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BestMate

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 14, 2012
43
40
Liverpool - UK
But can't make my mind up which size to get, its driving me crazy ?
Will somebody please help me out.
It'll be mostly used for watching tv in work on a desk and again lying in bed at night time.
I love the idea of getting the bigger screen but thinking it may be uncomforable to hold whilst lying in bed.
 
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Expos of 1969

Contributor
Aug 25, 2013
4,827
9,518
But can't make my mind up which size to get, its driving me crazy ?
Will somebody please help me out.
It'll be mostly used for watching tv in work on a desk and again lying in bed at night time.
I love the idea of getting the bigger screen but thinking it may be uncomforable to hold whilst lying in bed.
You live in a country with Apple stores and the luxury of the 14 day return window. Try the big one first in all the situations you envision using it. In a few days you should be able to determine if it is too large or heavy or cumbersome for one or more of your key uses. If a no go, return it and get the smaller size.
 
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svish

macrumors G4
Nov 25, 2017
11,683
29,716
But can't make my mind up which size to get, its driving me crazy ?
Will somebody please help me out.
It'll be mostly used for watching tv in work on a desk and again lying in bed at night time.
I love the idea of getting the bigger screen but thinking it may be uncomforable to hold whilst lying in bed.
12.9" can be heavy. 11" is portable.

If you are primarily going to use it at a desk, get the 12.9.

Apple has 14 day return policy. So you need not worry. In case you don't like the size, you can change it and get the other one.
 
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nightlong

macrumors 6502a
Jun 16, 2012
864
168
Australia
Don’t hold it, is the short answer. I have a great stand from Twelve South called Hover Bar duo, available on the Apple store. you can turn the iPad to any angle, placed on a hard cover book it is very stable in bed, but also great for typing with iPad at eye level.
 

zehcnassurfero

macrumors regular
Sep 17, 2019
218
84
Try both, this is the only way you can solve your doubts. People who prefer 12.9” is going to say: “buy 12.9”, and the same for people who loves 11”.

I think both are uncomfortable when you want to use it on your hands, but obviously more uncomfortable the bigger screen for sure. But, don‘t think before you use it that it is uncomfortable because when you take on your hands, at the very first seconds you are going to return it without try and test for some days.
 

Isengardtom

macrumors 65816
Feb 14, 2009
1,351
2,196
I moved from an 11” to 12.9” this year and am very happy with it

I still am able to use it on the couch or in bed without the keyboard, which I was a bit afraid of. I use my iPad both for work related things with Microsoft apps, notes, Teams communication, reports, .. as well as at home for personal stuff at which point it’s more a content consumption device: Music, games, browsing, banking,…

I personally find the 11” screen small now when I use it. (I kept both iPads for now). With the magic keyboard it‘s a little heavier but I definitely get more things done on the larger iPad Pro. Multi-tasking with split view is less useful on the smaller screen for example.

I would say the 11” is more handy in certain travel instances like on a flight when you have a tiny tray table and you are limited in space but overall for me the 12.9” is the device to choose if you want to be more productive.And it does have the mini LED display off course.
 
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Surfman

Suspended
May 24, 2021
360
436
But can't make my mind up which size to get, its driving me crazy ?
Will somebody please help me out.
It'll be mostly used for watching tv in work on a desk and again lying in bed at night time.
I love the idea of getting the bigger screen but thinking it may be uncomforable to hold whilst lying in bed.
For your uses 12.9, don’t get sucked in by the too big too heavy brigade, I had a 11” for 2.5 years believing in the bandwagon, 12.9 now and no regrets, 11” M1 is hardly any different than the 2018 models anyway.
 

Isengardtom

macrumors 65816
Feb 14, 2009
1,351
2,196
For your uses 12.9, don’t get sucked in by the too big too heavy brigade, I had a 11” for 2.5 years believing in the bandwagon, 12.9 now and no regrets, 11” M1 is hardly any different than the 2018 models anyway.
Yeah and for 11” you could argue maybe go for an iPad Air instead if you want to save some money.
In most day to day uses, M1 doesn’t add much over A14 (except more ram = more tabs )
 
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ericwn

macrumors G5
Apr 24, 2016
12,118
10,912
Another vote to get both from a place with a return policy and then decide yourself. Or check them out in a shop in person when possible.
 

Surfman

Suspended
May 24, 2021
360
436
Yeah and for 11” you could argue maybe go for an iPad Air instead if you want to save some money.
In most day to day uses, M1 doesn’t add much over A14 (except more ram = more tabs )
Wouldn’t buy a iPad without pro motion and FID myself.
 

DMG35

Contributor
May 27, 2021
2,527
8,169
If you have the money to get the larger one get that one. You can always get a cheap folio case to sit it on while watching TV in bed. I wouldn't recommend holding it in bed anyway as it could lead to an unfortunate accident.
 

JayMysterio

macrumors 68000
Apr 24, 2010
1,534
32,961
Rock Ridge, California
But can't make my mind up which size to get, its driving me crazy ?
Will somebody please help me out.
It'll be mostly used for watching tv in work on a desk and again lying in bed at night time.
I love the idea of getting the bigger screen but thinking it may be uncomforable to hold whilst lying in bed.

MY suggestion.

DON'T.

Unless this purchase is a: someone else is paying for it / can only get it for one day only / too good to pass up once in a lifetime purchase situation, do some more personal research. This won't be a life altering purchase so take YOUR time to make YOUR decision on what is best for you. Otherwise we get yet ANOTHER thread on why someone is returning / selling / regretting their purchase all for reasons everyone saw coming when multiple size iPads were first introduced years ago. Or another why 'this size iPad is best', all based on personal bias & no real fact. Yeah, we need more threads like that. :rolleyes: If you have the option of watching the thousands of videos on Youtube about both sizes and can go to a store that physically has both, take advantage of it, alongside of input from those here, and make up YOUR own mind on what's best for you. None of us will know every variable ( what do you consider too heavy, do you want a better screen, etc ) for you, only YOU can decide that. Take your time, these devices aren't cheap, and aren't going anywhere.
 
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Falhófnir

macrumors 603
Aug 19, 2017
6,146
7,001
I think this year is question between 11” and 12.9” very easy. Miniled has only 12.9” so this is the answer.
But what if OP doesn't plan on watching a lot of HDR content? Realistically that's the primary use case of the XDR display. Otherwise it's wasted on scrolling web pages, emails, social media and even 95% of YouTube. It's a feature I've been waiting for, but I certainly wouldn't use it as a deciding factor unless you know you will make use of it.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
It'll be mostly used for watching tv in work on a desk and again lying in bed at night time.
Given that usage, the 12.9 definitely is an ideal machine, but either one would be an excellent choice on the iPad pro front. My wife has an older iPad, and the screen and usage is night and day, I really prefer how the IPP feels, but if you're not up to spending that much money then go for an iPad Air
 
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Jára Tyky

macrumors 6502
Apr 9, 2020
355
231
Try both, this is the only way you can solve your doubts. People who prefer 12.9” is going to say: “buy 12.9”, and the same for people who loves 11”.

I think both are uncomfortable when you want to use it on your hands, but obviously more uncomfortable the bigger screen for sure. But, don‘t think before you use it that it is uncomfortable because when you take on your hands, at the very first seconds you are going to return it without try and test for some days.
It is not so easy. I have tried both in 2020. I went with 12.9” after 14 days returned for 11” and after 1 month went back to 12.9”.
I know almost about every single detail in difference and the truth is that both have something + and - and can be used in various circumstances.
So ideal is to have 12” iPad Pro ?
 

Jára Tyky

macrumors 6502
Apr 9, 2020
355
231
But what if OP doesn't plan on watching a lot of HDR content? Realistically that's the primary use case of the XDR display. Otherwise it's wasted on scrolling web pages, emails, social media and even 95% of YouTube. It's a feature I've been waiting for, but I certainly wouldn't use it as a deciding factor unless you know you will make use of it.
Does nor matter. It is not about HDR content. I have M1 12.9” and do not care about HDR but the display is gorgeous.. you see the difference when you are reading in night with black background, it is not hurting your eyes as grey black from LCD and you spare a lot of battery when on black.

People do not know it but if you set everything on black colours, you spare a battery A LOT.

The display is the most important part of iPads so having better display means having better the whole experience.
 

Chazani

macrumors regular
Oct 23, 2014
106
185
Here’s a suggestion. Get a big cardboard, cut one to the specific size of 11 inch iPad, and one to 12.9 inch iPad, see if that will help you feel what is acceptable to you.

I didn’t have any problems deciding what one to get, as soon the 12.9 came out with The 256gb hard drive, I immediately went and bought it. Best decision ever. then I upgraded to 2021 M1 mini led 12.9 inch, best decision ever. It’s smaller and lighter than my old iPad Pro. The smaller ipads screen size is too small for my personal enjoyment.

Some prefer small screen, some prefer bigger screen, and some prefer movie theatre screen size. Every individual person is unique in their preference. Chose what fits YOUR style/use/preference. :)
 
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