iPad Pro Is this excessive... (12.9" iPad Pro advice/question)?

[retta283]

I was in the market for a new iPad to replace my failed iPad 2 which was used as a media device and e-reader. I had planned at first to get the Air 3, and was seesawing between the 7th gen and Air 3. This was before I decided against purchasing another 16" MBP (Mine had some defects so I returned with the intention of repurchasing with different specs) and now I am looking more at an iPad Pro. I realized I don't really need a laptop much for what I do, and with USB-C accessories coming I could about 80% replace my laptop's usage. I still do have an older MBP for the other 20%.

Since I was looking at the Air 3 mostly beforehand, the 11" makes sense from a price standpoint. But I am afraid that I will feel buyer's remorse if I do not get the larger screen. Since I am now planning to use it as a semi laptop replacement, I feel the downgrade in size will be too much. For drawing, I'd much prefer the 12.9 too.

Do you think the 12.9 is excessive or should I go for it? I have the money to afford either, but I feel better spending less.

 

[ssledoux]

If you are planning to replace a good portion of your laptop use with it, I'd go for the 12.9. I doubt you would regret it.

 

[JayMysterio]

I was in the market for a new iPad to replace my failed iPad 2 which was used as a media device and e-reader. I had planned at first to get the Air 3, and was seesawing between the 7th gen and Air 3. This was before I decided against purchasing another 16" MBP (Mine had some defects so I returned with the intention of repurchasing with different specs) and now I am looking more at an iPad Pro. I realized I don't really need a laptop much for what I do, and with USB-C accessories coming I could about 80% replace my laptop's usage. I still do have an older MBP for the other 20%.

Since I was looking at the Air 3 mostly beforehand, the 11" makes sense from a price standpoint. But I am afraid that I will feel buyer's remorse if I do not get the larger screen. Since I am now planning to use it as a semi laptop replacement, I feel the downgrade in size will be too much. For drawing, I'd much prefer the 12.9 too.

Do you think the 12.9 is excessive or should I go for it? I have the money to afford either, but I feel better spending less.

It's excessive if you can't afford and it doesn't fit what you intend to use it for. If it's supposed to be a portable media device that you pull out on the train to watch Youtube, it might be excessive.

For me it's been awhile since I said, "You know, this viewing area is much too large for my viewing enjoyment needs".

If you think you will really be getting into the drawing part, the bigger screen will be nice. The 11" isn't that much of a step down though, and you might be inclined to use it out & about to draw as well.

The 11" can seem like a compromise if you are planning to be mobile. If mobility isn't an issue though, why wouldn't you go bigger?

This Youtuber discusses his thinking of why he made the decision he did.

 

[Ludatyk]

Do you think the 12.9 is excessive or should I go for it? I have the money to afford either, but I feel better spending less.

As @ssledoux pointed out if you planning on using the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement majority of the times, then yeah... go for it.

But you can always go to Apple Store or Best Buy wherever you plan on buying it.. just to get a feel for the screen size. I’ve been using the 12.9” iPad Pro.. ever since Apple first introduced it. I’m familiar with it and I don’t see myself ever downgrading.

People tend to complain that portability takes a hit when using the 12.9” over the 11”, but I take mine everywhere I go.. I’m accustomed to it.

 

[retta283]

Sadly I cannot easily get to an Apple Store or Best Buy here, or I would.

I don't plan on using it on the go particularly, but I do need it to easily fit in a bag so I can transport it with me throughout the day. I won't be pulling it out in public much, just at the different locations I go for work. Re-evaluating the financial side of this, I am actually saving a lot of money even if I get the 12.9.

My original purchase plan for mobile was 16" MBP and Air 3, so almost $3,000. If I get the 12.9 with 256GB storage, I am paying less than half of that. At this point, I think I'll go for the 12.9, but I'm still not sure how much of a difference the 1.9" makes. It would be nice to see them in person.

I might visit some family in Prescott next weekend, and I can go to Best Buy there. Don't want to wait that long, but it'll probably be worth it, so I am assured that my decision is the right one, either size.

 

[sparksd]

I went from the 10.5 Pro to the 12.9 Pro and am really happy that I did - the larger screen is wonderful for everything I use it for. I don't find portability to be an issue at all, even when using the Logitech Slim Folio Pro case on it. But portability is completely subjective and other peoples experience are almost irrelevant.

 

[akash.nu]

Personally I feel the 11” model would be the happy medium for most.

 

[JayMysterio]

Sadly I cannot easily get to an Apple Store or Best Buy here, or I would.

I don't plan on using it on the go particularly, but I do need it to easily fit in a bag so I can transport it with me throughout the day. I won't be pulling it out in public much, just at the different locations I go for work. Re-evaluating the financial side of this, I am actually saving a lot of money even if I get the 12.9.

My original purchase plan for mobile was 16" MBP and Air 3, so almost $3,000. If I get the 12.9 with 256GB storage, I am paying less than half of that. At this point, I think I'll go for the 12.9, but I'm still not sure how much of a difference the 1.9" makes. It would be nice to see them in person.

I might visit some family in Prescott next weekend, and I can go to Best Buy there. Don't want to wait that long, but it'll probably be worth it, so I am assured that my decision is the right one, either size.

To me think of it in the same way you think of screen size.

Do you notice greater real estate on 12" Macbook Air to a 13"Macbook Pro? When you get a bigger monitor, do you like the greater real estate?

 

[Ludatyk]

My original purchase plan for mobile was 16" MBP and Air 3, so almost $3,000. If I get the 12.9 with 256GB storage, I am paying less than half of that. At this point, I think I'll go for the 12.9, but I'm still not sure how much of a difference the 1.9" makes. It would be nice to see them in person.

Original idea was a 16” MBP & Air 3? And now your thinking of just a iPad Pro.

If your mindset was a 16” MBP... then a 12.9” iPad Pro shouldn’t be a problem at all. But to go from deciding against a 16” MBP to a iPad Pro, that’s a different scale.

 

[retta283]

Original idea was a 16” MBP & Air 3? And now your thinking of just a iPad Pro.

If your mindset was a 16” MBP... then a 12.9” iPad Pro shouldn’t be a problem at all. But to go from deciding against a 16” MBP to a iPad Pro, that’s a different scale.

I decided against a second 16", because after my time with it I realized I didn't really need that power. Having that size screen on the go was nice, but I wasn't utilizing it enough for it to be worth owning. The defect just made my decision to return it easier.

I shifted gears a bit here, after a re-evaluation at what I needed for my career now, which leaves me mostly stationary. I was still thinking in terms of my old job when I purchased the 16". Now that a portable is only needed as a web browser for researching parts/instructions, there is no need for a dedicated laptop. I of course do still have my old MBP, which as said can fill in if needed.
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To me think of it in the same way you think of screen size.

Do you notice greater real estate on 12" Macbook Air to a 13"Macbook Pro? When you get a bigger monitor, do you like the greater real estate?

On my desktop, bigger is better. There needs to be a gain in resolution with size increase though. Otherwise you're seeing the same amount of content just blown up to the larger display.

I know that the PPI is similar, but what I haven't gotten a chance to see is how much more content can be displayed on the 12.9 vs 11. For example, how much of a web page fits on the screen at one time or how big side-by-side apps can be. These are the things I'd need to compare at a store to really appreciate the difference. At this point I am leaning towards 12.9 though.

 

[Ludatyk]

I decided against a second 16", because after my time with it I realized I didn't really need that power. Having that size screen on the go was nice, but I wasn't utilizing it enough for it to be worth owning. The defect just made my decision to return it easier.

I wonder, how long did you have the 16” MBP? Obviously your definitely going to be saving some change... but I wonder though have you toyed around with iPadOS since you mention of your iPad 2 failing.

Reason I bring up iPadOS, it shines on the 12.9”... the screen real estate with SplitView, SlideOver and PiP. My sister has the 11”... and it’s just not the same at all.

 

[retta283]

I wonder, how long did you have the 16” MBP? Obviously your definitely going to be saving some change... but I wonder though have you toyed around with iPadOS since you mention of your iPad 2 failing.

Reason I bring up iPadOS, it shines on the 12.9”... the screen real estate with SplitView, SlideOver and PiP. My sister has the 11”... and it’s just not the same at all.

So far, I have never used iPadOS. Most recent iPad i used was my friend's on iOS 11. I'm interested in experiencing the new features for myself.

I had the MBP for about 3 weeks, a little bit out of the 14-day period but they accepted my return, probably because of the obvious lid defect. Once the wow factor of having my first new MacBook in a decade wore off, I began to regret it.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Do you think the 12.9 is excessive or should I go for it? I have the money to afford either, but I feel better spending less.

The 12.9-inch would work out well for you.

 

[T-Bob]

Seems like you have a new iMac, so that makes 16” much less useful as its so big, really ideal as a hybrid desktop in itself. So yeah, iPad for mobile and desktop for the rest, doubt you’ll even need old mbps.

 

[retta283]

Seems like you have a new iMac, so that makes 16” much less useful as its so big, really ideal as a hybrid desktop in itself. So yeah, iPad for mobile and desktop for the rest, doubt you’ll even need old mbps.

This was basically my thinking as well.

 

[ggibson913]

I had similar situation back in 2015. I went with iPad Pro and an iMac 27. Great combo.

 

[Morrissey]

I have the first Gen 12.9" with the Apple Pencil, I justified that purchased because I need something light to do presentations with PowerPoint & Keynote ouro f the office, eventually I bought a Macbook Air for that task only, and keep the iPad for home.

 

[Deanster]

Just depends on how you're going to use it. I have the current 11" ipad Pro, and the original 12.9" iPad Pro. They're both great tablets, it's just about your needs.

The current 12.9 Pro is considerably smaller than my Gen 1 version, thanks to much smaller bezels, which is a big help, the major knock on my Gen 1 is just that it's physically enormous, it really requires a bag that will fit a 13" laptop just to carry around. The 12.9 is lovely on a desk in front of me with Apple's keyboard, and the more you use it that way, the happier you'll be.

Where the 11" really shines is in total versatility. Very useful on the desk with keyboard, or without the keyboard in hand on the couch, and fits into compact spaces in a small bag when not in use. I occasionally run into situations where more screen real estate would be helpful, but nothing where I'd be able to do it on a 12.9 and just can't on the 11. Much more common to find things where a proper laptop is needed.

Long story short, if we think of iPad as having three primary modes - 1) on a desk with a keyboard, 2) in your hand on the couch, and 3) packed away in your bag, we can then compare them:

Desk - 12.9 is just amazing here, the 11 is merely very very good.

Couch/hand - 12.9 is awfully big and heavy to hold in hand, the 11 is excellent, maybe a little heavy for truly extended use.

Packed up - the 11 really shines here, it fits into some very compact backpacks, bags, purses without a fuss, where the 12.9 really demands a pretty substantial bag.

 

[bobsamm]

Don’t get the in hand on a couch comments, it’s on your leg or lap for me, and I don’t walk around or stand for long holding a iPad.
I have a 27” iMac and a 11” pro, next one will be a 12.9”.

 

[coldsweat]

One major difference to consider between the 2 iPad pro sizes is that the 11" uses the compact version of apps whilst in split-screen mode, whereas the 12.9 uses the full iPad version.

https://developer.apple.com/design/...ines/ios/visual-design/adaptivity-and-layout/

Not sure if that's important to you, but it was a major factor for me in deciding on the 12.9".

I came from a 15" Macbook Pro & an iPad mini - You get used to the size of the 12.9 really quickly!

 

[The Game 161]

I think 12.9 is perfect for those who want to replace their macbook/computer. For somebody who has a macbook I think 11 inch would make the most sense as it is more complete in terms of size, usage on the sofa and taking away with you. I liked my 12.9 and smart keyboard but feel for general browsing then a trackpad built in is far better,

 

[servenvolley]

Just a thought for if you prefer the MBP software over iPad IOS. I had a 2nd generation 12.9 iPad Pro. I bought a 12" Macbook on sale at Costco this Christmas and sold the iPad two weeks later as I stopped using it for the most part. This MB is better for me as I prefer MacOS over iPad IOS. I will list the use of the trackpad over touching the iPad screen as being the hardware/use-feature that tips the scales for me as well.
The main thing I miss from iPad is cellular connectivity.

 

[ssledoux]

Just a thought for if you prefer the MBP software over iPad IOS. I had a 2nd generation 12.9 iPad Pro. I bought a 12" Macbook on sale at Costco this Christmas and sold the iPad two weeks later as I stopped using it for the most part. This MB is better for me as I prefer MacOS over iPad IOS. I will list the use of the trackpad over touching the iPad screen as being the hardware/use-feature that tips the scales for me as well.
The main thing I miss from iPad is cellular connectivity.

It's so funny how different people are. I can't stand using a trackpad, and will probably never own a laptop (I know I could get a mouse, but I might as well just use a desktop). When I use my iMac, I am always trying to touch the screen to do things. ;-p

 

[T-Bob]

I actually have the 12.9 and 16 as well, but took me a while to get there. I have gone for periods trying to be mostly pad only, but I don't like it. Most tasks might be *possible* to do (see dude on macstories who uses it for everything) but its often harder, and needs more steps. Also of course all depends what you spend most of the time doing on the things, but that can be hard to predict I've found.

 

[ChinaRye]

I went from the 10.5 Pro to the 12.9 Pro and am really happy that I did - the larger screen is wonderful for everything I use it for. I don't find portability to be an issue at all, even when using the Logitech Slim Folio Pro case on it. But portability is completely subjective and other peoples experience are almost irrelevant.

I did the exact same. I don't regret it at all. Now that the 12.9 has a much smaller footprint, its size is no longer an issue for me.