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LeonPro

macrumors 6502a
Jul 23, 2002
933
510
I actually liked the 12.9" and I have the 11"

Yes it is a little weighty, and a little cumbersome, but you get used to it and adapt.

This was the very same issue when I first jumped to the Max iPhones, I was sure I would never get used to it, but I did, and absolutely love my iPhone 12 Pro max.

The main thing is do not buy both! Because this will really annoy you, because one minute your loving the 12.9, then you pick up the 11" and then you start to love the 11". Just buy what you want and enjoy it, give it a year and if you still aren't happy, upgrade and keep that form factor because that's the one you'll enjoy most.

I'm actually thinking of jumping back on the 12.9 M1 bandwagon, I just loved the screen estate for editing Lumafusion videos and watching films, YouTube etc
I agree. After owning the 12.9 M1, I'm now considering buying the iPhone 13 Pro Max next.
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,920
13,266
The main thing is do not buy both! Because this will really annoy you, because one minute your loving the 12.9, then you pick up the 11" and then you start to love the 11". Just buy what you want and enjoy it, give it a year and if you still aren't happy, upgrade and keep that form factor because that's the one you'll enjoy most.

Not quite 11" Pro but I have both 12.9" Pro and 10.9" Air 4. Doesn't annoy me at all. I use the 12.9" at work docked as a 3rd display (email, messages, etc) or used for PDF markup. At home, I switch to the Air for ebook reading and web surfing while in couch/bed. Setup works great for me.

A one-size fits all approach would annoy me more. Granted, if I can only afford one, I'd choose the 11". Just more versatile for me.
 

Cheffy Dave

macrumors 68030
Yeah, so I have the 2021 12.9” iPad Pro preordered, but I have come to realize how much I enjoy watching content in my bed as opposed to anywhere else in my house. I’ve owned 12.9” iPad Pros before, but never tried using them in bed and I would assume they would be unwieldy.

I REALLY wanted that XDR display, but would the 11” be my best bet if I was going to use it in bed a lot? I wouldn’t mind saving some cash too, but I feel like I’d be missing out if I didn’t get the 12.9”. So, I’m stumped on what to do now.

Help me? :oops:
Here goes, right after I bought a new 12.9 loaded,( LOVE this iPad) my wife gave me her 11” iPad Pro, as she got my 2020 12.9 iPad Pro. The 11” replaced my 9.7 iPad Pro I was using to watch TV, the 11 “ is SWEET , just ordered a new stand, that holds it at a 90 degree angle , perfect! I am in love with the 11”/as well as the 12.9” I am 73 years old , an Apple lover since W2000,(basically Windows NT, which I also loved) Apples iPads are INCREDIBLE. I have never seen anywhere, a better iPad than the 12.9, I’d give it a 100% , the IOS a C+, for my use, very good.
When you realize the 12.9 is the size as a sheet of paper, of course it it would be small enough to use in bed, if it’s a new one, the screen is just plain stunning. I all in on 12.9’s, that is until the 15” comes out??
 

subjonas

macrumors 603
Feb 10, 2014
6,259
6,737
For lounging consumption, nothing beats the iPad mini imo!
And a pop socket helps a lot for one handed holding.
 

PhillyAnt

macrumors regular
Jan 5, 2013
169
60
Philly
It’s been a few weeks since I commented here and I just want to confirm that I am still so super happy I went with the 12.9. It isn’t big to me anymore, as in it feels normal. Like I’m holding my old 10.5 pro or the 11" M1 I purchased before this one. I love this thing. Especially the display.
 

tkmyzw

macrumors newbie
Oct 31, 2020
21
10
I have a 2020 11” but am considering buying a 12.9 5th gen for a bigger screen.

I would use 12.9 on the couch and bed but will never use it on the desk nor table.
Also I don't want to attach MK or variant not to add extra weight because I move every month and take the iPP, but never use it outside of my room. (will add 3rd party lightweight smart folio)

With 11”, I sometimes use smart keyboard folio because I mistakenly press delete or return due to a small software keyboard of 11” while writing. So my consideration is if I can get used to the software keyboard of 12.9”.

Most reviewers and people who commented on this thread use MK or other hardware keyboard, does anyone use a software keyboard with 12.9” for writing?
 

xraydoc

Contributor
Oct 9, 2005
11,030
5,491
192.168.1.1
Now that I have the 6th gen. iPad mini, I’m thinking about replacing my 2018 11” iPad Pro with the 12.9” model at its next revision.

Since I no longer need the 11” for portability given the mini 6’s capability and form-factor, may as well go big for my next full-size iPad.
 
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VideoFreek

Contributor
May 12, 2007
579
194
Philly
So, I'll share my experience. I upgraded from a 9.7" iPad Pro to a 12.9" 2020 iPad Pro with a MK late last year. My idea was to really make an effort to do the whole "laptop replacement" thing. That lasted all of a month; I just couldn't deal with the limitations of iPadOS, so I got an M1 MBP. Since I have a proper laptop for heavy-duty work, I find that most of my iPad usage is media consumption, web browsing, note-taking, light photo editing, and email reading. I mostly work holding the iPad in my hand while sitting on a couch or chair, or standing up. I mention this because, over time, I found the weight and size of the 12.9 to be just a bit too much.

I recently picked up an 11" 2021 iPad Pro and gave my 12.9 to my wife. I am very happy, and so is she. The key difference, I think, is that she works mostly sitting at a table or desk, with the iPad supported on the surface. She loves the extra screen real estate, and the size and weight are not a problem given her mode of use.
 

amt2002

macrumors regular
Jul 18, 2008
136
73
I have both 11 and 12.9 2018 iPad Pro’s and the 11” very very rarely gets used. i find the screen too small and as such I don’t enjoy using it. I use my 12.9 handheld 100% of time (couch, bed) and don’t find it too heavy whatsoever. I really should sell the 11” one of these days!

So many people saying they returned their 12.9’s for the 11 - I just can’t relate to that at all. My advice is therefore to buy both and use them side by side for the 14 day return period before deciding which to keep.
 

Username-already-in-use

macrumors 6502a
May 18, 2021
567
1,056
Yeah, so I have the 2021 12.9” iPad Pro preordered, but I have come to realize how much I enjoy watching content in my bed as opposed to anywhere else in my house. I’ve owned 12.9” iPad Pros before, but never tried using them in bed and I would assume they would be unwieldy.

I REALLY wanted that XDR display, but would the 11” be my best bet if I was going to use it in bed a lot? I wouldn’t mind saving some cash too, but I feel like I’d be missing out if I didn’t get the 12.9”. So, I’m stumped on what to do now.

Help me? :oops:
The 12.9 is the C M Punk of iPads.
 

James Godfrey

macrumors 68020
Oct 13, 2011
2,068
1,710
The way I look at the current iPad line up right now is this…

iPad - This is a perfect budget option, gives all the features of iPadOS at a more affordable price, excellent for the kids as at its price point you don’t mind scuffs and odd bits of damage to it etc…

iPad mini - If you want a tablet and will never use it as a laptop setup, this is the perfect size for most, it has everything that the iPad Air does and more with the exception of the screen size.

iPad Air - Again this perfect as a tablet but if you want to use it as a laptop setup you can easily do that also, this is a perfect two in one at a friendly price, however, it seems a bit outdated now in comparison to the rest of the line up.

iPad Pro 11 - Pretty much the iPad Air but with all the extra bells and whistles, if you want to splash a bit extra for better cameras, speakers etc… this is the way to go, again this is a perfect two in one iPad, perfect if you you will be using it as a both a tablet and laptop set up.

iPad Pro 12.9 - This is a subjective one, but this is perfect if you are primarily going to be using it with a keyboard case at a desk of some kind, it’s not the best when used in tablet mode, but great as a laptop set up… but if you are planning on using this as a laptop set up the vast majority of the time, you really need to consider an M1 MacBook… because the price of this plus a keyboard is probably going to out weigh the price of a Mac, yet a Mac can do far more real work than an iPad likely ever will.
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,920
13,266
iPad mini - If you want a tablet and will never use it as a laptop setup, this is the perfect size for most, it has everything that the iPad Air does and more with the exception of the screen size.

I doubt the mini's the perfect size for most.

The mini used to be the budget option. Actually, Apple used to sell both a budget mini and a more mid-range/high end mini. The fact that it hadn't been updated in forever and then was kept solely as mid-range suggests while there's a strong enough market for it, the demand isn't as high as other sizes.

Apple has 3 options in the 10-11" range (budget, mid-range and high-end). That kinda implies that's the most popular size.
 
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James Godfrey

macrumors 68020
Oct 13, 2011
2,068
1,710
I doubt the mini's the perfect size for most.

The mini used to be the budget option. Actually, Apple used to sell both a budget mini and a more mid-range/high end mini. The fact that it hadn't been updated in forever and then was kept solely as mid-range suggests while there's a strong enough market for it, the demand isn't as high as other sizes.

Apple has 3 options in the 10-11" range (budget, mid-range and high-end). That kinda implies that's the most popular size.
It’s the perfect size for most who only want to use their tablet as a tablet only.

Yeah the 10-11 inch sizes are most popular due to them being the ideal size for versatility.
 

slplss

macrumors 6502a
Nov 2, 2011
946
1,010
EU
It’s the perfect size for most who only want to use their tablet as a tablet only.
Mini is the best tablet for pilots, road-trippers, e-readers, small-handers, does well as Mac companion. Just saw someone using it at Uni, very sleek, my 12.9 looked obnoxiously big next to it ?.
 
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rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,920
13,266
It’s the perfect size for most who only want to use their tablet as a tablet only.

Yeah the 10-11 inch sizes are most popular due to them being the ideal size for versatility.

I doubt it. Apart from myself, no one I know who has an iPad has a physical keyboard. I don't think majority are getting 10-11" iPads to use as a 2-in-1.

For the most part, large smartphones have supplanted small tablets. Those who want larger displays than the biggest smartphones tend to go for 10-11" models rather than 7-8".

The most common 7-8" tablets I tend to see in the wild are the Amazon Fires and that probably has more to do with price than size.

Mind, close to when Apple released the mini 4 for $399, they also lowered the price of the Air 2 to $399. Interestingly enough, the prevailing sentiment then was why buy the mini 4 when one can get the "normal" iPad for the same price?
 
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Username-already-in-use

macrumors 6502a
May 18, 2021
567
1,056
iPad Pro 12.9 - This is a subjective one, but this is perfect if you are primarily going to be using it with a keyboard case at a desk of some kind, it’s not the best when used in tablet mode, but great as a laptop set up… but if you are planning on using this as a laptop set up the vast majority of the time, you really need to consider an M1 MacBook… because the price of this plus a keyboard is probably going to out weigh the price of a Mac, yet a Mac can do far more real work than an iPad likely ever will.
Subjectivity often comes into it. For me, I love the 12.9 as a tablet as it doesn’t feel too big to me - while docking with the magic keyboard gives me a quasi-laptop experience.

But then again, if there was a 14-16” iPad Pro then I would totally upgrade to it. I want the big sheet of glass of my dreams.
 

PlayUltimate

macrumors 65816
Jul 29, 2016
1,007
1,856
Boulder, CO
The way I look at the current iPad line up right now is this…

iPad - This is a perfect budget option, gives all the features of iPadOS at a more affordable price, excellent for the kids as at its price point you don’t mind scuffs and odd bits of damage to it etc…

iPad mini - If you want a tablet and will never use it as a laptop setup, this is the perfect size for most, it has everything that the iPad Air does and more with the exception of the screen size.

iPad Air - Again this perfect as a tablet but if you want to use it as a laptop setup you can easily do that also, this is a perfect two in one at a friendly price, however, it seems a bit outdated now in comparison to the rest of the line up.

iPad Pro 11 - Pretty much the iPad Air but with all the extra bells and whistles, if you want to splash a bit extra for better cameras, speakers etc… this is the way to go, again this is a perfect two in one iPad, perfect if you you will be using it as a both a tablet and laptop set up.

iPad Pro 12.9 - This is a subjective one, but this is perfect if you are primarily going to be using it with a keyboard case at a desk of some kind, it’s not the best when used in tablet mode, but great as a laptop set up… but if you are planning on using this as a laptop set up the vast majority of the time, you really need to consider an M1 MacBook… because the price of this plus a keyboard is probably going to out weigh the price of a Mac, yet a Mac can do far more real work than an iPad likely ever will.
My grid is a little simpler:
iPad Basic: one size
iPad Mid: two sizes -> Mini and Air. (suspect the Air will be updated in March)
iPad Pro: two sizes -> 11" and 12.9"
And I agree with your basic descriptions.
 
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