iPad Pro Anyone else feel like the 11” is a ‘tweener’?

[boss.king]

The 11” iPad Pro doesn’t make any sense at all. With that screen dimension, considering what you can do with a 11” screen, the iPad Air is the right choice, in my opinion. Also, Apple apps on the 12.9” have the same layout of macOS apps, on the 11” there are that terrible popup menus

What do you mean it doesn't make sense? The ultimate measure of sense isn't whether it can mirror MacOS layouts. The Air and the Pro are largely the exact same device with only a few details changed (particularly price) so I don't get how you can think one is right but the other isn't.

 

[rui no onna]

FWIW I upgraded from a 256gb 2018 to a 1tb 2021.

The difference isnt huge, but am not trying to justify anything to anyone. I bought this to make more money, not to show off on forums.

The comparison was between 2018 and 2020. The 2020 was a very minor refresh. I doubt anyone made that particular switch unless it's for other reasons (to switch sizes, more storage, etc.).

With that said, for those who skipped the 2018, the entry level 2020 model benefited the most (128GB base storage, 6GB RAM) and was a pretty decent buy. The 1TB is where you get the least upgrades.

 

[pdoherty]

It's the perfect size for me. If I need a bigger screen, I likely need a real computer (laptop). If I want a smaller screen, I want to be more portable (phone). The 11" is perfect for replacing paper, which is 95% of how I use it.

Isn’t the 12.9” actually the one that’s closer to the size of an actual page of paper?

 

[hirsthirst]

disappointing how many entitled douches think it's okay to order both & return one because they fancy something new and can't make their minds up. and then post about it.

 

[VaruLV]

I dont care that much about whether its a tweener regarding it having regular LED display instead of mini LED, what I do find, however, that with all the power of M1 and possible iOS 15 updates, its more than ever laptop replacement... Except for the screen size, which makes everything too cramped. 11 was on my cards, but I went with 12.9, despite 11" size feeling right at home when being in sofa or bed and reading or watching something.

 

[rui no onna]

The 11” iPad Pro doesn’t make any sense at all. With that screen dimension, considering what you can do with a 11” screen, the iPad Air is the right choice, in my opinion. Also, Apple apps on the 12.9” have the same layout of macOS apps, on the 11” there are that terrible popup menus

Pricing is actually pretty close on those two and I think there are enough features on the $799 Pro 11 to justify the upgrade particularly if 64GB is too little storage for someone.

$799 Pro 11 (2021) vs $599 Air 4
M1 vs A14 SoC
8GB vs 4GB RAM
128GB vs 64GB storage
FaceID vs TouchID (admittedly, I prefer TouchID right now)
quad vs stereo speakers
600 nits vs 500 nits
ProMotion
Thunderbolt

It's an extra $150 or $749 to upgrade to the 256GB Air 4 and all that gets you is simply more storage. It doesn't give you any of the other benefits you can get from the 2021 Pro.

 

[boss.king]

Isn’t the 12.9” actually the one that’s closer to the size of an actual page of paper?

True, but by paper I really meant my paper notebooks, not just a stack of loose A4 pages. The 11" is almost the exact same dimensions in that respect.

 

[nStyle]

Pricing is actually pretty close on those two and I think there are enough features on the $799 Pro 11 to justify the upgrade particularly if 64GB is too little storage for someone.

$799 Pro 11 (2021) vs $599 Air 4
M1 vs A14 SoC
8GB vs 4GB RAM
128GB vs 64GB storage
FaceID vs TouchID (admittedly, I prefer TouchID right now)
quad vs stereo speakers
600 nits vs 500 nits
ProMotion
Thunderbolt

It's an extra $150 or $749 to upgrade to the 256GB Air 4 and all that gets you is simply more storage. It doesn't give you any of the other benefits you can get from the 2021 Pro.

Yeah that’s what I was thinking but didn’t want to write it all out lol…

The Air seems relatively overpriced when you get so much more for $200

 

[chrfr]

Pricing is actually pretty close on those two and I think there are enough features on the $799 Pro 11 to justify the upgrade particularly if 64GB is too little storage for someone.

$799 Pro 11 (2021) vs $599 Air 4
M1 vs A14 SoC
8GB vs 4GB RAM
128GB vs 64GB storage
FaceID vs TouchID (admittedly, I prefer TouchID right now)
quad vs stereo speakers
600 nits vs 500 nits
ProMotion
Thunderbolt

It's an extra $150 or $749 to upgrade to the 256GB Air 4 and all that gets you is simply more storage. It doesn't give you any of the other benefits you can get from the 2021 Pro.

If you're buying AppleCare, it's actually quite a bit more expensive for the Pro over the Air, so that's also a consideration- $129 vs. $69.

 

[MrEcted]

The 11” iPad Pro doesn’t make any sense at all. With that screen dimension, considering what you can do with a 11” screen, the iPad Air is the right choice, in my opinion. Also, Apple apps on the 12.9” have the same layout of macOS apps, on the 11” there are that terrible popup menus

Air 4 only comes in two flavors storage-wise. 64GB is kind of sucky unless you primarily stream, but I think a lot of people would at least want 128, but of course you don’t get that option with the Air 4 because Apple are bastards and know how to get people to up-sell, so it only comes in 256 if you want more storage, but at that point if you originally just wanted the natural in-between size (128) then you’re only $50 away from getting the Pro.

With the Pro you get M1 which means way better graphics performance, double the RAM, better cameras, center stage, etc, so if you are the type that can’t deal with a 64GB Air then the base model Pro becomes a more compelling choice.

Of course all of this is specifically designed so people continue to up-sell since Apple does that crap where they don’t offer natural in-between sizes. Basically Apple wants you to go in wanting an AirTag but then walking out of the store with a $50,000 iMac and a $6,000 monitor by the time you’re done up-selling yourself

 

[MrEcted]

disappointing how many entitled douches think it's okay to order both & return one because they fancy something new and can't make their minds up. and then post about it.

I don’t see the problem with getting two and keeping one. It’s not like Apple are going to throw it straight into a landfill when you return it, it will end up on the refurbished market where someone else can enjoy it for a discounted price for a few years and *then* it will end up in a landfill.

 

[boss.king]

disappointing how many entitled douches think it's okay to order both & return one because they fancy something new and can't make their minds up. and then post about it.

It is okay. That's what a return policy exists for.

 

[rss2193]

I have a 2018 iPad Pro 11" and I thought for the longest time that I would be able to get away with it being my main computing device. I was wrong for my use. I needed something that ran Microsoft Office more efficiently and had a keyboard attached (I am not the biggest fan of the Magic Keyboards for the iPad). So I went ahead and picked up the M1 MBA last week and the 11" iPad Pro is an absolute fantastic complement to it. I can have something streaming on the Ipad, use it as a second screen with sidecar or use it for browsing something else that I dont want in a tab on the MBA. I can see why some can think the 11" is a "tweener" and especially if youre using it as the only device but I think it complements a laptop so well.

Yes, it might be overkill to have the iPP for more of a consumption device but I love the speakers, the screen is fantastic still for my needs and the portability if I need to step away from the MBA is great. I'm sure for how I use the iPP it will last me for many years to come still.

 

[Mac47]

Totally agree with the OP. I do work and draw on the 12.9. I read books on the Mini. The 11 is not the best of either extreme.

 

[LibbyLA]

The way I always look at these devices is you never want the iPad Pro to be close in size to your iPhone. So if you're a person that likes to use the iPhone Pro Max then an iPad Pro 11 inch won't be a big enough difference. Your mind will think "I can just use my iPhone." You won't think that when you have a 12.9 inch. I always make sure the difference in size between my iPhone and iPad Pro is as big as possible.

iPad Pro 11 inch only makes sense if your iPhone is one of the smaller sizes as well. And the productivity on the 12.9 is a beauty to experience because of the screen real estate (and now the new XDR screen).

I do not have an iPhone. (Well, I have an old 6S Plus that isn’t on a cell plan, use it wifi for one particular app and taking screen shots to document that app.) I have a Mini and a 2018 iPP 11 and a 2021 iPP 11 and will be selling my iPP 10.5 to a friend soon. For YOU, the iPP 11 only makes sense under the circumstances you mention.

 

[pdoherty]

*complements

 

[Rory76]

The comparison was between 2018 and 2020. The 2020 was a very minor refresh. I doubt anyone made that particular switch unless it's for other reasons (to switch sizes, more storage, etc.).

With that said, for those who skipped the 2018, the entry level 2020 model benefited the most (128GB base storage, 6GB RAM) and was a pretty decent buy. The 1TB is where you get the least upgrades.

I had a 2018 11” Pro and upgraded to the 2020 11” Pro with the same specs last December. Got a good deal on the 2020 model and it only ended up costing me around $125 after selling my 2018 for a nice price. I figured the $125 for the 2020 iPad was worth it to get a new iPad with 2 years more of iOS upgrades over the 2018 model along with the extra 2GB of RAM.

 

[Jimbo Limbo]

I have an iPad mini 4, and a iPhone 7 (the phone is just to run the AW 5 Nike LTE) I ordered the new 12.9 2TB 5G on first order day. Don't have it yet.

The solution to this tweener issue is for Apple to come out with the iPad mini Pro!

The iPad mini is perfect for youtube/video consumption as well as reading, but is also a GREAT size for handholding while gaming. Throw the new Centerstage camera in there too, and that makes the ideal portable device with Pencil 2 support and 5G.

That would pair nicely with the 12.9.

Oh, and make is so that we can pair the watch with an iPad.

 

[rui no onna]

The way I always look at these devices is you never want the iPad Pro to be close in size to your iPhone. So if you're a person that likes to use the iPhone Pro Max then an iPad Pro 11 inch won't be a big enough difference. Your mind will think "I can just use my iPhone." You won't think that when you have a 12.9 inch. I always make sure the difference in size between my iPhone and iPad Pro is as big as possible.

iPad Pro 11 inch only makes sense if your iPhone is one of the smaller sizes as well. And the productivity on the 12.9 is a beauty to experience because of the screen real estate (and now the new XDR screen).

Back when I had a large iPhone, I was always frustrated that I still get the mobile interface on the phone instead of the desktop UI on landscape with the 9.7”+ iPad. I thought I could get away with just carrying the phone and leaving the iPad at home but nope, I still preferred the iPad.

 

[MrEcted]

Totally agree with the OP. I do work and draw on the 12.9. I read books on the Mini. The 11 is not the best of either extreme.

The 11 isn't the best at either extreme but it's the best all-around.

I think for a vast majority of people who aren't artists and who don't absolutely need a touch-screen, the 12.9 is just not a great option. At that point just save some money and get a MBA - it's a FAR more capable device running an actual desktop class OS, it's just as portable, and actually if you get the MKB for the 12.9 like a lot of people might then the MBA is actually thinner and lighter, it starts with double the storage, etc. Of course if relying on a touch screen is a part of your job or it's something that you absolutely need and you need maximum screen real estate at the expense of portability then go for the 12.9.

With the 11 you make some sacrifices but it's a great in between device. It's not awkward to read on, though it's not as comfortable as a Mini, but it's far more comfortable than a 12.9. It's not awkward to draw on, though it's not as comfortable as a 12.9, but it's far more comfortable than a Mini. The 11 is a nice right up the middle device where it's portable yet still comfortable doing almost everything it's just not perfect at one given task or another, whereas with both the mini and the 12.9 you have to make some bigger overall sacrifices in some areas even though they each are ideal for certain scenarios.

 

[rui no onna]

I had a 2018 11” Pro and upgraded to the 2020 11” Pro with the same specs last December. Got a good deal on the 2020 model and it only ended up costing me around $125 after selling my 2018 for a nice price. I figured the $125 for the 2020 iPad was worth it to get a new iPad with 2 years more of iOS upgrades over the 2018 model along with the extra 2GB of RAM.

With A12X and A12Z, I’m doubtful the 2020 will last 2 years longer than the 2018. But hey, for $125, why not? I expect the 6GB has been helpful since iPadOS 13.

 

[Techwatcher]

I do not have an iPhone. (Well, I have an old 6S Plus that isn’t on a cell plan, use it wifi for one particular app and taking screen shots to document that app.) I have a Mini and a 2018 iPP 11 and a 2021 iPP 11 and will be selling my iPP 10.5 to a friend soon. For YOU, the iPP 11 only makes sense under the circumstances you mention.

Clearly it makes sense for you too because you don't have an iPhone, which is my point and ties with the OP's complaints.

 

[Techwatcher]

Back when I had a large iPhone, I was always frustrated that I still get the mobile interface on the phone instead of the desktop UI on landscape with the 9.7”+ iPad. I thought I could get away with just carrying the phone and leaving the iPad at home but nope, I still preferred the iPad.

Yeah that's a good point. Not sure why Apple doesn't even enable landscape UI for the desktop on the Max.

 

[Nhwhazup]

For me, 10-11” is my Goldilocks-size for iPads. Easy to carry in my purses while the screen is far less cramped than iPhones.

Using the 12.9” in bed at ~1 ft distance, it actually feels too big at times. Kinda like sitting in the front row of a movie theater or too close to the TV.

I agree. The 11 inch is the sweet spot for me.

 

[Mac47]

With the 11 you make some sacrifices but it's a great in between device.

Exactly what I’m saying. I prefer not to make sacrifices and have the best experience at both extremes. There is literally nothing that the 11 can do that can’t be done better on either the 12.9 or the Mini.

If you can have only one iPad, make it 11. But if you can have more than one, then 12.9 + Mini is the best of all worlds.