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All iPads Do you have multiple iPads for different uses?
- Thread starter satchmo
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Actually just picked up the Air 4 myself. I also have a 2020 12.9 Pro. My use cases are as follows:
12.9 - Mainly stays in my home office attached to the Magic Keyboard. It sits right under my 20” work monitor. Use it during the work day for movies, TV, and other videos. I also use it for long distance/extended travel like vacations and business trips. I prefer the 12.9 for longer trips due to the bigger screen for Movies, Videos, and Multitasking. In my opinion it’s more versatile for productivity and consumption. I tend to need both on longer trips.
Air 4 - This is strictly a consumption tablet that I use in Portrait Mode 75+% of the time. No Keyboard, just a Smart Cover and Apple Pencil 2. I mainly browse the web, check email, take notes with the pencil, play games, and watch YouTube on it. It’s my go anywhere, move around the house tablet. Perfect for commutes and day trips. Barbershop, Doctor’s office, Starbucks, friends or family’s house, you name it, it’s with me. The only time it’s not with me is during the extended travel I mentioned above.
Now in saying all of this, I’m due for an upgrade to my 2017 13” MacBook Pro. If the rumors are true and there’s a redesigned 14” M1 MacBook Pro coming, it will be a day one purchase for me. If Apple continues to improve the iOS app support on the M1 Macs, and they add Spatial Audio to MacOS, I can definitely see it replacing my 12.9 iPad Pro. The M1 Macs have already bridged the gap in other 12.9 iPad advantages like instant on and battery life, and Macs are still much better at multitasking than iPads. I have a strong feeling that once I get an M1 Mac, my 12.9 will be going up for sell sooner rather than later ?
12.9 - Mainly stays in my home office attached to the Magic Keyboard. It sits right under my 20” work monitor. Use it during the work day for movies, TV, and other videos. I also use it for long distance/extended travel like vacations and business trips. I prefer the 12.9 for longer trips due to the bigger screen for Movies, Videos, and Multitasking. In my opinion it’s more versatile for productivity and consumption. I tend to need both on longer trips.
Air 4 - This is strictly a consumption tablet that I use in Portrait Mode 75+% of the time. No Keyboard, just a Smart Cover and Apple Pencil 2. I mainly browse the web, check email, take notes with the pencil, play games, and watch YouTube on it. It’s my go anywhere, move around the house tablet. Perfect for commutes and day trips. Barbershop, Doctor’s office, Starbucks, friends or family’s house, you name it, it’s with me. The only time it’s not with me is during the extended travel I mentioned above.
Now in saying all of this, I’m due for an upgrade to my 2017 13” MacBook Pro. If the rumors are true and there’s a redesigned 14” M1 MacBook Pro coming, it will be a day one purchase for me. If Apple continues to improve the iOS app support on the M1 Macs, and they add Spatial Audio to MacOS, I can definitely see it replacing my 12.9 iPad Pro. The M1 Macs have already bridged the gap in other 12.9 iPad advantages like instant on and battery life, and Macs are still much better at multitasking than iPads. I have a strong feeling that once I get an M1 Mac, my 12.9 will be going up for sell sooner rather than later ?
11” Pro always on Magic Keybord, mainly for multi media / computer use (online classes)
Mini 5, multi media / games / surfing, I have a tablet mount in my car, it’s great for gps and Apple Music
Mini 5, multi media / games / surfing, I have a tablet mount in my car, it’s great for gps and Apple Music
Have a 12.9 2gen pro and a 5 mini. Use the pro for everything. Rarely use my iMac or mb pro anymore except for clear tasks like word, photo excel etc. I use the mini for music scores on the go, reading and general portable use when I feel the 12.9 is too big and heavy to carry with me. Just got the mini and now cannot imagine not having 2 iPads. I have everything on my pro mirrored on the mini and this is a really good setup for me.
iPad Pro 12.9” 2020 w/MK - Use for everything
iPad Air (1) - Only use with Everlance app for tracking miles for food deliveries.
iPad Air (1) - Only use with Everlance app for tracking miles for food deliveries.
I have been using a 2018 12.9” with magic keyboard as my primary computing device for awhile, but I found commuting with it wasn’t working so great when added to a work laptop — especially after I slipped on ice and smashed the screen! I repaired it, but I also got a refurb mini 5 LTE and a pencil 1, which fit neatly into my purse to take on my commute. I’ve found it’s much more conducive to being used in ”tablet mode” even around the house, especially given that the magic keyboard is something you have to remove in order to do that with the 12.9”.
I’m hopeful we’ll get a mini with the pencil 2, though, because I feel it’s a big improvement over the 1.
I’m hopeful we’ll get a mini with the pencil 2, though, because I feel it’s a big improvement over the 1.
I repurposed my old iPad Mini into a bedside alarm clock and Chromecast media streaming hub for our bedroom TV.
My new Mini is my e-reader.
My new Mini is my e-reader.
IPP 2020 1tb Cell: For stationary productivity; video editing, drawing, bookkeeping, autodesk touchups etc..
IPP 2017 512gb Cell: productivity on the go, video editing, ebook creation and general use. Heavy gaming and always with me too.
2011 iPad 2 64gb Cell: for purchased legacy apps and games that never transitioned to 64 bit. Dead Space, WildBlood, BackStab, Bookworm, Tomb raider I and II, Lego Harry Potter Series, Street Fighter 2 Collection, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, BF Bad Company 2, Marvel vs Capcom 2, Street Fighter X Tekken, StarFront, Dark Knight Returns, Sonic All-Star Racing & Sonic All-Star Racing Transformed, Sacred Odyssey, Shadow Guardian, Dark Meadow, Dangerous Hunts (one of my favorites), Mass Effect Infiltrator and so much more. iOS updates killed so many games and apps and these developers didn’t want to continue fixing their apps every time Apple BROKE THEM with iOS updates.
- iPad 12.9" - second screen for work at home, loaded with various work apps
- iPad 8th Gen - portable machine for work and personal
I used to carry around the 12.9" iPad, but frankly it is too big/heavy when combined with a Smart Keyboard - the iPad 8th gen with a traditional keyboard cover is much more portable
- iPad 8th Gen - portable machine for work and personal
I used to carry around the 12.9" iPad, but frankly it is too big/heavy when combined with a Smart Keyboard - the iPad 8th gen with a traditional keyboard cover is much more portable
For almost everything, I use a 2018 11" iPad Pro. I also have a work-issued 5th generation iPad which is locked down pretty tight via MDM and lives in a bulky case, so it's only ever used for work stuff.
I have an iPad Pro 11, iPad mini 5th generation, MacBook Air and an older 11 inch MacBook air. They all get used, not equally but they all see use.
I have a Mini 4 and an iPad Pro 10.5" model. Only have 2 models since the Mini 4 was beginning to act weird. I figured hardware issue, so bought the nicer 10.5" model. At some point after that, I did a reset to factory defaults and configured the Mini as a new device and the issue went away 
I even later replaced the battery (which involved sending to apple and getting a refurbished unit back).
The Mini is nicer for reading ebooks, but I generally use what is most available and charged. Normally take the 10.5" with me when I leave home.
Speculation is that the Mini won't get iOS 15, but as long as the hardware holds up I can keep it for at least a couple more years as long as supported by apps.
I even later replaced the battery (which involved sending to apple and getting a refurbished unit back).
The Mini is nicer for reading ebooks, but I generally use what is most available and charged. Normally take the 10.5" with me when I leave home.
Speculation is that the Mini won't get iOS 15, but as long as the hardware holds up I can keep it for at least a couple more years as long as supported by apps.
I used to have a 12.9-inch iPad for drawing and illustration when I was at home, and then an iPad mini 5 for doodling whilst on the commute to work.
I loved the small size of the mini but for drawing it could get cramped. Conversely, I found the 12.9-inch quite cumbersome to hold for long periods, though the extra space was much appreciated.
Now I have one 11-inch iPad Pro, which I use for drawing on-the-go (or will when the pandemic is under control). It offers the best balance of screen size and portability for me.
The Mac mini I purchased since is now my dedicated at-home digital art studio, for when I want the advantage of a dual monitor set up (as well as the extra horsepower thanks to the M1 chip).
The MacBook Air is for basic computing and web browsing (because for some reason I still prefer the web-browsing experience on a computer vs. a tablet).
Think I have all the bases covered now!
I loved the small size of the mini but for drawing it could get cramped. Conversely, I found the 12.9-inch quite cumbersome to hold for long periods, though the extra space was much appreciated.
Now I have one 11-inch iPad Pro, which I use for drawing on-the-go (or will when the pandemic is under control). It offers the best balance of screen size and portability for me.
The Mac mini I purchased since is now my dedicated at-home digital art studio, for when I want the advantage of a dual monitor set up (as well as the extra horsepower thanks to the M1 chip).
The MacBook Air is for basic computing and web browsing (because for some reason I still prefer the web-browsing experience on a computer vs. a tablet).
Think I have all the bases covered now!
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I use my 12.9" as a general browsing/ consumption device to complement my MBP. I have given thought to a mini previously to take on trips away, but I don't think it would get enough use to really be worth it. The phone is plenty for every day out and about, it's just sometimes a bit limiting on holidays & weekends away when you don't want to take the MacBook or the larger iPad.
Ipad Pro 12” for daily use and I have a Air 2 I use for Zwift (bike simulator) and reading. I also bring it to church for my bible as having the 12” feels a little awkward. I’m really tempted to go back to the 11” pro
Yes.
I'm a big believer in the idea that each iPad form factor has its strengths and weaknesses. A cellular iPad mini and a WiFi 12.9" iPad Pro, for instance serve two completely different, yet important use cases for me.
I have:
- Mini 5
- 2017 10.5 Pro
- 2018 12.9 Pro
And my favourite is the Mini, due to it being so lightweight and pretty quick.
The 12.9 is a lovely bit of kit but it is just too heavy for using as a tablet and I tend to prefer a 12 inch MacBook for productivity on the go, even though it's noticeably slower, as it's more ergonomic for me.
The 10.5 was the perfect balance, but the dreaded white spot and less responsive touch screen have relegated it to third place. A 2021 11 inch iPad Pro will replace it once released.
- Mini 5
- 2017 10.5 Pro
- 2018 12.9 Pro
And my favourite is the Mini, due to it being so lightweight and pretty quick.
The 12.9 is a lovely bit of kit but it is just too heavy for using as a tablet and I tend to prefer a 12 inch MacBook for productivity on the go, even though it's noticeably slower, as it's more ergonomic for me.
The 10.5 was the perfect balance, but the dreaded white spot and less responsive touch screen have relegated it to third place. A 2021 11 inch iPad Pro will replace it once released.
One for work, personal and my normal hobbies and the other with my other apple id for porn and video games
Big iPad (12.9”) + small iPad (Mini) = good combo for me.
Big iPad for portable drawing, general laptop-type use with a keyboard, and as a portable second display (with pen input) for my computer.
Small iPad for comfortable reading and for carrying around home as a bigger screen phone replacement—ie. for communication, audio consumption, short videos and productivity tasks, and the occasional game (a “phablet” in the truest sense).
For me, neither could ever replace the other, and replacing both with an in-between size iPad would be too much compromise.
Of course it really just depends on your preferences and specific uses.
For context, my other devices are:
- iPhone SE(1st gen), for a minimalist true one-handed device when I’m out. (When I’m home, it stays charging and I use my iPad mini as a phone replacement, as mentioned earlier.)
- 15” MBP usually connected to big monitors at my desk, for work.
- Mac mini, for file and media management/hub.
- TV/home entertainment system, for cinematic video. (My other devices are only used for non-cinematic video or cinematic video I’ve already seen, so the video experience on those isn’t very important to me.)
My belief is that the more you care about something, the more you start to need a dedicated tool for it. A current example: I didn’t care that much about photos for a long time, so phone cameras were fine for me. But as I’m starting to care more, the more I notice the deficiencies of phone cameras—namely long range photos. Now I’m looking into buying a dedicated camera with good long range to take with me on trips, etc.
That’s why these things are such a personal decision, because whether or not it’s worth having multiple devices depends entirely on how much you care.
Big iPad for portable drawing, general laptop-type use with a keyboard, and as a portable second display (with pen input) for my computer.
Small iPad for comfortable reading and for carrying around home as a bigger screen phone replacement—ie. for communication, audio consumption, short videos and productivity tasks, and the occasional game (a “phablet” in the truest sense).
For me, neither could ever replace the other, and replacing both with an in-between size iPad would be too much compromise.
Of course it really just depends on your preferences and specific uses.
For context, my other devices are:
- iPhone SE(1st gen), for a minimalist true one-handed device when I’m out. (When I’m home, it stays charging and I use my iPad mini as a phone replacement, as mentioned earlier.)
- 15” MBP usually connected to big monitors at my desk, for work.
- Mac mini, for file and media management/hub.
- TV/home entertainment system, for cinematic video. (My other devices are only used for non-cinematic video or cinematic video I’ve already seen, so the video experience on those isn’t very important to me.)
My belief is that the more you care about something, the more you start to need a dedicated tool for it. A current example: I didn’t care that much about photos for a long time, so phone cameras were fine for me. But as I’m starting to care more, the more I notice the deficiencies of phone cameras—namely long range photos. Now I’m looking into buying a dedicated camera with good long range to take with me on trips, etc.
That’s why these things are such a personal decision, because whether or not it’s worth having multiple devices depends entirely on how much you care.
Totally agree with "My belief is that the more you care about something, the more you start to need a dedicated tool for it". That's why I have the 3 sizes of iPad (mini, 11, 12.9) but also the Tab S7+ for videos and even a very light 15in laptop (the lightest in the world actually) for watching cinematic videos (I rarely watch a whole movie without moving around the house...). And a small phone for max comfort (not as small as the SE, which I have too, but as small as the 11 pro, the Samsung S10e).