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iPad Pro M4 iPad Pro: Smaller or larger size for mostly bedtime use?

The Cockney Rebel

The Cockney Rebel

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Original poster
Nov 16, 2018
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My 2018 iPad Pro (11") with Smart Folio, serves me well.

However, I've decided to upgrade, because it won't support iPadOS 18's AI features.

I'm not interested in the Magic Keyboard, which I have but don't use, but I use the Folio Case.

Question: Do you think, for mostly bedtime use (surfing, TikTok, YouTube, email, notes etc) the smaller, or larger size would be better?

I'm not worried about the price difference.

Would the larger size be too tricky/unwieldy to use? It would be used one handed when interacting with the iPad, and two handed when consuming content.

I have two MacBooks, so use the iPad purely as a tablet (in landscape orientation.)

I know I can go to an Apple Store, to try for myself, but I just wanted to get your thoughts on the decision?

Many thanks.
 
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Night Spring

Night Spring

macrumors G5
Jul 17, 2008
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My eyesight isn't so good, so I stick with the larger size iPads. I prop the ipad on my legs like this.
1718199613416.jpeg

I find this position comfortable, and find that size doesn't really matter when using in this position.

If you don't like sitting with your leg up, you could get a small pillow to prop the iPad up. I have a triangle one meant for iPads, but any small pillow with enough height will do.
 
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kc9hzn

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Jun 18, 2020
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The Cockney Rebel said:
My 2018 iPad Pro (11") with Smart Folio, serves me well.

However, I've decided to upgrade, because it won't support iPadOS 18's AI features.

I'm not interested in the Magic Keyboard, which I have but don't use, but I use the Folio Case.

Question: Do you think, for mostly bedtime use (surfing, TikTok, YouTube, email, notes etc) the smaller, or larger size would be better?

I'm not worried about the price difference.

Would the larger size be too tricky/unwieldy to use? It would be used one handed when interacting with the iPad, and two handed when consuming content.

I have two MacBooks, so use the iPad purely as a tablet (in landscape orientation.)

I know I can go to an Apple Store, to try for myself, but I just wanted to get your thoughts on the decision?

Many thanks.
Click to expand...
I feel the need to indicate that I make it a point not to use technology in bed if I can help it. I even charge my phone in a different room. No doomscrolling in bed for me, thank you very much. And near bedtime, I prefer e-ink for reading.

Now, with those caveats aside, I think I’d recommend iPad mini or the entry level iPad (if it supports Apple Intelligence) for a bed iPad. I know, when I get tired, I have a definite tendency to fall into repeated micro sleeps, which often results in dropped devices. So you don’t want to go dropping an iPad Air or iPad Pro if you can help it. Besides, the smaller device is probably better for reclined usage. If you must use an Air or Pro, I think I’d suggest the Air (Pro is overkill for bedtime content consumption, and the Air I believe supports the folio case, too).
 
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Nikhil72

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Oct 21, 2005
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Prior to the M4, I found the 11” more suitable for reading in bed, etc., but with the weight and thickness reduction on the 13”, reading in landscape mode with two columns like a hardcover book is MUCH more comfortable now and I find myself doing it often. I found whether with the 11” or 13”, I had to prop either on my stomach if I was laying totally flat, and if not, I was sitting up with the iPad propped up on my legs.

I do have a Kindle Paperwhite but I mostly use that poolside or at the ocean now where i wouldn’t bring my iPad routinely. Easier on the eyes maybe but the interface just drives me crazy, and I personally like using Apple’s books app more (Especially now with iOS 18 allowing for expansion to the ends of the margins)
 
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The Cockney Rebel

The Cockney Rebel

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Original poster
Nov 16, 2018
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Thank you everyone for your advice.

I have decided to wait, and visit an Apple Store.

It seems there are two opposing opinions here, so (as with most buying decisions) it really does come down to personal preference.

Wishing everyone well.
 
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Night Spring

Night Spring

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Jul 17, 2008
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Surfsalot said:
You taking your bed 😀
Click to expand...
I believe this was said as a joke, but there's a serious point here, in that looking at the iPad in a store won't give you a good sense of how it feels to use it in bed. I think ultimately OP won't know which size works best for him until he buys the larger size and uses it at home. Apple has a no-questions asked return policy in the UK, right? So buy one and try at home is my suggestion.
 
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Zdigital2015

Zdigital2015

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Jul 14, 2015
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East Coast, United States
The Cockney Rebel said:
My 2018 iPad Pro (11") with Smart Folio, serves me well.

However, I've decided to upgrade, because it won't support iPadOS 18's AI features.

I'm not interested in the Magic Keyboard, which I have but don't use, but I use the Folio Case.

Question: Do you think, for mostly bedtime use (surfing, TikTok, YouTube, email, notes etc) the smaller, or larger size would be better?

I'm not worried about the price difference.

Would the larger size be too tricky/unwieldy to use? It would be used one handed when interacting with the iPad, and two handed when consuming content.

I have two MacBooks, so use the iPad purely as a tablet (in landscape orientation.)

I know I can go to an Apple Store, to try for myself, but I just wanted to get your thoughts on the decision?

Many thanks.
Click to expand...
I have both an M1 11” and 13” and I have to say that the 11” has become my preferred iPad because of the “just right” size for me after years of owning 9.7” iPads. I can read my kindle books with one hand, watch videos and also be productive, along with being able to attach a display knowing that I have a little less bulk than the 13” model, which is nice. I like the 13” model but it is a bit larger. But the 11” is so compact and portable to me, which has really become more important to me as the years go by. Just my personal take on it. I don’t think there is a “right” answer to this question, it’s really what “feels” right to you and your individual preferences. Good luck!
 
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glindon

glindon

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Jun 9, 2014
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It almost seems like a waste to get the 11” pro if all you want is something to casually use in bed. Might as well get the Air, or the basic iPad for that matter. I look at it from the standpoint that the weight of the 13” is the same weight of what a 9.7 iPad from years ago weighed.
 
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Night Spring

Night Spring

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Jul 17, 2008
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glindon said:
It almost seems like a waste to get the 11” pro if all you want is something to casually use in bed. Might as well get the Air, or the basic iPad for that matter. I look at it from the standpoint that the weight of the 13” is the same weight of what a 9.7 iPad from years ago weighed.
Click to expand...
OP said he's interested in the AI features. How much of that is available on the non-pro models? I haven't paid much attention.

Personally, I'm looking to get the 13" iPad Air, because like you say, I just use it for casual use, in bed and around the house.

Zdigital2015 said:
I can read my kindle books with one hand,
Click to expand...
I think this is one aspect of why size choice is such a personal preference. I could never use the 11" iPad with just one hand. Hey, I even use iPhones with two hands -- hold it in one and tap it with the other. When I'm home, the difference between how I hold the 11" and 13" iPads are negligible, so I end up using the larger size, because having a larger screen is so much better for everything I do. Reading, typing, watching pictures and videos, all so much better with a larger screen.
 
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kc9hzn

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Jun 18, 2020
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Night Spring said:
OP said he's interested in the AI features. How much of that is available on the non-pro models? I haven't paid much attention.

Personally, I'm looking to get the 13" iPad Air, because like you say, I just use it for casual use, in bed and around the house.


I think this is one aspect of why size choice is such a personal preference. I could never use the 11" iPad with just one hand. Hey, I even use iPhones with two hands -- hold it in one and tap it with the other. When I'm home, the difference between how I hold the 11" and 13" iPads are negligible, so I end up using the larger size, because having a larger screen is so much better for everything I do. Reading, typing, watching pictures and videos, all so much better with a larger screen.
Click to expand...
According to Apple’s site, Apple Intelligence will be available on any M1 based or newer iPad Pro or iPad Air.
 
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Aka757

Aka757

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Sep 22, 2016
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I know you mentioned you’d be using the ipad purely as a tablet, but one thing I’ve noticed using both the 11” and the 13” is that with the Magic Keyboard, the 13” feels too big. I‘m not sure if it’s because I’ve gotten used to the 11” over the last month, but the 11“ feels like a great size with the Magic Keyboard; it’s like a mini powerhouse computer. Ironically, even though the 13” is the same size and weight as a MBA, the 13” just feels a bit awkward to use when not propped up on a desk (in bed for example). I never felt that way when I used to have a 13” MBA (don’t have one anymore to make a direct comparison). I feel that it’s due to the weight distribution when open with the Magic Keyboard, it’s just a lot better on the 11”, while the 13” is quite a bit more top-heavy (and obviously more than a 13” MBA).
 
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