iPad M4 iPad Pro 11 inch or 13 inch?

[robertosh]

I’ve just returned from the Apple store as I wanted to check and buy the iPad 13”, but I returned with empty hands. That iPad should not be sold without keyboard. On screen keyboard is completely unusable for me, even in portrait mode. I have average hand size and is not possible to type comfortably while holding it. At least they should put back split keyboard. It’s really frustrating and ridiculous for such a great device not being able to type properly. I’m not sure if Apple should still call the 13 as an iPad, as it cannot be used as a tablet properly

 

[DeepSix]

You could always keep both the 11 and the 13. Or return one and buy two 11 or two 13.

 

[rui no onna]

The first sentence isn’t right, because both screens are 4:3, but two 4:3 screens would combine to 4:6 => 3:2. The 12.9" thus only fits 1.78 of those two 9.7" side by side.

Yes, they’re not exactly alike. That’s why I used the word “like” instead of “the same”. As you’ve noted, half of the landscape screen on the 12.9 (and 10.5 for that matter) is 2:3 and not 3:4. However, what you get in side by side mode is fairly similar.

I’ve occasionally done side by side PDF document review on the 12.9. If I do fit to height, I get the same content as on 9.7 sans left/right margins.

Here are some comparisons I’ve done using comics previously. A lot of comic pages are 2:3 so these often fit perfectly.


left to right: iPad Pro 9.7, iPad Pro 12.9 2nd gen, iPad mini 4

left to right: iPad Pro 9.7, modern comic, iPad Pro 12.9 2nd gen

Mini 6 vs Mini 4

 

[macmus12]

I will say having purchased both…

Was trying to do some extended work on my 11” last night sitting on the sofa with it on my lap. I have fairly good vision (rx of -0.25) but after 20 minutes I was feeling strain so I switched to the 13” and breathed a sigh of relief immediately.

I have a 14” MBP but my work’s software is actually iPad first

100% agree, reading pdf magazines on 11 is trobulesome on a couch or in bed. I much more prefer 13 for that.

When you keep it light with no additional cover, no pen, it's pefect.

 

[macmus12]

Had a 13 for a few hours and exchanged for an 11. The 13, despite being thinner and lighter than the previous generation, was still not really enjoyable to hold for any amount of time. If used with a keyboard or to draw / do work with… that would be the best usage. For fun, gaming, media consumption, etc, the 11 worked much better for me.

I don't remember seeing anyone holding ipad for a extended period of time.

Unless you work in homedepot or something...

 

[DeepSix]

11 is by far the best for handheld use. Unless Apple at some point manages to fit a 13” screen into the current M1 iPad 11 frame, I doubt I’ll ever buy a iPad 13. And because of the aspect ratio of iPads, when used in landscape, it provides enough vertical real estate to make the 11 screen feel that much larger. 11 is also noticeably more portable than the 13. It’s a pretty substantial advantage in portability.

 

[erasr]

Ordered the 11”. Comes this Friday. You guys basically convinced me and so there goes £1000 + £300 on the keyboard 😂

I was close to going 13” but I want to take it out to coffee shops more. I like sitting outside, or going places to chill and do light work.

I feel like 11” is perfect for that, small table experience.

Plus, when I do need a bigger screen it’s purely for watching a movie or Apple TV show. So, the 11” is just as good for that.

I have an M2 MBA for work. I use that everyday and it comes to the office twice a week. I do not like using it in bed or on the sofa; it reminds me of ‘work’! …dirty feeling!

For my needs, this iPad is way overpriced, but I have a 2018 iPad Pro and got that for £100 after getting a ton of vouchers from a work incentive, so, essentially I’m getting a great upgrade, haven’t spent much on iPads in years, and can give that 2018 iPad Pro to my lovely gf, as she loves drawing on it!

 

[thelead]

I went with the 11” this round but after testing them both out side-by-side… the 13” OLED screen is ridiculously good and so much more immersive. I’m likely going to exchange my 11” for the 13” if time permits.

 

[macphoto861]

At least they should put back split keyboard

Taking that feature away was one of the most baffling decisions Apple ever made.

 

[Rangers94]

I went with the 11” this round but after testing them both out side-by-side… the 13” OLED screen is ridiculously good and so much more immersive. I’m likely going to exchange my 11” for the 13” if time permits.

Yep, I’ve gotten so used to my 12.9” display that I can never go smaller.

The 12.9” display is just so much more enjoyable than the smaller display and I never find it too big. I have an older 10.2” iPad Pro and when I compare it to my 12.9” it seems so small and less enjoyable. To each his own.

 

[Pezimak]

Yep, I’ve gotten so used to my 12.9” display that I can never go smaller.

The 12.9” display is just so much more enjoyable than the smaller display and I never find it too big. I have an older 10.2” iPad Pro and when I compare it to my 12.9” it seems so small and less enjoyable. To each his own.

That’s like me when I got a 14 Pro Max this year, I still have my iPhone XR and it seems so much smaller if I look at it now. You soon get used to those bigger screens.

 

[richard371]

It’s great we have choices. Not a 1 size fits all.

 

[H_D]

I have for the longest time used the 11 for work, Mini for reading. This time the new form factor of the 13 vs the same-same of the 11 was enough to push me to the larger format. Mostly use the iPP for meetings, as notebook (Goodnotes and iAWriter), as a replacement for writing on paper and transparency rolls and as a small writing machine with iA in meetings,. Sure hope the 13 will be a good fit for all this, as it is quite close to the 14 MBP.

 

[H_D]

Yes, they’re not exactly alike. That’s why I used the word “like” instead of “the same”. As you’ve noted, half of the landscape screen on the 12.9 (and 10.5 for that matter) is 2:3 and not 3:4. However, what you get in side by side mode is fairly similar.

I’ve occasionally done side by side PDF document review on the 12.9. If I do fit to height, I get the same content as on 9.7 sans left/right margins.

Here are some comparisons I’ve done using comics previously. A lot of comic pages are 2:3 so these often fit perfectly.


left to right: iPad Pro 9.7, iPad Pro 12.9 2nd gen, iPad mini 4
View attachment 2380844


left to right: iPad Pro 9.7, modern comic, iPad Pro 12.9 2nd gen
View attachment 2380843


Mini 6 vs Mini 4
View attachment 2380845

Very very nice examples!

 

[DeepSix]

13" has no use. Apple would be better off having the 11" and a 32" different use cases.

 

[Onimusha370]

After being sold on the 13 inch for the last week, and being convinced i would return the 11 inch - I’m starting to appreciate just how awesome the smaller size is. I could just about afford both but I think the guilt of owning 2 devices that are so similar would be tricky. im glad we’ve got another week to decide…

 

[Macintosh101]

After being sold on the 13 inch for the last week, and being convinced i would return the 11 inch - I’m starting to appreciate just how awesome the smaller size is. I could just about afford both but I think the guilt of owning 2 devices that are so similar would be tricky. im glad we’ve got another week to decide…

Yeah I hear you. I previously had an 11” IPad Pro (M2) and a 12.9” (M1), and used each for different purposes. I sold the 11” M2 and got the 11” M4 and am absolutely loving it. I’m selling my 12.9”. I also have a 13” MacBook Air so I really don’t need to keep the 12.9” around.

 

[Rafterman]

After being sold on the 13 inch for the last week, and being convinced i would return the 11 inch - I’m starting to appreciate just how awesome the smaller size is. I could just about afford both but I think the guilt of owning 2 devices that are so similar would be tricky. im glad we’ve got another week to decide…

I've live the 11/12.9 two-iPad life and I hate it, you always end up picking a favorite anyway. It like the old saying about NFL QBs - if you got two starters , you got none.

 

[FrankySavvy]

Just throwing it out there.

The 13" is exactly the size of an 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper, which puts its size in perspective for me.

For those struggling with the on-screen full size keyboard - don't ever use it that way, you can shrink it to an iPhone sized keyboard with swipe:

Use the floating keyboard on your iPad - Apple Support (CA)

With iPadOS, you can use the floating keyboard on your iPad to make the keyboard smaller, so it's easier to type with one hand. Then you can change the keyboard back to its full size.

support.apple.com

I am still stuck with everyone else, but I am siding with the 13" at the moment.

 

[DeepSix]

Just throwing it out there.

The 13" is exactly the size of an 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper, which puts its size in perspective for me.

For those struggling with the on-screen full size keyboard - don't ever use it that way, you can shrink it to an iPhone sized keyboard with swipe:

Use the floating keyboard on your iPad - Apple Support (CA)

With iPadOS, you can use the floating keyboard on your iPad to make the keyboard smaller, so it's easier to type with one hand. Then you can change the keyboard back to its full size.

support.apple.com

I am still stuck with everyone else, but I am siding with the 13" at the moment.

That's way too big IMO. At least with the 11" it's pocketable.

 

[richard371]

That's way too big IMO. At least with the 11" it's pocketable.

I don’t know what kinda pockets you have lol.

 

[ofarlig]

I don’t know what kinda pockets you have lol.

Yeah lol, I don’t even find my iPad Mini pocketable. Maybe in some jacket or coat with really big pockets but nothing else.

 

[rui no onna]

I don’t know what kinda pockets you have lol.

Yeah lol, I don’t even find my iPad Mini pocketable. Maybe in some jacket or coat with really big pockets but nothing else.

The Mini fits in cargo pants.

 

[Surfsalot]

That's way too big IMO. At least with the 11" it's pocketable.

lost all credibility with that one lol

 

[KPOM]

After being sold on the 13 inch for the last week, and being convinced i would return the 11 inch - I’m starting to appreciate just how awesome the smaller size is. I could just about afford both but I think the guilt of owning 2 devices that are so similar would be tricky. im glad we’ve got another week to decide…

Yes, I ordered the 11” nano but grabbed the 13” nano on impulse when they were available in stores (my 11” nano wasn’t supposed to arrive until mid-June). Today the 11” nano was available in my nearby store so I snagged apparently the last one they got in today. I think I’ll keep the 11”. The 13” screen is nice, and the weight reduction on the 13” was very impressive. However, the 11” is still way more portable, particularly when traveling.