This. I find the 12.9” is just about useable for me, bordering on too big and heavy. But it totally depends on your arms and where you sit, if you’re a large and muscular person you may find it perfect.
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iPad Pro Is the 12.9 Too Big
- Thread starter jw1977
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This. I find the 12.9” is just about useable for me, bordering on too big and heavy. But it totally depends on your arms and where you sit, if you’re a large and muscular person you may find it perfect.
Same here. I use one of these lap stands for chairs & bed - I like it as it has adjustable angles:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007GO31EU/
Depends how you use it. If youre using it primarily as a tablet (handheld), then I’d say yes it’s too big, especially if you have smaller hands and/or use it for gaming a lot. If you primarily use it on a desk, lap, with a keyboard case, leaning on something, etc., or mixed use between handheld and non-handheld, then I’d say no it’s not too big.
In fairness most iPad users I’ve encountered use a case or stand with their devices or support them with a pillow or their lap. Maybe the mini is more for the handheld crowd with no case. Exceptions to the rule exist of course.
The 12.9 shows its heft only if you move around a lot with it, especially with a (keyboard) case. Otherwise you‘ll definitely appreciate the bigger and better screen. I also read online that the number row on the keyboard shows up only with the 12.9, I could be wrong. I really like that, of course it’s not dealbreaker but worth mentioning.
The 11 is fantastic! The point of an iPad is to be portable. If I want to use a bigger screen then I would use my laptop or desktop.
I would use my MacBook as well, if I could fold back the screen and write on it with a pencil. As it is, I use the MacBook for word processing or the like, the 12.9 iPad as a whiteboard and for taking notes, and the iPad mini for carrying about.
The thing I find frustrating about the 11 is that iPadOS won’t allow us to have the sidebar for apps in split screen. Sure I can go to 3/4s screen, but that 1/4 sized app is tiny (and safari bookmarks then take multiple taps to reach). The limitation on the 11 is silly and unnecessary, there’s plenty of room for a skinny sidebar. I love the fact that my 12.9 can have sidebars available in 50:50 screen, but really dislike the heft of the 12.9. I’m trying to learn to deal with the weight, as it is otherwise a nicer experience than the 11. Hopefully the next generation or two will drop a few ounces.
Edit: I just went back to split screen with safari in the 1/4 window, and more I can get to bookmarks with a tap at the top bar. Oddly it brings up the keyboard and I have to tap enter before it goes to the bookmark. Still 4 taps to open a page!
Edit: I just went back to split screen with safari in the 1/4 window, and more I can get to bookmarks with a tap at the top bar. Oddly it brings up the keyboard and I have to tap enter before it goes to the bookmark. Still 4 taps to open a page!
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I use the 12.9 in the front room and the 11 in my bedroom (s)
I’m thinking of upgrading to an m1 as my 12.9 frequently runs out of ram when I attempt multitasking which is very annoying
I’m thinking of upgrading to an m1 as my 12.9 frequently runs out of ram when I attempt multitasking which is very annoying
I've had the IPP 11" for about a month, and today I purchased an IPP 12.9". It definitely is the right size for me, the 11" felt small and underwhelming. My usage is media consumption, communication, and sidecar to my Mac a second screen. I also got the magic keyboard, both for the 11 and the 12.9, and typing on the 11 keyboard is a pain - I am 180cm. Tall with big hands, could not fit in the 11 keyboard. Overall, switching to the 12.9 feels super good In terms of size, not to mention the better screen.
I also switched from the 11 2018 iPP to the 12.9 M1 iPP and this feels like a much better fit for me. Viewing content is more enjoyable and I dont feel as cramped when I use it for study/work especially with multitasking. I initially returned the 12.9 inch 2018 ipp because people told me its too big but there was a part of me regretting a bit of the decision.
In my opinion, it could be bigger. A 15 inch tablet would be great for me. But the 12.9 has a nice size.
Yes! The direction the iPad is going is clearly to be a laptop replacement, it is not there yet but it is very close. I would love to see a 15" too! In the last month that I used my IPP 11", and from today my 12.9", I have not touched my MBP. But I am a light user of a laptop or iPad, my daily work (complex ERP software development) is still done on a Mac Pro, and that can't change just yet. Overall I am glad I can merge two (laptop and tablet) devices into one - a convenient media consumption device that, once the magic keyboard is attached, transforms into a productive work machine for mail, zoom, browsing, document editing and what not.
I had the original 12.9” Pro. For me, the 12.9” occupies a weird spot and is really best suited to niche users who must have touch/pencil input and screen size. I am thinking artists, graphic designers, etc. Otherwise, I think someone that wants a larger screen would be better served by getting a MacBook Air or other small laptop. The size of the MBA and IPP are almost identical and the Air weighs almost a half pound less if you pair the IPP with a Magic Keyboard (which you will want some sort of propping device because of its size). Plus macOS is leaps and bounds better than iPadOS. And the Air is hundreds of dollars cheaper.
For me, the 11” IPP is the idea size for a device like this. However, like I said, there are some users who need a screen that is the size of a sheet of paper and has Pencil input. For them, the 12.9” is great and totally worth the trade-offs. Otherwise consider the 11” or a MBA.
For me, the 11” IPP is the idea size for a device like this. However, like I said, there are some users who need a screen that is the size of a sheet of paper and has Pencil input. For them, the 12.9” is great and totally worth the trade-offs. Otherwise consider the 11” or a MBA.
YMMV, but as someone who has owned iPads since the iPad 2, and always owned the 10.5/11 iPad Pro’s including the M1 11”, my latest 12.9 iPad Pro has made me feel like i’ve fallen in love with using the iPad all over again. The last time I felt this way was when first getting the iPad 2.
I gave my mum the 11” and honestly to me the size difference isn’t really noticeable unless they’re side by side. I have no issues using it as either a tablet or with the magic keyboard.
The bigger & better screen and speakers are insanely good for a tablet and all in all i’m super happy with this being my iPad until some next breakthrough occurs. The M1 in here definitely makes it feel very future proof to the point where I expect i’ll be replacing the battery one day to keep using it, rather than getting a new one.
I gave my mum the 11” and honestly to me the size difference isn’t really noticeable unless they’re side by side. I have no issues using it as either a tablet or with the magic keyboard.
The bigger & better screen and speakers are insanely good for a tablet and all in all i’m super happy with this being my iPad until some next breakthrough occurs. The M1 in here definitely makes it feel very future proof to the point where I expect i’ll be replacing the battery one day to keep using it, rather than getting a new one.
I don't think of users who like large displays as niche users at all.
After trying out all sizes of iPads, I still think the 11" is the sweet-spot if you're not looking for a "laptop-replacement" sort of device. Its very portable, easy to use with one hand and can be easily propped-up when being used around the house, but also big enough to use comfortably with the Magic Keyboard as an ultra-portable.
That is not really what I said. My point was that a 12.9” IPP really needs something like the Magic Keyboard to make it manageable. At that point, I personally see no reason to choose it over a MacBook Air. If you are not an artist or graphic designer who needs that specific 1:1 piece of paper size, then the 12.9” does not really make sense to me. Hence the idea of niche. I of course acknowledge that everyone is different and that there are certainly people that love the 12.9. I just suspect most would be better served by a MacBook Air than an iPad Pro.
Rubbish, I have been using it with the folio only since release, tried the MGK didn't use it so sold it.
Except that I want a tablet, not a Mac of any kind, so I wouldn’t be better served at all. And I do have a laptop, too.
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That's a sweeping generalisation that I would be inclined to discuss. For business, I'd mostly agree with you; for personal use, I'd disagree with you.
So the only open question is - what are IPP 12.9 mainly used for, business or personal use? That would then tell us what your "most" refers to.