iPad Pro New big iPad Owner, should I give it a few days?

[adamjackson]

I purchased a new iPad Pro 12.9" + Magic Keyboard from Apple to replace my 2018 iPad Pro 11" which also spends its life attached to a magic keyboard. My work computer is a 27" iMac + 32" external display and my office computer is a 13" M1 MacBook Pro.

I figured with iOS 15's new Multi-tasking I could move to a larger iPad and be able to leave the MBP home more often versus today where when I do a 4-day business trip, I pack the iPad for economy seating reading + bed time reading in the hotel room and then I use the MBP for 'work' during the day. So today I have both in my back pack and I was thinking the iPad would be great for short trips in the larger size.

It's 3.5 hours round trip to the Apple Store, I got home, started setting up the new 12.9" iPad and the FaceTime Camera doesn't work. Apple diagnosed it until 3AM last night and told me to go back to the store and swap it as a DOA model.ugh sucks but whatever. I was going to spend the next 10 days playing with this model to see if worked for me. I have 4 days I'm away and was going to really push it through the paces.

Now that I'm going back to the store to swap it, I'm considering just going with my gut and downgrading to 11" iPad Pro that I'm used to. While it feels cramped for multi-tasking, that's what my MBP was for, right?

Should I stick to my plan and really use the 12.9" for the full 10-12 days and make sure it is indeed too large for me or take this trip to the Apple Store and just go to the smaller size?

How long did it take you to get used to the larger iPad? Did you go back to 11" from a previous 12.9" Pro? I don't want to drive another 3.5 hours in 10 days to return this when I'm going back today to do a swap. That's a lot of driving time when my original 11" iPad was already just fine as a consumption device and I had my MBP to fall back on for work.

Any thoughts are appreciated. Genius Bar appointment is in 4 hours.

 

[0128672]

Go with your gut feeling and get the 11". You make a strong case for that size in your usage scenario.

 

[sparksd]

I went from the 10.5" iPP to the 12.9" and it took me a few days to get used to it. Having used it for some time, when I upgraded to a 2021 device, I bought another 12.9". I'll never buy another iPad smaller the 12.9" unless as a complement to the 12.9, e.g. a Mini.

 

[0128672]

I went from a 12.9 to an M1 MBA and then to 10.9 iPad Air 4 (with the Logitech Combo Touch case), and it's the ideal size for my usage to compliment my M1 Mac Mini 27" screen. The 12.9s are really beautiful though but I didn't need to take mine on the road and found it was too big for home recliner and in-bed use.

 

[tann]

I went 10.5 -> 12.9, took me maybe 2-3 days to get used to it, but I absolutely can't go back now.

 

[adamjackson]

I went from a 12.9 to an M1 MBA and then to 10.9 iPad Air 4 (with the Logitech Combo Touch case), and it's the ideal size for my usage to compliment my M1 Mac Mini 27" screen. The 12.9s are really beautiful though but I didn't need to take mine on the road and found it was too big for home recliner and in-bed use.

...and that's kind of my primary use case. I'm @ my iMac from 6AM to 9PM most days, iPhone when I leave the house or receive a call and then I read the news @ night on the couch on the iPad or use it to reply to a quick after hours email.

Maybe I'll see through the full 14 day return policy just in case? I'm doing an overnighter Saturday and a 3 day trip next week and the plan was to leave MBP @ home and do my entire workflow on this new device.

 

[0128672]

...and that's kind of my primary use case. I'm @ my iMac from 6AM to 9PM most days, iPhone when I leave the house or receive a call and then I read the news @ night on the couch on the iPad or use it to reply to a quick after hours email.

Maybe I'll see through the full 14 day return policy just in case? I'm doing an overnighter Saturday and a 3 day trip next week and the plan was to leave MBP @ home and do my entire workflow on this new device.

I see the wisdom in giving it a bit longer of a trial if you got that elbow room left in the return period.

For my scenario part of the problem with the 12.9 was the Magic Keyboard usage, and that's why I opted for the Combo Touch because its keyboard is detachable. That means for some uses, i.e., non-desk uses like games or other touch-only consumption, there's no reaching across the keyboard to the screen. That movement when repeated several times in an hour was causing me shoulder pain. Typing on the MK was not an issue. By the time I got the Combo Touch, I'd already moved to the iPad Air 4.

 

[profets]

I love both the 11 and 12.9 sizes, but kind of settled on 12.9 myself over the years. Definitely get what you're saying - larger display, more space for multitasking, etc. The large display is stunning.

But I do miss that light weight feel of the smaller Pro. The 11 just feels like such a fantastic all around iPad. Works well with the keyboard, but also small enough for very casual browsing and portrait use. I do find though, whichever device size you settle on (whether iPhone or iPad size classes), you adapt and that size starts to feel 'normal' to you.

I'm also at an iMac most of the day for work, but don't have a MacBook as well. I treat my 12.9" iPad like my portable computer. Feels fantastic for that use but also feels like a large and heavy device and I do miss the smaller size at times.

I'd say given the MacBook 13" you have, the 11" iPad fits better in your lineup of devices.

 

[adamjackson]

I see the wisdom in giving it a bit longer of a trial if you got that elbow room left in the return period.

For my scenario part of the problem with the 12.9 was the Magic Keyboard usage, and that's why I opted for the Combo Touch because its keyboard is detachable. That means for some uses, i.e., non-desk uses like games or other touch-only consumption, there's no reaching across the keyboard to the screen. That movement when repeated several times in an hour was causing me shoulder pain. Typing on the MK was not an issue.

Good tip, I'll check that out as well. Maybe the point of this thread for me was sort of surprise with how much larger 11 to 13 would be. I underestimated the size. I've had iPads since generation one so just for the crap of it:

iPad Gen 1 - 1.5lbs, 9.56x7.47x.5
iPad Pro 11 - 1.03lbs, 9.74x7.01x.23
iPad Pro 13 - 1.5lbs, 11.04x8.46x.25
iPad Pro 9.7 - .98lbs, 9.4x6.6x.24

So this is about 1-1.5 inches taller / wider than the original iPad which is sort of what this device reminded me of in the hand. Amazingly, it weighs the same. . that first gen iPad Pro from 2016 was quite a marvel though.

 

[0128672]

Hope you'll post back to update on what your decision is. Surely it will help someone else in the same boat.

 

[sracer]

Good tip, I'll check that out as well. Maybe the point of this thread for me was sort of surprise with how much larger 11 to 13 would be. I underestimated the size. I've had iPads since generation one so just for the crap of it:

iPad Gen 1 - 1.5lbs, 9.56x7.47x.5
iPad Pro 11 - 1.03lbs, 9.74x7.01x.23
iPad Pro 13 - 1.5lbs, 11.04x8.46x.25
iPad Pro 9.7 - .98lbs, 9.4x6.6x.24

So this is about 1-1.5 inches taller / wider than the original iPad which is sort of what this device reminded me of in the hand. Amazingly, it weighs the same. . that first gen iPad Pro from 2016 was quite a marvel though.

Yes, it does take a few days to get accustomed to the larger size. When I went from the Air 2 to the 1st gen 12.9 Pro, the Pro felt like it was the size of a Mini Cooper windshield. After a few days, it began to feel "normal".

After attempting to use it on a cross-country trip, I discovered that it was pretty unwieldy in mobile situations. Standing in line at the terminal... sitting at the gate waiting to board... sitting in cramped seat on the plane.

That experience was what caused me to pick up a Mini to complement the 12.9 Pro. I eventually traded it in for a 9.7" iPad.

That 12.9 Pro experience was improved because of the accessories... smartcover and smartcover keyboard. Super thin and light. Dead simple to quickly detach to use the device without any additional weight.

The current generation of iPad Pros don't support smartcovers or smartkeyboard covers. I find the folio cases and attachable keyboard options to add too much weight and bulk. (not to mention the significant cost of the accessories).

As @WildSky said, post back with what you end up with and your experiences, it will definitely be helpful to others.

 

[jdb8167]

The current generation of iPad Pros don't support smartcovers or smartkeyboard covers. I find the folio cases and attachable keyboard options to add too much weight and bulk. (not to mention the significant cost of the accessories).

What? I think Apple disagrees with you.

Smart Folio for iPad Pro 11”
Smart Folio for iPad Pro 12.9”

Smart Keyboard Folio for iPad Pro 11”
Smart Keyboard Folio for iPad Pro 12.9”


Edit: I see I misunderstood the complaint. You were not complaining about the Magic Keyboard bulk but about the lesser bulk of the folios that cover both the front and back of the iPad Pros. Better protection but approximately double the weight.

 

[kp98077]

i went from the 12.9 to the new mini lol!!

 

[jkatzman]

Back in 2018 I also made the transition to a 12.9" iPad with the exact same purpose: Leave my laptop at home on short trips (full disclosure...my laptop was a Lenovo X1 Tablet...similar to a Microsoft Surface). Here's what I found:

1) If I was creating content on the road (outside of typing emails and such), the increased size is exactly what I needed. The mobile version of Office combined with the Onedrive functionality gave me seamless opportunities to create and edit business content regularly across all platforms and made leaving the laptop at home super simple. Obviously, this works well with pages, numbers, and iCloud Drive too.

2) If I was consuming content, I enjoyed the larger size for videos/movies/streaming. I also used quite a bit of PowerBI at the time and their iPad app made showing reports awesome on the road (especially with larger screen sizes). Though I couldn't create this content on the iPad, I had access to show it and interact with it which is exactly what I needed.

3) For me, the 12.9" was overkill for books, news, and general web browsing. Smaller devices were fine for this.

4) I LOVED the cellular connectivity...it was a game changer for me. This enabled me to be online all the time without having to use my phone as a hotspot. I could work seamlessly and anywhere while connected to the network and not have to worry about being on phone calls or other apps that tie up my phone. I could show reports to customers while at lunch, share a report on the big screen with a colleague while sitting at the airport, etc.

For these applications, the 12.9" was best for me. Upgrading from an iPad Air 2, the size increase was exactly what I needed to finally leave the laptop at home. Therefore, I accepted the awkwardness of the big screen while web browsing and news reading and enjoy the benefits for all the other applications.

Good luck!

 

[adamjackson]

Yes, it does take a few days to get accustomed to the larger size. When I went from the Air 2 to the 1st gen 12.9 Pro, the Pro felt like it was the size of a Mini Cooper windshield. After a few days, it began to feel "normal".

After attempting to use it on a cross-country trip, I discovered that it was pretty unwieldy in mobile situations. Standing in line at the terminal... sitting at the gate waiting to board... sitting in cramped seat on the plane.

That experience was what caused me to pick up a Mini to complement the 12.9 Pro. I eventually traded it in for a 9.7" iPad.

That 12.9 Pro experience was improved because of the accessories... smartcover and smartcover keyboard. Super thin and light. Dead simple to quickly detach to use the device without any additional weight.

The current generation of iPad Pros don't support smartcovers or smartkeyboard covers. I find the folio cases and attachable keyboard options to add too much weight and bulk. (not to mention the significant cost of the accessories).

As @WildSky said, post back with what you end up with and your experiences, it will definitely be helpful to others.

Another anecdote and this is neither pro or con iPad just a comparison:

1. iPad Pro 12.9" Cellular - 1.51 lbs., 11.04 H x 8.46 W x 0.25 D inches
2. 12.9" Magic Keyboard - 1.6 lbs
3. 11" Magic Keyboard - 1.3 lbs
4. iPad Pro 11" Cellular - 1.04 lbs., 9.74 H x 7.02 W x 0.23 D inches
5. MacBook Pro 13" M1 - 3.0 lbs., 0.61" H x 11.97" W x 8.36" D

So, if I can get work done on iOS 15 + 12.9" iPad and live with it when I'm not working (like laying on the couch) it's a nice way to have a MacBook Pro equivalent (just slightly heavier) with a smaller trackpad, less IO and not MacOS but the addition of cellular, a great camera system, pencil support, touch screen, etc.

so back to "live with it" and I shall but I have only increased my carry weight by .77 pounds when I have it in my bag so .77 pounds isn't much extra weight to travel with considering my bag is fully of full frame SLR lenses, a full size drone and Canon 5D.

 

[ipoddin]

i went from the 12.9 to the new mini lol!!

I’m considering doing the same thing.

I find that if I want to do any serious work I’m on my M1 MBP. On the couch I’ll be in my iPhone pro max. So the 12.9 cellular iPad just sits there.

The mini with cellular seems to be something that can more easily fill the gap between my phone and laptop for couch, bed or out and about.

 

[leifp]

I had the 10.5" "Pro" (which I loved) then switched to the A12X 12.9" with Apple keyboard. I have the M1 11" now (with Logitech Combo Touch) and couldn't be happier. The 12.9" size made it completely unwieldy for any tablet uses (even if the additional screen real estate did make me happier for the work element) and when I travel I prefer to minimize my travel tech... temet nosce...

 

[gsal]

I purchased a new iPad Pro 12.9" + Magic Keyboard from Apple to replace my 2018 iPad Pro 11" which also spends its life attached to a magic keyboard. My work computer is a 27" iMac + 32" external display and my office computer is a 13" M1 MacBook Pro.

I figured with iOS 15's new Multi-tasking I could move to a larger iPad and be able to leave the MBP home more often versus today where when I do a 4-day business trip, I pack the iPad for economy seating reading + bed time reading in the hotel room and then I use the MBP for 'work' during the day. So today I have both in my back pack and I was thinking the iPad would be great for short trips in the larger size.

It's 3.5 hours round trip to the Apple Store, I got home, started setting up the new 12.9" iPad and the FaceTime Camera doesn't work. Apple diagnosed it until 3AM last night and told me to go back to the store and swap it as a DOA model.ugh sucks but whatever. I was going to spend the next 10 days playing with this model to see if worked for me. I have 4 days I'm away and was going to really push it through the paces.

Now that I'm going back to the store to swap it, I'm considering just going with my gut and downgrading to 11" iPad Pro that I'm used to. While it feels cramped for multi-tasking, that's what my MBP was for, right?

Should I stick to my plan and really use the 12.9" for the full 10-12 days and make sure it is indeed too large for me or take this trip to the Apple Store and just go to the smaller size?

How long did it take you to get used to the larger iPad? Did you go back to 11" from a previous 12.9" Pro? I don't want to drive another 3.5 hours in 10 days to return this when I'm going back today to do a swap. That's a lot of driving time when my original 11" iPad was already just fine as a consumption device and I had my MBP to fall back on for work.

Any thoughts are appreciated. Genius Bar appointment is in 4 hours.

I added the 11” to use on the go recently and while it is awesome having the power of M1 in a smaller form factor, the viewing experience is noticeably superior on the 12.9”.

It really depends on what is important to you, and honestly it all comes down to your willingness to put up with a more cramped viewing experience, especially in multi-tasking split view mode, in return for increased portability.

 

[SkiHound2]

My take is the 11 vs 12.9 is really user specific. We can say why we prefer one over the other, but your use may be different. If you can try it for a few days, that's going to be the best info you can get for YOUR use case.

 

[sparksd]

My take is the 11 vs 12.9 is really user specific. We can say why we prefer one over the other, but your use may be different. If you can try it for a few days, that's going to be the best info you can get for YOUR use case.

Exactly. Some say the 12.9 is too heavy to walk around with but my 2021 12.9 has a Logitech Combo Touch case on it and even with that I don't see the weight as an issue. Others have felt quite differently about the same - or lesser - setup.

 

[adamjackson]

Only update I have so far is my initial iPad Pro issues are worked out. To those who skimmed the first post, I 3.5 hours round trip only to get a new iPad home with a failed FaceID sensor. 4 hours on the phone with Apple until 2AM equaled go back to store and just exchange for another unit. So 7 hours in the car, 4 hours on the phone and I finally have a working iPad Pro.

They did not have another silver model in stock matching my spec so I swapped Silver to Space Grey ....bummer cause I also ordered a silver iPhone this year but no big deal. Only color. So I also returned and swapped to a grey keyboard which I probably won't regret. The white just was never going to stay clean.

New iPad is setup and I'm working on it tonight to get used to it. Primarily emails, outlook, OmniFocus and stuff I did on the 11" model. I'll use it all day tomorrow.

 

[James Godfrey]

This has been my situation for the past year….

I initially wanted to combine my old MBP and iPad into one device so I thought immediately the 12.9” 2020 iPad Pro would be perfect with the Magic Keyboard… got it… and IMO it was great as a laptop but as a tablet I just didn’t like the size at all just too big and bulky for me… so my partner had that device.

Then I got the 11” and it was great but I just missed that bigger screen… so I ended up selling that and then got the new M1 iPad Pro 12.9” but due to it being damaged out the box it was returned for a refund and I opted for a new MBP as it was on a great deal which just didn’t warrant getting a replacement 12.9” iPP… after using the M1 MBP for a few months… I was still missing my iPad and still wanted a 2 in 1 device so once the new iPad mini was announced I was thrilled as I thought great I can just keep my MBP and get an iPad mini as a secondary device to compliment my MBP…

BUT

The storage options on the iPad mini suck! Here in the UK the 256GB version (64GB just isn’t enough for me) is a whopping £619, however, I have just clocked an offer on the M1 iPad Pro 11” which is £749 for 128GB WiFi only but you get £100 back once delivered… so it’s technically £649, so it’s a decision between £619 for a 256GB mini or £649 for a 128GB pro…

So here I am yet again contemplating biting the bullet and replacing my MBP with the iPad Pro 11” grrrrr!!!!!!

 

[Hello...]

I purchased a new iPad Pro 12.9" + Magic Keyboard from Apple to replace my 2018 iPad Pro 11" which also spends its life attached to a magic keyboard. My work computer is a 27" iMac + 32" external display and my office computer is a 13" M1 MacBook Pro.

I figured with iOS 15's new Multi-tasking I could move to a larger iPad and be able to leave the MBP home more often versus today where when I do a 4-day business trip, I pack the iPad for economy seating reading + bed time reading in the hotel room and then I use the MBP for 'work' during the day. So today I have both in my back pack and I was thinking the iPad would be great for short trips in the larger size.

It's 3.5 hours round trip to the Apple Store, I got home, started setting up the new 12.9" iPad and the FaceTime Camera doesn't work. Apple diagnosed it until 3AM last night and told me to go back to the store and swap it as a DOA model.ugh sucks but whatever. I was going to spend the next 10 days playing with this model to see if worked for me. I have 4 days I'm away and was going to really push it through the paces.

Now that I'm going back to the store to swap it, I'm considering just going with my gut and downgrading to 11" iPad Pro that I'm used to. While it feels cramped for multi-tasking, that's what my MBP was for, right?

Should I stick to my plan and really use the 12.9" for the full 10-12 days and make sure it is indeed too large for me or take this trip to the Apple Store and just go to the smaller size?

How long did it take you to get used to the larger iPad? Did you go back to 11" from a previous 12.9" Pro? I don't want to drive another 3.5 hours in 10 days to return this when I'm going back today to do a swap. That's a lot of driving time when my original 11" iPad was already just fine as a consumption device and I had my MBP to fall back on for work.

Any thoughts are appreciated. Genius Bar appointment is in 4 hours.

Honestly I bought the 12 9 as well when it first came out unfortunately this was the first iPad I actually cracked I have now gone from the 11" the 10 9" and now to the mini, I never did get used to it and ended up getting rid of it so if you think it's too big it is cut your losses.

 

[James Godfrey]

The main issue I feel with the 12.9” is that for its price point and such a limited OS, you might aswell grab an M1 MacBook Air or Pro as they will technically be a similar weight (if your using a magic keyboard), similar foot print, the only thing your actually gaining with the iPad is a touch screen, better cameras and better screen overall but in return you are getting a very limiting OS, but with a MacBook you can do sooooo much more with its far superior OS, the M1 macs are true work machines.

This could also be said for the 11” in all honesty but with the 11” being quite a bit cheaper than the 12.9” the price is an easier pill to swallow and easier to justify, plus you do get the added portability factor adding to its value.

 

[sparksd]

The main issue I feel with the 12.9” is that for its price point and such a limited OS, you might aswell grab an M1 MacBook Air or Pro as they will technically be a similar weight (if your using a magic keyboard), similar foot print, the only thing your actually gaining with the iPad is a touch screen, better cameras and better screen overall but in return you are getting a very limiting OS, but with a MacBook you can do sooooo much more with its far superior OS, the M1 macs are true work machines.

This could also be said for the 11” in all honesty but with the 11” being quite a bit cheaper than the 12.9” the price is an easier pill to swallow and easier to justify, plus you do get the added portability factor adding to its value.

This gets to the either-or question regarding laptops and iPads. I don't try to replace one with the other but rather have both. They have overlapping qualities and capabilities but each also has its its own unique qualities and capabilities so I see them complementing each other.