iPad M2 iPad 11” or 12.9”? The ever dilemma

[The Game 161]

I expect to stick with the 12.9 pro for when I need a bigger screen. having a few phones and now Z fold 4 for on sofa browsing the 12.9 will be ideal for when I do want or need that bigger screen. Mainly for content or when on indoor bike at home I could see the usage decrease due to my other devices.

 

[darngooddesign]

It's an easy dilemma to resolve. Buy the 13" iPad and return it after 14 days (or whatever the return period is) if you think it's too large.

 

[Roberto1234]

IMO

11:
cheaper
light weight and portable.
Multi-tasking? Connect to monitor or TV or use laptop/desktop
Watching movies? monitor or TV is always better than any tablets
battery life is better than 12.9 m1 (I had both and returned 12.9)

12.9:
expensive
Heavy (much heavier with magic keyboard)
blooming (maybe?)
aspect ratio is not ideal for movies
miniled display is better for HDR content, no big difference to me for normal usage
maybe better drawing experience

I’d rather get a base model 14inch mbp tbh.

14inch mbp : m1pro, 512g, 16g for $1599 (on sale).

iPad Pro 12.9 m2 : 512g, 8g ram is 1400 , plus keyboard 350, plus screen protector, plus pencil, plus USB-C hub…

Just my own opinion

Best post ever on macrumors. So true!!!!

 

[Traverse]

blooming (maybe?)

No one can agree on this (just see the massive pinned thread), but this was a big disappointment for me personally. The blooming is not as exaggerated as posted phone-camera pictures make it out to be, but it's very noticeable. The miniLED display makes watching HDR content (videos and photos) noticeably better than any other iPad model - not even close.

In day to day use in light mode you can't tell a difference. In non-media consumption dark mode it's a jarring disappointment. Yes, blacks are OLED-blacks unless there is even a single item there. Even opening up the Notes app in dark mode you get this black abyss is hazy blobs for all of the controls. I know this is a limit of this display technology, but something just doesn't seem right as my 14" MacBook Pro doesn't have it nearly as bad. Using the Magic Keyboard at night I can see a MASSIVE light square around the small circular mouse pointer. I'm sure there is a reason for this or Apple would have tweaked it, but those local dimming zones seem to work overtime.

Honestly, unless I found a deal I couldn't pass up I won't be upgrading my main iPad until they move past miniLED. Whether that is OLED or microLED we'll see. I know there have been recurring rumors of a 2023/2024 OLED iPad Air. I'm sure the price will be crazy, but I'd pay it.

The miniLED display is really a compromise with much worse off-axis viewing. I suppose isolated bloom is better than full-screen bloom, which is essentially what traditional LED displays are, but when it's it's isolate it sure is more noticeable.

 

[sunking101]

I don't see how you can make such a broad judgement. People can decide for themselves. I don't find the 12.9 too big and cumbersome at all.

The OP is asking for opinions and I gave mine?

 

[Mcuserr]

11” is the best all rounder, 12.9” the best desktop.

 

[blkjedi954]

Curious what other ended up getting on the M2 iPad pro. I could almost go either way and both have pros and cons. Why are these decisions so tough? 😏
I travel a bit but 12.9 doesn’t seem to want to bother me. Then I realize the 11 is likely most practical.
any input appreciated!
though a poll would be fun given the new m2 release

I have both M1 11 inch and M1 12.9. 11 inch is definitely more practical when traveling. However the 12.9 is great when hunkering down for a couple hours at coffee shop, library etc. But the right fit depends on your use case and YOU. I mean 11 inch is plenty big for the average person, but for some of us larger taller humans the 12.9 might provide the better experience.

 

[BeatCrazy]

IMO

11:
cheaper
light weight and portable.
Multi-tasking? Connect to monitor or TV or use laptop/desktop
Watching movies? monitor or TV is always better than any tablets
battery life is better than 12.9 m1 (I had both and returned 12.9)

12.9:
expensive
Heavy (much heavier with magic keyboard)
blooming (maybe?)
aspect ratio is not ideal for movies
miniled display is better for HDR content, no big difference to me for normal usage
maybe better drawing experience

I’d rather get a base model 14inch mbp tbh.

14inch mbp : m1pro, 512g, 16g for $1599 (on sale).

iPad Pro 12.9 m2 : 512g, 8g ram is 1400 , plus keyboard 350, plus screen protector, plus pencil, plus USB-C hub…

Just my own opinion

I have both the 11" and 12.9" M1 iPad Pro, both with Magic Keyboards.

I also have a 14" MBP (work laptop) and a 16" MBP.

I don't think the 14" MBP is a substitute for either size iPad Pro, especially since many people like the pencil. With the iPads, they are very mobile. Easy to toss in a bag or in the car seat because most people have a cover on their iPad. I have the cellular plan on my 12.9", so nothing beats the 'always on' use - a 14" MBP simply can't compete for connectivity.

The 11" is a little cramped to type on with the Magic Keyboard, while you definitely feel the weight of a 12.9" + Magic Keyboard.

Bottom line, if I only need to use the iPad for a little while, and might be moving it around the house with me, the 11" Pro is a winner. Especially used in bed, or if I need to do things while waiting in the car.

If I'm going to be using it for >30 minutes straight, the 12.9" is nicer with the bigger screen and full-sized keyboard.

 

[RRC]

There's ultimately no right or wrong answer, both are the best tablets on the market regardless of size.
It just comes down to what the individual usage case is going to be... 👍

 

[harriska2]

Went from a 2015 12.9 to 2022 12.9. The screen size is too usable. This is the first time in 12 years of iPad use I bought a keyboard (magic keyboard). Heavy, but love it. I considered the 11” due to price and size but just couldn’t let go of the usable screen size.

 

[chrono1081]

I had both a 12.9 (the original) and 11. For lots of hand held use, I feel like the 11 is the better size. If you're using it more as a productivity machine and may have more than one app open frequently, the 12.9 Is probably the way to go.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I tried both the M2 Pros and while I like large tablets, I have to admit that the 12.9" was big and heavy. So I returned both waiting for a sale and Amazon just dropped the price on the 11" M2 iPad Pro to $729 and then they gave a further $9.01 discount., so basically $719.99 So I picked up the 11" M2 Pro for $665 when I used some Amazon store credit.

 

[Systemlord]

Go big or go home! 😎

 

[leifp]

I’ve discovered that the 11” iPad is just that bit too large and heavy for some of my preferred uses and the screen is too small for others. So I just went with the 12.9”. It is noticeably clunkier of course but for email, browsing, and my other tasks iPadOS offers more use. Your mileage will vary…

 

[FattiesGoneWild]

Have a 12.9” iPad Pro M1 with Magic Keyboard and iPad mini 6 this is the way.

 

[PowerMacintosh7200]

Curious what other ended up getting on the M2 iPad pro. I could almost go either way and both have pros and cons. Why are these decisions so tough? 😏
I travel a bit but 12.9 doesn’t seem to want to bother me. Then I realize the 11 is likely most practical.
any input appreciated!
though a poll would be fun given the new m2 release

what did you go with?

 

[Ctg44]

I have a post on this too but I still can’t decide. I want the 11” but I do have the M1 12.9”, so I’m worried the imagine quality downgrade will bother me too much.

 

[MisterSavage]

Who could ever forget this epic 11 vs 12.9 iPad poll? Not good at making decisions thought because with over 2k votes it's tied.

11 or 12.9 Pro ?

I can't decide which one to get - can you help me make up my mind ? Thx :)

forums.macrumors.com

 

[wilberforce]

Who could ever forget this epic 11 vs 12.9 iPad poll? Not good at making decisions thought because with over 2k votes it's tied.

11 or 12.9 Pro ?

I can't decide which one to get - can you help me make up my mind ? Thx :)

forums.macrumors.com

It needs another option, which is sure to be the most popular:

• Neither - paralyzed by indecision

 

[cwosigns]

I think it depends on where the iPad slots in your device lineup. My company gave me a 16” MacBook Pro (Intel, sadly). But I never factor work machines into my personal devices.

Right now I have:

• M1 iPad Pro (12.9”) - sheet music, personal computing, photo/video editing and media consumption
• iPad mini 6 - reading, web browsing on the couch or in bed, light media consumption
• iPhone 14 Pro Max - everything on the go

I think if your iPad is slotting in under a MacBook, the 11” model is good (though you’re missing the great display). But if you don’t have a MacBook (or other laptop), I think the 12.9” model is the way to go, especially if you don’t have an iPad mini. The mini was the surprise for me; I didn’t expect to love it as much as I do.

 

[kp98077]

what did you go with?

went with the 12.9!

 

[Systemlord]

I

I’m worried the imagine quality downgrade will bother me too much.

You’ll get used to it after a while and you won’t even notice it. It‘s a downgrade though, in size and picture quality.

 

[Zazoh]

To compound the issue for me is I don't need the Pro specs. I wrestled with what I was going to do then ended up saving ~$500 by getting the 10.9 inch Air.

 

[max2]

11” is the best all rounder, 12.9” the best desktop.

This is how I feel too.

 

[Ubele]

I have the M1 12.9" iPad Pro. I came from a 10.9" standard iPad and wouldn't go back to anything smaller than a 12.9" now. I watch video content every day when I'm on the treadmill, and bigger is better for me. I also use it for drawing with Procreate and the Apple Pencil, and bigger is better for that, too. I have a 2019 27" iMac and gave my 2015 MBP to my dad. I bought the Magic Keyboard for my iPad Pro, intending to use it as a laptop replacement when I want portability. So much of what I do is with Mac apps, and while there are workarounds on the iPad, I still prefer the Mac for many tasks. If I were starting over, I'd get a MacBook Pro with an external monitor and a 12.9" iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil, but maybe not the Magic Keyboard.