iPad Pro iPad mini making my 11” Pro feel redundant…

[sparksd]

No idea why people prefer the IPP 12.9” + MK instead of the MBA. The iPad combo is heavier than the MBA, has the same footprint as the MBA yet is ergonomically worse as the IPP easily tips over so placing it on your lap or anything other than a flat surface is a gamble, it has a worse aspect ratio for consuming content than the MBA, less versatile, and has almost half the battery life. So unless you’re one of the very rare people that use it as a tablet or draw the MBA is not only the better productivity device but it’s actually a better media consumption device as well all for being hundreds of dollars less especially if you get an Apple refurbished one.

I get people justifying their expensive IPP purchase but the 12.9” is nowhere near what the MBA is. Additionally, the screen quality on the IPP isn’t really that great as it suffers from poor response times and will undoubtedly have fingerprints on it 99% of the time.

No justifications needed. Personal preference - good enough.

 

[rui no onna]

No idea why people prefer the IPP 12.9” + MK instead of the MBA. The iPad combo is heavier than the MBA, has the same footprint as the MBA yet is ergonomically worse as the IPP easily tips over so placing it on your lap or anything other than a flat surface is a gamble, it has a worse aspect ratio for consuming content than the MBA, less versatile, and has almost half the battery life. So unless you’re one of the very rare people that use it as a tablet or draw the MBA is not only the better productivity device but it’s actually a better media consumption device as well all for being hundreds of dollars less especially if you get an Apple refurbished one.

I get people justifying their expensive IPP purchase but the 12.9” is nowhere near what the MBA is. Additionally, the screen quality on the IPP isn’t really that great as it suffers from poor response times and will undoubtedly have fingerprints on it 99% of the time.

Content consumption, depends on what type of content. Videos are better on the MBA but I find reading novels, comics, magazines, PDFs, etc. much better on the iPad.

Lap use, I always used to get neck pain from looking down to view the laptop screen. The iPad (tablet mode), I find to be way more ergonomic.

I use a Windows desktop with a more ergonomic setup than a laptop for work.

 

[geta]

I have the 6 and 12.9. I don't want an MBA in the least.

as long as iPadOS cover all your needs with all its limitation….

 

[sparksd]

as long as iPadOS cover all your needs with all its limitation….

It doesn't. I also use a Win11 laptop and desktop. I just don't want a Mac.

 

[rui no onna]

as long as iPadOS cover all your needs with all its limitation….

Why does it have to? Iirc, the OP has another Mac (MBP 14 or iMac?). The iPad is just additional.

For me, iPadOS covers 95% of my personal use. For the other 5%, I have Windows desktops and laptops that will do the job.

Work is almost 100% Windows. I only use the iPad for PDF markup, notes, reading emails and instant messaging. Maybe the occasional Excel viewing and editing when I'm away from my desk.

It's not like you're only limited to using just one device (funds permitting).

 

[Realityck]

My setup is a iMac 24", MacBook Air, Mini 6, and IPP 13 Max. iMac is my main display with the MBA as my second monitor especially with universal control now, Mini 6 is primarily content consumption, and IPP Max is my going out device not from a media consumption standpoint but due to amount of phones calls I can get so battery life is important. Next year I'll probably just get the regular Pro model.

Seems you're all set to use universal control to the fullest. Its also a reminder UC doesn't support iPad to iPad yet.

 

[inimeg81]

I think this depends on use case. I’ve been fighting back and forth on which one to keep and the new universal control is making me steer towards the iPad Pro 11. Having it at my desk as a 3rd screen for my MBP is awesome while having all the other features it has over the mini. I can buy an e book reader for what is arguably the best use case with the mini. I find that video wise the iPhone pro max is nearly as big with a much better quality screen.

 

[jdb8167]

I went from a 2020 11” iPad Pro with magic keyboard and a 2018 13” MacBook Pro to an iPad mini 6 and an M1 MacBook Air. I couldn’t be happier. The M1 MacBook Air is powerful with a long battery life and a full featured OS as compared to the somewhat limited iPad Pro and the bad battery life of the MacBook Pro. The iPad mini meets the rest of my needs as an ereader, notepad, and general consumption device.

 

[johntw]

No idea why people prefer the IPP 12.9” + MK instead of the MBA. The iPad combo is heavier than the MBA, has the same footprint as the MBA yet is ergonomically worse as the IPP easily tips over so placing it on your lap or anything other than a flat surface is a gamble, it has a worse aspect ratio for consuming content than the MBA, less versatile, and has almost half the battery life. So unless you’re one of the very rare people that use it as a tablet or draw the MBA is not only the better productivity device but it’s actually a better media consumption device as well all for being hundreds of dollars less especially if you get an Apple refurbished one.

I get people justifying their expensive IPP purchase but the 12.9” is nowhere near what the MBA is. Additionally, the screen quality on the IPP isn’t really that great as it suffers from poor response times and will undoubtedly have fingerprints on it 99% of the time.

It’s important we have choices. Without the 12.9” iPad Pro, I’d probably be in the Microsoft or Google ecosystems. I actually want a larger iPP.

I prefer iPadOS for consumption (Safari, Tweetbot, Apple Music, Overcast, Apple TV app and YouTube) and my primary work tasks (Slack, Google Workplace) way more than macOS. The apps I prefer use work better on iPadOS, IMO. Not everyone uses a Magic Keyboard with their iPP. It’s only in recent years I started using a Smart Folio Keyboard, mainly because it is the most stable (and still lightweight) way to prop up and use an iPad. I used to only use a simple folio case. The screen on my 12.9” M1 iPP blows my MacBook Air M1 away and I prefer the speakers as well. I also have no issues with battery life and each are about 2-day machines for me.

A simple cleaning cloth solves fingerprint concerns. We don’t not recommend using a smartphone over a feature phone because of fingerprints.

 

[Abazigal]

No idea why people prefer the IPP 12.9” + MK instead of the MBA. The iPad combo is heavier than the MBA, has the same footprint as the MBA yet is ergonomically worse as the IPP easily tips over so placing it on your lap or anything other than a flat surface is a gamble, it has a worse aspect ratio for consuming content than the MBA, less versatile, and has almost half the battery life. So unless you’re one of the very rare people that use it as a tablet or draw the MBA is not only the better productivity device but it’s actually a better media consumption device as well all for being hundreds of dollars less especially if you get an Apple refurbished one.

I get people justifying their expensive IPP purchase but the 12.9” is nowhere near what the MBA is. Additionally, the screen quality on the IPP isn’t really that great as it suffers from poor response times and will undoubtedly have fingerprints on it 99% of the time.

I can’t use the magic keyboard because of its inability to fold backwards on itself, but I love my iPad + Smart Keyboard setup because I can detach the screen when I just need a tablet to write on.

Some mobile experiences are simply better on iOS. For example, it’s just nicer browsing Reddit using Apollo on my iPad over the browser version on my MBA.

I can also tilt it in portrait mode (when browsing twitter via Tweetbot).

The iPad is also great for drawing and writing, and I don’t think my use case is all that rare. It’s easy to record screencasts using the screen recording function, then import into LumaFusion for quick edits, and then upload to YouTube directly.

The smaller footprint means more space on the table when I am marking my books, and it’s great for playing YouTube, music or podcasts (in part due to widgets).

I find myself using my iPad way more than my MBA both for work and leisure.

 

[lezmace]

I can’t use the magic keyboard because of its inability to fold backwards on itself, but I love my iPad + Smart Keyboard setup because I can detach the screen when I just need a tablet to write on.

Some mobile experiences are simply better on iOS. For example, it’s just nicer browsing Reddit using Apollo on my iPad over the browser version on my MBA.

I can also tilt it in portrait mode (when browsing twitter via Tweetbot).

The iPad is also great for drawing and writing, and I don’t think my use case is all that rare. It’s easy to record screencasts using the screen recording function, then import into LumaFusion for quick edits, and then upload to YouTube directly.

The smaller footprint means more space on the table when I am marking my books, and it’s great for playing YouTube, music or podcasts (in part due to widgets).

I find myself using my iPad way more than my MBA both for work and leisure.

If you have an M1 MBA you can download Apollo for the Mac too.

 

[Abazigal]

If you have an M1 MBA you can download Apollo for the Mac too.

Tried it, and it’s a fairly poor experience. Apps generally don’t okay well with a mouse and keyboard interface.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I have an iPad Pro 11 and iPad mini 6. Admittedly I use my mini a lot more but I do like do have a larger ipad around. I find the 12.9 to be too large and cumbersome and I have the 13 inch MacBook Air so they would be too close in size. I’m all for having multiple iPads, you just need to find the screen sizes that suits you best.

 

[Cosmo M3]

sold both my 11” and 12.9” iPad Pro models and consolidated down to just the iPad mini 6. I just don't see the point for my uses for a tablet since all my workhorse stuff is done on my 14” MBP

 

[Xand&Roby]

I’m trying to understand the point of multiple devices that covered same use.
I had a iPad mini 2 that my sister use for cats relax (spotify) and in yrs I don’t know how and when I use it.
I’m with iPhone SE 1gen for mobility and various Apple Watch (what I need is an Apple Watch and Apple sw that make me free of not buying an iPhone, that I think is redundant from 2015), CarPlay in car, HomePod mini in home for HomeKit devices, MacBook 12” (one 2015 entry ~ one 2019 full) for macOS (home/work/mobility).
My trend with Apple devices is obvious: mini devices for mobility instead of maxi for performance.
At this point I don’t think two devices (iPad mini vs 11” for the OP, or many watches/MacBook for me) are a good choice, but I could understand if you had a iPad mini 6 (with iOS features like CarPlay and Watch for calls without iPhone) and an iPad Pro 23” (at least 23”) for (i)Mac desktop replacement, but with 11” or 13”, what’s the point? Isn’t a better choice an iMac/Mac mini?

 

[Fthree]

i love the mini but my 13PM just about kills the mini for me these days....

 

[sparksd]

I’m trying to understand the point of multiple devices that covered same use.
I had a iPad mini 2 that my sister use for cats relax (spotify) and in yrs I don’t know how and when I use it.
I’m with iPhone SE 1gen for mobility and various Apple Watch (what I need is an Apple Watch and Apple sw that make me free of not buying an iPhone, that I think is redundant from 2015), CarPlay in car, HomePod mini in home for HomeKit devices, MacBook 12” (one 2015 entry ~ one 2019 full) for macOS (home/work/mobility).
My trend with Apple devices is obvious: mini devices for mobility instead of maxi for performance.
At this point I don’t think two devices (iPad mini vs 11” for the OP, or many watches/MacBook for me) are a good choice, but I could understand if you had a iPad mini 6 (with iOS features like CarPlay and Watch for calls without iPhone) and an iPad Pro 23” (at least 23”) for (i)Mac desktop replacement, but with 11” or 13”, what’s the point? Isn’t a better choice an iMac/Mac mini?

It's not a better choice if you want a tablet and not a laptop. It's personal preference and there is no universal "better" - it's very much, to each his own.

 

[rui no onna]

I’m trying to understand the point of multiple devices that covered same use.

but with 11” or 13”, what’s the point? Isn’t a better choice an iMac/Mac mini?

Can't exactly carry the iMac/Mac mini with you.

For me, the size and weight difference between the 11" and 13" iPads is pretty significant. I prefer the 11" for mobility and bed/couch use but I like having the 12.9" for specific tasks (PDF viewing/markup, notes, comics, etc).

I use the 12.9" primarily during work hours as a complement my Windows desktop both controlled by the same switchable Logitech K780 keyboard and Logitech MX Ergo trackball. Meanwhile, I use the 11" everywhere (home, car, doctor's office, etc) and is part of my EDC.

Spares also mean backup so there's no downtime when one device fails. For me, redundancy is a positive not a negative.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Seems you're all set to use universal control to the fullest. Its also a reminder UC doesn't support iPad to iPad yet.

I’m sure @Alexis Noel would like for UC to be iPad to iPad. I still love this setup very original and forward thinking.