iPad Pro Exchanged 12.9” for 11”

[MrGimper]

Let's get some numbers straight here instead of using vague terms. Speaking of exact dimensions, the 12.9 pro is 11.04 x 8.46, the 11 is 9.74 x 7.02

That means the 12.9 is 1.3 inches longer and 1.44 inches wider. To me that's more than "just over". Also, only speaking in terms of linear length is misleading because the real number we should be looking at is total surface area. The 12.9 is 93.4 square inches in surface area, the 11 is 68.37, which means that the 12.9 is a hair over 25 square inches larger in terms of surface area, which is pretty dang significant! The 12.9 is a whopping 31% larger.

Here's some context for that - the difference between the size of the 11 and 12.9 inch iPad Pros percentage-wise is GREATER than the difference between the iPhone SE and the iPhone 12 Pro MAX! The 12.9 iPad Pro is 31% larger than the 11, the iPhone 12 Pro MAX is 30% larger than the SE.

This difference can mean quite a bit. For example, I had both iPads for awhile and in my ultra-light backpack the 11-inch slips in perfectly whereas the 12.9 doesn't even fit because the zipper won't go around the corner. In my regular backpack the 11-inch fits in the front secondary pocket just fine, the 12.9 doesn't fit at all and has to go into the main pocket, it fits awkwardly in there so it eats up more room than it should. I'm sure this is also a problem with some women and fitting their iPads in their purses.

The added length on the 12.9 further exacerbates the weight because that additional length acts like a longer lever, adding additional pressure on your hand when one-handing the device.

I had both iPads in a previous gen so I have no horse in this race, the 12.9 works better in some situations for sure, but for me I grabbed the smaller iPad 99% of the time because I found it far more enjoyable to use, especially when out and about or lying around. I basically only preferred the 12.9 when on a desk.

Here's the difference:

View attachment 1783913

Ah, that's nice. I can keep it out of the main bag area and have it nice and accessible without having to dig through the main compartment. What about the 12.9?

View attachment 1783914

Oh.

What about a smaller backpack? I like to travel light.

View attachment 1783917

Perfect! Nestles in nice and snug! Plenty of room for other things. How about the 12.9?

View attachment 1783918

Oh.

Corners get caught up at the bottom of the bag, this thing chews up serious precious space and actually the zippers won't even close all the way!

So, it’s less portable, like I agreed. Perhaps I’ll post a few threads highlighting how the 12.9 doesn’t fit in the smart folio, or any other cases, that I bought for my smaller iPads.

 

[ssgraphite]

How close to your face do you have your 11?

I have my phone normally about 12 inches away, and my iPad (old 10.5 Pro and now 12.9 Pro) about 24 inches away.

Same 12 inches for me. While in bed, the iPad's normally sitting on my tummy (with trifold case cover) and I just support it at the edges/cormers with my fingers.

Same. Just measured. 31cm, or 12inches here too!

 

[wba1990]

I think I will be returning the M1 12.9 and keeping the M1 11. Been using the 2020 12.9 as a laptop replacement since it was released and most of the time it was just stuck to the MK. Got the M1 MBA and M1 11 the same time picked up my M1 12.9 and the 11 has pretty much been in my hands all week. It’s almost like it’s the perfect size to throughly enjoy the device. I’m growing to like the MBA + 11 iPad combo very much and probably will just return/sell the 12.9s.

I'm debating the 11 - have you used the 11 inch with the MBA as a side car screen? That 1 of the things I sue my iPad for and wondering if going from 12.9 to 11 as side car is still a decent size to utilise?

 

[masotime]

TLDR; wanted 11”, bought 12.9”, didn't like the bloom due to mini-LED, exchanged for 11” ?

I added the bolded part which I feel is important - in fact I'd say the title of the thread could have been more informative in the same way:

Exchanged 12.9” for 11” - couldn't tolerate mini-LED bloom.

 

[milgauss88]

I'm debating the 11 - have you used the 11 inch with the MBA as a side car screen? That 1 of the things I sue my iPad for and wondering if going from 12.9 to 11 as side car is still a decent size to utilise?

Actually, I haven’t got round to really using sidecar yet. In fact I haven’t used MacOS for nearly 2 years! The 12.9 will definitely be better for sidecar with the larger screen but now I’ve gotten used to the 11, I don’t see it being an issue for me but that’s subjective. If sidecar is important to you and you use it a lot, the 12.9 may better suit your needs.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

Totally agree with you. I had the original 12.9 Pro, the really big one. I loved it but as time when on I started thinking that when it came time to replace it I’d be very inclined to consider the 11. But when they reduced the overall size, it became a no brainer for me and I got the 2018 3rd gen. The 11 is fine if that’s all you need. But just as I’ve migrated to the Plus and Max phones, once you have and use that big screen the others feel like toys. My wife got the big 12.9 when I got my 3rd gen and now she has the 3rd gen and I have the new one. She’s very happy with it. We’re both very happy.

That's similar to me-- going from 2017 to 2018 12.9 was such a huge, unbelievable improvement that when people talk about how big and heavy it is, I think, "you're crazy." When I have my 11 inch in a keyboard case, I do think, "omg, this is such an adorable little compact mini-computer." And I love to toss it into my purse for being out on the town. But in terms of what I'm choosing to use day in-day out, it is my 12.9 unquestionably.

 

[MrGimper]

I added the bolded part which I feel is important - in fact I'd say the title of the thread could have been more informative in the same way:

Exchanged 12.9” for 11” - couldn't tolerate mini-LED bloom.

I believe the the paragraph about blooming was absent from the original post (which I responded to) and appears to have been added in a subsequent edit.

 

[sorgo †]

I believe the the paragraph about blooming was absent from the original post (which I responded to) and appears to have been added in a subsequent edit.

It was in the original post. Check the other replies quoting me on the first page

 

[thadoggfather]

I think I will be returning the M1 12.9 and keeping the M1 11. Been using the 2020 12.9 as a laptop replacement since it was released and most of the time it was just stuck to the MK. Got the M1 MBA and M1 11 the same time picked up my M1 12.9 and the 11 has pretty much been in my hands all week. It’s almost like it’s the perfect size to throughly enjoy the device. I’m growing to like the MBA + 11 iPad combo very much and probably will just return/sell the 12.9s.

yeah my 2017 12.9 was keyboard attached nearly 100 percent of the time

thats changed with the 11 inch M1 for me

 

[kave]

Received the Apple smart folio today, only been using the magic keyboard with the 12.9 for a week. This really transformed it again. Probably keeping this and sending back the 11” when it arrives

 

[Booji]

Let's get some numbers straight here instead of using vague terms. Speaking of exact dimensions, the 12.9 pro is 11.04 x 8.46, the 11 is 9.74 x 7.02

That means the 12.9 is 1.3 inches longer and 1.44 inches wider. To me that's more than "just over". Also, only speaking in terms of linear length is misleading because the real number we should be looking at is total surface area. The 12.9 is 93.4 square inches in surface area, the 11 is 68.37, which means that the 12.9 is a hair over 25 square inches larger in terms of surface area, which is pretty dang significant! The 12.9 is a whopping 31% larger.

Here's some context for that - the difference between the size of the 11 and 12.9 inch iPad Pros percentage-wise is GREATER than the difference between the iPhone SE and the iPhone 12 Pro MAX! The 12.9 iPad Pro is 31% larger than the 11, the iPhone 12 Pro MAX is 30% larger than the SE.

This difference can mean quite a bit. For example, I had both iPads for awhile and in my ultra-light backpack the 11-inch slips in perfectly whereas the 12.9 doesn't even fit because the zipper won't go around the corner. In my regular backpack the 11-inch fits in the front secondary pocket just fine, the 12.9 doesn't fit at all and has to go into the main pocket, it fits awkwardly in there so it eats up more room than it should. I'm sure this is also a problem with some women and fitting their iPads in their purses.

The added length on the 12.9 further exacerbates the weight because that additional length acts like a longer lever, adding additional pressure on your hand when one-handing the device.

I had both iPads in a previous gen so I have no horse in this race, the 12.9 works better in some situations for sure, but for me I grabbed the smaller iPad 99% of the time because I found it far more enjoyable to use, especially when out and about or lying around. I basically only preferred the 12.9 when on a desk.

What about a smaller backpack? I like to travel light.

View attachment 1783917

Perfect! Nestles in nice and snug! Plenty of room for other things. How about the 12.9?

View attachment 1783918

Oh.

Corners get caught up at the bottom of the bag, this thing chews up serious precious space and actually the zippers won't even close all the way!

I think you are spot on here. The iPad first and foremost was designed as a mobility device and size and weight are crucial. I own an iPad as an on-the-go alternative to my laptop. The 12.9 with a keyboard is as big and heavy as a laptop and it totally negates the portability quotient. I do realize some creators will love the 12.9, but I can't see lugging one around when I pack extremely light.

 

[gdjsnyder]

I am honestly torn on 12.9” versus 11” right now. I always had the standard iPad 9.7” sizes until the 10.5” iPad Pro. Then 2018 I decided on the 12.9” iPad Pro. I liked it, but didn’t love it. Previously I had used my iPads as tablets, not as productivity devices - that was reserved for my MacBook Pro and iMac combo. I fell a little out of love with the iPad throughout 2019 because I just didn’t enjoy using the 12.9” as a tablet. I prefer to use tablets in portrait and the 12.9” just feels awkward to me. Fast forward to 2020, instead of upgrading my 2018 12.9”, I got an 11” and loved it. I kept the 2018 12.9” and figured I would make my work flow…work with these two devices and supplement the MacBook Pro in as needed. I was wrong. The only thing having both the 11” and 12.9” iPads did for me was make me use them less.

So now, I want to go to one tablet. I don’t need both, I can’t justift having both when my usage has decreased significantly. So I bought the 12.9” and magic keyboard. LOVE the magic keyboard. I like the mini-LED screen. I don’t see blooming, I am not going to look for it. I can accomplish about 90% of my family work on the iPad 12.9” + magic keyboard. Friday was the first time since I got my 16” MacBook Pro that it wasn’t in my bag with me on my way to work. But - I can’t accomplish 100% of my workflow and feel I need to keep the MacBook Pro. This has me wondering if I should just return the 12.9” and get an 11”. I want my tablet to, first and foremost, be a tablet. The 12.9” just doesn’t do it for me. It’s a great device and I really am enjoying using it but I’m so torn. I feel like I will regret returning the 12.9” if I do. I have already extensively tried the 11” magic keyboard and absolutely hate it. I can not adjust to the size difference, and continuing to use the 16” MacBook Pro with it’s larger keyboard - I wouldn’t even bother. I feel like I’m damned if I do, damned if I don’t. Get the 11” and have a more comfortable tablet form factor that I love, but deep down be envious of the mini-LED screen which I find great OR keep the 12.9” and magic keyboard, enjoy that 90% of work I can accomplish on it and the added benefit of stellar HDR content, but again deep down keep telling myself it’s not a true “tablet” form factor.

My workflow works with a MacBook Pro only. A tablet is just a tablet for me. Something to browse on the couch or in bed, on a long road trip, reading. I feel like I’m trying to make the 12.9” work for me and in the end it just doesn’t. But I also feel I’m trying to make it work because I fear I may regret returning it. Ugh. Sorry for the long post, needed to get my thoughts out there to help myself organize them. And to use the magic keyboard again to type this to remind myself just how enjoyable I find it😂

 

[milgauss88]

My workflow works with a MacBook Pro only. A tablet is just a tablet for me.

I think you’ve solved your own dilemma and the 11 inch is likely to serve your purpose better.

I’ve used extensively the 12.9 as my only device for the past 15 months, albeit with some compromises. I don’t perceive the iPad as a laptop replacement but as an ‘alternative’ that requires our computing needs to be done a little bit differently. Compromises need to be made where you can but don’t when you can’t. If the compromises weigh out too much, then trying to make the iPad as your only device isn’t going to be an enjoyable experience. There’s a lot of versatility to using the iPad but only if we are compelled to do so. Having the iPad stuck to the magic keyboard most of the time is going to put the versatility factor to waste. I know because more than 90% of the time mine was!

I’m now in the 2nd week of my M1 MBA + M1 11” and I’m really liking it! Getting back into MacOS after nearly 2 years away have made me reevaluate some of the compromises I made. I’m using the 11” way more as a tablet and really enjoying it. It’s just in the smart folio case and easy to grab and enjoy whenever and wherever I want. It’s now looking very much that I will be selling my 2020 12.9 and returning the 2021 12.9. The MBA + 11” combo it light enough that I’m happy to have both in my bag when I’m out and about.

Hope the above helps those who are torn between the two sizes. Whichever size it is, it’s most important that the decision made allows us to make the most of the value that was paid with our hard earned money.

 

[jimmy_uk]

I am honestly torn on 12.9” versus 11” right now. I always had the standard iPad 9.7” sizes until the 10.5” iPad Pro. Then 2018 I decided on the 12.9” iPad Pro. I liked it, but didn’t love it. Previously I had used my iPads as tablets, not as productivity devices - that was reserved for my MacBook Pro and iMac combo. I fell a little out of love with the iPad throughout 2019 because I just didn’t enjoy using the 12.9” as a tablet. I prefer to use tablets in portrait and the 12.9” just feels awkward to me. Fast forward to 2020, instead of upgrading my 2018 12.9”, I got an 11” and loved it. I kept the 2018 12.9” and figured I would make my work flow…work with these two devices and supplement the MacBook Pro in as needed. I was wrong. The only thing having both the 11” and 12.9” iPads did for me was make me use them less.

So now, I want to go to one tablet. I don’t need both, I can’t justift having both when my usage has decreased significantly. So I bought the 12.9” and magic keyboard. LOVE the magic keyboard. I like the mini-LED screen. I don’t see blooming, I am not going to look for it. I can accomplish about 90% of my family work on the iPad 12.9” + magic keyboard. Friday was the first time since I got my 16” MacBook Pro that it wasn’t in my bag with me on my way to work. But - I can’t accomplish 100% of my workflow and feel I need to keep the MacBook Pro. This has me wondering if I should just return the 12.9” and get an 11”. I want my tablet to, first and foremost, be a tablet. The 12.9” just doesn’t do it for me. It’s a great device and I really am enjoying using it but I’m so torn. I feel like I will regret returning the 12.9” if I do. I have already extensively tried the 11” magic keyboard and absolutely hate it. I can not adjust to the size difference, and continuing to use the 16” MacBook Pro with it’s larger keyboard - I wouldn’t even bother. I feel like I’m damned if I do, damned if I don’t. Get the 11” and have a more comfortable tablet form factor that I love, but deep down be envious of the mini-LED screen which I find great OR keep the 12.9” and magic keyboard, enjoy that 90% of work I can accomplish on it and the added benefit of stellar HDR content, but again deep down keep telling myself it’s not a true “tablet” form factor.

My workflow works with a MacBook Pro only. A tablet is just a tablet for me. Something to browse on the couch or in bed, on a long road trip, reading. I feel like I’m trying to make the 12.9” work for me and in the end it just doesn’t. But I also feel I’m trying to make it work because I fear I may regret returning it. Ugh. Sorry for the long post, needed to get my thoughts out there to help myself organize them. And to use the magic keyboard again to type this to remind myself just how enjoyable I find it😂

It sounds like the 11" with a Macbook is the best of both worlds. The 11" really is a tablet first but can be used with a keyboard when you need it. This is the compromise. The 12.9" is just a little too cumbersome as a tablet so why force it to be both? It's great on the Magic Keyboard, but you have the laptop.

 

[thadoggfather]

It sounds like the 11" with a Macbook is the best of both worlds. The 11" really is a tablet first but can be used with a keyboard when you need it. This is the compromise. The 12.9" is just a little too cumbersome as a tablet so why force it to be both? It's great on the Magic Keyboard, but you have the laptop.

Went from 2016 13" MacBook Pro with no Touch Bar and 12.9" 2017 iPad Pro

to..

2020 13" M1 MacBook Air and 11" 2021 iPad Pro.

Feels awesome and great!

I was a bit reticent to go 12.9 to 11, since I had a 9.7 pro and keyboard and the experience was compromised but 11" isn't too bad even with the magic keyboard it feels much better than cramped recollection of the 9.7 with the fabric-y keyboard.

I think I made the right choice, and never used my 12.9 as a tablet now I do with the 11" its truly a faux laptop / tablet hybrid. But I had a good run with my 12.9

 

[Rafterman]

Four days now - still don't see any serious bloom, or even much minor bloom.

 

[kave]

So, count me in to this crowd.
I have now replaced my new 12.9" with a 11". I will surely miss the display of it, it was so great. For the work I do (IT consultant) very few work related stuff can be done with an iPad, magic keyboard or not. So it will not in the near future (until WWDC a week from now) be able to replace my 13 MBP. So the iPad is manly used for consumption.
Compared to the 10.5 iPad pro it replaces it is not much better in any noticable way. The display is more or less the same.

 

[DSTOFEL]

So, count me in to this crowd.
I have now replaced my new 12.9" with a 11". I will surely miss the display of it, it was so great. For the work I do (IT consultant) very few work related stuff can be done with an iPad, magic keyboard or not. So it will not in the near future (until WWDC a week from now) be able to replace my 13 MBP. So the iPad is manly used for consumption.
Compared to the 10.5 iPad pro it replaces it is not much better in any noticable way. The display is more or less the same.

+1 I’m in the same line of work. I’d love to be able to use an iPad for work but until IOS evolves a bit, the iPad will remain for me primarily a consumption of content device. And for that purpose, the 11 inch is just about perfect for me. Now, if IOS and Mac OS merge closer together and the iPad can run apps that look and function more like their desktop counterparts (ie Excel and Final Cut Pro for example) and it gets a more robust file system…then maybe I’ll start to consider the iPad more than a consumption device. But for now……🤷

 

[scoblep]

I’ve enjoyed the 11 inch a lot. The screen size is really nice when compared to the previous iPad screens that were 9.7. With the 11 inch I use it more and in different ways. I had a 12.9 inch iPad for a few years and really only ever used it in the smart folio case. With the 11 inch I’m far more inclined to use it as an iPad. I enjoy the magic keyboard I got for it but I often take it off the case and use it in portrait mode. It’s so light and portable. I feel like it’s the size an iPad should be. The 12.9 is awesome don’t get me wrong but to me it was more of a laptop replacement rather than a tablet.

I also think people should change their mindset from bigger always being better. The two sizes are just different from each other not necessarily better or worse than the other. On the iPhone side of things I‘m almost certainly going to upgrade my iPhone 11 Pro Max to an iPhone 13 mini later this year. There’s something to be said about smaller more portable devices.

 

[mr_jomo]

I'm debating the 11 - have you used the 11 inch with the MBA as a side car screen? That 1 of the things I sue my iPad for and wondering if going from 12.9 to 11 as side car is still a decent size to utilise?

I'll test that later today 🥳 ... that is, if
DHL delivers the goods in time 😂

 

[milgauss88]

I'm debating the 11 - have you used the 11 inch with the MBA as a side car screen? That 1 of the things I sue my iPad for and wondering if going from 12.9 to 11 as side car is still a decent size to utilise?

Here are some screenshot comparisons of sidecar on the 12.9" and 11". Obviously there's a bit more viewable on the 12.9" but with the sidebar and touch bar option removed it's still quite useable on the 11".

 

[kave]

I found sidecar to be a bit limiting, the resolution was worse on the ipad 12.9 than in my 13” mbp.

 

[conifer]

I just bought a refurbished 2018 11 from Apple to replace my 6 yr old Air 16 gb. With barely anything on it, I have 45 gb free. Ive been out of it for six years so don't even know what the pro could do although I used the air for a year as portable to do some light Word tasks with Logitech case and keyboard until I got the 2016 Mac.



I have a standalone magic keyboard apple gave me in 2016 when the 2016 Mac keyboard started acting up. I read from Gruber that he used to have a case for that alone that will unfold on a flat surface as an iPad stand so I ordered it for $20 from Amazon on sale.i will let you know how that works. The 11 and the keyboard do fit in my compact backpack which could also fit a 13 Mac but I'm guessing no larger.


ive been reading this useful thread slowly as it looks long. I guess this one can use a mouse? a hard drive could be plugged in ? But still only functional for light tasks ? My thought is maybe use this ipad for portability and get one of the larger screen macs as my 2016 now has a crack down the middle of the screen ( don't ask). I do some light programming and read and write reports for research, also encode vids for fun although maybe I could do some of that on these newer iPads? Not sure how useful the pencil could be although I do a lot of drawing on screenshots when I take notes, so maybe I should try it. sorry for rambling in this paragraph. It is kind of fun to be a newbie to an Apple device. I have two weeks to decide if I want to keep or return it to apple.

 

[Porterhouse]

I have a standalone magic keyboard apple gave me in 2016 when the 2016 Mac keyboard started acting up. I read from Gruber that he used to have a case for that alone that will unfold on a flat surface as an iPad stand so I ordered it for $20 from Amazon on sale.i will let you know how that works. The 11 and the keyboard do fit in my compact backpack which could also fit a 13 Mac but I'm guessing no larger.

Do you mean something like this case? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01K780TN2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It holds the Magic Keyboard and has a place to include the iPad. I don’t use mine as often as I did, but I have to admit that it’s very handy.

BTW, congrats on your new iPP!

 

[conifer]

thanks!

This one for the case , studio neat canopy https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XWY56J8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

just bought a knock off pencil for $25 ankace https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086GBDPT5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Both of them should arrive in about 10 days