iPad Pro Anyone regret getting 12.9” iPad Pro?

[Magoo1979]

Upgraded from IPP11 to 2020 12.9 for work. Use it as a laptop replacement. Love it.

 

[ofarlig]

I had the 11” and bought the 12.9” when the magic keyboard came out. After 3-4 months I realised I was not using it as a tablet really, it was always docked in the keyboard or a folio and almost never used in my hands. I could just as well had a laptop then since the detachable screen wasn’t really used.

So I got the 11” with the magic keyboard to replace the larger one a few weeks ago and I much prefer it, now I use it as a tablet and a laptop replacement just as I wanted to.

 

[Pangalactic]

I like the 11’’ much more, as it has been already mentioned it’s a really versatile device.

You can use it on the go pretty much anywhere and on any trai/plain/taxi tray no matter how small it is.
You can easily carry it around even in a shoulder bag.
It’s very convenient to use it as a book reader.
And besides with the size of iPad 12.9’’ I might as well take a proper laptop instead

 

[Precursor]

Never

I had the 12.9” first gen, then bought the 11” when it came out thinking it’d be more suitable as it’s more portable. I found myself pinching to zoom on everything. So after one month I gave my 11” to my brother, upgraded to the 2018 12.9“ and didn’t look back. 12.9” is the best of all iPads for my needs, and 11” sucks a*s for my needs. Not to mention the terrible screen ratio on the 11”. To me it is worse than the 10.5” (which I also had at one time, then gave away to my sister in law) for my needs.

 

[stanza.richi]

Perfect for my needs.

 

[DiamondarBoss]

I feel like the 12.9” Pro would be too heavy with the Magic Keyboard, and that it wouldn’t be very Portable. The 11” is perfect, and I’ve been using the Smaller Size of iPad Pro since the Very First small iPP, the 9.7” Pro.

Admittedly, the 9.7” was VERY small and the 10.5“ or 11” would be a lot better. And it has!

The small Keyboard Size isn’t that annoying. I got used to it within 1 hour of Using the Magic Keyboard for the 11”. The Trackpad is also Decently Sized, and I prefer using the Built-In Trackpad than the Large Magic Trackpad 2.

I remember holding the 2018 12.9” in Stores, and I couldn’t think of myself using it. Yes, it was better than the 1st or 2nd Gen 12.9”, but still too large for me. No matter how good of a Keyboard you attach to it, the iPad Pro is still a 2 in 1 Laptop Hybrid, except the Tablet takes up the Larger Portion of the 2.

11” is just right, but if I only had the iPad at my Desk the 12.9” would be better. But that Defeats the Purpose of a iPad OR a Laptop. It’s a Mobile Device.

 

[Mahasamatman]

Upgraded from IPP11 to 2020 12.9 for work. Use it as a laptop replacement. Love it.

For me it’s personal use but the same feeling, the 12.9“ works much better for multitasking and general usage. And I loved my 11” which has now been passed on to y daughte.

 

[IngerMan]

If I only had one device I would go with the 12.9” iPP. But since I have a Mac Mini with a 38” 4K monitor the 11” makes sense for me. I have had the first gen 12.9 iPP and now the 2020 11” iPP. I did not have the MK or even a good KB for the first gen 12.9 iPP so its hard to compare to each other now. The 2018/2020 iPP is impressive for both sizes.

The forum shows they are both well liked and according to the poll on this forum the 12.9” which I don’t own is ahead by a nose.

 

[1rottenapple]

Hi all

I am still going back and forth between the 11 and 12.9 iPP, I am just wondering if anyone has had any regrets getting the 12.9” vs 11” or vice versa?

I have been weighing up the pros for both sizes and have to say the iPad 11 does seem to have more pros over the 12.9 for portability, using it as both an iPad and a laptop replacement, it’s cheaper etc.. and to me the pros of the 12.9 seem to sacrifice most of the pros of the 11.

however there is still something which is attracting me to the 12.9...

Had the 2018 12.9 but I found it too big for casual use. Sitting on the tv holding it at as tablet was awkward. So I got the 11 and have that to my significant other. I started working from home and man I miss the 12.9. It would have been perfect for my uses; split screen with one side for note writing, the other research reference. I'd like to buy the 12.9 depending how long this work from home last. 11 is ok for this but 12.9 would be excellent.

 

[CSBBody]

I have both 11" and 12.9" 2018 iPad Pros. I realise that is a luxury, but it also means I can perhaps provide some perspective on their differences in 12 months+ of using both.

Background: the 11" is the LTE model with the Smart Keyboard Folio and 256 GB. The 12.9" is WiFi-only with the Magic Keyboard and is also 256 GB. I have an Apple Pencil 2 for each. I am quite heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem with iPhone 11 Pro Max, 13" MBP, Mac mini, etc.

I may be in the minority, but I think the 11" is the more versatile device. At times they almost feel like they belong in completely different product categories. If you've used any non-Pro iPads, I think the 11" feels like those only better. It is very portable and just as easy to use portrait as landscape. You can hold it in one hand while controlling it with the other (e.g. standing). Obviously not as portable as a phone, but much lighter and easier to stow than my 13" MBP. IMO the screen is still big enough for note taking and some split-view or slide-over work. If I had to some up the experience in one word it is: natural.

The 12.9" is also a great device. You immediately notice the greater bulk (especially with the magic keyboard). Portability-wise it is on a par with my 13" MBP. The 12.9" advantages that I notice are: better for any multi-tasking (two full-size iPad apps side-by-side), great companion to the MBP for sidecar use (if you have a large enough workspace), and the keyboard does not feel cramped at all.

It is difficult to put my finger on it, but I think the 12.9" just feels like it needs more care when handling it. On a spectrum of "how easy is it to use on the go" with the iPhone at one end and a 16" MBP at the other end, the 12.9" sits atop the 13" MBP, whereas the 11" is in its own place a little closer to the iPhone.

IMO, ask yourself: will I be using the iPad Pro on the go, on the sofa, standing up, or will I mainly be using it at a desk?

i am also fortunate to own most of the sizes.

ipad mini 5 - solely an ereader For me
iPad Pro 11 2018 - was my main iPad device since release
iPad Pro 12.9 2020 with MkB - now my main device for work and often content consumption but it almost always is attached to MKB, so feels like a MacBook Pro 13 around the house.

I had some buyers remorse , as I can’t get used to it in tablet mode, I think I would if I hid the 11 for a week. And I have the 16 inch MacBook Pro driving my office upstairs.

I thought the 11 was and is a great size, perception is a wonderful thing, the minute I introduced the 12.9 the 11 immediately felt like an iPad mini lol it suddenly felt far more portable than it had previously.

I still take the 11 for most meetings away from home, and I still take the iPad mini everywhere for some reading.

the 12.9 rarely leaves the house, but gets a lot of use.

so it’s taken awhile and have found a use case For them All, I gave my 10.5 pro to my lady, with the intention of passing on the 11 pro too, once I got the 12.9, now I am not so sure haha

 

[Coolpher]

Hi all

I am still going back and forth between the 11 and 12.9 iPP, I am just wondering if anyone has had any regrets getting the 12.9” vs 11” or vice versa?

I have been weighing up the pros for both sizes and have to say the iPad 11 does seem to have more pros over the 12.9 for portability, using it as both an iPad and a laptop replacement, it’s cheaper etc.. and to me the pros of the 12.9 seem to sacrifice most of the pros of the 11.

however there is still something which is attracting me to the 12.9...

so I was in the same boat as you when I got the 2020 pro this year I started in 2015 and 2017 with the 12.9 then when the 2018 came out I couldn’t get my hands on the 12.9 the way I wanted it so I downgraded to the 11 inch the one thing I miss the most was the full-size keyboard on screen but I did love the portability of the 11 inch now when I had the 11 inch I thought it was the bees knees but at the same time I thought it was a little small but all I had was to reference the full basil old older body style this year when I got the 20 2012.9 it was the best of both worlds small basils no fingerprint reader huge canvas and the full-size keyboard on screen I hope that helps I absolutely love my 12.9 and it goes with me everywhere in my backpack or satchel

 

[cmonkey1976]

Like you, I was torn between the 11 and 12.9 (having had the IPP 10.5) ... I did keep getting pulled back to the 11 but each time there was just that doubt... the main doubt was because over the 12.9 was that I loved using the iPad as an iPad and I worried that the bigger size would just be too big and too heavy and that I’d more likely just reach for my phone rather than use the iPad.

I flipped between thinking the right iPad for me was the 11, and then 12.9, then 11 so many times... watching video after video... there was one that really stood out, some Doctor guy, he did a really good video and it was that one that made up my mind.... Eventually deciding to just go for the 12.9....

First thing I noticed was the screen, it’s just huge and gorgeous, and the whole shape and feel... it was wow, but huge.
3 1/2 months on, and I loveit - it really doesn’t feel big when using, or heavy (pretty much instantly you get used to the size and just feels Normal to use) - I’m using it all the time - the MacBook only gets used for outdoor exercise sessions over zoom now, and the only reason is I can get a better viewing angle!

I really wanted the Magic Keyboard - that’s something I still haven’t gone with - the cost, plus from what I’ve read it misses a couple of things which would make it perfect... I did buy an external Logitech keyboard and mouse and pleased with those... If a 2nd version of the magic keyboard comes out I may be tempted.

My iPad has only been used around the house... but the size wouldn’t stop me taking it out... Just Need the right sized back and don’t think it would really make much difference.

for me, there is no regret in getting the 12.9... I‘m pretty sure if I had have got the 11 I’d have loved it, but think I would have still had that ‘what if...’ at the back of my head... I may even have used the iPad less.
im using my 12.9 far more than I did with my 10.5.

Its so hard deciding though and it’s down to personal choose. so good luck.

 

[Jd3774life]

I had the 12.9" 2nd gen and then I switched to the 11" iPad Pro 3rd gen and I have regretting getting the 11" every day since..... the 12.9 is amazing and I don't ever want a smaller iPad again.

 

[Cosmo M3]

I have the 11" with the SKF, the 12.9" LTE with MKB and the old 10.5" iPad Pro. Since upgrading to the 2020 12.9" LTE with MKB, I've passed down my 11" with SKF to my significant other and I don't miss it. That's probably due to the 10.5" iPad Pro that I use for more of my "handheld" around the home tablet. If I didn't have the smaller 10.5", my situation would be different and I would probably miss the 11" Pro.

Lesson here is - I need a smaller device to supplement the larger 12.9". I'm waiting for the new Mini

 

[MisterSavage]

There's a poll on this that currently has 1,823 votes. The results are pretty much split down the middle. Some people can't imagine having an 11 and vice versa.

11 or 12.9 Pro ?

I can't decide which one to get - can you help me make up my mind ? Thx :)

forums.macrumors.com

 

[spiderman0616]

There's a poll on this that currently has 1,823 votes. The results are pretty much split down the middle. Some people can't imagine having an 11 and vice versa.

11 or 12.9 Pro ?

I can't decide which one to get - can you help me make up my mind ? Thx :)

forums.macrumors.com

Exactly--which tells me two things:

1) There's no right answer here.
2) Apple nailed it with these two sizes and knew there was an addressable market for both.

For me personally, I have owned all 4 generations of iPad Pro, and I went 9.7", 10.5", 11", and then for 2020, the 12.9". Once I got a lot more comfortable with the Affinity apps and LumaFusion, there was no way I was going to buy another 11". iPadOS also made it so that I can do my full time job from my iPad if needed due to the changes to Safari and the addition of trackpad support, so I do use it as a Macbook Pro replacement 2 or 3 times a week too. It would probably be more often than that, but I'd rather put work wear and tear on my work Macbook Pro when at all possible.

 

[stjames70]

Hi all

I am still going back and forth between the 11 and 12.9 iPP, I am just wondering if anyone has had any regrets getting the 12.9” vs 11” or vice versa?

I have been weighing up the pros for both sizes and have to say the iPad 11 does seem to have more pros over the 12.9 for portability, using it as both an iPad and a laptop replacement, it’s cheaper etc.. and to me the pros of the 12.9 seem to sacrifice most of the pros of the 11.

however there is still something which is attracting me to the 12.9...

I bought the 12.9 for my son -- the last one with a standard audio jack. Great iPad -- when it works. The screen becomes wonky after a year or so and stops detecting finger swipes -- pen works fine, but I think it has something to do with the large screen being bent and getting non-responsive over time. That would be the only reason for trying to switch to a smaller iPad pro.

 

[RevTEG]

Love the 12.9 form form-factor. It was weird at first. It did take me about a week to get used to it. But that was “way” back in 2015. I’ve been using the different generations of 12.9 ever since. They just keep getting better size wise. It’s still smaller than the laptops we were carrying around. I’ve had the 12.9 all over the world. From airplanes, classrooms, board meetings to in the field, the 12.9 has been great.

 

[Matz]

2018 12.9 here, and I am quite happy with it.

But as several have said here, there really is no objectively "right" choice. How it feels in your hands, how you use the screen area, how important the weight difference is, etc. - how you use it - will determine the fit for you.

My only regret is that I didn't get the cellular version.

 

[roncron]

I had to make the same decision a few months ago. I ended up picking the 11, plus Magic Keyboard. Here's how I made my decision:

For most of my work, I use my 13" MB Pro. I wanted an iPad Pro + Magic Keyboard partly as a laptop replacement and partly to use with Apple Pencil 2 as a whiteboard for online teaching.

Though the Magic Keyboard brings the iPad Pro closer to a laptop experience, for me it's still a very imperfect substitute due to the limitations of iPadOS.

If I bought a 12.9 + MK, it's inferior to my MBP, and when traveling it's no more portable than my MBP, so I'd just take my MBP.

If I bought a 11 + MK, it too is inferior to my MBP, but when traveling (or commuting to school on my bike) it is much easier to travel with.

When using the whiteboard app in my teaching, or iPad-specific games, I want to use the iPad Pro as a tablet, and thankfully it's super easy to remove the iPad Pro from the MK case, whether 11 or 12.9. But for me, tablet use is more comfortable with the 11 than the 12.9 (I've tried both, thanks to a coworker who lent me his 12.9 for the afternoon). That is very subjective and for many, the extra screen real estate outweighs what for me is the added bulk and awkwardness of the 12.9.

If I was shopping for iPP + MK as my ONLY computing device, I would for sure get the 12.9. The extra screen size means you can have two apps open side by side. You can do that on the 11, too, but both screens look cramped, whereas they're nearly full-size on the 12.9.

Lastly, the price difference (including the extra $50 for the larger MK) was an issue for me.

Everyone is different, and the people here who are recommending the 12.9 over the 11 make very good points. These are just my opinions. It ultimately comes down to your own use cases and preferences.

Good luck with your purchase decision!