iPad Pro 11 or 12.9 Pro ?

[secretk]

I do not understand how can you write that we do not know what are needs of people or how may people... especially when you have this topic with 94 pages and survey that can answer that quite well.

I guess I was not clear. The survey tells me how many people want 12.9 inch iPad. The survey in itself does not tell me why they want this size and like I mentioned there are different reasons for this. Anyway I answered back to a completely different discussion/question opened in this thread just few posts above. Namely can the proper support of external monitors in iOS affect the choice people make when it comes to iPad Pro size. I provided some ideas/speculations as to whether it can or not and if it can why. That's all.

 

[Denis1987]

I got 12.9 today. I hope it won't be too big!

 

[augustya]

You might need multiple monitors more than you need a 12.9” iPad. Granted, this situation is temporary, so only you know what’s best for you.

I can say that I have triple 27” monitors and, if I needed more screen space, it wouldn’t fall on my iPad’s form factor to get me there. Work is work. I’ll spare no expense, but picking the right tools for the job is essential.

Since you have a whopping 27" Monitor can you confirm if Netflix plays full screen on the external monitor ? Or with with Black Bars on both sides ?

 

[triangletechie]

Black 12.9" Folio Case:

 

[Jamacfer]

My experience. A couple of weeks ago I decided (after several days of toughts on which size to choose... ) to replace my iPad Pro 10.5“ 2017 with the 11”. I chose that size since until now I considered all the iPads I owned (several) only as content consumption devices. Last week I received it but honestly I was a bit disappointed for 2 reasons. In particular, it seemed very similar to my previous one but especially, for the first time after 10 years, I believe that the iPad almost got the potential to replace my old 2013 MacBook Air and join my iMac in my (dream) team. To express this potential the 11”, while being great, seemed kinda limited so I finally decided to replace it with the 12.9“. Now I do wish to have a device that I can use both in my free time and at work.

 

[acangiano]

In the end, after much deliberation, I ordered the 12.9" version.

A key argument I have not seen many people make is that there are cheap 10-11" devices but not cheap 12.9" devices. So if you invest so much in the larger iPad, you can always buy a cheap smaller iPad for when you need portability. If you invest in the iPad Pro 11" and realize you need a bigger screen, you are out of luck, short of selling the existing iPad Pro.

If you are curious, I wrote about my full decision process on my blog: https://programmingzen.com/ipad-pro-11-vs-12-9-which-one/

 

[Precursor]

Since you have a whopping 27" Monitor can you confirm if Netflix plays full screen on the external monitor ? Or with with Black Bars on both sides ?

It does play full screen on mine (no black bars on sides)

 

[petvas]

I now have been using (again) the 12,9“ iPad for the last three weeks and I have to say that I don’t mind the size anymore. I bought the 12,9“ last year and found it to be big, so I went with the 11“ model. Three weeks ago I bought the 2020 12,9“ iPad and I love the bigger size. Multitasking works great and of course the Magic Keyboard makes the bigger iPad a very nice machine, which I can use for almost anything I need to. I myself said that the 11“ is better suited for tablet use, but if you don’t mind the extra size and you decide that using the iPad is a two handed operation, then the 12,9“ is a great choice.

 

[AVBeatMan]

I’ve changed my mind and joined the 12.9" club. Had to try the new 2020 model out. Wow, it’s gorgeous!

I know my earlier comments focused on the portability of the 11" but the 12.9 is only slightly larger "on paper" but seems huge "in the flesh". It also seems lighter than my previous 12.9? Does anyone know if the 2020 models are lighter?

I went with the 128GB as my 11" pro has only used 50GB. That’s a 256GB but I’ve never got close to that. I also went for the cellular model although I’m not sure I need it. I bought a cheap case off Amazon that is the same as the Apple Smart Cover but a hell of a lot cheaper (£23) and will probably get the Apple Smart Keyboard but not the magic keyboard that’s crazy stupid expensive.

 

[rkuo]

I’ve changed my mind and joined the 12.9" club. Had to try the new 2020 model out. Wow, it’s gorgeous!

I know my earlier comments focused on the portability of the 11" but the 12.9 is only slightly larger "on paper" but seems huge "in the flesh". It also seems lighter than my previous 12.9? Does anyone know if the 2020 models are lighter?

I went with the 128GB as my 11" pro has only used 50GB. That’s a 256GB but I’ve never got close to that. I also went for the cellular model although I’m not sure I need it. I bought a cheap case off Amazon that is the same as the Apple Smart Cover but a hell of a lot cheaper (£23) and will probably get the Apple Smart Keyboard but not the magic keyboard that’s crazy stupid expensive.

Doing the math on the extra screen area ...

VS a 9.7" ipad, the 11" has about 25% extra screen area and the 12.9 has about 70%.

VS the 11", the 12.9" has 42% more screen area. I'd characterize it as a moderately large increase ... it makes things a lot nicer, but there isn't really anything on the 12.9" you can't do on the 11".
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In the end, after much deliberation, I ordered the 12.9" version.

A key argument I have not seen many people make is that there are cheap 10-11" devices but not cheap 12.9" devices. So if you invest so much in the larger iPad, you can always buy a cheap smaller iPad for when you need portability. If you invest in the iPad Pro 11" and realize you need a bigger screen, you are out of luck, short of selling the existing iPad Pro.

If you are curious, I wrote about my full decision process on my blog: https://programmingzen.com/ipad-pro-11-vs-12-9-which-one/

Love the thought that went into this. I think the same way.

Honestly, having had a few of these, there's reasons to use both form factors, so that's why the choice is difficult. I certainly found myself picking up one or the other in different situations.

The more you use the iPad in laptop mode or draw on it, the more you'll value the extra screen size of the 12.9.

The more you rely on more powerful devices or form factors to do your real work, the less you'll care about the 12.9.

The draw of the 11" to me is that it's the best all rounder ... and being more portable, it's more likely to go places with me ... like a secret tech weapon I've always got around in case things get serious! The 12.9 feels like it requires more intent and deliberation to bring out. Yet, around the house, I'd very often pick up the 12.9 instead just for the extra screen space at the dining table or the like.

 

[adamfozzy]

Does the possibility of extended desktop change anyone's opinion on the 11 v 12.9 debate?

 

[rkuo]

Since you have a whopping 27" Monitor can you confirm if Netflix plays full screen on the external monitor ? Or with with Black Bars on both sides ?

The monitors are used with a desktop, not the iPad, so unfortunately I can't answer your question. I've seen nothing yet that makes me desire to hook my iPad up to a monitor.

 

[shoppy]

After owning both over the last 2 years; I realised that my 11” has stayed in the cupboard for the last 4 months and I have used my 12”. So I have replaced the 12” pro for a new one and have decided not to get a new 11.

I have an iPhone 11 Pro Max ao it does the job of of playing the odd game games if I want to consume content I just grab my 12” iPad Pro and use that for most things around the house.
I guess if I had a smaller phone I would have used the 11 more.

 

[Jára Tyky]

In the end, after much deliberation, I ordered the 12.9" version.

A key argument I have not seen many people make is that there are cheap 10-11" devices but not cheap 12.9" devices. So if you invest so much in the larger iPad, you can always buy a cheap smaller iPad for when you need portability. If you invest in the iPad Pro 11" and realize you need a bigger screen, you are out of luck, short of selling the existing iPad Pro.

If you are curious, I wrote about my full decision process on my blog: https://programmingzen.com/ipad-pro-11-vs-12-9-which-one/

This is ridiculous thinking..
If we invest to larger iPad, the solution is to buy another? WTF? So lets go count. Even If I buy iPad Air 2019, it will be the half price of iPad Pro (you can argument that there are another cheap iPads. The truth is there are not. I have iPad Air 2 and it is useless today - not powerful to do common tasks and battery will not survive anything).
So as you said If we invest in 11” and realize that we need bigger screen we have to sell the existing iPad Pro, we are out of luck. So firstly we are not because we have iMac or Macbook. And if we sell the 11” we will have to buy the larger one, the price difference will not be the price of new iPad.

Btw I have returned 12.9 (2020) for 11”. But now I am going to return 11” as well and go for larger one.
With 11” I am missing something and it feels like having second Air 2.

 

[augustya]

It does play full screen on mine (no black bars on sides)

is that with Netflix is what you are talking about ? or which APP ? When you play Netflix does it play the Movie full screen on your external monitor ?

 

[ericwn]

This is ridiculous thinking..
If we invest to larger iPad, the solution is to buy another? WTF? So lets go count. Even If I buy iPad Air 2019, it will be the half price of iPad Pro (you can argument that there are another cheap iPads. The truth is there are not. I have iPad Air 2 and it is useless today - not powerful to do common tasks and battery will not survive anything).
So as you said If we invest in 11” and realize that we need bigger screen we have to sell the existing iPad Pro, we are out of luck. So firstly we are not because we have iMac or Macbook. And if we sell the 11” we will have to buy the larger one, the price difference will not be the price of new iPad.

Btw I have returned 12.9 (2020) for 11”. But now I am going to return 11” as well and go for larger one.
With 11” I am missing something and it feels like having second Air 2.

How is your Air 2 useless? I have one in the house that still runs the latest iOS and works pretty well. Sure, no pencil but that’s known. Useless I find hyperbole.

 

[Jára Tyky]

I would like to know as well. I saw a video review where guy was playing Ironman on 12.9” in full screen without black bars. That was one of the reason why I went for change. The aspect ratio of 11” should be better for movies (less black bars).
But it is not true. I found out that some our local TV apps (like HBOGO) are playing on 11” movies with black bars on every side (left and right as well). So you are actually using less screen than 11”.
So it depends. Sometimes there are smaller black bars on 11” (AppleTV+), sometimes there are none black bars at 12.9” and sometimes you have 4 black bars on 11”.

 

[sparksd]

is that with Netflix is what you are talking about ? or which APP ? When you play Netflix does it play the Movie full screen on your external monitor ?

Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu apps will all use full screen on an external monitor - I can verify that as I use them. As will video player apps nPlayer, Infuse, and VLC.

 

[rui no onna]

I would like to know as well. I saw a video review where guy was playing Ironman on 12.9” in full screen without black bars.

That just means the movie is being heavily cropped.

 

[C. Robert]

My 12.9 is my only computing device, besides my iPhone, and Apple Watch. I absolutely loved the portability of my 11 but I had a MacBook Pro that I could alongside it and that was fine. Now that I use a 12.9 the 11 seems so small and cramped (it isn’t). There are plenty of times that I wish I had my 11 but in actuality I just use my iPhone 11 pro Mac for those situations. Once i Got use to the 12.9 I don’t think anything out right now can replace it. From drawing, taking notes, media consumption, email, multi tasking, work, and portability.

 

[Jamacfer]

I agree. The 11” is great as a tablet and kinda cramped as a computer. The 12.9 is slightly too big as a tablet but it is the winner to use it as a “smart hybrid” between a tablet and a laptop computer.

 

[Johnny Steps]

11” if you have a laptop already and just want that ‘side’ item to bring alongside with or 12.9“ if you’re looking for the ‘laptop replacement’ like I have. I originally had an 11” and it worked perfectly fine to take notes on, sketch, watch videos, etc. When I decided to replace my laptop, I gave the 11” to my SO and got a 12.9”.

 

[cambookpro]

Doing the math on the extra screen area ...

VS a 9.7" ipad, the 11" has about 25% extra screen area and the 12.9 has about 70%.

VS the 11", the 12.9" has 42% more screen area. I'd characterize it as a moderately large increase ... it makes things a lot nicer, but there isn't really anything on the 12.9" you can't do on the 11".

Whilst it's true that there's nothing fundamentally different you can do on the 12.9 vs the 11, the 12.9 does have some layout differences like three-column Mail and Notes, and full iPad UI for apps in split screen. This might make some tasks a lot easier.

Personally I'm still happy with my 10.5" Pro, but strongly considering going to a 12.9" if the Pro apps rumour is true.

 

[subjonas]

Personally I'm still happy with my 10.5" Pro, but strongly considering going to a 12.9" if the Pro apps rumour is true.

Do you mean the xcode rumor? I didn’t understand why the leaker said that opens the door for pro apps to come to iPad. Is it a technical or psychological reason or something else?

 

[cambookpro]

Do you mean the xcode rumor? I didn’t understand why the leaker said that opens the door for pro apps to come to iPad. Is it a technical or psychological reason or something else?

Jon Prosser (if that’s who you were referring to) says he’s very confident all of Xcode, FCP and Logic are coming to the iPad within the next year. I’m sceptical, but would definitely be interested in trying them if they were true.