iPad Pro Better pair for 14" MacBook Pro -- 11" or 12.9"???

[Hammie]

I have been an iPad use since day 1 (I still have two of the release day models but they are stuck in a boot loop).

Anyway, I am considering upgrading my 2nd Gen 11" iPad Pro due to a cracked screen and crappy battery. I can get an M1 iPad Pro 512GB for about the same cost as a M2 iPad Pro with 256GB.

For those who have a 14" MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro chip, what do you find as a better companion? I mostly use my iPad as a consumption device and when traveling, a second monitor with Sidecar. I have always been curious about the 12.9", especially since it has the same screen as the 14" MacBook, but am worried it might be too big and/or heavy for my consumption purposes.

However, with the larger screen, it could become my day work device as I will be able to better view my VMWare Horizon desktop (it sort of sucks on the 11" screen).

Anyone have real world experiences that they can share?

 

[Paulo Henrique Baldassi]

Without a doubt the Macbook M1 Pro 14.2” and iPad Pro 12,9”. I had the same question 7 months ago and saw a 14.2" Macbook and iPad Pro 12.9" pair. Tomorrow I’ll be home and post a photo. I never buy a smaller iPad again. Using the 14.2 macbook with the iPad is simply fantastic. 2 Mini led screens are a dream. You won't regret it. Buy without fear

 

[Rafterman]

If you are looking for your iPad to be docked most of the time, get the 12.9. Or if you need HDR+ support. But if you use it as a tablet alot (I use it in tablet mode 25 percent of the time, which I consider "alot"), get the 11. The 12.9 is kind of bulky and heavy for extended handheld use. The 11 is much more portable and comfortable to hold and to use.

Comparing it to a 14 inch Macbook is not useful in my opinion, as they are different devices for different jobs.

 

[Mcuserr]

I have a MB Air 2 and 11" M1 iPad.

 

[VineRider]

I have a 14" MacBook Pro, and an 11" iPad Pro. I use the iPad for light email and web surfing/media consumption. Heavy work gets done on the MacBook. I think the 11" is a perfect companion for the 14" MacBook....at least in my use case.

 

[HDFan]

I mostly use my iPad as a consumption device and when traveling, a second monitor with Sidecar. I have always been curious about the 12.9", especially since it has the same screen as the 14" MacBook, but am worried it might be too big and/or heavy for my consumption purposes.

If you are looking for your iPad to be docked most of the time, get the 12.9. Or if you need HDR+ support. But if you use it as a tablet alot (I use it in tablet mode 25 percent of the time, which I consider "alot"), get the 11. The 12.9 is kind of bulky and heavy for extended handheld use. The 11 is much more portable and comfortable to hold and to use.

Comparing it to a 14 inch Macbook is not useful in my opinion, as they are different devices for different jobs.

Agree. When used for consumption a bit awkward and just too heavy for travel.

 

[Rafterman]

Agree. When used for consumption a bit awkward and just too heavy for travel.

Ironically, a 12.9 iPad and Magic Keyboard weigh more than my 16" Macbook Pro. I can't imagine how much the rumored 16" iPad would weigh.

 

[RLRabb]

Ironically, a 12.9 iPad and Magic Keyboard weigh more than my 16" Macbook Pro. I can't imagine how much the rumored 16" iPad would weigh.

12.9” iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard weighs 3 lbs. Current 16” MacBook Pro weighs 4.7 lbs. Previous generation 16” Pro weighed 4.3 lbs.

 

[Hammie]

I ended up going with the M2 12.9".

I did not get the Magic Keyboard. I'm holding out to see the best option and maybe if any deals come up for Black Friday or Cyber Monday. I am currently using a very old 2009 Bluetooth Apple Keyboard that I had with my old Mac Mini. It is working fine so far despite slowing down the Wi-Fi and other Bluetooth connections.

The screen size is perfect for when I am working and have very similar sized dual screens. The 11" worked, but seemed cramped, especially with spreadsheets. It is a similar footprint as my 14" MBP, but does weigh less. This might be more convenient when going into my office or on-prem customer meetings.

 

[dsc888]

I have a 14 inch MBP and an 11 inch iPP and just bought a refurb 12.9 M1 iPP. I personally like the 12.9 inch iPP more with my MBP due to the superior miniLED display. I use my 11 inch iPP with a ZUGU case that allows my ipad to be set at any of 8 angles from almost upright to almost flat to use with an Apple Pencil. So I essentially don’t handhold the iPP and will be another ZUGU case for the new 12.9 inch iPP once it arrives.

The case makes both iPP easy to use whether I am sitting in bed or on the couch as there are 8 angles I can set the ipad to. If you were to handhold the iPP, then the 11 inch is automatically the better option. But for HDR movies, which I own many of online, the 12.9 is the better option. And even for everyday web surfing, I like the fact that the text is slightly larger and that I can see more of the page. I’m in my late 40s and I find it a more pleasurable experience using a larger screen especially at night when I’m more tired. Good luck and keep us posted as to which option you end up going with.

 

[Frostbear44]

I ended up going with the 12.9".

I did not get the Magic Keyboard. I'm holding out to see the best option and maybe if any deals come up for Black Friday or Cyber Monday. I am currently using a very old 2009 Bluetooth Apple Keyboard that I had with my old Mac Mini. It is working fine so far despite slowing down the Wi-Fi and other Bluetooth connections.

The screen size is perfect for when I am working and have very similar sized dual screens. The 11" worked, but seemed cramped, especially with spreadsheets. It is a similar footprint as my 14" MBP, but does weigh less. This might be more convenient when going into my office or on-prem customer meetings.

Great choice - I use my 12.9" M1 iPad Pro in combo with the 16" MBP. I bought a a Zugu case for it (wow!) and have decided to sell the Smart Folio and Magic Keyboard I've been using with it. The Zugu is great for Sidecar, with the angles, and very protective. If I ever just travel with the 12.9 I've invested in the MX Keys Mini and MX Anywhere 3 mouse for productivity, as I can also use these with with the iPad mini 6, and I suppose the MBP.

 

[Hammie]

I have a 14 inch MBP and an 11 inch iPP and just bought a refurb 12.9 M1 iPP. I personally like the 12.9 inch iPP more with my MBP due to the superior miniLED display. I use my 11 inch iPP with a ZUGU case that allows my ipad to be set at any of 8 angles from almost upright to almost flat to use with an Apple Pencil. So I essentially don’t handhold the iPP and will be another ZUGU case for the new 12.9 inch iPP once it arrives.

The case makes both iPP easy to use whether I am sitting in bed or on the couch as there are 8 angles I can set the ipad to. If you were to handhold the iPP, then the 11 inch is automatically the better option. But for HDR movies, which I own many of online, the 12.9 is the better option. And even for everyday web surfing, I like the fact that the text is slightly larger and that I can see more of the page. I’m in my late 40s and I find it a more pleasurable experience using a larger screen especially at night when I’m more tired. Good luck and keep us posted as to which option you end up going with.

Great choice - I use my 12.9" M1 iPad Pro in combo with the 16" MBP. I bought a a Zugu case for it (wow!) and have decided to sell the Smart Folio and Magic Keyboard I've been using with it. The Zugu is great for Sidecar, with the angles, and very protective. If I ever just travel with the 12.9 I've invested in the MX Keys Mini and MX Anywhere 3 mouse for productivity, as I can also use these with with the iPad mini 6, and I suppose the MBP.

That Zugu case looks nice. I have a Speck case for now and it seems to be doing fine. The Speck hinges in the back versus the Zugu in the front. I like the front a little better, I think. Thanks again for the tip on that case. Need to decide if I want it or the Magic Keyboard.

The larger screen is exactly what I was hoping for. Between having it setup next to my 14” MBP and using Universal Control or using my VMWare Remote Desktop software with Sidecar, this is a perfect setup right now. Although I do prefer my dual 27” monitor desk setup, I am working at my kitchen counter with the dual screens today to see how a full day will be like when traveling. After 30 minutes, it is great. LOL!

 

[dsc888]

That Zugu case looks nice. I have a Speck case for now and it seems to be doing fine. The Speck hinges in the back versus the Zugu in the front. I like the front a little better, I think. Thanks again for the tip on that case. Need to decide if I want it or the Magic Keyboard.

The larger screen is exactly what I was hoping for. Between having it setup next to my 14” MBP and using Universal Control or using my VMWare Remote Desktop software with Sidecar, this is a perfect setup right now. Although I do prefer my dual 27” monitor desk setup, I am working at my kitchen counter with the dual screens today to see how a full day will be like when traveling. After 30 minutes, it is great. LOL!

I didn’t mention in my first reply that I also have the Apple Magic Keyboard for my 11 inch ipad pro. It’s definitely an excellent experience but I find that I prefer to use my iPad Pro on the ZUGU case much more as a consumption device. The Magic Keyboard is top-heavy and does not sit very stable on my lap, whereas the ZUGU case is super stable. But then again, it may not make much of a difference if you were to use it on a table and need to do a lot of text entering. You may want to invest in a separate Bluetooth keyboard to use with your iPad if you were to go to the route of the ZUGU case.

 

[Hammie]

I didn’t mention in my first reply that I also have the Apple Magic Keyboard for my 11 inch ipad pro. It’s definitely an excellent experience but I find that I prefer to use my iPad Pro on the ZUGU case much more as a consumption device. The Magic Keyboard is top-heavy and does not sit very stable on my lap, whereas the ZUGU case is super stable. But then again, it may not make much of a difference if you were to use it on a table and need to do a lot of text entering. You may want to invest in a separate Bluetooth keyboard to use with your iPad if you were to go to the route of the ZUGU case.

I have an old Apple Magic Keyboard (old school chicklet keys) that runs off AA batteries. It works, but the fact that it is BT3.0 and not more modern affects the performance of wi-fi. Looking at both the newer Apple Magic Keyboard or the Logitech MX Mini if I go external keyboard. I will probably get the Magic Keyboard, too. I do like the experience that I had with my 11" with Magic Keyboard. Plus, the white one looks really good with the Space Grey iPP, IMO.

The Speck was/is ok with consumption, but if and when I had to use the on screen keyboard, it was too upright and made for an uncomfortable typing experience. I also ended up not liking the external material. It almost felt like a rough, cheap pool liner.

 

[Student of Life]

I ended up going with the M2 12.9".

I did not get the Magic Keyboard. I'm holding out to see the best option and maybe if any deals come up for Black Friday or Cyber Monday. I am currently using a very old 2009 Bluetooth Apple Keyboard that I had with my old Mac Mini. It is working fine so far despite slowing down the Wi-Fi and other Bluetooth connections.

The screen size is perfect for when I am working and have very similar sized dual screens. The 11" worked, but seemed cramped, especially with spreadsheets. It is a similar footprint as my 14" MBP, but does weigh less. This might be more convenient when going into my office or on-prem customer meetings.

Combo Touch Keyboard Case for iPad | Logitech

Shop Combo Touch for iPad. Compatible with iPad (7th, 8th, 9th & 10th gen). Backlit, Multi-touch Trackpad

www.logitech.com

Have you tried the Logitech combo case? It has a bigger track pad than the Magic Keyboard and when you remove the keyboard the iPad is still protected.

 

[Hammie]

Combo Touch Keyboard Case for iPad | Logitech

Shop Combo Touch for iPad. Compatible with iPad (7th, 8th, 9th & 10th gen). Backlit, Multi-touch Trackpad

www.logitech.com

Have you tried the Logitech combo case? It has a bigger track pad than the Magic Keyboard and when you remove the keyboard the iPad is still protected.

The problem with the Logitech case, IMO, is the footprint. The keyboard plus kickstand looks like it takes up almost twice the space as the Magic Keyboard. Otherwise, it is a beautiful case.

 

[shahbaz275817]

I have a 14 inch MBP and an 11 inch iPP and just bought a refurb 12.9 M1 iPP. I personally like the 12.9 inch iPP more with my MBP due to the superior miniLED display. I use my 11 inch iPP with a ZUGU case that allows my ipad to be set at any of 8 angles from almost upright to almost flat to use with an Apple Pencil. So I essentially don’t handhold the iPP and will be another ZUGU case for the new 12.9 inch iPP once it arrives.

The case makes both iPP easy to use whether I am sitting in bed or on the couch as there are 8 angles I can set the ipad to. If you were to handhold the iPP, then the 11 inch is automatically the better option. But for HDR movies, which I own many of online, the 12.9 is the better option. And even for everyday web surfing, I like the fact that the text is slightly larger and that I can see more of the page. I’m in my late 40s and I find it a more pleasurable experience using a larger screen especially at night when I’m more tired. Good luck and keep us posted as to which option you end up going with.

the 14 inch MBP and 12.9 iPP both have mini LED display right, how come iPP display is better than 14 inch MBP? Even I'm also confused b/w the two displays which is better for content consumption & movies.

 

[rui no onna]

the 14 inch MBP and 12.9 iPP both have mini LED display right, how come iPP display is better than 14 inch MBP? Even I'm also confused b/w the two displays which is better for content consumption & movies.

As far as aspect ratio is concerned, the 14-inch MBP is closer to the AR of movies and modern TV series.

 

[xraydoc]

The problem with the Logitech case, IMO, is the footprint. The keyboard plus kickstand looks like it takes up almost twice the space as the Magic Keyboard. Otherwise, it is a beautiful case.

This is an accurate assessment. I’ve got both the Magic Keyboard and the Combo Touch. They each have their own pluses and minuses.

 

[dsc888]

the 14 inch MBP and 12.9 iPP both have mini LED display right, how come iPP display is better than 14 inch MBP? Even I'm also confused b/w the two displays which is better for content consumption & movies.

For movies, I'd pick the larger screen despite the both of them being the same technology. It's just more immersive to use a larger screen when you are simply consuming content. But there are places where you may not want a bigger laptop such as when you're in bed where you might doze off and have an expensive laptop slide onto the floor or if you're on an airplane and have limited fold down table space. Also, the MBP does have a wider aspect ratio like others have mentioned that allows 16:9 or wider ratio content to use up more of the screen vs the iPad which is more of a 4:3 ratio like old CRT TVs.