Dumped 12.9 IPP for 10.5 and loving it

[eiprol]

I've been thinking of doing this since the iPad 10.5 came out. I use my 12.9 mainly for drawing, browsing, media content... but I barely move it, it's always sitting on my desktop (as many of you). It's just not that portable. And for that, I already have my mac. I'm kind of convinced that this would change with a smaller iPad. However, since a new one can come out soon, I'm still waiting... I know I would miss the bigger screen, so if they turn the new 10.5 into a 11' bezel-less this summer/fall...

 

[eyeseeyou]

Went from air 2 to 12.9 to 9.7 now at 10.5.

 

[mrklaw]

This is an interesting thread for me as I am thinking about going the other way from a 10.5 to a 12.9. I have a 64GB 10.5 and I’d like more storage so am thinking to try the 12.9 for a short time.
Mainly use it at home so portability isn’t high on the agenda, and for watching video it should be much nicer. And for reading magazines it should be a good size too

My only worry is whether use on the sofa for basic web browsing might feel too big and cumbersome. And the virtual keyboard is likely to be less convenient
[doublepost=1523000528][/doublepost]

I hardly ever use the 12.9 at a table— mostly on my lap. I find it very stable with the ASK, or I have it just resting in my lap while I draw on it or play a game or whatever. I don’t do a ton of holding it without some portion of it resting on my lap. Not that it’s hugely heavy— just what I’m finding my default positions to be.

How is it for lap use - relaxing on the sofa in the evening? My initial thought is bigger is better, but being up close to you it is possible it might feel too big when browsing or watching eg Netflix? Probably decent for PiP video though

 

[darkarn]

I find the 12.9 inch much easier to play my games as I can spread out my fingers properly (very important for the games I play) and thus can play for longer period of time without finger/cramps. Also, the 12.9 is easier to put on my lap compared to the 10.5 or 9.7; they almost fell in between my legs a few times!

On the other hand, my sister and mom are happy with the 10.5 as it is easier to hold on their hands. So each to their own

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

This is an interesting thread for me as I am thinking about going the other way from a 10.5 to a 12.9. I have a 64GB 10.5 and I’d like more storage so am thinking to try the 12.9 for a short time.
Mainly use it at home so portability isn’t high on the agenda, and for watching video it should be much nicer. And for reading magazines it should be a good size too

My only worry is whether use on the sofa for basic web browsing might feel too big and cumbersome. And the virtual keyboard is likely to be less convenient
[doublepost=1523000528][/doublepost]

How is it for lap use - relaxing on the sofa in the evening? My initial thought is bigger is better, but being up close to you it is possible it might feel too big when browsing or watching eg Netflix? Probably decent for PiP video though

I think it's great for lap use. I curl up with it all the time, for work and pleasure. Nice and immersive, not too big.
[doublepost=1523028003][/doublepost]

I find the 12.9 inch much easier to play my games as I can spread out my fingers properly (very important for the games I play) and thus can play for longer period of time without finger/cramps. Also, the 12.9 is easier to put on my lap compared to the 10.5 or 9.7; they almost fell in between my legs a few times!

On the other hand, my sister and mom are happy with the 10.5 as it is easier to hold on their hands. So each to their own

I can see that. If I'm curling up at home on the couch or if I'm doing serious work, I want my big one. If I'm going to hold it like a book on a plane or in a waiting room, I want my little one.

 

[ssledoux]

I’m gonna need people to quit with the positive comments about the portability of the 10.5. ;-p

Every time I talk myself into keeping my 12.9 and NOT downsizing, I come back here and think about how practical it would be to have a more portable iPad.

I would do it in a flash if I wasn’t worried I would miss my big screen. The 10.5 is such a great size for throwing in my purse and taking with me, but the 12.9 is great for using at my desk. I wish I could have both, but since I HAVE to have LTE (it’s my only internet), I’m not just looking at cost of pad; I’d have to add another dang monthly access fee too.

 

[sracer]

I’m gonna need people to quit with the positive comments about the portability of the 10.5. ;-p

Every time I talk myself into keeping my 12.9 and NOT downsizing, I come back here and think about how practical it would be to have a more portable iPad.

I would do it in a flash if I wasn’t worried I would miss my big screen. The 10.5 is such a great size for throwing in my purse and taking with me, but the 12.9 is great for using at my desk. I wish I could have both, but since I HAVE to have LTE (it’s my only internet), I’m not just looking at cost of pad; I’d have to add another dang monthly access fee too.

When I discovered that there are indeed scenarios (albeit few) where the 12.9 Pro was too large, I considered getting a 9.7 or 10.5. The difference between them and the 12.9 really isn't all that much. That is why I went with the Mini 4 (along with keeping the 12.9).


Regarding LTE, I don't know your particular situation, but when I've been in similar situations, I've found that buying a mobile hotspot to be more cost effective. That allows me to use multiple devices (not necessarily simultaneously) without having to pay the "mobile tax" of added LTE support on each individual device.... and worry about those devices that don't offer a mobile data option.

And now when I find myself in need of mobile data access, I can activate it for a day or month on my iPhone SE and use it as a hotspot in a pinch. Works great while keeping the cost at a minimum.

 

[ssledoux]

That makes sense. It’s just that with a hotspot we are confined to a certain amount of usage, which is nowhere near the equivalent of what we actually used on our share plan with 8 devices (all with unlimited data). Sure we could get throttled after 22 gigs per device, but a hotspot might only give me 20 gigs total.

We’re just in a rural area with crap for options. I do it this way to give myself more data, though I’m sure I’m paying more money...

 

[strawberryshortcake]

Why have a commuter car and a big pickup truck? Because they serve functions at completely opposite ends of the scale. Going for one device in the middle will compromise both functions. The more critical those opposite functions are to you, the less it makes sense to compromise with one device. Of course as with all investments, finances are a factor to consider.

For me, I need the large 12.9 ipp for work related tasks. I don’t want to compromise on work so I’m not willing to go smaller. And I like to do a lot of reading so for me it’s worth having the small, comfortable iPad mini in addition. If I had to read on a bigger device, I would end up not reading nearly as much (I tried that), so I’m not willing to go bigger.

Not to mention the mini was only $150 after a discount and trade in. And on top of that I don't upgrade my devices until I absolutely have to. I imagine I’ll have these iPads for another 4 or 5 years probably. Compare that to people who upgrade their single flagship iPad every one or two years at full price minus a trade in maybe—I’ll have spent much less.

It doesn’t make sense for everyone to have two different iPads, but for some it does.

Because the pickup truck and commuter vehicle are completely different beast in the sense that a pickup truck can perform duties that a commuter vehicle can't without additional assistance, possibly. A pickup truck has the ability to load an 85 inch television set, possibly haul a pair of motorcycles, etc. along with blocking the view of other drivers. A standard commuter "cannot."

The ipad 12.9/10.5 can do (should be able to) the same exact thing as the mini .... unless I'm mistaken. Someone list differences, please. Not hardware specifications, but task that can be accomplished on a tablet.

I'll add this however, I'm referencing individuals carrying both a 12.9 and a 10.5 (and even a 9.7), both of which are essentially the same so to speak. Yes, there's a size difference comparatively but when lumping the mini into the mix, we can say the 12.9/10.5/9.7 are basically the same size ... larger ipads, and the mini ... smaller ipad. I can theoretically see having a larger and a smaller tablet, but having two larger ipads seems ... I don't know....

Side remark: Personal experience, even though I have 20/20 vision, I know reading on the mini is not comfortable at all because of the need to scroll side to side, etc. Not the same as an android or iphone, but reading on phone offers the same personal experience as the mini. It's simply not a comfortable ... personally.

Used to have a laptop and an ipad. Now I have a big ipad and a little ipad. The big one is my main one. The little one is for when i want to look at documents while working on the big one or for having something to throw into my purse. The main reason I want to upgrade it is that I’d really like ASK and pencil support available at all times, including on those quick jaunts. Also, if I’m only going to work a little on a trip, I’d leave the 12.9 at home and opt for a 10.5.

If I were in your shoes, I would simply have stuck with the 10.5 seeing as how it probably gets more usage. I personally only have one ipad for everything because daily usage, everywhere simply defaults me to using my 12.9 ... always. I have don't have the itch to grab the ipad 4 retina when I'm out and about. If I need to use an ipad anywhere and everywhere, especially for portability, I simply grab my 12.9.

After getting my ipad 12.9 2017 late last year around November or so, my ipad 4 retina has essentially not seen the light of day ever again. I guess that's why I don't quite get the point of having two ipad especially if they are of similar sizes. Yes, I've read individuals' reasonings for having both.

I’m gonna need people to quit with the positive comments about the portability of the 10.5. ;-p

Every time I talk myself into keeping my 12.9 and NOT downsizing, I come back here and think about how practical it would be to have a more portable iPad.

I would do it in a flash if I wasn’t worried I would miss my big screen. The 10.5 is such a great size for throwing in my purse and taking with me, but the 12.9 is great for using at my desk. I wish I could have both, but since I HAVE to have LTE (it’s my only internet), I’m not just looking at cost of pad; I’d have to add another dang monthly access fee too.

My suggestion before jumping ship. Seriously give multitasking split screen a good thorough test run on your 12.9. You'll be thankfully for the added real estate.

 

[mrklaw]

My suggestion before jumping ship. Seriously give multitasking split screen a good thorough test run on your 12.9. You'll be thankfully for the added real estate.

But how many of us need to use multiple apps at the same time? Even with a laptop lots is is will just tab between apps - or in the case of iPad just flick up the dock or double click the home button

My multitasking seems limited to having a messaging app open next to safari for a while if there is an active conversation happening, and that’s usually fine in a thin window next to safari (although I will switch to landscape for that, vs portrait being default for the 10.5)

Edit: I’m asking this as someone that is tempted to get the 12.9 and has the 10.5.. but I’d say most of the time will be single apps or apps with PiP video in the corner. I’m actually concerned that video and web pages might be too big as the screen will be closer than a laptop would be

 

[darkarn]

I think it's great for lap use. I curl up with it all the time, for work and pleasure. Nice and immersive, not too big.
[doublepost=1523028003][/doublepost]
I can see that. If I'm curling up at home on the couch or if I'm doing serious work, I want my big one. If I'm going to hold it like a book on a plane or in a waiting room, I want my little one.

Yep, horses for courses!

I’m gonna need people to quit with the positive comments about the portability of the 10.5. ;-p

Every time I talk myself into keeping my 12.9 and NOT downsizing, I come back here and think about how practical it would be to have a more portable iPad.

I would do it in a flash if I wasn’t worried I would miss my big screen. The 10.5 is such a great size for throwing in my purse and taking with me, but the 12.9 is great for using at my desk. I wish I could have both, but since I HAVE to have LTE (it’s my only internet), I’m not just looking at cost of pad; I’d have to add another dang monthly access fee too.

Well, my bag is big enough to make the 12.9 portable too

 

[strawberryshortcake]

But how many of us need to use multiple apps at the same time? Even with a laptop lots is is will just tab between apps - or in the case of iPad just flick up the dock or double click the home button

My multitasking seems limited to having a messaging app open next to safari for a while if there is an active conversation happening, and that’s usually fine in a thin window next to safari (although I will switch to landscape for that, vs portrait being default for the 10.5)

Edit: I’m asking this as someone that is tempted to get the 12.9 and has the 10.5.. but I’d say most of the time will be single apps or apps with PiP video in the corner. I’m actually concerned that video and web pages might be too big as the screen will be closer than a laptop would be

Split screen multi-tasking mode is absolutely handy when it comes to using "reference" material, or showing side by side comparative pics, etc. It comes mighty handy reading PDF files when the author references back to something mentioned a few pages back (take a screenshot and go split screen with the PDF and image), or if you're an artist that uses reference photographs, or whatever work that may require the use of reference material.


The point is this: You never know until you find yourself one day needing to use split screen, or having the need for a larger screen. And even if one does not believe one will use split screen much, it's the potential unknown in the future when one might need to rely on that feature. The 12.9 offers the best split screen mode experience simply because of the larger screen.


Examples:
(A) I never even considered learning to code, it's only been a few weeks trying to self teach myself, but the extra screen real estate plus the ability to go split screen is heaven sent. I honestly wish the screen could be even larger.

(B) I also never even considered video editing or video encoding. When I had my computer built several years ago, it was strictly so that I could have multiple hauppauge DVR recorders for OTA broadcast television. That was my main purpose. It's an AMD computer. It works perfectly fine for that. DVR primetime programs when I'm not home. Just this week, I found out about the free program, Waifu2x. The CUDA version (also free) is an extremely powerful tool to upscale 2D images. Animated cartoons are a composite of thousands of still frames played sequentially. Waifu2x works best with Nvidia graphics card. I don't have an Nvidia graphics card. Had I known about this powerful software tool, I would have had my builder include an Nvidia graphics card.

After extracting approximately 32,000 frames from an animated cartoon show, if I wanted to upscale everything using my currently CPU, it'll take approximately 22 days to upscale all 32,000 frames. If I actually had gotten an Nvidia GPU, it'll probably take around 1 day to upscale all 32,000 frames. .... Had I known about the potential unknown....
http://waifu2x.me/


(C) PDF file on the left. Reference screenshot on the right. Author mentions "Listing 5-1" from a few pages back. Take a screen shot and go split screen.

(D) My first time "attempting" to draw a realistic face. Bebe Rexha google image search "reference" image on the left. My attempt using the apple pencil on my 12.9 to the right.

 

[Seed101]

...not really getting this ‘portability’ issue between the 10.5 and the 12.9...neither can fit in your pocket like a phone so both would go in a bag anyhow...am I missing something here?

 

[kupkakez]

I just moved up to the 12.9” size yesterday and I’m loving it. It’s a great computer replacement for me. I love the 10.5” and 9.7” sizes as well but I enjoy having a much bigger screen, it makes everything a little bit easier. I also really like the 12.9” apple Smart Keyboard vs the 10.5 one.

So far no regrets, I’m thinking this is the size I’ll stick with going forward. Although I wouldn’t mind an updated mini to use as an e-reader for iBooks.

 

[ssledoux]

I do use split screen on occasion. That’s one of the reasons I’ve had a hard time deciding if I should switch. There are things I really love about my 12.9; lots of them. I think I would just use the 10.5 away from the desk a bit more. The 12.9 is cumbersome in my lap, and the 10.5 wouldn’t be as much so. The 12.9 won’t fit it my purse if I’m going somewhere, and the 10.5 would.

They definitely both have their selling points for sure.

 

[sracer]

I do use split screen on occasion. That’s one of the reasons I’ve had a hard time deciding if I should switch. There are things I really love about my 12.9; lots of them. I think I would just use the 10.5 away from the desk a bit more. The 12.9 is cumbersome in my lap, and the 10.5 wouldn’t be as much so. The 12.9 won’t fit it my purse if I’m going somewhere, and the 10.5 would.

They definitely both have their selling points for sure.

Essentially, the 12.9 Pro doesn't really offer anything beyond what the 10.5 does except for the size of the screen (which indeed has value)... EXCEPT if one makes heavy use of split-window multitasking. On the 12.9, each window displays the full iPad UI, but on the 10.5, it displays the reduced iPhone UI view.

Since you use split screen on occasion, the benefits of having a full UI view in each split window is minimal.

Based on how you use your iPad, it seems to make sense to downsize to the 10.5.

 

[sparksd]

...not really getting this ‘portability’ issue between the 10.5 and the 12.9...neither can fit in your pocket like a phone so both would go in a bag anyhow...am I missing something here?

It's a relative term, meaning different things to different people. This is all about personal preferences and what individuals like or need to use.

 

[eVolcre]

Wait it out till June then. My plan. I found the 12.9 simply too large. As a tablet or as even a mobile device. It’s not weight, it’s the footprint. (Keep in mind I returned my 13” MBA for the 11”. Found it was perfect!)

The 10.3 I find good as a tablet a bit dinky as a main work machine.

This iPad X rumors to be a 11.3 inch screen in a body the same sIze (or slightly bigger) than the current 10.5.

My perfect mobile machine!

It’s juat two months. What’s the drawback. See what comes out , enjoy your current devices and then choose the one you like.

 

[thadoggfather]

I just moved up to the 12.9” size yesterday and I’m loving it. It’s a great computer replacement for me. I love the 10.5” and 9.7” sizes as well but I enjoy having a much bigger screen, it makes everything a little bit easier. I also really like the 12.9” apple Smart Keyboard vs the 10.5 one.

So far no regrets, I’m thinking this is the size I’ll stick with going forward. Although I wouldn’t mind an updated mini to use as an e-reader for iBooks.

I’m biased but i think 12.9 is way more of an experience leap than 9.7 to 10.5,

10.5 seems to fix some scrunch on 9.7 while not going the full mile (imo) and making it trickier to hold (even tho not as tricky to hold as 12.9 but i use mine with ASK on it 95% of the time)

 

[spiderman0616]

I’m biased but i think 12.9 is way more of an experience leap than 9.7 to 10.5,

10.5 seems to fix some scrunch on 9.7 while not going the full mile (imo) and making it trickier to hold (even tho not as tricky to hold as 12.9 but i use mine with ASK on it 95% of the time)

That was my main reason for going 9.7 to 10.5 actually—it gives you just enough more typing room to not feel cramped anymore.

 

[thadoggfather]

That was my main reason for going 9.7 to 10.5 actually—it gives you just enough more typing room to not feel cramped anymore.

I see! I’m commenting as someone who didnt use 10.5 ASK for any period of time,

I appreciate the 12.9 for video watching too

 

[spiderman0616]

I see! I’m commenting as someone who didnt use 10.5 ASK for any period of time,

I appreciate the 12.9 for video watching too

I used to always keep my ASK attached at all times in case I need it for something, but lately I’ve been going without it more often and just attaching it when I know I’ll be needing to type a lot. I don’t use it that often and I have really been enjoying traveling light with just the regular Smart Cover.

 

[ssledoux]

Essentially, the 12.9 Pro doesn't really offer anything beyond what the 10.5 does except for the size of the screen (which indeed has value)... EXCEPT if one makes heavy use of split-window multitasking. On the 12.9, each window displays the full iPad UI, but on the 10.5, it displays the reduced iPhone UI view.

Since you use split screen on occasion, the benefits of having a full UI view in each split window is minimal.

Based on how you use your iPad, it seems to make sense to downsize to the 10.5.

I tend to agree. I do think I’ll wait and see what the summer announcement holds (if anything). It’s not like I don’t have a great machine that I love using. I’d be really frustrated if I got something new now and then have something new out in a few months.

 

[thadoggfather]

The 12.9 keyboard is objectively more comfortable than 10.5, by virtue of being roomier

 

[ssledoux]

The 12.9 keyboard is objectively more comfortable than 10.5, by virtue of being roomier

I DO love my 12.9 ASK. It’s actually my favorite keyboard I’ve ever used. I did type on the 10.5 and it’s not awful; a good bit better than the 9.7, even though it doesn’t seem like it should be tremendously different.