As I am using the iPP more and more I am finding the heft of it easier to manage, but there is definitely a transition period
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad Pro iPad Pro 11 vs 12.9 (for those who are not sure which to get)
- Thread starter James Godfrey
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Physician here. I have both (original 12.9 with Smart Folio keyboard and 2020 11 with Magic Keyboard). I use them at home and in clinic. They are my main and only computers. I run my EMR (Canvas) from them and everything else that I need to do. We have an iMac Pro but haven’t used it in ages. The vast majority of the time I grab the 11”. It does everything my 12.9” does and the added portability is excellent. There’s no comparison between the Magic Keyboard and Smart Folio keyboard; the former is far superior for my use.
Oh, and unlike the 12" MacBook, the 12.9" iPad Pro is a powerhouse.
It’s great that we have so much choice. I am glad I got the 11inch, as with each month that passes with my 2020 11” Pro I realize the 12.9 would have been a tremendous waste on me and my usage. There is always this
temptation to go for the biggest one, I do this with iPhone, but thats because I use my iPhone constantly and love having a large screened phone, however when it comes to tablets I seem to hit my limit at between 9-11inch as even the 11inch sometimes feels a little much for me, I wonder if anyone else feels this way? On a day where I have had a long day of work and gym, I look at my iPad Pro and I am like “naaaaaah, not today” ?? it mainly sits on my desk next to my laptop while I work and I stream my favourite radio stations on it while I work (the quad speakers make this an absolute pleasure), I will also do some personal web browsing etc.... but after I am done working and gyming and I am just wanting to sit in front of the TV and web browse, I am just like”naaaah” and use my iPhone lol. Then I get into bed sit the iPad Pro up and watch a few series and call it a night. So I use it a lot but not as much as I thought I would due to the fact that sometimes I feel it’s too much and “I can just do that on my iPhone one handed“ Lol.
It really has a lot to do with how much of your computer you are trying to replace. Ive been using 12.9 for years and never felt it to be inconvenient in size. But recently I moved to 11 and now I carry the iPad everywhere and for my uses then downgrading the screen size wasn't too bad.
Last edited:
I borrowed this thread. Im custom to an iPad 9.7 screen. And I want a higher screen for reading and productivity. I don't sure if I will be happy with the new iPad Air 4 because of missing of 144 hz and smaller processor.
I understand that generation 3 should have 4Gb frame (except for 1TB which has 6 gb) and the latest generation should have 6gb frame as standard regardless of storage space. Considering and thinking if I will settle for 11 "Pro? I can only afford one..otherwise it will be a 12" gen 3. Anyone have thoughts on this or who have made similar choices?
I understand that generation 3 should have 4Gb frame (except for 1TB which has 6 gb) and the latest generation should have 6gb frame as standard regardless of storage space. Considering and thinking if I will settle for 11 "Pro? I can only afford one..otherwise it will be a 12" gen 3. Anyone have thoughts on this or who have made similar choices?
Last edited:
I upgraded from a 9.7" IPP to a 2018 12.9" IPP and ended up exchanging it for an 11" IPP with zero regrets. The form factor is only a little bit bigger than the 9.7" with a big difference in screen size. I still love mine!
Quick Update
After a long contemplation I ended up handing off the 12.9 to my partner and got the 11... and I have to say it’s much better for me.
With the 12.9 I didn’t really end up achieving what I wanted (merging my iPad and MacBook into one device), instead it felt like I had just changed out my MacBook for an iPad and lost my iPad.
Now I have the 11, I feel I have achieved what I wanted, I still have an iPad and when needed I just whack it on the keyboard and I got a small MacBookish device, this is perfect for me now.
TIM COOK if your reading this change the sizes of the Pros... a 12 inch would be perfect for me personally.
After a long contemplation I ended up handing off the 12.9 to my partner and got the 11... and I have to say it’s much better for me.
With the 12.9 I didn’t really end up achieving what I wanted (merging my iPad and MacBook into one device), instead it felt like I had just changed out my MacBook for an iPad and lost my iPad.
Now I have the 11, I feel I have achieved what I wanted, I still have an iPad and when needed I just whack it on the keyboard and I got a small MacBookish device, this is perfect for me now.
TIM COOK if your reading this change the sizes of the Pros... a 12 inch would be perfect for me personally.
That's just how subjective the ipad pro size issue is; we're all built differently and think differently. There are surely many IPP 12.9 lovers (myself included) that can't relate to the idea that the 12.9's are unwieldy just as there are many who feel they are. There's no one size fits all no matter how hard they try. We just have to continue to appreciate that there are options.
Pretty sure they will try fit 12inch (or at least 11.5inch) into the 11inch body as soon as they can shrink the FaceID hardware.
Just picked up an IPP 11 with magic keyboard and pencil. I haven’t had an iPad since the original 2nd gen, this is such a different, more refined experience. I’m really loving using the device, don’t regret picking the 11 over the 12.9.
Nothing wrong with the air at all, but I couldn’t do 64gb and then it’s a $50 difference.
What originally sold me on the 12.9 model was split view usage. Then it was 10.5 vs 12.9 inches but should apply to current models as well. 12.9 comfortably does two portrait views or 1 larger and one phone size view side by side.
The size difference has never mattered to me enough for portability and the full size virtual keyboard is nicer to type on. I don’t use a keyboard case because of the significant added weight and excessive cost.
The size difference has never mattered to me enough for portability and the full size virtual keyboard is nicer to type on. I don’t use a keyboard case because of the significant added weight and excessive cost.
Yeah the side by side split view is what sold me originally on the 12.9 but soon realised that for the vast majority of the time I only use single apps.
In regards to the virtual keyboard, being so used to the iPhone keyboard I do find the virtual keyboard on the 11” far easier to use personally, but each to their own.
I think because I used my iPhone so much rather than a full sized keyboard the 11” just suited me better. As I say though I would much prefer something in the middle of both sizes such as a 12” as I think that size would be perfect for me.
Every time I look at the 12.9 in a store, I’m just drawn to that 12.9 screen. Websites tend to not present in that mobile responsive design - you often get the real deal. Which i appreciate.
I have a 2017 10.5" iPP and am trying to decide between the 12.9" and the 11". One thing that attracts me to the larger iPad is two-column reading in landscape mode. It seems that it would come close in page layout to reading a hardcover book.
I just picked up a 2020 12.9" for a great deal on Facebook Marketplace. I figure I won't lose any money on the deal if I determine it's just too big for me and decide to sell it. I do have to say though...it's big. But drawing using Procreate on the couch was so much fun and there was so much space! I might miss the 11" for how perfect of a size it is, but I do love the screen for drawing and looking at photos, as well as movies.
True, but it is also contingent on which apps you use. For example, I most frequently use PDF Expert as most of my materials are PDFs. I use a single page flowing style format, which is easy on the eyes (mostly) and easy for annotation. I also use Books for ePub again single page format with continuous scrolling. And, some of my books require the Kindle app where I have again a single page format but with page turn over rather than continual scrolling. Doing all this on the 11” IPP. I find this most convenient for my eyes AND in terms of mobility.
I've got 3 x 12.9's ( don't ask , lol ) and they're mazing but SO big, heavy and cumbersome I've bought an 11 for my mother as she just can't handle the 12.9's
The 11 pro seems the perfect ipad to me regarding portability , wish I'd bought myself one now ...
The 11 pro seems the perfect ipad to me regarding portability , wish I'd bought myself one now ...
I'm very happy with my new 11" iPad Pro, 256 GB, and for my purposes the 12.9" would be too large and heavy.
I think that it simply comes down to what you're going to be doing with the iPad, how important portability and weight is, and so forth.
I think that it simply comes down to what you're going to be doing with the iPad, how important portability and weight is, and so forth.