I have an iPad Pro 12.9 128GB, an iPhone 6s Plus and a 12rMb 512gb. I have given an older retina iPad 9.7 to my son.
I have realized that I am not reaching for my 12.9 in iPad at all. I 'd rather open my rMB 12in instead. I like reading PDFs and browse the web on the bed or on the couch. The 12.9 iPad is too heavy and cumbersome for the role. I hold it in portrait mode lying on my chest and basically I can only read if something is on the top third of the screen. So most of the screen serves as a support instead of viewing stuff. I have rarely done some drawing where the big screen does look great for that purpose, but this represents 0.05% of my iPad use. So 12.9 in iPad is 1) not comfortable for studying on bed
I have also noticed that the big screen emits too much light at night that makes my eyes feel tired fast. I have tried various screen illumination adjustments but withou success. So 2) not good for studying at night
3) typing on the onscreen keyboard while holding it is impossible
4) it is less portable for traveling or commuting. Although I can do most of my stuff on an iPad, I take the 12in rMB in my bag because it is more portable (smaller, lighter, feels more compact c/w iPad and the flimsy covers and smart covers).
As you can understand I am considering downsizing. I am still figuring out how much I need the pencil, the true tone and the higher specs of iPad Pro 9.7, but I want to ask the friends here about the optimal form factor of iPad. Main uses: reading PDFs on bed, typing short texts. I used to believe that the bigger screen the better, but I recently tried the iPad mini on Best Buy. Few thoughts about the mini:
Thumb typing in portrait mode is the best typing experience I have had on any iOS device. The keys are big enough to easily hit them without mistakes (better than iPhone plus in that perspective) but close enough to avoid any stretches of the thumbs to hit a key (like the 9.7 in iPad). The device is amazingly light that you can hold it easily with one hand and even use your thumb for screen panning. If you use in the portrait orientation, you can very easily pull up the split screen mode and rapidly alternate between apps because everything is within your thumbs reach (vs the 9.7 iPad).
I will wit a few more weeks in Oct to see if they come up with a new mini, otherwise I will go for the mini4.
Are the above impressions I got from my short interaction with the mini correct?
Do you think it will be too small for reading pdfs (scientific articles)?
Is the thumb typing as good in the long term as it felt?
What is more comfortable for reading on bed, mini or 9.7?
Thanks guys
I have realized that I am not reaching for my 12.9 in iPad at all. I 'd rather open my rMB 12in instead. I like reading PDFs and browse the web on the bed or on the couch. The 12.9 iPad is too heavy and cumbersome for the role. I hold it in portrait mode lying on my chest and basically I can only read if something is on the top third of the screen. So most of the screen serves as a support instead of viewing stuff. I have rarely done some drawing where the big screen does look great for that purpose, but this represents 0.05% of my iPad use. So 12.9 in iPad is 1) not comfortable for studying on bed
I have also noticed that the big screen emits too much light at night that makes my eyes feel tired fast. I have tried various screen illumination adjustments but withou success. So 2) not good for studying at night
3) typing on the onscreen keyboard while holding it is impossible
4) it is less portable for traveling or commuting. Although I can do most of my stuff on an iPad, I take the 12in rMB in my bag because it is more portable (smaller, lighter, feels more compact c/w iPad and the flimsy covers and smart covers).
As you can understand I am considering downsizing. I am still figuring out how much I need the pencil, the true tone and the higher specs of iPad Pro 9.7, but I want to ask the friends here about the optimal form factor of iPad. Main uses: reading PDFs on bed, typing short texts. I used to believe that the bigger screen the better, but I recently tried the iPad mini on Best Buy. Few thoughts about the mini:
Thumb typing in portrait mode is the best typing experience I have had on any iOS device. The keys are big enough to easily hit them without mistakes (better than iPhone plus in that perspective) but close enough to avoid any stretches of the thumbs to hit a key (like the 9.7 in iPad). The device is amazingly light that you can hold it easily with one hand and even use your thumb for screen panning. If you use in the portrait orientation, you can very easily pull up the split screen mode and rapidly alternate between apps because everything is within your thumbs reach (vs the 9.7 iPad).
I will wit a few more weeks in Oct to see if they come up with a new mini, otherwise I will go for the mini4.
Are the above impressions I got from my short interaction with the mini correct?
Do you think it will be too small for reading pdfs (scientific articles)?
Is the thumb typing as good in the long term as it felt?
What is more comfortable for reading on bed, mini or 9.7?
Thanks guys