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chongsen

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 4, 2013
87
54
Hi everyone

I am trying to get an iPad on the road to use as sketch book. I know most people recommend 11 inch. It is a bit small on my taste, really want to get a bigger canvas. What do you think the portability for 12.9 inch ? I will carry it around everyday. Is it doable ?
 

cthompson94

macrumors 6502a
Jan 10, 2022
812
1,164
SoCal
It is pretty big, but it is portable as the weight isn't that much and if you have it in a bag or something you will not really notice it (depending on the bag). It does take up a lot of space in front of you while using it, so if your plans are to use it on a bus, train, airplane, do keep in mind that it will fit, but for drawing/sketching the space of the tablet along with arm room may be a tight fit.
 

outlawarth

macrumors 6502a
Mar 20, 2011
555
774
M2 12.9 reporting here. I have absolutely no issues with portability and I feel like I could never go back to a smaller screen. Maybe it's because I'm 6'5 I don't know - but I absolutely love the bigger screen.
 

The Game 161

macrumors Nehalem
Dec 15, 2010
30,974
20,168
UK
not as portable as the 11 inch of course but for me I still use my 12.9 more with the smart cover. works on my lap very well and holding on sofa at times. I prefer to use my MacBook Pro for any keyboard tasks.
 

sracer

macrumors G4
Apr 9, 2010
10,405
13,290
where hip is spoken
Hi everyone

I am trying to get an iPad on the road to use as sketch book. I know most people recommend 11 inch. It is a bit small on my taste, really want to get a bigger canvas. What do you think the portability for 12.9 inch ? I will carry it around everyday. Is it doable ?
Portability is the in eye of the beholder. What does your EDC (every day carry) consist of? If you already tote a backpack, the 12.9 Pro will be fine. If you don't carry any bag, then it will be an incovenience.
 

chongsen

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 4, 2013
87
54
Portability is the in eye of the beholder. What does your EDC (every day carry) consist of? If you already tote a backpack, the 12.9 Pro will be fine. If you don't carry any bag, then it will be an incovenience.
I carry a back pack every day. I intend to sketch on the road ( train & bus). It is about how comfortable to draw with no table or small table.
 

iPadified

macrumors 68020
Apr 25, 2017
2,014
2,257
I carry a back pack every day. I intend to sketch on the road ( train & bus). It is about how comfortable to draw with no table or small table.
Then you will be fine. Use your underarm just like how you would do with a sketch book. I think those who prefer 11 inch like to hold the iPad like a book (just like SJ did in the initial iPad reveal). I think that would not work well with sketching anyway or the 12.9 for a long period.
 

sracer

macrumors G4
Apr 9, 2010
10,405
13,290
where hip is spoken
I carry a back pack every day. I intend to sketch on the road ( train & bus). It is about how comfortable to draw with no table or small table.
I think the 12.9 Pro is too large for use in mobile scenarios such as that. I've owned a 12.9 in the past and it is great PORTABLE device (using it at point "A", transporting it, then using it at point "B"). But as a mobile device (using it while transporting), it is too large.
 
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Zest28

macrumors 68030
Jul 11, 2022
2,581
3,933
Hi everyone

I am trying to get an iPad on the road to use as sketch book. I know most people recommend 11 inch. It is a bit small on my taste, really want to get a bigger canvas. What do you think the portability for 12.9 inch ? I will carry it around everyday. Is it doable ?

What makes you think the 12.9 iPad Pro is not portable? It fits in pretty much every laptop bag since laptops typically start at 13“
 
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Zest28

macrumors 68030
Jul 11, 2022
2,581
3,933
I think the 12.9 Pro is too large for use in mobile scenarios such as that. I've owned a 12.9 in the past and it is great PORTABLE device (using it at point "A", transporting it, then using it at point "B"). But as a mobile device (using it while transporting), it is too large.

The 11“ won‘t make much of a difference as it is too large for your pockets and thus requires a laptop bag also. Only the iPhone is more mobile as you can use it in public without having to pull it out of a laptop bag.
 
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darngooddesign

macrumors P6
Jul 4, 2007
18,362
10,114
Atlanta, GA
The 11“ won‘t make much of a difference as it is too large for your pockets and thus requires a laptop bag also. Only the iPhone is more mobile as you can use it in public without having to pull it out of a laptop bag.
Get the large and no bag required for your 12.9” iPad

 

sparksd

macrumors G3
Jun 7, 2015
9,991
34,252
Seattle WA
Get the large and no bag required for your 12.9” iPad


Put the 12.9 + MKB in that thing and you have an armored vest.
 

Digitalguy

macrumors 601
Apr 15, 2019
4,643
4,469
What makes you think the 12.9 iPad Pro is not portable? It fits in pretty much every laptop bag since laptops typically start at 13“
that's not the point, the point is " It is about how comfortable to draw with no table or small table."
 

VaruLV

macrumors 6502a
Mar 25, 2019
636
561
M1 12.9 - I have no problem with portability and have an MKB attached. It's entirely subjective.
This.
I found my 12.9 M1 too big when abroad, tho neither was I moving places every other day nor had I Magic Keyboard, I was basically using it the way I did at home. Its weird because I was set on selling my 12.9 once I return home, yet, after returning home I yet again found it fine for my daily needs and Im still using it to this day.
 

Zest28

macrumors 68030
Jul 11, 2022
2,581
3,933
that's not the point, the point is " It is about how comfortable to draw with no table or small table."

It's only 680 grams, really. I never use the M1 12.9 iPad Pro with a table at all, even when using it as a note taking tool with the Apple Pencil.

My iPad Air 2 is even lighter than the 11" iPad Pro and I still pick the M1 12.9 iPad Pro as a note taking tool over the iPad Air 2 to give you an idea how little the 12.9 iPad Pro weighs to me.
 
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Zest28

macrumors 68030
Jul 11, 2022
2,581
3,933
Get the large and no bag required for your 12.9” iPad


Seems a bit too hot for the summer. Could be interesting when it's a bit colder.
 

teohyc

macrumors 6502a
May 24, 2007
550
474
You will need to set the 12.9 inch on a surface to draw on, on table or on your thigh

With the 11, maybe with a case, you can still stand and draw with it.
 

George Dawes

Suspended
Jul 17, 2014
2,980
4,332
=VH=
I've got 3 iPads and just leave them in rooms on each floor now

Front room 12.9 Pro
Second Floor 11 Pro
Top floor Air 2 ( Probably upgrade this Xmas )

Saves carrying anything and they all link up 100% fine
 

bhall110

macrumors 6502
Jun 11, 2012
326
252
Buy from amazon. 30 returns if you don’t like it. I don’t think you will have a issue.
 

Royksöpp

macrumors 68020
Nov 4, 2013
2,409
4,024
Just think of the 13 inch MacBook Pro. They're basically the same size, except the iPad is thinner unless you pair it with the MK then it's thicker and just as heavy. I'm going to assume you will be using a case, so that will add to the thickness. If you feel comfortable with the 13 inch laptop size range, then you should be just fine.
 
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