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iPad If Apple made a 12.9-inch version of the 10th Generation iPad, would you buy it?

Yebubbleman

Yebubbleman

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A fun hypothetical:

Let's say that Apple announces a 12.9-inch version of the 10th Generation iPad. So, figure it has either some form of A14, a non-laminated display, only supports the first generation Apple Pencil and USB 2.0 speeds via USB-C, and has its FaceTime/Selfie camera in landscape mode, and literally all other features of the existing 10th Generation iPad. Assume that, like the 10th Generation iPad, the Smart Connector is on the side and that, therefore, Apple has a new keyboard (with function keys) specific to this would-be iPad. Assume that Stage Manager and any other feature requiring either an M1 or M2 iPad Pro or iPad Air isn't supported. Assume it's the same kind of display, but larger. Figure the price starts at $749 for 64GB with WiFi, $900 for 256GB with WiFi and with cellular versions entailing the same $150 premium that every non-Pro iPad has. For the sake of argument, let's assume identical color options to the existing 10th Generation iPad.

Figure that this iPad isn't geared towards anyone wanting or needing the more advanced features that come with an iPad Air or either size of iPad Pro. Similarly, figure that this iPad is geared towards people wanting a 12.9-inch iPad, but not needing any of the bells and whistles that come on a 12.9-inch iPad Pro other than its size.

If such a thing came out, would you buy one?

(As a disclaimer: this is only a hypothetical; I make no claim or assertion of the likelihood of such a thing ever existing or lack thereof.)
 
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floral

floral

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floral said:
iPad Plus? No thanks, I'll take the 11-inch.
Click to expand...
Let me expand on this... I love tablets, but prefer smaller ones. 11-inchers were a bit to get used to, but I found it's a good compromise between portability and usability. However, there is a point when big is too big... and the 12.9-inchers are too big to me, although they do have their fans. But, even if I was a 12.9-inch fan, this would be horrendous if it cost $900 for a good storage amount when you could just slide over an extra $300 for a "proper" 12.9-inch iPad with the same storage but 2x the RAM, accessory support, and power.
 
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Isengardtom

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Feb 14, 2009
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No interest from me.
my iPad is my primary device so I want the top of the line with the maximum of features

if anything, I’m more interested in an 11” version but with the better screen tech (I’m hoping the Oled screen comes to the 11”)
 
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Digitalguy

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Apr 15, 2019
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If you want 12.9, a much better deal would be an Apple refurbished 2018 model (would be cheaper and have better specs overall). It would be crazy to go with a 12.9" version of the iPad 10 at that price when an Apple refurbished is bascially a new device. A12X is basically on par with A14 and everything else is better.
 
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Vref

Vref

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Feb 16, 2023
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I don’t measure, iPad wise I only have use for the mini form factor, and I use it a lot at work

Bigger and I’ll use my notebook, smaller and I’ll use my phone
 
GMShadow

GMShadow

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Jun 8, 2021
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sracer said:
12.9 version of the 10th gen iPad? No thanks.
12.9 version of the 9th gen iPad? Shut up and take my money! 😁
Click to expand...

They had those, and I'm not sure you're prepared for how huge they were.

They also had chassis flex issues.


As to OPs point, no. The 12.9" size is for pros, and further fragmenting the ecosystem (and the accessories ecosystem) isn't worth it for the tiny market.
 
sracer

sracer

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Apr 9, 2010
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GMShadow said:
They had those, and I'm not sure you're prepared for how huge they were.

They also had chassis flex issues.


As to OPs point, no. The 12.9" size is for pros, and further fragmenting the ecosystem (and the accessories ecosystem) isn't worth it for the tiny market.
Click to expand...
I owned a first gen 12.9 Pro. I'm well aware of how large they were. Mine did not suffer from any chassis flex issues.
 
C

ChelseaDrew

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Feb 17, 2023
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Na. I am a big fan of my 11" pro. Perfect size to me between my iPhone 13 Pro an 16" MacBook Pro. Don't think I would need anything bigger than that.
 
S

sparksd

macrumors G3
Jun 7, 2015
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Seattle WA
GMShadow said:
They had those, and I'm not sure you're prepared for how huge they were.

They also had chassis flex issues.


As to OPs point, no. The 12.9" size is for pros, and further fragmenting the ecosystem (and the accessories ecosystem) isn't worth it for the tiny market.
Click to expand...

The 12.9" size is for pros? Hardly. I'm retired and love my M1 12.9 - I'll never buy a smaller iPad.
 
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rui no onna

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
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Yebubbleman said:
A fun hypothetical:

Let's say that Apple announces a 12.9-inch version of the 10th Generation iPad. So, figure it has either some form of A14, a non-laminated display, only supports the first generation Apple Pencil and USB 2.0 speeds via USB-C, and has its FaceTime/Selfie camera in landscape mode, and literally all other features of the existing 10th Generation iPad. Assume that, like the 10th Generation iPad, the Smart Connector is on the side and that, therefore, Apple has a new keyboard (with function keys) specific to this would-be iPad. Assume that Stage Manager and any other feature requiring either an M1 or M2 iPad Pro or iPad Air isn't supported. Assume it's the same kind of display, but larger. Figure the price starts at $749 for 64GB with WiFi, $900 for 256GB with WiFi and with cellular versions entailing the same $150 premium that every non-Pro iPad has. For the sake of argument, let's assume identical color options to the existing 10th Generation iPad.

Figure that this iPad isn't geared towards anyone wanting or needing the more advanced features that come with an iPad Air or either size of iPad Pro. Similarly, figure that this iPad is geared towards people wanting a 12.9-inch iPad, but not needing any of the bells and whistles that come on a 12.9-inch iPad Pro other than its size.

If such a thing came out, would you buy one?

(As a disclaimer: this is only a hypothetical; I make no claim or assertion of the likelihood of such a thing ever existing or lack thereof.)
Click to expand...

Since it's not Mini-LED, this should just be $200 more than the 10th gen so $649 wifi/$799 cellular. The extra $100 upcharge on the Pros is for the Mini-LED display.

Personally not for me but I know some aunties who only want the bigger screen (for watching K-dramas) and would go for it.
 
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mossimossimossi

macrumors member
Jan 11, 2023
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I agree, a 10th gen 12.9" base iPad should be priced more at $649 if there is no other "feature" to justify a $749 price tag. This is the same price difference if you take an equivalently specced 14" MBP (12c/19g/16G/1TB/$2499) and compared it with a 16" MBP (12c/19g/16G/1TB/$2699).
 
Yebubbleman

Yebubbleman

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darngooddesign said:
I often say to myself that Apple doesn’t have enough iPad models. /s
Click to expand...

I get the sarcasm, but considering the majority of the existing iPad models are all around the same size (with only one small and one large), it's not exactly balanced.

GMShadow said:
As to OPs point, no. The 12.9" size is for pros, and further fragmenting the ecosystem (and the accessories ecosystem) isn't worth it for the tiny market.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure that I'd call it "further fragmenting" when there are four iPads of one size category and only one of each of the other two. I'm also not sure why 12.9-inch necessarily NEEDS to be Pro exclusive. I'm not saying that folks who don't need the iPad Pro features have need of a 12.9-inch iPad. But certainly, it'd be nice to have a large iPad that can accommodate an ergonomically comfortable (and not cramped) keyboard and not have to pay over $1000 for the privilege.

schneeland said:
Of the base iPad, probably not. I'll gladly take a 12,9" version of the iPad Air, though.
Click to expand...
Interesting. Which Air features cause you to say that? Or is it more for Second Generation Pencil compatibility and a laminated display? Or is it the M1? The only feature of the 10th Generation iPad that I badly wish the 12.9-inch iPad Pro had is the camera in landscape mode. That and maybe Touch ID. I'm not at all a Face ID fan.
 
TechRunner

TechRunner

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Oct 28, 2016
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At $599 I might consider one after trying it out in person and seeing if the size worked for me. It seems like it would compete most closely with Samsung's Fan Edition 12.4" tablet and would probably find a decent market of buyers shopping for a comparably sized (and priced) Apple version.
 
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