iPad Pro 12.9" Portability?

[Aluminum213]

Define portability? Of course you can take the 12.9 inch iPad with you anywhere you can take anything with you anywhere, you can take a desktop computer with you anywhere. Portability really means how light weight is it and how heavy and what is the footprint of the device. You cannot hold the 12.9 inch iPad comfortably in your lap, it is essentially a desktop laptop

 

[44267547]

Define portability? Of course you can take the 12.9 inch iPad with you anywhere you can take anything with you anywhere, you can take a desktop computer with you anywhere. Portability really means how light weight is it and how heavy and what is the footprint of the device. You cannot hold the 12.9 inch iPad comfortably in your lap, it is essentially a desktop laptop

Portability ultimately comes down to comfortability. Only the user can decide if it's actually a portable enough by their standards and what else they carry with them.

That said, your last sentence about how someone cannot hold a 12.9 inch iPad comfortably in their lap or what have you, is not necessarily true. There are other members who have stated they can. Again, it comes down to comfortability. But I do agree with you that the 12.9 iPad is primarily a desktop replacement, as Apple is intending it to be that way and is traveling that direction with iOS 11.

 

[danmart]

You cannot hold the 12.9 inch iPad comfortably in your lap

Photo says differently...

 

[Aluminum213]

Photo says differently...

Are your knees up or are you using a stand? Because no iPad stand is comfortable on a lap

 

[danmart]

That's the Apple Smart Cover. Completely comfortable.

 

[Dunbar]

I find that it's possible to use the 12.9" IPP like that but a little unstable if you push on the screen. I usually set it next to me on the couch with the keyboard case out to stabilize it.

 

[max2]

I find that it's possible to use the 12.9" IPP like that but a little unstable if you push on the screen. I usually set it next to me on the couch with the keyboard case out to stabilize it.

I totally agree even my iPad Air 2 has this problem.

 

[triple-tap]

I totally agree even my iPad Air 2 has this problem.

I previously had an iPad Pro 12.9 before. Going to the 9.7 inch. I loved the screen real estate, but I find the 9.7 is a perfect mix (for me, at least) of mobility and usability.

 

[Arran]

I've carried the 12.9 with me since launch. The best part for me is when I travel, duet display gives me a A BUNCH of extra screen real estate. I use it for that more than anything. As for lugging it around, it's not much on top of a 15 inch MBP that's already in my backpack.

+1 for Duet Display (an app that makes my 12.9" iPad function as a secondary display for my windows laptop.)

I love having a second display for work when I'm on the road. The extra weight added to my laptop in a backpack is negligible. I'll happily carry the ipad anywhere I think I might need it: That can be daily commutes to the local office or weekly US/international trips. After hours, it's as good as a personal laptop for me. Great device.

 

[44267547]

I previously had an iPad Pro 12.9 before. Going to the 9.7 inch. I loved the screen real estate, but I find the 9.7 is a perfect mix (for me, at least) of mobility and usability.

I'm looking forward to next week when iPad users start receiving the new 10.5 iPad and what their initial thoughts are on the overall size and footprint of the device compared to the 9.7.

 

[danmart]

I find that it's possible to use the 12.9" IPP like that but a little unstable if you push on the screen. I usually set it next to me on the couch with the keyboard case out to stabilize it.

Sure, I wouldn't type with just that for support. Then I would probably sit with my knees up and the iPad the other way round so the triangle of smart case is lifting the iPad up further.

But still comfortable

 

[biosci]

Anyone using Duet display well with the 9.7"

 

[alba63]

Question probably cannot be answered universally. I find the 12.9 too large and heavy for holding it in 1 hand, it is more a static than a purely mobile device, but then again: a 10.5 with smart keyboard/ cover is as heavy as a 12.9 without, which is partly balanced by the fact that typing on the screen keyboard on a 12.9 is quite comfortable due to it's size.

So it can only be answered individually. At home I naturally sit down in front of my Win10 PC (where I am typing this right now) which is much more verstile in it's functionality as a table can ever be, at work there are PCs as well so no need for a big tablet, and while walking around a big phone is all I would ever want to carry around. So this leaves the 12.9 in a difficult position... I want a new pro to replace my iPAD2 (2011) for photo viewing, but am still undecided which size. Most likely the 10.5, except testing both will convince me of the bigger one. But not very likely.

 

[c14nhl]

That's a great point I hadn't considered, any additional weight with the Smart Keyboard.

I have the ASK for the 9.7 which I take to and from work but rarely use, I'm mostly taking notes with the Pencil.

I'll need to drop by an Apple Store soon to get a feel of the size of the on-screen of the 12.9. I've never really disliked typing on-screen, what I don't enjoy about the experience is the smaller view of the content above the on-screen.

I'm still torn between both new iPads.

 

[alba63]

True, onscreen keyboard partly obstructs the display. However - and that is mostly my subjective point - carrying, unfolding a keyboard goes against the quick- use appeal of a tablet. I like it to be simple, in one piece. Which is also why I never liked notebooks. but there is only one way to find out which one works best for you - try out both in the store, better: play around with the big one for at least one hour or so (most know the smaller ones by their previous experience).
I try hard - so to say - to like the big one (mind always tends to the "bigger is better reflex"), but I feel the smaller one suits my type of use better.

 

[biosci]

Question probably cannot be answered universally. I find the 12.9 too large and heavy for holding it in 1 hand, it is more a static than a purely mobile device, but then again: a 10.5 with smart keyboard/ cover is as heavy as a 12.9 without, which is partly balanced by the fact that typing on the screen keyboard on a 12.9 is quite comfortable due to it's size.

So it can only be answered individually. At home I naturally sit down in front of my Win10 PC (where I am typing this right now) which is much more verstile in it's functionality as a table can ever be, at work there are PCs as well so no need for a big tablet, and while walking around a big phone is all I would ever want to carry around. So this leaves the 12.9 in a difficult position... I want a new pro to replace my iPAD2 (2011) for photo viewing, but am still undecided which size. Most likely the 10.5, except testing both will convince me of the bigger one. But not very likely.

You could always detach the keyboard! Using it one handed doesn't need it anyway!

 

[Lucifer666]

It's funny how these fit in a niche between a phone and a laptop. The 12.9 is just closer to a laptop, but still like a large phone (very large ). It's big, but fits in places even a small laptop cannot venture.