iPad Pro People out there who use both 11” and 12,9” iPad, Why?

[rkuo]

Lol funny cause i just had a similar experience last night. I have an 11inch and been thinking recently “i love my ipad. What if i went even bigger? Thats just more to love right? OMGGGG let’s consider it!” I couldn’t go to the apple store and try it out in the store and see how i feel, so i was actually just thinking about ordering one and if i dont like it, send it back. And i was right about to do it until...

one of my clients (I’m in healthcare) let me try their 12.9 ipad. it didnt take more than a second for it to hit me. Like seeing lizzo in person, damn thats big! Too big for me to handle. I tried to sit down with it and do what i normally do. Try reading a book or browsing apple news. Way too uncomfortable unless I’m just gonna lay it in my lap. Browsing reddit? Nope. Too big. Only position it felt ok in was when it was docked to a keyboard on a table. Other than that, i just couldn’t use it. It just made me think too much about how i have to hold it and i didnt feel like i had the freedom to just pick it up and go do what i want. Suffice to say, i am no longer gonna order a 12.9. I felt so relieved to go back to my 11 inch. Goldilocks zone for me

Yeah that was sort of the thing for me. I really enjoy the 12.9" iPad Pro as a casual laptop. It's just not big enough of a use case to justify keeping it around.

A lot of people here mention the guy saying "If you want a tablet that can sometimes be a laptop, get the 11". If you want a laptop that can sometimes be a tablet, get a 12.9". And that's sort of true, but when you get down to brass tacks, the 11" actually makes for a pretty good laptop, while the 12.9" is a rather bad tablet due to its sheer size. Your mileage may vary of course, but that's the way it panned out for me.
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Sidecar seems like an awesome use case for a 12.9, if I had a MacBook currently that might tip me up from the 11 inch.

Sidecar is a great use of the 12.9". For someone who constantly travels and still needs to be as productive as possible, it's one of the use cases that would justify the larger size iPad.

 

[Nikhil72]

Yeah that was sort of the thing for me. I really enjoy the 12.9" iPad Pro as a casual laptop. It's just not big enough of a use case to justify keeping it around.

A lot of people here mention the guy saying "If you want a tablet that can sometimes be a laptop, get the 11". If you want a laptop that can sometimes be a tablet, get a 12.9". And that's sort of true, but when you get down to brass tacks, the 11" actually makes for a pretty good laptop, while the 12.9" is a rather bad tablet due to its sheer size. Your mileage may vary of course, but that's the way it panned out for me.
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Sidecar is a great use of the 12.9". For someone who constantly travels and still needs to be as productive as possible, it's one of the use cases that would justify the larger size iPad.

Re: the 11” making a pretty good laptop, it’s definitely true. It’s a fantastic size. I just find that it toes the line of netbook when paired with the magic keyboard, albeit one with a fantastic keyboard rather than a crappy one. Definitely pros and cons to each camp.

 

[Dexterama]

Re: the 11” making a pretty good laptop, it’s definitely true. It’s a fantastic size. I just find that it toes the line of netbook when paired with the magic keyboard, albeit one with a fantastic keyboard rather than a crappy one. Definitely pros and cons to each camp.

My thoughts are similar. Ever since I got the MK for my 11, i‘m constantly getting netbook nostalgia. Netbooks were all the rage back then. I actually like those machines. It was underpowered and Windows were not meant for such a size, but I like it for content consumption and portability. I was young at the time with limited income so I never owned one. Then the iPad came along and the rest was history.

 

[iPadified]

Lol funny cause i just had a similar experience last night. I have an 11inch and been thinking recently “i love my ipad. What if i went even bigger? Thats just more to love right? OMGGGG let’s consider it!” I couldn’t go to the apple store and try it out in the store and see how i feel, so i was actually just thinking about ordering one and if i dont like it, send it back. And i was right about to do it until...

one of my clients (I’m in healthcare) let me try their 12.9 ipad. it didnt take more than a second for it to hit me. Like seeing lizzo in person, damn thats big! Too big for me to handle. I tried to sit down with it and do what i normally do. Try reading a book or browsing apple news. Way too uncomfortable unless I’m just gonna lay it in my lap. Browsing reddit? Nope. Too big. Only position it felt ok in was when it was docked to a keyboard on a table. Other than that, i just couldn’t use it. It just made me think too much about how i have to hold it and i didnt feel like i had the freedom to just pick it up and go do what i want. Suffice to say, i am no longer gonna order a 12.9. I felt so relieved to go back to my 11 inch. Goldilocks zone for me

I think this is highly dependent on what you do with your iPad. Spilt screen usage in combination with pdf is hard on small screen devices. My two oldest daughters, they prefer the 12.9 compared to their Air as the latter is too small to do homework on. My youngest however, bought an 11 inch but split screen a pdf science of math book with Notability makes the text very small. All of them are little over 150 cm long so ratio between iPad size and user size should not be an issue.

If font size and pages are scalable onscreen (iBooks (not pdf), Apple News, Web pages) screen size is less important. It has something to do with age and eye sight as well

 

[DrSarah]

Ugh i am still torn, the iPad 12.9” is lying over there with a return label.

everytime i think, should i give it another shot? Then should i return the Magic Keyboard of the 11” instead and use the smart keyboard folio again which i liked so i can use the Magic keyboard for the 12.9”...

Ugh i sound crazy but i did not sleep well,,

one part of me says;yaaay iPad!!
Other part says: stupid B**ch don’t spend 1229 on a tablet you already own.

First world problems,, ugh

 

[Mr X]

Ugh i am still torn, the iPad 12.9” is lying over there with a return label.

everytime i think, should i give it another shot? Then should i return the Magic Keyboard of the 11” instead and use the smart keyboard folio again which i liked so i can use the Magic keyboard for the 12.9”...

Ugh i sound crazy but i did not sleep well,,

one part of me says;yaaay iPad!!
Other part says: stupid B**ch don’t spend 1229 on a tablet you already own.

First world problems,, ugh

you have 14 days. I think you should give it longer. Hide your 11 for 7 days and use the 12.9 exclusively. Be strict. Then go back to the 11 and see how you feel And use that exclusively. I would certainly not return the 12.9 without using the Magic Keyboard and giving it a good run for its money.

But ulitimately if money is no object, have both and enjoy. Life is too short.

Also reading this thread has made me want to get an 11 alongside my 12.9! D’oh! I only came here to help!

 

[millydog]

Ugh i am still torn, the iPad 12.9” is lying over there with a return label.

everytime i think, should i give it another shot? Then should i return the Magic Keyboard of the 11” instead and use the smart keyboard folio again which i liked so i can use the Magic keyboard for the 12.9”...

Ugh i sound crazy but i did not sleep well,,

one part of me says;yaaay iPad!!
Other part says: stupid B**ch don’t spend 1229 on a tablet you already own.

First world problems,, ugh

I understand how you are feeling. My situation is kind of similar, although I have the 12.9” (2018) and iPP 10.5”. I’ve been wondering whether to get the MK for the 12.9 or wait and get the 11” 3rd gen when it’s released with the MK.
I have slowly progressed from using them 50/50 to using the 12.9 more with a ratio more like 90/10. Yet, I know that my handbag would be lighter if I got an 11” next year. The thing is that I enjoy using the large screen of the 12.9 and then I wonder if I’ll be happy with the 11” or miss the 12.9.
My daughters (14 and 18) tell me to get the keyboard for the big one and they themselves are 12.9 converts with one of them having my old 12.9 2015 and the other having my old 12.9 2017. While my husband says that he can’t see the point of a big tablet since I have a MacBook Pro 15”, so he thinks that I should get the 11” with MK next year, but keep my 12.9 at home with it to be upgraded every 5-6 years.
I’m still torn and feel persuaded in either direction depending on what I read or watch. So I’m also having a hard time with it. I currently have the MK for the 12.9 on order for the 3rd time. I’m thinking about this 24/7. But yes, it’s a first world problem. At least we don’t have worst things consuming our minds..and this is a good distraction right now.

 

[DrSarah]

you have 14 days. I think you should give it longer. Hide your 11 for 7 days and use the 12.9 exclusively. Be strict. Then go back to the 11 and see how you feel And use that exclusively. I would certainly not return the 12.9 without using the Magic Keyboard and giving it a good run for its money.

But ulitimately if money is no object, have both and enjoy. Life is too short.

Also reading this thread has made me want to get an 11 alongside my 12.9! D’oh! I only came here to help!

yes you are right, I do have some more days to try it out, that gives me some breathing room thanks to your comment.
I just installed the iPad 12.9" again,, and using it right now. I must say that the size difference is really awesome and knowing this one has a bit more ram gives me a little peace too. 11" looks small now,,

So here is my current thought process about this whole thing:

The main question was for people who use both iPads. Maybe I just have to sell the 11" and return the Magic Keyboard (it is still within the return period). I just tried to fit the 12.9" careless in my handbag and it still fit's miraculously.
This means I can still travel with it, and then again, a lot of people traveling with the 13" MacBook...

what would be a good price to sell the iPad Pro 11" 256GB/4G + Smart Keyboard folio for? it is in good condition, tiny scratch on the screen left upper corner, never seen it until I was cleaning my screen just now.
(not trying to sell it here, I live in the Netherlands anyway)

///////////////////////////Pro's and Cons 12.9"///////////////////////////

Pro's 12.9":
Bigger screen, can see more content.
RDP clients are better, full screen is utilized, no black bars, love it. Better aspect ratio.
split screen works better. Period.
Better speakers
watching content / playing games (google stadia trough RPD) is a better experience.
Better experience with Sidecar

cons 12.9":
Slightly more heavy. A lot more heavy with the 12.9" Magic Keyboard considering the 11" feels pretty heavy with it,
but then again, it is comparable in weight as a MacBook Air/Pro which is fine to travel with.
mine is not 4G, but I have unlimited data on my phone, downside is the phone will empty it's battery faster but it is a 11 Pro Max which has a monstrous battery life.

///////////////////////////Pro's and Cons 11"///////////////////////////

Pro's 11":
Light weight monster
fits easier in my handbag
my model has 4G (not used very often), see above


cons 11":
Feels small now
Multi tasking is not as good as on the 12.9" but still good/useful.

///////////////////////////Summary///////////////////////////

I feel like I am weighting towards the 12.9" more while I am using it,, a question that pops up I have seen in a video is:
"Do you want to use a tablet sometimes as a computer, or a computer sometimes as a tablet."

I feel like this does not really adds to the debate because I feel like I can use the 12.9" just fine as a tablet.

 

[Digitalguy]

yes you are right, I do have some more days to try it out, that gives me some breathing room thanks to your comment.
I just installed the iPad 12.9" again,, and using it right now. I must say that the size difference is really awesome and knowing this one has a bit more ram gives me a little peace too. 11" looks small now,,

So here is my current thought process about this whole thing:

The main question was for people who use both iPads. Maybe I just have to sell the 11" and return the Magic Keyboard (it is still within the return period). I just tried to fit the 12.9" careless in my handbag and it still fit's miraculously.
This means I can still travel with it, and then again, a lot of people traveling with the 13" MacBook...

what would be a good price to sell the iPad Pro 11" 256GB/4G + Smart Keyboard folio for? it is in good condition, tiny scratch on the screen left upper corner, never seen it until I was cleaning my screen just now.
(not trying to sell it here, I live in the Netherlands anyway)

///////////////////////////Pro's and Cons 12.9"///////////////////////////

Pro's 12.9":
Bigger screen, can see more content.
RDP clients are better, full screen is utilized, no black bars, love it. Better aspect ratio.
split screen works better. Period.
Better speakers
watching content / playing games (google stadia trough RPD) is a better experience.
Better experience with Sidecar

cons 12.9":
Slightly more heavy. A lot more heavy with the 12.9" Magic Keyboard considering the 11" feels pretty heavy with it,
but then again, it is comparable in weight as a MacBook Air/Pro which is fine to travel with.
mine is not 4G, but I have unlimited data on my phone, downside is the phone will empty it's battery faster but it is a 11 Pro Max which has a monstrous battery life.

///////////////////////////Pro's and Cons 11"///////////////////////////

Pro's 11":
Light weight monster
fits easier in my handbag
my model has 4G (not used very often), see above


cons 11":
Feels small now
Multi tasking is not as good as on the 12.9" but still good/useful.

///////////////////////////Summary///////////////////////////

I feel like I am weighting towards the 12.9" more while I am using it,, a question that pops up I have seen in a video is:
"Do you want to use a tablet sometimes as a computer, or a computer sometimes as a tablet."

I feel like this does not really adds to the debate because I feel like I can use the 12.9" just fine as a tablet.

out of curiosity, what do you use as RDP client?

 

[DrSarah]

I used Parallels acces for a while but it crashed a lot UI wise.

I started using Jump Desktop in fluid mode which works amazing for Windows.
I use screens for MacOS, it is very fluent but the screen ratio is still with black bars.

ordered a HDMI dummy to test if i can fix that

Edit: both screens and jump desktop have mouse support.

 

[Digitalguy]

I used Parallels acces for a while but it crashed a lot UI wise.

I started using Jump Desktop in fluid mode which works amazing for Windows.
I use screens for MacOS, it is very fluent but the screen ratio is still with black bars.

ordered a HDMI dummy to test if i can fix that

I use Jump too and it's by far the best... Parallels has too much latency in my opinion... I don't remote into my macbook air (but I do use jump there to too to remote into windows), I mainly remote into windows and I do it mainly with my 12.9 (setting a custom resolution so that it takes all the ipad screen, and reverts back to the normal resolution once I disconnect). With mouse support it turns it into a full pc and you can even copy en paste with the ipad. I am surprised that Jump has not updated to support the 3:2 ratio of the 11in... If they haven't done it by now they'll probably never bother too....

 

[DrSarah]

I use Jump too and it's by far the best... Parallels has too much latency in my opinion... I don't remote into my macbook air (but I do use jump there to too to remote into windows), I mainly remote into windows and I do it mainly with my 12.9 (setting a custom resolution so that it takes all the ipad screen, and reverts back to the normal resolution once I disconnect). With mouse support it turns it into a full pc and you can even copy en paste with the ipad. I am surprised that Jump has not updated to support the 3:2 ratio of the 11in... If they haven't done it by now they'll probably never bother too....

Agreed, one of the reasons the 12.9” has my favor for this use.

 

[rkuo]

I use Jump too and it's by far the best... Parallels has too much latency in my opinion... I don't remote into my macbook air (but I do use jump there to too to remote into windows), I mainly remote into windows and I do it mainly with my 12.9 (setting a custom resolution so that it takes all the ipad screen, and reverts back to the normal resolution once I disconnect). With mouse support it turns it into a full pc and you can even copy en paste with the ipad. I am surprised that Jump has not updated to support the 3:2 ratio of the 11in... If they haven't done it by now they'll probably never bother too....

Jump Desktop is limited to the resolutions available in macOS. It's sometimes possible to work around this by adding custom resolutions with ScreenResX.

 

[Jamacfer]

Re: the 11” making a pretty good laptop, it’s definitely true. It’s a fantastic size. I just find that it toes the line of netbook when paired with the magic keyboard, albeit one with a fantastic keyboard rather than a crappy one. Definitely pros and cons to each camp.

In my opinion the 12.9” in addition to being a good replacement as a laptop is also great as a tablet and fantastic for leasure (especially naked). I can see an advantage for the 11” for extreme mobility use only (public transportation etc).
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Ugh i am still torn, the iPad 12.9” is lying over there with a return label.

everytime i think, should i give it another shot? Then should i return the Magic Keyboard of the 11” instead and use the smart keyboard folio again which i liked so i can use the Magic keyboard for the 12.9”...

Ugh i sound crazy but i did not sleep well,,

one part of me says;yaaay iPad!!
Other part says: stupid B**ch don’t spend 1229 on a tablet you already own.

First world problems,, ugh

I suggest to test the 12.9 as a tablet just naked (couch, bed etc.). By the way if you cannot replace the laptop and use it the most of the time on the go maybe the 11 is the best choice. As of myself I decided to go for the 12.9 in order to replace the MacBook so to combine two devices (laptop and tablet) in just one. For heavy work I own an iMac 27.

 

[DrSarah]

In my opinion the 12.9” in addition to being a good replacement as a laptop is also great as a tablet and fantastic for leasure (especially naked). I can see an advantage for the 11” for extreme mobility use only (public transportation etc).
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I suggest to test the 12.9 as a tablet just naked (couch, bed etc.). By the way if you cannot replace the laptop and use it the most of the time on the go maybe the 11 is the best choice. As of myself I decided to go for the 12.9 in order to replace the MacBook so to combine two devices (laptop and tablet) in just one. For heavy work I own an iMac 27.

It is working perfectly in tablet mode, i really am enjoying the 12.9” experience. I think i am also over the shock about the size difference.

going to order the Magic Keyboard tomorrow for it!

 

[lyngo]

It is working perfectly in tablet mode, i really am enjoying the 12.9” experience. I think i am also over the shock about the size difference.

going to order the Magic Keyboard tomorrow for it!

You might have better luck ordering via Best Buy for delivery vs. Apple itself in terms of timing.

 

[DrSarah]

You might have better luck ordering via Best Buy for delivery vs. Apple itself in terms of timing.

Unfortunately, Best buy does not exist in the Netherlands, but we have some big resellers who told me to get stock tomorrow.

 

[lyngo]

Unfortunately, Best buy does not exist in the Netherlands, but we have some big resellers who told me to get stock tomorrow.

That’s a bummer. Sorry about that, I had no clue!

 

[Nikhil72]

In my opinion the 12.9” in addition to being a good replacement as a laptop is also great as a tablet and fantastic for leasure (especially naked). I can see an advantage for the 11” for extreme mobility use only (public transportation etc).
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I suggest to test the 12.9 as a tablet just naked (couch, bed etc.). By the way if you cannot replace the laptop and use it the most of the time on the go maybe the 11 is the best choice. As of myself I decided to go for the 12.9 in order to replace the MacBook so to combine two devices (laptop and tablet) in just one. For heavy work I own an iMac 27.

I totally agree; my 2018 iPad 11” was used naked outside the smart keyboard portfolio when I was ready for true tablet use anyway, so a bulk of the time it was in a keyboard case and deskbound if doing my work. The 12.9 is very doable as a tablet and fully replaced my macs (sold my 16” MBP recently; I maybe booted it up once a month since my job is completely and perfectly done on an IPP with keyboard and I find it a more pleasant experience). In the unlikely event I run into any difficulties going iPadOS only in the future, I’d entertain the idea of a 4K iMac rather than another portable mac for sure.

 

[rowspaxe]

I genuinely don’t think 12.9” is needed for most use cases unless you’re an artist.

I am an artist and I use both. The 11" is a mobile sketch book media device. The 12.9" is a sort of desktop
art tablet.. I use my desktop or laptop mostly everything non-art related.

 

[DrSarah]

I totally agree; my 2018 iPad 11” was used naked outside the smart keyboard portfolio when I was ready for true tablet use anyway, so a bulk of the time it was in a keyboard case and deskbound if doing my work. The 12.9 is very doable as a tablet and fully replaced my macs (sold my 16” MBP recently; I maybe booted it up once a month since my job is completely and perfectly done on an IPP with keyboard and I find it a more pleasant experience). In the unlikely event I run into any difficulties going iPadOS only in the future, I’d entertain the idea of a 4K iMac rather than another portable mac for sure.

I can go almost iPadOS only, but some things are just nicer on my Mac Mini + 4k display, it does all my hard work running windows/macos at the same time and makes me able to remote desktop in both environments. I do also code on that machine in xcode and play some games here and there.

 

[Nikhil72]

I can go almost iPadOS only, but some things are just nicer on my Mac Mini + 4k display, it does all my hard work running windows/macos at the same time and makes me able to remote desktop in both environments. I do also code on that machine in xcode and play some games here and there.

totally. For those that need those functions, obviously not a feasible suggestion to go iPadOS only. For me? Medical charting, patient communications, reading PDFs of medical journals and textbooks, note taking comprise all my productivity needs. For everything else (media consumption, Lightroom based editing, ebook reading, browsing) iPadOS is a more streamlined way to do all of that on the go. Dock it into the keyboard when I need to type or have it on a desk, or take it off the dock for a 1.4 lb screen to draw on, highlight a PDF, or edit photos. Versatility is nice.

 

[DrSarah]

totally. For those that need those functions, obviously not a feasible suggestion to go iPadOS only. For me? Medical charting, patient communications, reading PDFs of medical journals and textbooks, note taking comprise all my productivity needs. For everything else (media consumption, Lightroom based editing, ebook reading, browsing) iPadOS is a more streamlined way to do all of that on the go. Dock it into the keyboard when I need to type or have it on a desk, or take it off the dock for a 1.4 lb screen to draw on, highlight a PDF, or edit photos. Versatility is nice.

Ow yeah, the iPad is so modulair, it makes it even better. Wanna used it naked? You can do that! Want to use the best pencil in the world? Got you covered! Want a keyboard and mouse? Yes!!

 

[Jamacfer]

Ow yeah, the iPad is so modulair, it makes it even better. Wanna used it naked? You can do that! Want to use the best pencil in the world? Got you covered! Want a keyboard and mouse? Yes!!

I agree. I found myself using the most of the time the iPad instead of the desktop (laptop even less). So i finally decided to move from the 10.5" (2017) to the 11" (returned) and finally to the 12.9". Now I plan to stay with the desktop (iMac) and the iPad. "Versatility is nice" and fun

 

[omelet1978]

Just from looking at everything, if you have a Mac Mini, an iPad Pro 11, a MacBook Pro, and a new 12.9 iPad Pro you probably have too many devices. That being said, I WOULD NOT return the new iPad and rather just spend some time with it and see if it's something you want to keep.

Worst case, you sell it on Swappa 2 months from now and lose $200-$300 but you'll at least know if it fits your lifestyle and computing needs. 2 months for me seems to be the timeframe I need to decide whether or not I like a device.