iPad Pro 11 or 12.9 Pro ?

[retta283]

Having owned a 9.7 iPad for 10 years, then moving to the 12.9, I would not want any smaller than 12.9 now. For how I use it, I could probably go even larger if they offered one. But of course it's not as portable, so that's something to consider.

My thoughts on this are simple:
If you are using the device stationary, get the 12.9.
If you are using it as a portable, either one can work, but the 11 is obviously more fitting to this task.

 

[Jamacfer]

Having owned a 9.7 iPad for 10 years, then moving to the 12.9, I would not want any smaller than 12.9 now. For how I use it, I could probably go even larger if they offered one. But of course it's not as portable, so that's something to consider.

My thoughts on this are simple:
If you are using the device stationary, get the 12.9.
If you are using it as a portable, either one can work, but the 11 is obviously more fitting to this task.

What about using it the most of the time in the house but “as a portable inside the house” I mean on the bed, on the couch, on a desk etc...?

 

[jcshas]

What about using (reading, surfing etc.) the 12.9” while lying on the bed compared to the 11”. Which one do you feel more comfortable?

I ordered the Smart Cover but it doesn’t arrive until Wednesday, so until then I don’t really have any way to prop the iPad up while laying in bed.

 

[retta283]

What about using it the most of the time in the house but “as a portable inside the house” I mean on the bed, on the couch, on a desk etc...?

The only iPad that is really "comfortable" to use in bed, would be the Mini, IMO. The 12.9 weighs 1.391 lb, and the 11 weighs 1.032 lb. For reference, the iPad Air 1st generation weighed 1.036 lb. I have no problem using it around the house.

I don't find the weight difference to be great enough to sacrifice the extra screen size. Being that iPads are closer to 4:3 than 16:9, you get black bars. So for video, the actual viewable area is less. Browsing is easier for me on the 12.9, as the web pages are closer to their true versions, and text is easier to read.

 

[kp98077]

I ordered the Smart Cover but it doesn’t arrive until Wednesday, so until then I don’t really have any way to prop the iPad up while laying in bed.

I had the 11" for a few days just exchanged for a 12, I feel its pretty easy to hold like a piece of paper and its super thin!! easier to read on the 12 because the text is larger IMO. its a joy!
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12.9 is too big. For digital artists, great though, but Macbook 12” is much more comfortable to use. And also smaller...

MacBook 12 is way slower...
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That’s the biggest concern for me.

Does anyone have a good experience with a 12.9-inch iPad on the couch?

works for me on the coach a beautiful reader for newspapers and literature...
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is the 2020 12" iPad thinner? seems thinner to me!

 

[Osamede]

The 11” iPP can do everything the 12.9” can do, and is more comfortable to me when I’m holding it standing or on the couch or whatever. It’s my full laptop replacement, and I don’t think it’s any less PRO. It’s just a simple trade off between screen real estate and portability and that comes down to our individual use cases. Both are great options.

Of course it cannot do everything - it’s got a smaller screen so not as big view area. And cannot to the two equal apps side by side.

Nothing wrong with the 11 inch but let’s not perpetrate a myth that they are the same. They are not. Each has its pluses and minuses.

 

[el beisbol]

You really honed in in the first sentence of my post there and not so much the rest. But what does this mean?

And cannot to the two equal apps side by side.

 

[ericwn]

What about using it the most of the time in the house but “as a portable inside the house” I mean on the bed, on the couch, on a desk etc...?

Sounds like a case for the 11”.

 

[subjonas]

The only iPad that is really "comfortable" to use in bed, would be the Mini, IMO.

I agree. I‘m not sure how people use their regular and especially pro iPads really casually. I’ve seen someone who lies down and holds their 9.7” iPad Pro over their head. I don’t understand it. I’ve tried and it’s so uncomfortable. When I’m lying down or reclining on my bed or couch, or walking around the house, the iPad mini (with a pop socket) is the biggest device I’d ever want.

So for me an iPad Pro doesn’t need to be casual, since my iPad mini fulfills that requirement; it just needs to be really good at productivity and creation while being portable enough. The 12.9” is fits the bill well for me.

One iPad simply can’t be both casual and serious for me. But others have different use cases and tolerances, so if they can get away with one, that’s definitely to their benefit.

 

[Jamacfer]

I agree. I‘m not sure how people use their regular and especially pro iPads really casually. I’ve seen someone who lies down and holds their 9.7” iPad Pro over their head. I don’t understand it. I’ve tried and it’s so uncomfortable. When I’m lying down or reclining on my bed or couch, or walking around the house, the iPad mini (with a pop socket) is the biggest device I’d ever want.

So for me an iPad Pro doesn’t need to be casual, since my iPad mini fulfills that requirement; it just needs to be really good at productivity and creation while being portable enough. The 12.9” is fits the bill well for me.

One iPad simply can’t be both casual and serious for me. But others have different use cases and tolerances, so if they can get away with one, that’s definitely to their benefit.

I would need an “all-round device” for reading books, surfing the internet, watching a movie on the bed or on the couch at home (where I have an iMac for job). Sometimes I need the iPad during long flights and for some office work (Mail, PowerPoint and Word) while abroad. Which size would you suggest?

 

[ilifecomputer]

I would need an “all-round device” for reading books, surfing the internet, watching a movie on the bed or on the couch at home (where I have an iMac for job). Sometimes I need the iPad during long flights and for some office work (Mail, PowerPoint and Word) while abroad. Which size would you suggest?

11 for me with same reasons. add to that that i typically have a 15in laptop with me when I travel, any weight savings is worth it.

 

[jcshas]

11 for me with same reasons. add to that that i typically have a 15in laptop with me when I travel, any weight savings is worth it.

I rarely ever travel with a laptop these days. Usually just my iPad. I think this is where the 12.9 really shines.

 

[subjonas]

I would need an “all-round device” for reading books, surfing the internet, watching a movie on the bed or on the couch at home (where I have an iMac for job). Sometimes I need the iPad during long flights and for some office work (Mail, PowerPoint and Word) while abroad. Which size would you suggest?

The thing is, all those things can be done with any iPad. Heck, they could be done with an iPhone (edit- or MacBook!). So it’s really something only you can decide because there are a myriad of variables that only you know (how long do you read, how do you like to hold your device, are you willing to buy and use accessories like cases and stands and arm mounts, how are your eyes, do you always wear glasses, are the sites you visit optimized for a certain sized screens, how much time do you spend doing each thing, what size is your carry-on, how much other stuff is in there, what is your tolerance for weight, what does your work entail exactly, what size keyboard do you prefer, how much do you need to use split screen, what other devices do you have, where do you go and what do you take with you and how often, do you use a bag, how big is it—it goes on and on).

 

[rui no onna]

The only iPad that is really "comfortable" to use in bed, would be the Mini, IMO. The 12.9 weighs 1.391 lb, and the 11 weighs 1.032 lb. For reference, the iPad Air 1st generation weighed 1.036 lb. I have no problem using it around the house.

Nowadays, I find font sizes too small on the mini for web browsing but increasing it tends to mess the layout so I typically go with 9.7-10.5".

I don't carry the full weight of the iPads, though. I have them in ultra-thin portfolio-type trifold cases. Typically use it landscape with folded base/cover propped on a pillow so I'm usually just supporting the corners with a finger. Then just use the thumb for page turns/scrolling. The 12.9 is still quite fatiguing used this way so I rarely use it in bed.

 

[petvas]

I personally find that because Microsoft opted not to release office for the iPad in the beginning, this has given many people years to adjust to a life without office. Personally, factoring away the need for cross-compatibility, I find there are so many other better apps out there that can be used in place of the office suite.

For example? Microsoft Office is the standard in the corporate world and there is nothing like it out there. Of course there is also Google docs, but it doesn't help when all of my customers live in the Microsoft universe.
Anyway, I used my trackpad with my iPad Pro and it didn't change my opinion about the iPad a bit. The lack of serious apps is a major problem for me, so for the moment I will be using my iPad as a consumer device. For everything else I have two Macs..

 

[pedregosa]

I’ve been thinking of replacing my 2018 11 IPP with a 2020 12.9. Just for the screen size upgrade (although the 128 GB storage boost is nice). But I already connect my 11 to an external 21.5-inch 4K monitor much of the time (so much better now with trackpad support). And I’m wondering whether keeping the 11 for portability away from my desk, and using the monitor when at my desk, might not actually be a better choice overall. (I’m one of those people who does “real work” on an iPad, as opposed to just content consumption, mostly writing long documents, researching online databases, and working with, and creating, large PDFs.)

 

[jcshas]

I’ve been thinking of replacing my 2018 11 IPP with a 2020 12.9. Just for the screen size upgrade (although the 128 GB storage boost is nice). But I already connect my 11 to an external 21.5-inch 4K monitor much of the time (so much better now with trackpad support). And I’m wondering whether keeping the 11 for portability away from my desk, and using the monitor when at my desk, might not actually be a better choice overall. (I’m one of those people who does “real work” on an iPad, mostly writing long documents, researching online databases, and working with, and creating, large PDFs.)

Having both the 11” and 12.9” would be great, but I think you might find the 12.9” is the best of both worlds. I just upgraded from a 2018 11” IPP to the 2020 12.9 yesterday and I absolutely love it so far.

 

[Angler]

Having both the 11” and 12.9” would be great, but I think you might find the 12.9” is the best of both worlds. I just upgraded from a 2018 11” IPP to the 2020 12.9 yesterday and I absolutely love it so far.

That’s funny you say that. I did the same thing. Received the 12.9 on Wednesday loved it for two days. Really liked the extra real estate, by day 3 I was getting tired of how big it was and how it felt in hand. I went back and forth using both of them and decided I woukd rather give up the extra real estate for the portability and how it feels in hand. The 12.9 is all packed up and ready to be shipped back to Apple tomorrow.

 

[sparksd]

That’s funny you say that. I did the same thing. Received the 12.9 on Wednesday loved it for two days. Really liked the extra real estate, by day 3 I was getting tired of how big it was and how it felt in hand. I went back and forth using both of them and decided I woukd rather give up the extra real estate for the portability and how it feels in hand. The 12.9 is all packed up and ready to be shipped back to Apple tomorrow.

Why it always cracks me up when people come here and ask which size to get - it varies from person to person, what you personally like or dislike. You have to try it for yourself and decide.

 

[ofarlig]

Yeah, im having a hard time trying to decide which one I like the most. Been using the wifes 12.9” for 2 days now and some stuff is way better on that, others are worse. Think I will get the 2020 12.9” and try that for a while, worst case is I have to switch back later.

 

[rui no onna]

That’s funny you say that. I did the same thing. Received the 12.9 on Wednesday loved it for two days. Really liked the extra real estate, by day 3 I was getting tired of how big it was and how it felt in hand. I went back and forth using both of them and decided I woukd rather give up the extra real estate for the portability and how it feels in hand. The 12.9 is all packed up and ready to be shipped back to Apple tomorrow.

Lol, took me over a month to get out of the honeymoon period.

In any case, I bought the Pro 12.9 as a complement to a Pro 9.7 and more than fine with having multiples. Right tool for the right job (granted in my case, the job is being able to read double page spread comics in landscape).

 

[sidgriffey]

I have an iPad Mini 5 and an iPad 11 Pro (2018). I’m considering upgrading the 11 to a 2020 12.9 because I use it for grad school and having extra real estate for multitasking (not taking while zoom conferencing) would be nice. Alternative is to trade in my 12” MacBook (2017) and upgrade to the 2020 MacBook Air. What would you all do? The iPad Pro is a more fun device to use all around, and the MacBook is fine right now purely as a lightweight word processing / OS X option.

Lol, took me over a month to get out of the honeymoon period.

In any case, I bought the Pro 12.9 as a complement to a Pro 9.7 and more than fine with having multiples. Right tool for the right job (granted in my case, the job is being able to read double page spread comics in landscape).
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[Angler]

Why it always cracks me up when people come here and ask which size to get - it varies from person to person, what you personally like or dislike. You have to try it for yourself and decide.

So true, plus there is always trade offs. In some environments I really liked the 12.9 over the 11 at other times I liked the 11 over the 12.9. In the end I decided the scale tipped towards the 11. That’s a personal choice and the best way to make that is to experience it. Felt experiences over intellectual experiences.

 

[rui no onna]

I have an iPad Mini 5 and an iPad 11 Pro (2018). I’m considering upgrading the 11 to a 2020 12.9 because I use it for grad school and having extra real estate for multitasking (not taking while zoom conferencing) would be nice. Alternative is to trade in my 12” MacBook (2017) and upgrade to the 2020 MacBook Air. What would you all do? The iPad Pro is a more fun device to use all around, and the MacBook is fine right now purely as a lightweight word processing / OS X option.

Can't really tell you as I don't do those things. Pretty much the only time I even dust off the laptop is right before a long trip and I need to mirror data from my desktop.

 

[GDF]

That’s funny you say that. I did the same thing. Received the 12.9 on Wednesday loved it for two days. Really liked the extra real estate, by day 3 I was getting tired of how big it was and how it felt in hand. I went back and forth using both of them and decided I woukd rather give up the extra real estate for the portability and how it feels in hand. The 12.9 is all packed up and ready to be shipped back to Apple tomorrow.

I think I agree with you. Although, I like my new 12.9 and the weight difference is supposed to very small, it sure feels a lot heavier compared to my 11 Pro. As much as I like the bigger screen, I think I will be keeping the 11. Still waffling...., but 11 much more portable and don’t notice the weight like the 12.9.