All iPads 2018 12.9 iPad Pro 64GB or 2020 12.9 iPad Pro 128GB or 2021 11" M1 iPad Pro

[GloriousAndrew]

My apologies if this question has been asked countless times. A little backstory: this will be my first iPad. I just recently bought the M1 Macbook Air on sale at Best Buy. I have a gaming desktop and a work issued Windows laptop where anything work or finance related gets done. I work from home currently, but once my job returns to the office after labor day, I'll be commuting via the subway into the city. I am looking for a purely media consumption device to enjoy on the couch, in bed and on the subway. It'll mainly be used for Netflix, Twitch, Xfinity Stream, Remote Play with my PS5 (if it works well), and light emailing and web browsing. That is why I am thinking of returning the Macbook Air for an iPad. However, I don't know which one to get. I just saw that Apple is now selling refurbished 2020 iPad Pros with new batteries and outer shells, but I am not sure which one to get. I have been reading threads on here that say there isn't much difference between the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pros. I like the idea of the 12.9 for media consumption, but then I saw that the M1 11" is on sale for $699 at Best Buy. So which would be the best choice?

$629 for the apple refurbished 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 64GB
$749 for the apple refurbished 2020 iPad Pro 12.9 128GB
$699 for the new M1 11" iPad Pro 128GB

Another question: is the $200 difference worth it between the iPad Air that is also on sale for $499?

 

[Shirasaki]

12.9” is so heavy and so massive, I am not sure if you like to use it in bed or on the subway. I carry 11” iPad Pro around a lot and it is already kind of tough to manage unless I have a backpack, especially when my hands are full. I’d not try to carry the 12.9” with me around for grocery shopping simply because it is too dangerous to drop and damage it.

 

[secretk]

I personally would not want to carry 12.9 inch in the subway so I would choose either the 11 inch iPad Pro or the iPad Air. If the size/weight is not an issue for you than let's face it - the bigger screen of the 12.9 is better for media consumption (if we are talking about watching movies).

So yeah for me it depends whether you value more portability or the media consumption aspect.

 

[Mr.Blacky]

I would go for the 12.9" iPad Pro 2020.

 

[svish]

12.9 is not very portable. Go with the 11"

 

[Mr.Blacky]

12.9 is not very portable. Go with the 11"

So people who buy MacBooks are never taking them anywhere? 🤔

 

[svish]

So people who buy MacBooks are never taking them anywhere? 🤔

If I were to buy a device with 12.9" screen size, I would be getting a Macbook and not an iPad.

 

[GloriousAndrew]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I keep hearing varying reports on the portability of the 11 vs 12.9. I know that when I travel/commute, I will have a backpack for my work laptop and hopefully the iPad.

I am debating just getting both and trying both and returning which one I don't like.

 

[secretk]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I keep hearing varying reports on the portability of the 11 vs 12.9. I know that when I travel/commute, I will have a backpack for my work laptop and hopefully the iPad.

For me this is another reason to choose the smaller iPad. For me 12.9 inch iPad is almost like a second laptop and I would not want to carry two laptops in the subway. Then again subway here is always full and quite often I am in the middle of the crowd and I have trouble fitting in backpack there let alone one with two big electronic devices .

I am debating just getting both and trying both and returning which one I don't like.

This is a good idea. Or can you visit Apple store and play around with both?

 

[Mr.Blacky]

If I were to buy a device with 12.9" screen size, I would be getting a Macbook and not an iPad.

Okay, but how exactly is the MacBook more portable?

 

[svish]

Okay, but how exactly is the MacBook more portable?

I feel for a handheld device, the 12.9 is quite big. But then it is a matter of personal preference

 

[Artsketch]

For subway media consumption: 11"

 

[ericwn]

It’s just personal preference and this has been discussed countless times. Mods, please add to the ongoing 12.9/11 thread collection.

Just buy the screen you like the most - apple even provides you with a return period in which you can easily send it back.

 

[Digitalguy]

For home use the 12.9 is best, but I never take it outside of my house unless I have a long travel... I would suggest the 11in pro. It's definitely worth the $200 over the air 4, you get double almost everything for only 25% more...

 

[ejin222]

If this is PURELY a media consumption device, then go for the 11" (or Air to save money). I would only recommend the 12.9" for those who like to do work on it due to the extra screen real estate. Other than that, the 11" does everything on a slightly smaller scale.

On something like the subway, I would assume that the size alone would be awkward to use if I'm being honest. I have the 12.9" and I can't ever see myself whipping it out to just watch a video. The whole world is going to be able to see what you're watching, you know?

 

[Digitalguy]

If this is PURELY a media consumption device, then go for the 11" (or Air to save money). I would only recommend the 12.9" for those who like to do work on it due to the extra screen real estate. Other than that, the 11" does everything on a slightly smaller scale.

On something like the subway, I would assume that the size alone would be awkward to use if I'm being honest. I have the 12.9" and I can't ever see myself whipping it out to just watch a video. The whole world is going to be able to see what you're watching, you know?

For home use I find the 12.9 a better media consumption device thanks to the larger screen.... For use on the go, the 11 is the better one because of portability...

 

[coolguy4747]

If this is PURELY a media consumption device, then go for the 11" (or Air to save money). I would only recommend the 12.9" for those who like to do work on it due to the extra screen real estate. Other than that, the 11" does everything on a slightly smaller scale.

On something like the subway, I would assume that the size alone would be awkward to use if I'm being honest. I have the 12.9" and I can't ever see myself whipping it out to just watch a video. The whole world is going to be able to see what you're watching, you know?

I second this - I just got a 12.9” M1 after having “standard size” iPads and I love it, but I specifically wanted the bigger screen for photo editing. It is great around the house and on vacation etc, but I do not think I would enjoy using it in on a subway. It’s even a bit unwieldy on airplanes, even as someone who has used a 15” MacBook Pro on planes. If I were to get an iPad for the usage you described, I would even consider the mini (particularly if/when the rumored updated mini arrives).

 

[ejin222]

I second this - I just got a 12.9” M1 after having “standard size” iPads and I love it, but I specifically wanted the bigger screen for photo editing. It is great around the house and on vacation etc, but I do not think I would enjoy using it in on a subway. It’s even a bit unwieldy on airplanes, even as someone who has used a 15” MacBook Pro on planes. If I were to get an iPad for the usage you described, I would even consider the mini (particularly if/when the rumored updated mini arrives).

Yes, the rumored new Mini would actually be even better (planning on getting it only if it comes with edge to edge). The thing is, when I use my 12.9" on flights, I'm always self conscious of the size and the fact that others can easily see what I'm watching. Because of this, I can't imagine whipping out an iPad on the subway and either being wary of theft or privacy concerns.

 

[Homme]

I voted the 2018 one not realizing the price you put for the 11 inch M1 iPad pro, if I noticed that I’d put in the 11 inch M1 iPad

 

[blkjedi954]

No brainer: 11 inch M1 iPad Pro is clear winner. The 2018 12.9 has less storage, only 4GB of RAM and isn’t very portable. The 2020 12.9 has 6GB of RAM same storage amount but is cumbersome for subway usage. The M1 comes standard with 8GB of RAM (future proofing it), an M1 processor (future proofing it) AND is very portable when compared to the 12.9 inch iPad Pro. Great price point for your specific usage and apparent spending limits.