iPad Pro Experience with 11" vs 12.9" iPad Pro for note taking

[Jake3231]

I am looking to buy a new iPad Pro this summer as an upgrade from my current iPad Air 3. I had planned to use the iPad Air 3 to take me through 3+ years, though I was unexpectedly able to get better pricing on the new models. I primarily use the iPad Air for writing, and it's been pretty solid. By biggest question (if I upgrade) is whether I'd want to stay with the smaller size (11") or upgrade to the 12.9" size.

Coming from a 10.5" display, either iPad Pro would be bigger, though the idea that the 12.9" is about the size of a real sheet of paper is very appealing, not to mention the mini-LED display. I am concerned about how big it would be for any tasks other than writing, as it looks uncomfortable to hold or use on a small desk. I also have a MacBook Pro 13" for any real work, so I wouldn't need to use it as a laptop replacement.

In the context of writing with Apple Pencil, do you find 11" to be sufficient, or is the 12.9" good enough to justify the downsides of the bigger size?

 

[Digitalguy]

For note taking get the 11in... unless you annotate PDF, coming from someone who has both and loves the 12.9. 11in is best for taking notes

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

Depends on what you are writing. If you add diagrams, etc, you might prefer larger. I have both, and when I'm working I need the screen real estate.

 

[meDANOcine]

A regular-size iPad got me through multiple college degrees before they ever introduced the Pencil (yes, I’m an ‘old’ to you youngsters). I use the 11“ inch to take notes during meetings now, and I find it perfectly big enough. I had a 12.9 for a year and also used it for note taking. What other apps will you need to run? Those might have a better justification for the bigger screen than note taking. I don’t remember the note-taking experience on the 12.9 being exceedingly better or worse than the smaller screen.

 

[4pp13]

I’ll be able to feed back on this once my 11 shows up. Had the 12.9 but just traded it in as the note taking on it was good, but the portability not being too great meant way less usage. I also have a 13 macbook pro and so it was rather redundant as I much preferred using that for laptop work. The 12.9 was bigger and heavier than the laptop when in a keyboard case.

 

[TheRealAlex]

I am looking to buy a new iPad Pro this summer as an upgrade from my current iPad Air 3. I had planned to use the iPad Air 3 to take me through 3+ years, though I was unexpectedly able to get better pricing on the new models. I primarily use the iPad Air for writing, and it's been pretty solid. By biggest question (if I upgrade) is whether I'd want to stay with the smaller size (11") or upgrade to the 12.9" size.

Coming from a 10.5" display, either iPad Pro would be bigger, though the idea that the 12.9" is about the size of a real sheet of paper is very appealing, not to mention the mini-LED display. I am concerned about how big it would be for any tasks other than writing, as it looks uncomfortable to hold or use on a small desk. I also have a MacBook Pro 13" for any real work, so I wouldn't need to use it as a laptop replacement.

In the context of writing with Apple Pencil, do you find 11" to be sufficient, or is the 12.9" good enough to justify the downsides of the bigger size?

you gotta get this setup.

 

[4pp13]

you gotta get this setup.

Definitely highly recommend some extra pencil nubs and a paper screen protector to the OP like in this video. Have already ordered one for the soon to arrive 11.

I notice in this video the person who has the 12.9 does not use a case - this seems like a big difference in terms of how the experience will be.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

Definitely highly recommend some extra pencil nubs and a paper screen protector to the OP like in this video. Have already ordered one for the soon to arrive 11.

I notice in this video the person who has the 12.9 does not use a case - this seems like a big difference in terms of how the experience will be.

I use the pencil for hours a day, every day, and I have never seen any wear on the tip. I've never changed it.

I've tried a paper-like screen protector and I do really like the feel, but I didn't like that it made the screen a little darker. I have bad vision and tend to like the brightness all the way up almost all the time. So I'm on the fence on that tip.

 

[4pp13]

I use the pencil for hours a day, every day, and I have never seen any wear on the tip. I've never changed it.

I've tried a paper-like screen protector and I do really like the feel, but I didn't like that it made the screen a little darker. I have bad vision and tend to like the brightness all the way up almost all the time. So I'm on the fence on that tip.

Oh yes - I've found no wear unless you're using a paper like screen protector.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I am looking to buy a new iPad Pro this summer as an upgrade from my current iPad Air 3. I had planned to use the iPad Air 3 to take me through 3+ years, though I was unexpectedly able to get better pricing on the new models. I primarily use the iPad Air for writing, and it's been pretty solid. By biggest question (if I upgrade) is whether I'd want to stay with the smaller size (11") or upgrade to the 12.9" size.

Coming from a 10.5" display, either iPad Pro would be bigger, though the idea that the 12.9" is about the size of a real sheet of paper is very appealing, not to mention the mini-LED display. I am concerned about how big it would be for any tasks other than writing, as it looks uncomfortable to hold or use on a small desk. I also have a MacBook Pro 13" for any real work, so I wouldn't need to use it as a laptop replacement.

In the context of writing with Apple Pencil, do you find 11" to be sufficient, or is the 12.9" good enough to justify the downsides of the bigger size?

Definitely the 11" iPad Pro due to its portability.

 

[Jake3231]

Thanks for all of the feedback. So far it sounds like 11" may be the way to go.

Note taking for classes is my primary use case, but I also use it for casual content consumption and a few casual mobile games.

I am used to using the iPad with Pencil without any sort of screen protector, but even after a few years it still feels too smooth. I tried a paper like screen protector, though the reduced screen quality bothered me enough to remove it.

 

[tazdevl]

Lol I keep hopping back and forth. Preordered 1T 12.9 Cellular but have same specd 11 sitting in my Apple shopping bag.

Have a 2018 11 IPP now. Agree with others, 11 is good for notes (I use notability) however there are screen real estate limitations using the OSK (on screen keyboard). I notice it most with mind mapping apps (mindly, iThoughts, MindNode) and MS Office apps (excel, word specifucally).

 

[4pp13]

Thanks for all of the feedback. So far it sounds like 11" may be the way to go.

Note taking for classes is my primary use case, but I also use it for casual content consumption and a few casual mobile games.

I am used to using the iPad with Pencil without any sort of screen protector, but even after a few years it still feels too smooth. I tried a paper like screen protector, though the reduced screen quality bothered me enough to remove it.

Especially if you note take with the laptop especially then 11 must be the way to go. If you are going to try to do classes where you want split screen to annotate, have a look at the split screen between the 11 and 12.9 to see if you can deal with the difference. This seems to be THE major feature difference that a lot of people will go for a 12.9 for on classwork.

It's a shame Apple doesn't sort out a native screen that is more like paper without the downsides of the screen protector. Seems like it would sell massively - I remember when they used to do matte screen for their laptops and I'd still prefer that to this day.

Lol I keep hopping back and forth. Preordered 1T 12.9 Cellular but have same specd 11 sitting in my Apple shopping bag.

Have a 2018 11 IPP now. Agree with others, 11 is good for notes (I use notability) however there are screen real estate limitations using the OSK (on screen keyboard). I notice it most with mind mapping apps (mindly, iThoughts, MindNode) and MS Office apps (excel, word specifucally).

You're making me hopeful for my 12.9 to 11 trade! Although yes, definitely agree the OSK will be a loss. I saw it tries to mimic full size on the 11 but then you lose the number keys which is quite a downside. I reckon if you use the OSK a lot you'll appreciate the 12.9.

 

[SenorWhyMe]

I just used Ipad pro 11 horizontal mode to take my notes, I tried 12.9 before its cool taking notes vertically but to big and honestly no point, its not paper its digital so horizontal ipad pro 11 was about the same length wise to a 12.9 vertically so you really feel no difference when writing

 

[sracer]

Thanks for all of the feedback. So far it sounds like 11" may be the way to go.

Note taking for classes is my primary use case, but I also use it for casual content consumption and a few casual mobile games.

I am used to using the iPad with Pencil without any sort of screen protector, but even after a few years it still feels too smooth. I tried a paper like screen protector, though the reduced screen quality bothered me enough to remove it.

Good decision, IMO, to go with the 11" Pro. Regarding screen protectors, there are matte screen protectors and there are the Paper-like protectors. They're a bit different. I have found that although both types reduce the screen quality, matte protectors retain slightly better screen quality than Paper-like but still offer a bit of resistance to help with writing.

I've used the 12.9 Pro heavily as a digital notebook/planner/journal and it felt too large as a replacement for my paper version. But that's because I used a "padfolio" which is roughly 5.5" x 8.5" (1/2 a sheet of US Letter paper). Once the iPad Mini 5 was produced with support for the Apple Pencil, I went to that which works out even better because it is nearly the same size as my padfolio.

 

[ejin222]

I think the biggest question is: Will you need split screen as you note take? Having that little extra screen real estate for a second app will be an easy no brainer for the 12.9". For me, many times I will have some note taking app and split screen with something else. I can't see myself doing that with an 11". But, if you're primarily going to be doing full screen note taking, I can see how the 11" is sufficient.

 

[Precursor]

I've used the 12.9 iPP for note taking since it came out. I did buy the 11" but after 12.9" real estate it felt like I was writing on a small notebook where you could fit only so many words in a single line. The fact that 12.9" is the size of an A4 paper it felt more natural. Go with 11" if you're gonna take notes while holding the iPad with one hand and writing with the other. Go with 12.9" if you're gonna lay it flat on a desk for writing.

 

[nick42983]

I think the biggest question is: Will you need split screen as you note take? Having that little extra screen real estate for a second app will be an easy no brainer for the 12.9". For me, many times I will have some note taking app and split screen with something else. I can't see myself doing that with an 11". But, if you're primarily going to be doing full screen note taking, I can see how the 11" is sufficient.

A more fundamental issue that's worth considering is whether you even want to deal with Apple's side-by-side split screen implementation on iPad OS. It's far inferior to the very basic functionality on a Mac of having two windows stacked on top of eachother (or side by side if you want). The 12.9 will give you a little more breathing room but it's crappy either way, I just tried this on my 11" Pro and it's practically unusable when looking at a PDF on one side and typing notes on the other, the space is very poorly used. The 12.9" Pro is bulky and heavy to hold for more than a few minutes at a time. If you're going to keep it on a Magic Keyboard most of the time you might as well get an M1 Macbook. Until we see what iPad OS 15 brings to the table I wouldn't recommend that anyone buy an iPad Pro. Apple has been intentionally dragging their feet with software upgrades to sell more units of both iPad Pros and MacBooks/Macs. It's time for them to actually realize the vision they presented in 2010 and make the iPad a fully functional computer. I'm not holding my breath.

 

[rui no onna]

it's time for them to actually realize the vision they presented in 2010 and make the iPad a fully functional computer, but I'm not holding my breath.

As I recall, that wasn't the vision at all. The iPad was intended to be a simpler device, in between a smartphone and a computer (truck).

 

[RiotMilk]

A more fundamental issue that's worth considering is whether you even want to deal with Apple's side-by-side split screen implementation on iPad OS. It's far inferior to the very basic functionality on a Mac of having two windows stacked on top of eachother (or side by side if you want). The 12.9 will give you a little more breathing room but it's crappy either way, I just tried this on my 11" Pro and it's practically unusable when looking at a PDF on one side and typing notes on the other, the space is very poorly used. The 12.9" Pro is bulky and heavy to hold for more than a few minutes at a time. If you're going to keep it on a Magic Keyboard most of the time you might as well get an M1 Macbook. Until we see what iPad OS 15 brings to the table I wouldn't recommend that anyone buy an iPad Pro. Apple has been intentionally dragging their feet with software upgrades to sell more units of both iPad Pros and MacBooks/Macs. It's time for them to actually realize the vision they presented in 2010 and make the iPad a fully functional computer. I'm not holding my breath.

Except that OP already as a MBP and their question was "In the context of writing with Apple Pencil, do you find 11" to be sufficient, or is the 12.9" good enough to justify the downsides of the bigger size?"

so therefore the person you responded to had a great point, and your pushing towards a macbook which can't be used for this note-taking use case is really besides the point

i do apologize for going at you here but it feels like this derailment into raining on the ipad parade happens in every thread, everybody here knows that macbooks exist we are trying to learn about and discuss the new ipads

 

[nick42983]

Except that OP already as a MBP and their question was "In the context of writing with Apple Pencil, do you find 11" to be sufficient, or is the 12.9" good enough to justify the downsides of the bigger size?"

so therefore the person you responded to had a great point, and your pushing towards a macbook which can't be used for this note-taking use case is really besides the point

i do apologize for going at you here but it feels like this derailment into raining on the ipad parade happens in every thread, everybody here knows that macbooks exist we are trying to learn about and discuss the new ipads

Thanks Mr. Thought Police. If someone owns a MacBook and they are looking for a place to keep handwritten notes, they should buy a paper notebook. I have an iPad Pro and I would not recommend that most people buy one, it's an overpriced toy compared to any modern MacBook, both sizes are cumbersome for note taking. A standard iPad or Mini compatible with the first-gen pencil are a better option, but still overkill for note-taking. iPads deservedly get ripped on because they are artificially handicapped devices. It says a lot that most iPad Pro critics are iPad Pro owners, they know how frustratingly limited the device is compared to the vision Apple sold us on.

 

[nick42983]

As I recall, that wasn't the vision at all. The iPad was intended to be a simpler device, in between a smartphone and a computer (truck).

it has been marketed as "your next computer" and "the future of computing", for years it was the clear favorite after the iPhone, Apple made a hard pivot back to the Mac with their own chips last year and the anemic iPad OS updates since make it clear where their priorities lie (iOS and Mac OS)