

I would say that 11’’ is the way to go.thats because is similar to the original iPad made with Steve Jobs. 12’’ is for illustrators or someone who doesn’t have a tv and needs bigger screen to watch movies. For me, the more important is the size of SSD. 32GB in old iPad was not enough. 256 seems fine, like a sweet spot.

I just dont like my cover for my new iPad - it doesn’t protect the edges.

Steve Jobs was long dead and unlikely involved in this. It’s totally different than the first iPad. Bigger screen, different ports and connections, completely different design and the screen even has a different aspect ratio.

The 12.9 is not just for illustrators or content consumption.

 

[ericwn]

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...

Get the 12.9 and try it in the return period. Return it if it doesn’t work out for you.

 

[AVBeatMan]

I’ve recently had 3 iPad’s, the mini, the 11” and the 12’9. I just couldn’t justify keeping all 3 so had a good long think about which one to keep. In the end I decided to keep the 11”. I have a iPhone 11 Pro Max and a 16” MacBook Pro so the 11” fits in nicely in between. The mini was too close to my iPhone and the 12.9 too close to my MacBook.

 

[Jamacfer]

I’ll say before I answer that I nearly always use my iPad either resting against my knee or flat on a desk. Because of that I don’t notice the weight during use really.

Carrying around the house, absolutely fine. I say that specifically talking about moving from location to location. I don’t use it on the move.

I rarely play games but I would assume the addition weight would be noticed if the game requires you to hold the device in front of you. Not a game changer, but if you felt the 11” was heavy in that scenario.

Happy to try any specifics if you wish.

Thanks for your answers! I often use my 10.5” lying on the bed while browsing internet or reading a book so I'm wondering if it would be better for my use to go to 11 or 12...Isn't the screen too big for reading a book?

 

[rui no onna]

Thanks for your answers! I often use my 10.5” lying on the bed while browsing internet or reading a book so I'm wondering if it would be better for my use to go to 11 or 12...Isn't the screen too big for reading a book?

The display is around the size of trade paperbacks or hardcover. The 12.9" display is pretty much the same height as American comics albeit wider.

Most of my books tend to be at ~2:3 aspect ratio. Mind, on 9.7" iPad and bigger, I prefer two column layout in landscape (like an open book ?).

Mind, I do find the 12.9" too big for my taste when reading. If I read at my normal font size, there's too many words per line even in 2-column mode. This kinda breaks my focus so I have to read with much large font size. I tend to read with the iPad 18-24 inches away and the 12.9" kinda feels like I'm sitting on the front row in movie theaters.

 

[kp98077]

Wanting to see now that the 2020 ipad pro has come out this time around who will go for the 11" vs. the 12.9!

 

[sparksd]

I didn't vote as I'm not getting a new iPad this round, but after owning the Air 2, 10.5 Pro and now the 2018 12.9 Pro, I don't think I'll ever buy another iPad smaller than the 12.9. Love that large screen!

 

[Maukey]

Thanks for your answers! I often use my 10.5” lying on the bed while browsing internet or reading a book so I'm wondering if it would be better for my use to go to 11 or 12...Isn't the screen too big for reading a book?

I wouldn't say it's too big for reading a book. As someone who temporarily owned both the 12.9 and 11 back in 2018, it's all in how you plan to hold/use it. I tell people visualize your use cases. Will you be sitting mostly? Do you you see yourself walking around with it in one hand with a cup of coffee in the other? This may sound funny, but will you use it on the toilet? I say if you're going to be carrying it and using it a lot, the 11 inch is the better buy in my opinion. It operates as a handheld tablet better due to it's smaller size and dimensions. If most of your use case is at a desk or you'll mostly be sitting with it resting on something, the 12.9 is fine and you get the benefit of the bigger screen.

My general advice is, if you own a MacBook or any laptop, get the 11. If you don't have a laptop or you're looking to replace a laptop, I would go for the 12.9. For me I chose the 11 because for as long as I can only do Plex Server and Emulators on MacOS or Windows, I will always own a MacBook. I know some will say you can just get an iMac or Mac Mini for Plex use, but I prefer a Laptop because I value flexibility even in my main computer. There are times that I will carry both my Laptop and iPad on trips, another advantage I might add for the 11 inch in that it adds less weight to this combo. Mostly, I use my iPad in mobility scenarios and my Laptop stationary and for serious productivity. The 11 for me is better for walking around with my tablet which I love to do, for using in bed, and for taking notes while standing and holding. The 11 fits in more tight spaces. For example, I work from home and use my iPad and MacBook while working from my company issued Laptop and Monitor. My iPad sits right under my monitor perfectly as you can see in my picture. The 12.9 would block the screen. This may not be big for many, but it's a big deal for me. I use my iPad for TV/News while I'm working. I love it right below my work monitor in my line of sight ?. Fyi, that's as high as my monitor will raise. It's like it was made for the 11

 

[kp98077]

I didn't vote as I'm not getting a new iPad this round, but after owning the Air 2, 10.5 Pro and now the 2018 12.9 Pro, I don't think I'll ever buy another iPad smaller than the 12.9. Love that large screen!

yeah it is nice but the keyboard makes it so big!

 

[AutomaticApple]

Wanting to see now that the 2020 ipad pro has come out this time around who will go for the 11" vs. the 12.9!

I'm leaning towards the 11-inch version. It seems much more portable.

 

[sparksd]

yeah it is nice but the keyboard makes it so big!

Hasn't ever been a bother to me but this is one of those personal preference issues.

 

[rowspaxe]

Wonder what the 11 vs 12.9 sale ratio is. I own both

 

[rui no onna]

For me I chose the 11 because for as long as I can only do Plex Server and Emulators on MacOS or Windows, I will always own a MacBook. I know some will say you can just get an iMac or Mac Mini for Plex use, but I prefer a Laptop because I value flexibility even in my main computer. There are times that I will carry both my Laptop and iPad on trips, another advantage I might add for the 11 inch in that it adds less weight to this combo.

Same. Unless Apple allows direct file system access and foregoes sandboxing, there are apps that will never be ported to the official App Store so I expect I'll always need a PC.

I actually do have both NAS and desktop that are used as always on Plex Server. However, the laptop serves as my on-the-go Plex Server, Calibre server and web browser for sites that don't work on Safari on the iPad (a lot fewer than before but not completely non-existent yet).

 

[KittyKatta]

The Magic Keyboard made the whole 11 vs 12.9 decision more difficult than it used to be.

I’m not voting because I’m still flip flopping on returning my Pro11 (2018) for a 12.9 (2018) or a 11 (2020).

 

[rui no onna]

Wanting to see now that the 2020 ipad pro has come out this time around who will go for the 11" vs. the 12.9!

If the 1TB LTE 2018 Pro 12.9 is not in stock on the refurb store by the time I buy, then I'll most likely opt for the 2020 Pro 12.9.

It's the iPad size that would benefit most from the upgrade (weight/size reduction plus FaceID's easier than TouchID while working on a desk).

 

[Precursor]

Thanks! Maybe it should simply measure my bags it has to fit....

Can your bag fit in a book the size of A4 paper?

 

[rui no onna]

Can your bag fit in a book the size of A4 paper?

The 12.9" should have no issues fitting in most backpacks unless one is using kiddie or designer mini-backpacks.

Purses are a different matter. My purses can only accommodate up to mid-size models. Even the old style iPad 2-4 are too big for most of my purses.

 

[ascender]

Mouse support has convinced me to give up waiting for a new MacBook Pro and I'm going for a 12.9" iPad. When I've tried to do this in the past, the lack of a pointer was what drove me to despair as I'd be sitting at a desk and constantly touching the screen in Safari.

 

[Soccerrick10]

The 12.9” is the size of an American 8.5” x 11” pad of paper but thinner. I’ve got a 2018 model that I return the 11” to purchase. Best decision I could have made.

 

[ascender]

What I will say is that when I last had a 12.9” iPad Pro, I still used the standard iPad for lots of content consumption in the house. So if you’re just going to have a single iPad, the 11” may we’ll be a better option.