Tweener (noun) - a device that is in between. Not having the benefits of one or the other. Awkwardly in the middle.
I, like some others, have been on the fence in regards to the classic 12.9“ vs 11” debate. I ended up ordering both and have put them to the test over the past few days as a tablet (no Magic Keyboard). My conclusion: the 11” is a tweener. Not quite portable enough to replace my phone, but not large enough to carry many of the distinct benefits of a full-sized tablet.
To me, it exists in some awkward middle ground. While smaller and lighter than the 12.9, it can still get a bit uncomfortable to hold in one hand for long periods of time (unlike my phone). However, when I rest it on my chest (when laying down) or my leg (when in a chair) the device is not nearly as compelling to use as the 12.9 because of its smaller screen and the distance between me and the device. The on-screen keyboard in portrait mode is just a little too large to thumb type with two hands, but is just a little too cramped to use in landscape (where as the 12.9 offers a nice full size on-screen keyboard). Many sites (including MacRumors) also default to the mobile version when using the 11” in portrait mode. With the Apple Pencil, note-taking with splitscreen feels a little cramped, Procreate requires much more zooming in and out, and photo-editing and movie watching is just less engrossing due to the smaller size and less dynamic screen.
I really wanted to like the 11”. I am a person who values portability quite a bit, however, I am also someone who values productivity and purpose. I want each of my devices to serve a distinct purpose in order for me to justify spending my hard-earned money on them. Between my phone and my M1 MacBook Air, the 11” seems to fall in an awkward crack for me. Not as portable as my phone, not as compelling to use as my MBA. The 12.9, while having a similar footprint to the Air, is an altogether different experience than either. If i need to do a lot of writing, slideshow creating, or hardcore multitasking, the Air is still the best device for it. However, if i am just going to browse the internet, watch a movie, edit a photo, or mark up a script, the 12.9 iPad is so much more fun and satisfying to use. The new XDR Screen is bright and dynamic and engrossing. For me, the 12.9” is decidedly better than both my phone and my Air in some use case. The 11” was always a little worse than either.
Does anyone else agree?
I, like some others, have been on the fence in regards to the classic 12.9“ vs 11” debate. I ended up ordering both and have put them to the test over the past few days as a tablet (no Magic Keyboard). My conclusion: the 11” is a tweener. Not quite portable enough to replace my phone, but not large enough to carry many of the distinct benefits of a full-sized tablet.
To me, it exists in some awkward middle ground. While smaller and lighter than the 12.9, it can still get a bit uncomfortable to hold in one hand for long periods of time (unlike my phone). However, when I rest it on my chest (when laying down) or my leg (when in a chair) the device is not nearly as compelling to use as the 12.9 because of its smaller screen and the distance between me and the device. The on-screen keyboard in portrait mode is just a little too large to thumb type with two hands, but is just a little too cramped to use in landscape (where as the 12.9 offers a nice full size on-screen keyboard). Many sites (including MacRumors) also default to the mobile version when using the 11” in portrait mode. With the Apple Pencil, note-taking with splitscreen feels a little cramped, Procreate requires much more zooming in and out, and photo-editing and movie watching is just less engrossing due to the smaller size and less dynamic screen.
I really wanted to like the 11”. I am a person who values portability quite a bit, however, I am also someone who values productivity and purpose. I want each of my devices to serve a distinct purpose in order for me to justify spending my hard-earned money on them. Between my phone and my M1 MacBook Air, the 11” seems to fall in an awkward crack for me. Not as portable as my phone, not as compelling to use as my MBA. The 12.9, while having a similar footprint to the Air, is an altogether different experience than either. If i need to do a lot of writing, slideshow creating, or hardcore multitasking, the Air is still the best device for it. However, if i am just going to browse the internet, watch a movie, edit a photo, or mark up a script, the 12.9 iPad is so much more fun and satisfying to use. The new XDR Screen is bright and dynamic and engrossing. For me, the 12.9” is decidedly better than both my phone and my Air in some use case. The 11” was always a little worse than either.
Does anyone else agree?