I only ever use my current iPad Air (2013, 9.7") on my couch. It's time for an upgrade, right? I am debating between the larger 12.9" iPad Pro or 10.5" iPad Pro. I will never use it at a table. Is the 12.9" iPad Pro designed for use on a table, or can one appreciate it amazingly on their lap without any struggle? Has anyone gotten 12.9" after using a 9.7", and regretted because their iPad was........ too big?
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iPad Pro Ever regret purchasing a 12.9" iPad Pro because it was... too big?
- Thread starter Tymbo
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Only you can answer this for yourself. I did find the 12.9" iPad too big and downsized to the 9.7". Now I'm considering the 10.5".
No. I wont ever be going back. But i use it for both work and consumption.
I used the 12.9 in a store and a friend's one for a little while. I wanted to want it, but I found it big and heavy. No longer a 1- hand device really.
Then on the other hand I meanwhile find the display of my older 9.7 too small. 10.5 could be the answer, but I regret a little bit that they didn't make it 10.9 inches.
Next week when the Apple store here will have both new iPADs I go there and take an hour or 2 to find out how both handle.
Then on the other hand I meanwhile find the display of my older 9.7 too small. 10.5 could be the answer, but I regret a little bit that they didn't make it 10.9 inches.
Next week when the Apple store here will have both new iPADs I go there and take an hour or 2 to find out how both handle.
I have both the 12.9" and 9.7" iPPs. My 12.9" is nearly a full laptop replacement--I use it along with the Apple smart keyboards for 95% of what I need to do (obviously nothing tremendously intensive) but nearly all of that use is on a tablet/countertop/etc. It's manageable to use while sitting in bed or on the couch by not ideal is it become a bit ungainly and uncomfortable after a while if you're using it in your hands solely as a tablet. For those situations, I more often than not grab the 9.7".
That being said, I won't give up the 12.9" anytime soon as I absolutely love the extra screen real estate and larger keyboard footprint.
That being said, I won't give up the 12.9" anytime soon as I absolutely love the extra screen real estate and larger keyboard footprint.
I use my 12.9" in landscape mode docked to the Apple Smart Keyboard ~90% of the time. In landscape mode I think the ~10" iPads don't have enough vertical real estate on the screen. If your use case is more hand held in portrait mode than I would go with the 10.5" IPP. The 12.9" IPP get tiring to hold unless you rest it on your leg and the ~10" has plenty of vertical space in the portrait orientation. I consider some kind of keyboard case mandatory for the 12.9" IPP. Without it the device is much less compelling IMO.
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No regrets. It's big and with the smart keyboard it's a little heavy, but no regrets at all. It's a fantastic device. Now, it's time to sell it and get the new one!
I wanted an iPP because I wanted the Pencil, so I bought the 12.9 before the 9.7 was available. I hated the weight the minute I got it out of the box. The size was too clunky for things like reading in bed. But I'm short and not very strong. If you are comfortable with a larger, heavier device, go for the big one.
Yes. I've owned and used a 9.7 iPad every day since the 1st day of the 1st gen iPad. When I first bought my 12.9 Pro, I thought it was as large as the windshield on my wife's Mini Cooper and capable of blocking out the sun over a small town.
For the first 2 weeks I had serious doubts about the size. Using it on the sofa is indeed different than using the 9.7. It was only after that 2 week period that it felt "mostly natural". 15 months later, it still feels "mostly natural" but now the 9.7 feels small.
That's next years model! LOL
Actually, I've seen the prototypes of the bendable OLED screens, and wouldn't be surprised to see that implementation in an iPhone or iPad in the next 3-5 years.
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This is a tough question as there are pros and cons to both.
I have the 12.9, and I will honestly say that it took me at least 6 months of trying different cases, keyboards, and other accessories to find the right ones to make using it comfortable and easy.
Currently I'm using something called the Torch Grip (https://www.torchgrip.com/). This is the first solution I found which actually makes the 12.9 comfortable to use while holding. Using the device naked makes it slippery and a bit awkward, and using it with a case makes it heavy.
I use this in combination with the Apple Magic Keyboard. It works well at the desk, and the handle of the torchgrip is removable for when you want to travel (it clips off and on with a button).
That said, I'm considering "upgrading" to the new 10.5. I find the 12.9 is just a bit too big to take with me when I go places. Because of its size, I find myself being lazy and often times leaving it at home and just taking my iPhone when it would be better to take the iPad. I think with the smaller size I am more likely to use it more like an iPad and less like a laptop.
So I think that is really what you have to ask yourself.... if your intended use is around the house and you don't plan to take it places often, then with the right accessories it should be good. But if you want it to be more portable, definitely get the 10.5.
For me it's the perfect size: it's big compared to a normal iPad, but I use it for photo work, so i can leave the macbook at home, which is MUCH bigger. Of course, future iterations could reduce the bezels, that would make it even better to bring around when you travel.
The only problem for me is that it is a little bit too heavy to hold it with one hand. Actually, most of the times is fine, because, being bigger, it rests on my body in a way that smaller ipads cannot do. Furthermore, you have to keep in mind that, at 12.9 inches, a good portion of the weight is given by the case/cover: those are HEAVY! So, when I'm relaxing at home, I just get rid of the case and it becomes much lighter and honestly totally ok. I think too many people only use it with a case, or worse, smart keyboard, and regret it and then blame the size of the tablet.
That said, one final note: the new model is lighter; for the sake of comparisons, iPad Pro 1 was similar to the first 9.7 inches iPad, iPad pro 2 is closer to 9.7 iPad 3rd and 4rth generations. Not so bad! So, if you use it on the couch, I would say it's going to be great, it will probably just rest on your knees/chest
The only problem for me is that it is a little bit too heavy to hold it with one hand. Actually, most of the times is fine, because, being bigger, it rests on my body in a way that smaller ipads cannot do. Furthermore, you have to keep in mind that, at 12.9 inches, a good portion of the weight is given by the case/cover: those are HEAVY! So, when I'm relaxing at home, I just get rid of the case and it becomes much lighter and honestly totally ok. I think too many people only use it with a case, or worse, smart keyboard, and regret it and then blame the size of the tablet.
That said, one final note: the new model is lighter; for the sake of comparisons, iPad Pro 1 was similar to the first 9.7 inches iPad, iPad pro 2 is closer to 9.7 iPad 3rd and 4rth generations. Not so bad! So, if you use it on the couch, I would say it's going to be great, it will probably just rest on your knees/chest
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too big for my liking. It was good with the keyboard but certain times when out and about or before bed was simply too tough to handle.
I think the new 10.5 ipad pro is the perfect in between size
I think the new 10.5 ipad pro is the perfect in between size
With the keyboard case, the 12.9" is really too big and heavy to drag around - it's bulkier and heavier than my 2016 nTB MacBook Pro, which is also a far superior productivity tool for me. But the 12.9" is a great media consumption device for home. I'm using it more and more for many tasks, and I do think it is worth the money.
Sold 12.9 for 10.5. Carry a 15" mbp along with the 12.9 just seemed odd. I use iPads for meetings, notes, and simple reading on the couch. 12.9 can do all of those minus reading "comfortably" on the couch. It's just not ideal for me personally.
I kept my 12.9 for 8 months. Too big for me. The screen is stellar and I was a big user of split view but it was heavy to use in the long run ; not that comfortable in bed to browse the web or watch Netflix (which is a kind of a dealbreaker to me).
I'm definitely team 9.7 ; so I sold my 12.9 and got back to my old... iPad 2 (still works bravely and teaches me patience !). I was expecting the 9.7 refresh of the Pro model (love the pencil) and of course I'm gonna go for the 10.5 which seem to be the perfect compromise.
I'm definitely team 9.7 ; so I sold my 12.9 and got back to my old... iPad 2 (still works bravely and teaches me patience !). I was expecting the 9.7 refresh of the Pro model (love the pencil) and of course I'm gonna go for the 10.5 which seem to be the perfect compromise.
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I love my gen 1 12.9 Pro and have order a gen 2. As noted above, a lot of the weight comes from bulky covers. I use the smart case and rubberised back cover and it's completely portable.
I also find it perfectly usable on the lap - that's how I'm using it as I post this message. Though for long-form typing you would need a table at least.
I also find it perfectly usable on the lap - that's how I'm using it as I post this message. Though for long-form typing you would need a table at least.
The keyboard cover ads a lot weight very quickly to the iPads which eliminates the portability advantages it has over laptops
I use both. When I know I'm going to do a lot of typing, I swap to the ASK, otherwise I use the SC. I also don't use a back case, only a clear, thin film to protect from scratches and for better grip.