Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacBainNO

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 16, 2017
112
78
I finally upgraded from my iPad Air 2 which I have had since launch. I have been holding off upgrading for a while, but really wanted the ProMotion screen and pulled the trigger on a 2021 11" Pro (overkill for my use, but cheapest model with ProMotion, No Mini LED unfortunately). The screen is gorgeous and so is the speed. The only problem is it feels more awkward to use even though it's basically the same size and weight as the Air 2.
I primarily use it in my recliner resting in on my stomach, but this makes reaching the bottom of the iPad more difficult, but I can use the five finger pinch to switch apps. But holding it in one hand with the folio case is straining, so I was wondering about ordering a dbrand skin and ditch the folio, making it 160g lighter.
Switching between the Air 2 and the 11" Pro both with folio cases the Air 2 to feels a lot easier to use.
Do you think this is just a matter of getting used to or is the 11" Pro with thinner borders more "difficult" to use.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tsepz

calvol

macrumors 6502a
Feb 3, 2011
995
4
I think it's just a matter of getting used to it if you like everything else about it. But I've also found the 2021 iPad Pro is harder to hold in one hand than my 2017 IPP, and I'm returning it. The 2021 IPP being a 1/2" longer, has a center of balance that much further from your hand if you're holding it as the bottom corner, and feels heavier than the 2017 IPP. Also, the 2021 squared edges don't feel as comfortable as the beveled edges on my 2017. I can do without the 1/2" extra length in screen in favor of better ergonomics.

The other thing is I find the 2021 screen is harder to look at for long periods than the 2017. It feels like the backlight is stronger for a given brightness level and causes eye strain. The 2017 screen appears more flat, almost like an e-ink screen. Although I believe it's the same screen, the backlight seems amped up in the 2021. Sometimes newer is not better, I'm returning and waiting for OLED to upgrade again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: giv-as-a-ciggy-kent

Shirasaki

macrumors P6
May 16, 2015
16,263
11,765
I'm returning and waiting for OLED to upgrade again.
iPad Pro has been rumoured to not get OLED screen. Only iPad Air gets it. iPad Pro will get miniLED instead for professional uses, as OLED brightness wont support HDR contents.
 

Tsepz

macrumors 601
Jan 24, 2013
4,888
4,698
Johannesburg, South Africa
I finally upgraded from my iPad Air 2 which I have had since launch. I have been holding off upgrading for a while, but really wanted the ProMotion screen and pulled the trigger on a 2021 11" Pro (overkill for my use, but cheapest model with ProMotion, No Mini LED unfortunately). The screen is gorgeous and so is the speed. The only problem is it feels more awkward to use even though it's basically the same size and weight as the Air 2.
I primarily use it in my recliner resting in on my stomach, but this makes reaching the bottom of the iPad more difficult, but I can use the five finger pinch to switch apps. But holding it in one hand with the folio case is straining, so I was wondering about ordering a dbrand skin and ditch the folio, making it 160g lighter.
Switching between the Air 2 and the 11" Pro both with folio cases the Air 2 to feels a lot easier to use.
Do you think this is just a matter of getting used to or is the 11" Pro with thinner borders more "difficult" to use.
I made the same jump last year, it does take a little getting used to but a year later I am glad I went 11”, loving mine. Yes, maybe do get a lighter case or skin, as long as you know the device will be safe in it. I have at least 2 other cases for mine, but I am sticking to the faux leather thin case I got for it.

I think the iPad Pro smaller bezels do create a learning curve when coming from the older iPads with large bezels.
 
Last edited:

MisterSavage

macrumors 601
Nov 10, 2018
4,856
5,757
I upgraded from a 9.7" pro to an 11" pro. 99% of the time I used it with either a stand or a lap pillow. The lap pillow really helps with what you're describing.
 

The Game 161

macrumors Nehalem
Dec 15, 2010
30,991
20,172
UK
iPad Pro has been rumoured to not get OLED screen. Only iPad Air gets it. iPad Pro will get miniLED instead for professional uses, as OLED brightness wont support HDR contents.
Rumours are or gets it in a few years. A higher quality OLED panel
 

JonMPLS

macrumors 68000
May 23, 2010
1,682
254
MN
I bought the 11 Pro to replace my aging mini. It's a huge improvement. Amazon had a sale on the Magic Keyboard so I bought one to try. While it added quite a bit of weight, I'm amazed how much I like it. It is just a great reading stand and the keyboard/trackpad feels super. Most of the time I just rest the keyboard on my lap. Sounds odd but it works way better than the actual iPad cases I have. The distance from screen to eyes is fine for Books, which is my main use for the iPad.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Vinceh99

svish

macrumors G4
Nov 25, 2017
11,683
29,715
I finally upgraded from my iPad Air 2 which I have had since launch. I have been holding off upgrading for a while, but really wanted the ProMotion screen and pulled the trigger on a 2021 11" Pro (overkill for my use, but cheapest model with ProMotion, No Mini LED unfortunately). The screen is gorgeous and so is the speed. The only problem is it feels more awkward to use even though it's basically the same size and weight as the Air 2.
I primarily use it in my recliner resting in on my stomach, but this makes reaching the bottom of the iPad more difficult, but I can use the five finger pinch to switch apps. But holding it in one hand with the folio case is straining, so I was wondering about ordering a dbrand skin and ditch the folio, making it 160g lighter.
Switching between the Air 2 and the 11" Pro both with folio cases the Air 2 to feels a lot easier to use.
Do you think this is just a matter of getting used to or is the 11" Pro with thinner borders more "difficult" to use.
I did upgrade from Air 2 to 2020 11" Pro last year. The bigger screen is wonderful and I believe you will get used to it.
 

perezr10

macrumors 68020
Jan 12, 2014
2,014
1,486
Monroe, Louisiana
I also use the 2021 11” iPad Pro. If you’re sitting in a recliner than you are a prime candidate for using a kickstand case like the Logitech Combo Touch. It’s easier to use than resting on your stomach because it’s a little farther away. Plus, you can adjust the ipad to stay upright at the perfect angle.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WorldIRC

MacBainNO

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 16, 2017
112
78
I ended up returning it. Both shoulder and neck was feeling it a bit, could be a coincidence, but won't take that chance. When typing I ended up holding it in the lower corner since there is no frame at the bottom which made it too heavy.
The screen also felt a bit to big when browsing web pages etc. I ended up using my iPhone 12 mini more, which isn't a good thing when you have a new expensive iPad ?. Going back to the Air 2 I didn't notice the lack of ProMotion as much as expected, but the speed is noticeable. Loading web pages, switching apps is slower on the Air 2.
As for now I'm keeping the Air 2, maybe the next iPad Mini will have a slightly bigger screen and be a perfect fit, or else I might ending up buying a used Air 3 since it got bezels, which I prefer on an iPad.
 
Last edited:

giv-as-a-ciggy-kent

macrumors regular
Feb 22, 2020
157
260
Aus
I finally upgraded from my iPad Air 2 which I have had since launch. I have been holding off upgrading for a while, but really wanted the ProMotion screen and pulled the trigger on a 2021 11" Pro (overkill for my use, but cheapest model with ProMotion, No Mini LED unfortunately). The screen is gorgeous and so is the speed. The only problem is it feels more awkward to use even though it's basically the same size and weight as the Air 2.
I primarily use it in my recliner resting in on my stomach, but this makes reaching the bottom of the iPad more difficult, but I can use the five finger pinch to switch apps. But holding it in one hand with the folio case is straining, so I was wondering about ordering a dbrand skin and ditch the folio, making it 160g lighter.
Switching between the Air 2 and the 11" Pro both with folio cases the Air 2 to feels a lot easier to use.
Do you think this is just a matter of getting used to or is the 11" Pro with thinner borders more "difficult" to use.
Same issue I had and same reason I ultimately returned mine. No bezels make it a lot more awkward to hold and the extra height of the screen made the swipe gestures awkward to use.

I’m waiting to see what the new mini will look like before pulling the trigger on it. Or I might get the last of the 9.7 inch budget iPads.
 

BigBlur

macrumors 6502a
Jul 9, 2021
827
974
I upgraded my iPad Air 2 to the new 11” Pro with a folio case, and love it. Just a tip… Another way to type on the iPad is to make the keyboard floating, which shrinks it down to an iPhone-sized keyboard. This then allows you to type while holding the iPad more comfortably with both hands. It also even gives you QuickPath (swipe keyboard), if that is something you like to use.

Here’s a video showing what the floating keyboard is like. I move mine to the right-hand side of the screen (or lower-right corner) and type with my right thumb, just as if I was on my iPhone.

 

tommyboy9996

macrumors 6502
Aug 21, 2009
364
210
NJ - Ocean County
I upgraded my iPad Air 2 to the new 11” Pro with a folio case, and love it. Just a tip… Another way to type on the iPad is to make the keyboard floating, which shrinks it down to an iPhone-sized keyboard. This then allows you to type while holding the iPad more comfortably with both hands. It also even gives you QuickPath (swipe keyboard), if that is something you like to use.

Here’s a video showing what the floating keyboard is like. I move mine to the right-hand side of the screen (or lower-right corner) and type with my right thumb, just as if I was on my iPhone.

Wow I honestly never knew about QuickPath and I thought I had all the tips and tricks figured out lol, thank you!
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigBlur
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.