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I'm using the 12.9 as a tablet - without the keyboard. I love the big screen. It's great for brainstorming (using the Apple Pencil) and as a second display. I haven't actually seen a lot of movies on it (only one) but the experience is nice. As I come from a 10.5 iPad Air 3, I think I've made the right choice. It takes some getting used to for working on a 12.9 tablet but once you get over the "this is too big" period, you end up loving it.

One important thing to mention: the 12.9 has a considerably smaller footprint than the 13.3 Air. Of course, it's in the name (12.9 vs 13.3) but the 13.3 barely fits in a messenger bag. The 12.9 fits comfortably in a case. However, the same case makes it a bit taller. It seems a small thing but it does make a difference. I have to struggle a bit to pull out my laptop, while I don't have to do this with the tablet.
 
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The biggest diffference betwen the 11 and 12.9 isn't horizontally, it's vertically. The 12.9 requires far less scrolling up and down to see the same information on the page than the 11 does. The 11 is more of a rectatange, while the 12.9 is more squarish.
Unless you rotate the screen.
 
I'm using the 12.9 as a tablet - without the keyboard. I love the big screen. It's great for brainstorming (using the Apple Pencil) and as a second display. I haven't actually seen a lot of movies on it (only one) but the experience is nice. As I come from a 10.5 iPad Air 3, I think I've made the right choice. It takes some getting used to for working on a 12.9 tablet but once you get over the "this is too big" period, you end up loving it.

One important thing to mention: the 12.9 has a considerably smaller footprint than the 13.3 Air. Of course, it's in the name (12.9 vs 13.3) but the 13.3 barely fits in a messenger bag. The 12.9 fits comfortably in a case. However, the same case makes it a bit taller. It seems a small thing but it does make a difference. I have to struggle a bit to pull out my laptop, while I don't have to do this with the tablet.
I've also been enjoying using my 12.9 as a tablet of late. So much so that I'm starting to have buyer's remorse over purchasing the very expensive Magic Keyboard.
Yeah, it's nice and all, but TBH it doesn't replicate the experience of my MacBook Pro. Plus, it's heavy as the dickens! And makes the IPP overly thick.
It feels like a burden, while the using Apple Smart Folio is such a freeing experience.

Now if only some materials genius could invent a vibrant and sharp screen that also hides fingerprints!
 
I've also been enjoying using my 12.9 as a tablet of late. So much so that I'm starting to have buyer's remorse over purchasing the very expensive Magic Keyboard.
Yeah, it's nice and all, but TBH it doesn't replicate the experience of my MacBook Pro. Plus, it's heavy as the dickens! And makes the IPP overly thick.
It feels like a burden, while the using Apple Smart Folio is such a freeing experience.

Now if only some materials genius could invent a vibrant and sharp screen that also hides fingerprints!
Same! The 12.9 is a great tablet size. I’m starting to regret the MKB a bit, too.
 
I've also been enjoying using my 12.9 as a tablet of late. So much so that I'm starting to have buyer's remorse over purchasing the very expensive Magic Keyboard.
Yeah, it's nice and all, but TBH it doesn't replicate the experience of my MacBook Pro. Plus, it's heavy as the dickens! And makes the IPP overly thick.
It feels like a burden, while the using Apple Smart Folio is such a freeing experience.

Now if only some materials genius could invent a vibrant and sharp screen that also hides fingerprints!
this is why I picked up a glass screen protector + this shell for my iPA4, it means I can use it with the magic keyboard, and when I toss it in my bag I use the magic keyboard as its case, but I can also just pluck it off and use it/toss it in a bag/etc without the keyboard and still have it nicely covered if I want too. The second case/shell is depressingly pricey and not as sturdy as I'd like for the price, but it does work.
 
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Sounds good. But I've found that screen protectors noticeably reduce the quality of the screen - especially the vibrancy of colors. What's the point in getting the amazing MiniLED screen if you can enjoy it?
 
I avoided the mini-LED on the 12.9" since it has a worse set of issues with blooming, edge shadow, burn-in, 1st gen reliability issues with stuck mini-LED array, etc. while costing $300 more. Instead, went with 11" since only drawback is elevated black but only in dark room with lights turned off but even this is less distracting than blooming.
 
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I regret getting the 11 myself. I got the 2021 11 after having the 12.9 2020. But I don’t like the smaller screen. So I’ll be giving the 11 to my daughter as she needs a upgrade. I ordered the 12.9 for myself which should be here in a week or so.

For everything i use my iPad for the screen real estate of the 12.9 is perfect.
 
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I’ve owned countless iPads but never one with a 12.9” display…until I got my M1 iPad Pro. I regret having waited this long to get a 12.9” iPad.
 
For those who purchased an M1 Pro 11 to supplement your MBA/MBP, do you sometimes wish you went with the 12.9" instead? I'm a student who uses this device to handwrite notes and solve math problems and I was told the split-screen experience on the 12.9 is much better. However, I was not allowed to play with the 12.9" when I picked up my 11" Pro due to Covid restriction which makes me wonder if I should order the 12.9" online and return this one?
Off-topic, but… nice carpet!
 
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Yeah, so I did have a 2021 12.9” iPP and now I have a iPad Air 4 which is nice except I miss some of the Pro features. I kinda like the 10.9”/11” form factor, so I was leaning in the direction of just upgrading to the 2021 11” iPP and getting a Magic Keyboard to go with it. If I got another 12.9” that would be nice too, but I don’t think I could stand to use it as a tablet much and would then need to save up for a Magic Keyboard or other keyboard case.

I found that when I had my first iPad Air 4 in February of this year along with the only 11” Magic Keyboard I’ve ever owned, I fell in love with it. The 12.9” is also cumbersome when on the Magic Keyboard and in your lap as it tilts backwards slightly whereas the 11” Magic Keyboard didn’t.

Maybe I answered my own question and I should return my Air 4 and get an 2021 11” iPP with the Magic Keyboard for around the same price the 12.9” would cost without the keyboard? I don’t know. When I had my 12.9” either I didn’t notice it, didn’t watch the right content, or whatever it was, but the Mini-LED screen never blew me away. Right now I am satisfied with the screen on the Air 4, but I know the 11” would be even better.

Also, as far as the Air 4 goes, I enjoy using it in my hands as a tablet and I could do that with the 11” and the 12.9” is too heavy to do that for long periods of time in my experience. It’s also hard to reach on the screen to do things holding it with just one hand.

So, should I go with my gut on the 11” + Magic Keyboard or should I just get back what I had to begin with, the 12.9”? And a bonus question: What Magic Keyboard color should I choose if I go with the 11”? Black or white?
 
my original IPP was a 12.9. I loved it, it was great with the MK. I traded that in when the M1 Macs dropped and after a few months i wanted another iPad so I got the 11in M1 iPad. I love the 11in, the 12.9 just isn't comfortable when sitting on the couch or using it casually. If you plan on always having it in the MK on a desk or something then go 12.9 for sure. But the functionality/ portability of the 11 is perfect. I don't use it with a MK anymore since if i desire keyboard functionality then I just use my MacBook.

Also carrying a MBA and the 11in for side car in a backpack is excellent.
 
I plan on using the iPP with the Magic Keyboard in my lap, so the 12.9” has never worked very well for that. I don’t have a desk, so that’s out. I mean, the 12.9” was manageable on my lap, but it was not as fluid as the Air 4 (this time would be the 11”). Plus when I had the 12.9” it stayed on the Magic Keyboard 24/7. I want to use my iPP both on the Magic Keyboard and as a tablet I can hold too for a more personal, in your face experience. Not exactly in your face, but you know what I mean. 😆
 
I went from a 2018 12.9 to a 2020 11 and after awhile I regretted going with the smaller size. I just recently picked up the 2021 12.9 and I'm happy to be back with the larger Pro.
 
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