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iPad M4 iPad Pro 11 inch or 13 inch?
- Thread starter AppleFan.
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Yup I’ve been saying this since the M4 came out. Just flushing money down the toilet.
You can say that about pretty much everything. You may have made purchase choices that you wanted but it was "just flushing money down the toilet" for others.
Comparing the different sizes in the context of having MBA 13 and X1 Carbon laptops: Whilst 12.9 is a similar screen size as the laptops, my use case is different:
Home use
Portable use
- Browsing
- Scientific PDFs
- Textbooks
- Magazines
- Digital notepad
Home use
- No case: Very sleek and light to use
- Mostly portrait mode for the above use cases
- Flat on desk or rest one side on on legs or stomach, larger size brings it closer to eye level
- If I’m looking to use a smaller handheld/pocketable device, the OLED/promotion phone is unbeatable (eg when compared with iPad mini)
Portable use
- Either size fits easily in laptop compartment of backpack: Can’t feel the weight difference within a backpack
- Aftermarket magnetic case with pencil securing tab
- The onscreen keyboard (with autocorrect) on the larger model works surprisingly well for touch typing in landscape mode on a flat surface (additionally have the option of dictation). This has meant no need for Magic Keyboard thus far, saving cost and weight. I look forward to the day haptic feedback is employed with this.
- Can always be used with BT or USB-C keyboard if required
Fantastic battery comparison across most of the lineup. I think the M4+OLED benefit shines here; the bigger one lasting longer with all things even makes sense since both sizes have the same tech now (the 12.9” used to die before the 11” with M2 and earlier since Mini-LED was a battery suck)
I find the keyboard on the 11 not very comfortable.
If you aim to the use the MK a lot, I think the 13 inch will be the better choice.
I have always had the 9.7, 10.9 and now 11-inch iPad Pro models over the years. I bought an iPad Air 13-inch earlier this summer to use with as an extended desktop with my Mac Studio and a sheet music reader for my Nord Stage 4 keyboard. I have just finally started using it and I really do love the additional screen size over the 11-inch.
I did try the "More Space" option on my 11-inch iPad Pro and I like it so far. Like several have said in this thread, it's a matter of personal preference.
I did try the "More Space" option on my 11-inch iPad Pro and I like it so far. Like several have said in this thread, it's a matter of personal preference.
i've now found
ipad mini 7
ipad pro 11 inch
macbook pro 16 inch
fits what i need perfectly.
ipad mini 7
ipad pro 11 inch
macbook pro 16 inch
fits what i need perfectly.
So, after 6 months with a large ipad pro 13" I more and more lean over to the old m1 11". I am currently running it as a ipad OS beta device with a separate Apple account but I lean into selling the 13". It's just too big.
Using it with a Magic keyboard is bulky and is not close to being as productive as using any Macbook.
Using it with a Magic keyboard is bulky and is not close to being as productive as using any Macbook.
This is how I feel. My 13 inch was great when I was allowed to use it for work, I would use it for all the office/teams stuff. I still use it for art stuff and a secondary monitor but if I had to do it again I'd go back to the 11 inch.
I have an 11 inch Pro and my wife has the 13 inch Pro. While I will admit her screen is beautiful to see and use the 13 inch is very heavy and large in the hands. For this reason I prefer my 11 inch because I travel a lot and it’s much more travel friendly. She doesn’t travel as much as I do so it’s used 90% of the time at home. When she does travel it’s awkward fitting on the tray table and into the seat back holder. I would say go to the Apple Store and put your hands on both devices to get a feel for yourself. When you say it’s only a two inch difference that doesn’t sound like much but in this case it gives it a completely different feel.
I just ordered the 11" M4 iPP. I'm undecided if I’m going to use it as a full-time laptop replacement or not. I think my use case for this new one is going to be different. I've never used an iPad and a MacBook together, it was always one or the other. There's more overlap than not for me between the two devices, and I’ll likely use the iPad 95% of the time anyway.
The 11" will fit much better in my EDC bag. My MacBook barely fits, and my old 12.9" iPP was just a tad too big with the MKB attached, but fit. I've been starting to bring my MacBook to work with me daily. The iPad is more than capable of doing everything I use the Mac for (my iPhone is too, but the screen is too small), so I'd rather bring that.
I'd like to get back into my photography hobby next year, I sort of fell out of love with it when I had to choose between viewing photos on my MacBook or my iPhone on the go. One was too large with an okay screen (not so good outdoors), the other was too small (but worked well outdoors). I think the 11" iPP with the OLED screen fits that middle ground perfectly.
I've been reading a lot of ebooks since selling off my old iPad. Newish hobby for me, but I really enjoy it. Again, the MacBook I think is too large, iPhone is too small, and the 12.9" iPP was not a good experience for this. I think the iPad mini is ideal here, but the 11" should work just fine.
So, that's just what I wanted this time around. Something I can travel a little easier with. A small, powerful workstation that I can potentially completely replace my MacBook with sometime in the future. Face ID is needed for me, OLED and the thinner form factor are nice to have. I almost decided to just go with a second hand M1 or M2 11" iPP, but decided to splurge a little bit.
The 11" will fit much better in my EDC bag. My MacBook barely fits, and my old 12.9" iPP was just a tad too big with the MKB attached, but fit. I've been starting to bring my MacBook to work with me daily. The iPad is more than capable of doing everything I use the Mac for (my iPhone is too, but the screen is too small), so I'd rather bring that.
I'd like to get back into my photography hobby next year, I sort of fell out of love with it when I had to choose between viewing photos on my MacBook or my iPhone on the go. One was too large with an okay screen (not so good outdoors), the other was too small (but worked well outdoors). I think the 11" iPP with the OLED screen fits that middle ground perfectly.
I've been reading a lot of ebooks since selling off my old iPad. Newish hobby for me, but I really enjoy it. Again, the MacBook I think is too large, iPhone is too small, and the 12.9" iPP was not a good experience for this. I think the iPad mini is ideal here, but the 11" should work just fine.
So, that's just what I wanted this time around. Something I can travel a little easier with. A small, powerful workstation that I can potentially completely replace my MacBook with sometime in the future. Face ID is needed for me, OLED and the thinner form factor are nice to have. I almost decided to just go with a second hand M1 or M2 11" iPP, but decided to splurge a little bit.
I have to say, the 11” feels revolutionary to me.
It’s the first product I’ve owned that makes the tech disappear, in a sense.
It’s thin and light enough to make the form inconsequential. The display renders colors and black exactly the way I expect.
I’m not distracted by size or weight or the limits of older display technology.
I simply engage with content.
To me, the 11” realizes both Job’s “It just works” and Ive’s “Thin as a sheet of paper” intents.
Turns out, technology only needed an era or two to catch up.
But it did.
And it’s beautiful.
It’s the first product I’ve owned that makes the tech disappear, in a sense.
It’s thin and light enough to make the form inconsequential. The display renders colors and black exactly the way I expect.
I’m not distracted by size or weight or the limits of older display technology.
I simply engage with content.
To me, the 11” realizes both Job’s “It just works” and Ive’s “Thin as a sheet of paper” intents.
Turns out, technology only needed an era or two to catch up.
But it did.
And it’s beautiful.
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I’ve been using a 13 inch iPad Pro since 2018, and and iPad Pro 10.5 before it.
So reading all the comments on the forums after upgrading to, and picking up 13” second hand, I had FOMO and picked up the 11” which was an awesome deal second hand - because everybody said how awesome the 11 is.
I use my iPad for research, video editing, media consumption, note taking, work, emails, marking up pdf’s, reading, just all purpose - I ‘m having difficulty getting used to the 11 and always reach for the 13. I LOVE the split screen on the 13 (not the same on the 11 even with more enabled), and love how immersive it the 13 feels. I put the iPad in my purse which I take everywhere, so the portability isn’t an issue for me. I have the keyboard for the 11, use my Apple Pencil between the 2devices, and use my MX keys desktop keyboard for the 13. I just have not gotten used to the 11 yet, and don’t know whether I’ll end up keeping it.
So reading all the comments on the forums after upgrading to, and picking up 13” second hand, I had FOMO and picked up the 11” which was an awesome deal second hand - because everybody said how awesome the 11 is.
I use my iPad for research, video editing, media consumption, note taking, work, emails, marking up pdf’s, reading, just all purpose - I ‘m having difficulty getting used to the 11 and always reach for the 13. I LOVE the split screen on the 13 (not the same on the 11 even with more enabled), and love how immersive it the 13 feels. I put the iPad in my purse which I take everywhere, so the portability isn’t an issue for me. I have the keyboard for the 11, use my Apple Pencil between the 2devices, and use my MX keys desktop keyboard for the 13. I just have not gotten used to the 11 yet, and don’t know whether I’ll end up keeping it.
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No vote overall... He is changing his 'mind' all the time to earn more money from Youtube Videos 🤣
The M1 iPad Pros used different screen tech in the two different sizes. The 12.9" used mini-led, the 11" was just a standard LCD screen.
I am aware. But considering that he was moving to the M4 and mentioned that the 12.9 had a "nicer screen" but the 11 in was more "portable", I was speaking about the parity in tech in the M4 iPad Pros. Meaning he didn't need to choose between the nicer screen OR the portability. He could have both in the M4. Maybe I wasn't clear before. Hope this clears it up.
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I'm so glad I went with the 13" M4 this time. Last time (2018?) I bought the 11" & 13" together to try out.
I opened the 13" and was blown away by the screen (all aspects). But at that time I was still living at home (as in parents) and walking around with it and going upstairs/downstairs and using it in 1 hand made me quickly decide to go with the 11" instead.
Now living on my own, having a small apartment and same floor and I'm basicly using my iPad as a 2nd monitor (down/in front of my 32" 4K). And I'm using it less for games and more for youtube/vlc.
One thing that does make a big difference is that the 13" is much lighter now (relative), ofc it's still heavier then my old 11" but very acceptable. Not using any keyboard, just a really expensive media device. ;p
I opened the 13" and was blown away by the screen (all aspects). But at that time I was still living at home (as in parents) and walking around with it and going upstairs/downstairs and using it in 1 hand made me quickly decide to go with the 11" instead.
Now living on my own, having a small apartment and same floor and I'm basicly using my iPad as a 2nd monitor (down/in front of my 32" 4K). And I'm using it less for games and more for youtube/vlc.
One thing that does make a big difference is that the 13" is much lighter now (relative), ofc it's still heavier then my old 11" but very acceptable. Not using any keyboard, just a really expensive media device. ;p