iPad Pro Anyone mostly use the 12.9 in “tablet mode”?

[atownguy]

I posted in another thread that I went from the 2018 11 inch to the 2021 12.9 inch for mini LED, just to realize that I mostly use my iPads in “tablet mode” outside its Magic Keyboard case, and I found my 11 inch more comfortable for that use case.

Basically curious if maybe the 12.9 inch size in tablet mode is something I could get used to and maybe even eventually prefer. The display on the 12.9 inch is beautiful, and it’ll be hard to give it up despite me currently liking the 11 inch size a lot more for how I use iPads. Do any of you prefer using the 12.9 outside a magic keyboard case? How is that experience for you?

 

[NARadyk]

A great question! Intrigued to see the answers.

 

[MrGimper]

I only ever used my 10.5 pro in tablet mode, and upgraded to the new 12.9 to use as a tablet. Zero issues for me, and tbh I don’t understand when people say it’s too big or not portable.

 

[macphoto861]

I use mine almost exclusively as a tablet, with no Magic Keyboard (I do, occasionally, prop it up with its folding stand and use an external bluetooth keyboard). I find it perfectly usable as a tablet when sitting on the couch, laying in bed, working in a coffee shop, etc. It did, of course, seem MASSIVE when I first got it, but it didn't take long to get used to it.

 

[ericwn]

I posted in another thread that I went from the 2018 11 inch to the 2021 12.9 inch for mini LED, just to realize that I mostly use my iPads in “tablet mode” outside its Magic Keyboard case, and I found my 11 inch more comfortable for that use case.

Basically curious if maybe the 12.9 inch size in tablet mode is something I could get used to and maybe even eventually prefer. The display on the 12.9 inch is beautiful, and it’ll be hard to give it up despite me currently liking the 11 inch size a lot more for how I use iPads. Do any of you prefer using the 12.9 outside a magic keyboard case? How is that experience for you?

I use my iPad Pro 12.9 as a tablet for hours. Wether or not that makes sense to you or feels comfortable for you, only you will be able to figure out.

 

[the future]

I very rarely use my 12.9 in landscape mode, basically only when using two apps side-by-side, and also just occasionally with a keyboard. It‘s a tablet first and foremost and that‘s how I use it. Give it a week and the 11“ will suddenly look and feel incredibly tiny to you.

 

[cupcakes2000]

I use it as a tablet and on a desk with keyboard equally I reckon. Depends what I’m doing I suppose. Right now I use an external separate Logitech mouse and keyboard, but I like the magic keyboard (and maybe even more so the new Brydge 12.9 max+ if it’s any good when released) specifically because it’s easy to use as a laptop and then whip off the iPad naked for tablet mode. Would fit my usage model perfectly.

 

[MrGimper]

I very rarely use my 12.9 in landscape mode, basically only when using two apps side-by-side, and also just occasionally with a keyboard. It‘s a tablet first and foremost and that‘s how I use it. Give it a week and the 11“ will suddenly look and feel incredibly tiny to you.

It’s odd you say that as I used my 10.5 in landscape the most. Then I tried the 11 and 12.9 in a local store and it was only after my visit I realised I unconsciously was using the 11 in landscape and the 12.9 in portrait. I’m using my own 12.9 in portrait more. Not sure if it’s because the width of the 12.9 is “almost” the height of the 11 ??‍♂️

 

[legioxi]

I used my 2018 12.9” almost exclusively as a tablet. Switching to an 11” 2021 as I’d like something smaller. If the AC+ handnt expired and I had not missed the renewal, I wouldn’t have bothered replacing it. I don’t mind it but I prefer a smaller one. It wouldn’t be worth the cost if I had the warranty still.

 

[el-John-o]

I bought the first generation iPad Pro 12.9 (which I just replaced with an M1 iPad Pro). I didn’t even own a keyboard case until the M1 iPad Pro. I used it in Tablet mode almost exclusively. Yes; it’s a little bulky. But I didn’t mind.

I’ve been using the “Max” sized iPhones ever since they first hit the shelves, too. And honestly, iPhones are so capable now that they do everything I used to do with an iPad. For me, an iPad exists somewhere between my phone and a desktop. It’s occupying the space, more and more, than a laptop used to occupy. So I don’t mind it being a little bigger because if I need something light and easy to hold while I’m using it; I’ll just use the iPhone I have in my pocket.

 

[benshive]

I almost never remove it from the magic keyboard case. Occasionally I’ll prop it up on my piano like a sheet of paper (the thing feels almost as thin as a sheet of paper lol) and annotate sheet music with the pencil which is nice. But it’s almost always in “laptop” mode.

 

[Xak444]

I use the 2018 12.9 iPad Pro in tablet mode. But I have the normal keyboard folio case that I also use with it. I do a lot of drawing at a desk with mine and the case folds over when you do that I’ve found that if the fold is at the top (horizontal) it puts the iPad up at a slant which for me is a little more comfortable for drawing and writing.

 

[purdnost]

I’ve never felt impressed to get a Magic Keyboard for my 12.9-inch iPad. I purchased a stand-alone Bluetooth keyboard at a very affordable price when I purchased the iPad a few years ago, but it sits in storage, never getting used. I’ve found that I type just as fast with the on-screen keyboard. Not only that, I enjoy typing on the screen.

I like the idea of fewer accessories, bulk, weight, battery drain… Ad it is, for me, the iPad works exceptionally well, and I have no reason to turn it into a laptop.

Transitioning from one way of doing something to another is always going to come with slight discomfort, but once you’ve trained yourself, the old way starts to feel “wrong”. No different from someone who thinks the 12.9-inch iPad is too big, only to realize that maybe the 11-inch was too small after getting used to the change. Or, visa versa. You grow to like what you’re used to.

 

[macphoto861]

I’ve never felt impressed to get a Magic Keyboard for my 12.9-inch iPad. I purchased a stand-alone Bluetooth keyboard at a very affordable price when I purchased the iPad a few years ago, but it sits in storage, never getting used. I’ve found that I type just as fast with the on-screen keyboard. Not only that, I enjoy typing on the screen.

Similar story here, I keep a small bluetooth keyboard in my iPad bag, though I do use it occasionally (like when I'm meeting with a client and need to type a lot of notes and other info, as I do type a little better on the keyboard, plus the form factor of having the iPad propped upright works better for me in that situation).

 

[Isengardtom]

50-50 here

I use it more in tablet mode for content consumption but more on the case for work related things.

Basically depends where I am. Couch or bed = Tablet mode / table = magic keyboard
i also went from 11 to 12.9 and I must say I use this one more often in portrait than the 11 inch. Still mostly landscape though

 

[sparksd]

I do, don’t own the case.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I posted in another thread that I went from the 2018 11 inch to the 2021 12.9 inch for mini LED, just to realize that I mostly use my iPads in “tablet mode” outside its Magic Keyboard case, and I found my 11 inch more comfortable for that use case.

Basically curious if maybe the 12.9 inch size in tablet mode is something I could get used to and maybe even eventually prefer. The display on the 12.9 inch is beautiful, and it’ll be hard to give it up despite me currently liking the 11 inch size a lot more for how I use iPads. Do any of you prefer using the 12.9 outside a magic keyboard case? How is that experience for you?

I use mine 50/50 in tablet mode and keyboard mode.

 

[Mr.Blacky]

I use my 12.9" iPad Pro 99.99% in "tablet mode", I don't even have a Magic Keyboard or something similar. I mostly use the on-screen keyboard and the few times I type some really long text on it, I just connect the keyboard from my Mac.

 

[RSB96]

I make mixed use of the iPad.

On a day-to-day basis I use it with the Magic Keyboard.

On weekends I use it more with a tablet. I like to paint, and I use it as a tablet with Procreate and the Apple Pencil.

 

[Momof9]

I use mine mostly without a keyboard. I do have Logitech k380, I just got the rose gold one, so my old one is upstairs. I mostly use it with the pencil. I do like the keyboard when I am reading / deleting a lot of email.... Every once in awhile I see the MKB and think that looks so nice, but not practical since I would not use it very much. I am a graphic designer - so that is my big usage. I do have the 12.9, 11 and mini iPad's

 

[rui no onna]

At home, it’s always in tablet mode. Only time it gets connected is when I’m at my desk in the office where it’s docked on a Logitech K780 keyboard that I also use for my work desktop.

 

[Matcha]

Is ‘tablet mode’ landscape?

 

[rui no onna]

Is ‘tablet mode’ landscape?

For me, I primarily use iPads in landscape. However, I expect the definition of tablet mode here is "not connected to a hardware keyboard".

 

[sparksd]

Is ‘tablet mode’ landscape?

I read it as the tablet detached from a keyboard, held in your hands landscape or portrait.

 

[atownguy]

For me, I primarily use iPads in landscape. However, I expect the definition of tablet mode here is "not connected to a hardware keyboard".

I read it as the tablet detached from a keyboard, held in your hands landscape or portrait.

Yea this is what I meant by “tablet mode”.