iPad Buying a 12.9 iPad Pro at this time?

[jaybar]

Hi

I currently have a 2020 iPad 11Pro with the MK and I am thinking about replacing it with a 12.9. I find the type too small for me on the 11. I hardly use my 11 Pro with its keyboard.

My fear about the 12.9 with the MK is I wonder about the weight. Do any of you use the 12.9 naked or just with the folio?

Would this be a good time to purchase the 12.9, given that I never use the 11?

The screen quality of the 12.9, would also make it easier to see. Shall I go ahead or wait?

Thanks

 

[Rafterman]

I use both the MK and the folio. The MK acts more as a dock for me, and if I take the 12.9 for a spin in places with hard surfaces, I slap the folio on it. If I'm indoors, with rugs everywhere, I don't even need the folio. Everything being magnetic makes it easy to switch out.

Both iPad 12.9 with MK is quite heavy. The iPad 12.9 alone is 1.5 pounds (the 11 is one pound, the Mini is .6).

 

[Devyn89]

With the magic keyboard attached it is about the weight of a 13” MacBook Pro. By itself the tablet is light enough but heavy with the keyboard. As for whether it’s worth it I would say if you think a bigger screen and an HDR capable screen are worth basically double the price of a device you can get the same M1 on that runs the same OS I would say go for it. Personally I did find it worth it, I love my 12.9”. I thought it was too big at first but I got used to it pretty quickly.

 

[sparksd]

I am another who finds the 2021 12.9 well worth it - I really like the large screen and will never again go for a smaller screen in the large iPad format. I don't use the MK, just a folio-style case, and don't find the weight to be an issue at all; I even use the 12.9 for reading in bed. I do have the Logitech Combo Touch case but use it only when going somewhere where I'll want regular use of a keyboard - like the MK, it adds considerable heft.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

My 12.9 Pro and MK combo is my go-to work device. They keyboard is terrific to type on.

 

[rui no onna]

12.9 + Smart Folio clone here. No Magic Keyboard.

I have a Logitech K780 with built-in dock both at home and in the office. I use the iPad as an additional display for auxiliary stuff (web browsing/research, messages, phone calls, YouTube music, etc) while I have large spreadsheets or databases open on the PC's dual monitors.

I never use physical keyboards with iPads when I'm not at a desk.

 

[jaybar]

Thanks everyone. To all who answered, is it still advisable to purchase or wait?

 

[rui no onna]

Thanks everyone. To all who answered, is it still advisable to purchase or wait?

How soon do you need it?

We're mid-cycle now. If you're willing to wait until end of the year to early next year, then it might be good to see what the next model brings (or get extra discounts through clearance sales or the refurb store particularly for higher spec configs).

I think Amazon has the 2021 iPad Pros for $100-$150 off so it's not a bad time to get one now if you need one right away.

 

[xxray]

A cheaper alternative is to use an external keyboard with your 11” so you have more typing space but don’t have to buy a whole new iPad. There are carrying pouches that would hold both your iPad and external keyboard so it’s easy to carry it around.

I still think it’s a good time to buy though. You’ll likely be waiting till the end of 2022 for a new 12.9” release at the earliest, there are discounts available now that likely won’t be available right away for the new model, and the M2 is supposed to be only a modest increase in performance over the M1 that’s in the current 12.9” Pro. The current model should be supported and speedy for years to come.

 

[jaybar]

A cheaper alternative is to use an external keyboard with your 11” so you have more typing space but don’t have to buy a whole new iPad. There are carrying pouches that would hold both your iPad and external keyboard so it’s easy to carry it around.

I still think it’s a good time to buy though. You’ll likely be waiting till the end of 2022 for a new 12.9” release at the earliest, there are discounts available now that likely won’t be available right away for the new model, and the M2 is supposed to be only a modest increase in performance over the M1 that’s in the current 12.9” Pro. The current model should be supported and speedy for years to come.

It’s not the typing space that is the issue. It is straining to see what is on the iPad.

 

[SkiHound2]

Thanks everyone. To all who answered, is it still advisable to purchase or wait?

I don't have a 12.9 and I don't know what the next iteration will bring. With that confidence inspiring set of credentials... The 12.9 just got the new mini LED screen. My thought is that the next version will bring little more than a spec bump; M2, probably some camera tweaks, etc. I've seen the 12.9 for about $100 off and I just don't think the next version is going to bring much that will meaningfully change the user experience. The M1 already offers way more power than most of us need in this kind of device. I think it's also unlikely we'll see the next model till fall. I don't think it's a bad time to buy.

 

[LogicalApex]

Thanks everyone. To all who answered, is it still advisable to purchase or wait?

IMHO, no it isn’t worth it unless you have specific needs you can enumerate. Even then I’d consider looking backward to a previous generation of the same size.

If you could wait I would at least wait for WWDC. Not because I think Apple will add anything jaw dropping to the mix. There is the question of if Apple will do more with the M1 as it spreads through the lineup. You wouldn’t want to miss something. But I honestly don’t see them adding anything.

I think the iPP is vastly overpriced and overspecced for what iPadOS brings to the table. Except in very specific workflows. So you want the price you pay to be discounted sufficiently to reflect that reality.


Just my two pennies.

 

[sparksd]

Thanks everyone. To all who answered, is it still advisable to purchase or wait?

If you really want the bigger display, go for it. I think it's outstanding.

 

[MrSky]

It’s not the typing space that is the issue. It is straining to see what is on the iPad.

If its size then you have no choice but to get the bigger ipad.. But you can also try increasing the Text size in setting first to see if that might be good enough.

 

[danmart]

I voted with my wallet and bought a new 12.9 this week ?

This is my third 12.9 (1st gen, 3rd, now 5th). The size is great for me; I read a lot of PDF documents with technical content and the screen is pretty much 1:1 for a printed page. The screen also supports a useful level of multitasking when needed, too.

Personally I don’t bother with the Magic Keyboard case, actually I use a Magic Keyboard intended for a desktop Mac via Bluetooth. This gives me more versatility and I just carry what I anticipate needing in a given scenario. In my experience the onscreen keyboard is useful enough for short to even medium typing activities once you are familiar with the key positioning; the physical keyboard is better when doing significant typing activity.

I waited until the March event just to be safe, but ordered my device the morning after that. The M1 (especially with 16GB of memory in the higher configurations) will be a power house for years of use in my opinion.

 

[Isamilis]

I voted with my wallet and bought a new 12.9 this week ?

This is my third 12.9 (1st gen, 3rd, now 5th). The size is great for me; I read a lot of PDF documents with technical content and the screen is pretty much 1:1 for a printed page. The screen also supports a useful level of multitasking when needed, too.

Personally I don’t bother with the Magic Keyboard case, actually I use a Magic Keyboard intended for a desktop Mac via Bluetooth. This gives me more versatility and I just carry what I anticipate needing in a given scenario. In my experience the onscreen keyboard is useful enough for short to even medium typing activities once you are familiar with the key positioning; the physical keyboard is better when doing significant typing activity.

I waited until the March event just to be safe, but ordered my device the morning after that. The M1 (especially with 16GB of memory in the higher configurations) will be a power house for years of use in my opinion.

Same keyboard here, with folio case and 11” M1. I need to zoom the text for reading PDF files with small fonts (i.e. academic journals and text book), but it fits perfectly for non-PDF books.

 

[nepalisherpa]

Hi

I currently have a 2020 iPad 11Pro with the MK and I am thinking about replacing it with a 12.9. I find the type too small for me on the 11. I hardly use my 11 Pro with its keyboard.

My fear about the 12.9 with the MK is I wonder about the weight. Do any of you use the 12.9 naked or just with the folio?

Would this be a good time to purchase the 12.9, given that I never use the 11?

The screen quality of the 12.9, would also make it easier to see. Shall I go ahead or wait?

Thanks

I use my 12.9 without any case. The only time I put it in a folio case is when traveling or moving around. Without any case, it feels very light and comfortable to use.

If you have a Microcenter nearby they have had $200 off of 12.9 iPad Pro for a while now and you can even get Best Buy to pricematch it (assuming you are from the US).

 

[mikedude86]

Picked up a 12.9 last week, then a MK a day or two later, got the iPad for 100 off and 50 off the MK, no regrets here. LOVING the mini-LED, loving the size (tried the mini 6 and just can’t see well enough to read on it). Got a PS5 controller a few days ago and love playing games on it too.

 

[AVBeatMan]

I got my 12.9 last year and love it. They only “worry” I had was that this time I went with the WiFi model whereas I usually buy cellular. I needn’t have worried as I’ve travelled with the 12.9 a few times and just tether to my iPhone which has unlimited data.

I also went with the 256GB (as I always do) but am pretty sure I could manage with 128GB (currently only used around 80GB). I have both the folio and Magic Keyboard and use both.

 

[The Game 161]

Hi

I currently have a 2020 iPad 11Pro with the MK and I am thinking about replacing it with a 12.9. I find the type too small for me on the 11. I hardly use my 11 Pro with its keyboard.

My fear about the 12.9 with the MK is I wonder about the weight. Do any of you use the 12.9 naked or just with the folio?

Would this be a good time to purchase the 12.9, given that I never use the 11?

The screen quality of the 12.9, would also make it easier to see. Shall I go ahead or wait?

Thanks

I use mine with the folio

love it for media and with Apple Pencil. hard to go back to smaller now

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

My M1 12.9 is my most used device, Don’t have a MK just a Spigen case. Very rarely use my desktop or laptop these days. Personally I would love Apple to go bigger and release a 14” or 15” Pro

 

[parseckadet]

It’s not the typing space that is the issue. It is straining to see what is on the iPad.

So the rumor mill is saying that the MacBook Air will be the first device to get the M2, and that it will be in Q3 this year. That could be as early as WWDC, but I doubt it. And the iPad Pros will get updated sometime AFTER that. Further, historically all iPad models have been updated on an 18-month cycle. All of that points squarely at an update coming in the October/November timeframe.

I‘ll also say that I was in the market to upgrade my old 10.5” Pro. I was waiting to see what the Air update brought, but it didn’t have everything I wanted (mostly ProMotion). My new 11” came yesterday.

 

[gadgetgirl85]

I'm in a tossup between the 11" and 12 - it's a big price jump though.

 

[Devyn89]

I'm in a tossup between the 11" and 12 - it's a big price jump though.

it is a big jump. I went from the 2018 11” to the 2021 12.9”, traded my 11” to a local company (got $740 Canadian for the 256gb version and the magic keyboard i had). I had a deal through Apple as well so I just paid for the magic keyboard basically. It’s been totally worth it so far, I love the bigger size.

 

[prospervic]

I wouldn't wait this far in advance -- new iPad Pro is rumored not to appear until the Fall. You can find $100 - $200 discount sales pretty regularly now on (check 9to5toys.com everyday), which makes me jealous as I paid full-price for my 2021 12.9" on launch day. It's worth it for the current M1, mini-LED model. And going from 11" to 12.9" is whole new experience IMO.

Not many here will agree with this, but I'm again using the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio with my 12.9. I put aside the Magic Keyboard for now as it's unpleasantly heavy, and I didn't want to turn my iPad into a sort-of-but-not-really MacBook. (I have an actual MacBook Pro.)

The SKF is about 50% lighter, folds over on it's back so you can use iPad in tablet mode and, unlike some here, I find the keyboard feel to be pleasant. It's also waterproof. I just bought one (brand new) on Ebay for $100, which is 1/2 price.

I haven't yet decided whether I'll sell my MKB (at a significant loss), but for now I'm learning all the keyboard shortcuts that I wouldn't bother with before because the MKB allowed be to be lazy and just use the trackpad (for which the Logitech mini-mouse is a good substitute).

BTW, Ebay also has MKB's for good prices if you've already committed to buying one.