Sounds like you should at least try a smaller iPad. But maybe try the Mini first because it may actually give you the kind of portability you want in addition to your MB. Try it for two weeks and return it. If it’s too small then get an 11” Air or Pro”. Remember that you can use an external monitor with the M1 iPads when you want to while studying.
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iPad Should I sell my 12.9 for an 11?
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Totally. I enjoy the use of my iPad, but those existential questions actually arise during the ownership of the device.
For instance, I’ve used an iPad Pro with a Smart Keyboard Folio during several years. I ended up selling the iPad with the keyboard and, for the next iPad Pro (my current M2 iPad Pro) I decided to try using it without a keyboard. And putting the iPad in a small angle on the table, I’m capable of typing on the in-screen keyboard with both hands.
Because my usage of the iPad is not currently typing-intensive, I can get away with this setup, without buying a Smart Keyboard Folio that eventually suffers some degree of wear and tear.
I, along with my wife, made the switch a year or so ago. No regrets. Since the switch, I've come to rely on it for a lot more things than I did with the 12.9". The larger iPad felt like it desperately wanted to be a laptop replacement, but lacked a lot of the capabilities and software that I required for that to actually be a possibility, so the 11" made/makes more sense for how I use it, which is primarily consumption (email, books, browsing, etc.). Smaller and lighter, with the same power, the only (not really that noticeable, at least for how I use it) difference being the screen.
Ultimately though, only you can answer whether or not you would be happy with making the switch. The size difference is indeed very noticable, but for me, that ended up being a plus.
Ultimately though, only you can answer whether or not you would be happy with making the switch. The size difference is indeed very noticable, but for me, that ended up being a plus.
Yes, I will eventually buy a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, but my current Mac doesn’t support universal control so I haven’t bought it yet.
When I upgraded from my 9.7" IPP in 2018 I ordered the 12.9" without trying it because of the "it's just the size of a piece of paper" arguments I saw. When I'm watching TV I sometimes have the iPad in my lap and I could just not get used to the size of it. Before my return window was up I exchanged it for an 11" and have never regretted it. I still use my 11" every single day.
The 12.9 is so seductive that even though I’d read MR for years, seen dozens of YT videos comparing the use cases and pros and cons, and knew full well that “most” users are going to be happier with the 11” I still tried one, thinking “maybe I’ll be different” and “maybe I’m not most people” and have you seen how awesome this thing is? It hurt to box it up for the return to Apple, as it was so lovey, but I knew it was the wrong size for me. It had too much “work vibe” or something for my use case.
p.s. And the sound was so good on the 12.9 😢
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I remember standing in the Apple Store waiting for them to finish my exchange. I was looking at the 11" model next to the 12.9" and it looked like a Tic Tac in comparison. I had this worry that I was making a mistake.
I have worked on the assumption that the 11” size is the sweet spot. For me, however it’s not. Too large for easy handholding (the 9.7” Air 2 remains the perfect size for me in that) yet too small for any work I like to do. These are absolutely YMMV elements. It is a question of comfort: to hold and to use. I now (even though I’m typing this on the 11” iPP) prefer my 12.9” for most use scenarios and am debating a mini for more Jobsian tablet use (or give up and go from a mini phone to a plus size)
I have a similar feeling. While the mini is a bit too small for me, and I would notice the lack of pro-Motion, I wouldn’t mind an iPad Pro with a tad smaller size overall. Like, a 9,7” iPad with no bezels. Or just a 9” iPad.
11" iPad with display zoom set as more space works best for me as a study tool. I can read the whole page (A4 size) of my notes in portrait without zooming in, and websites show way more content. Get the Pro if you want ProMotion and thinner bezel but my Air 5 still works very nicely for me.
Definitely YMMV but I never actually hold mine. When it's on a desk or counter I have a stand and when I'm on the sofa or bed I have a tablet lap pillow.
I check it out whenever I pass one (E.g. in an Apple Store) but I have many issues with the screen on the iPad mini. I am one of those who shudders through jelly scrolling… and pro-Motion is nice but not nice enough. Letters skitter along the screen to my eyes…
I had an 11” iPad Pro and bought a 12.9” iPad Pro when the M1 was announced… My wife now has the 11”… we both are very happy with our respective iPads, however I will admit that a 12.9 ipad with magic keyboard is probably heavier than my 2019 13” MBP… but I use it more then the MBP… In fact I really need to sell my MBP and just get a MBA… I still need a MacOS laptop for a number of tasks but these days a MBA will easily handle those… the 12.9 iPad gets used for everything else.. I wouldn’t go back to an 11” by choice but lets face it it’s not that different in size so after a while you probably wouldn’t even notice…
I had both the 12.9 and the 11, they each had different use cases, I did more work/media on my 12.9, I actually enjoyed carrying the 11 for portability, after I inherited a 9th gen, I found I was using both the 11 and 9th gen the same way. I gave the 11 to my brother and still use the 12.9 and 9th gen the most…….and I still have and use seldomly my 5th gen mini.
I had the 12.9 M1 iPad Pro for one year, then downsized to the 11” M2 iPad Pro when it came out. The 11” just makes more sense to me since I have the M1 14” MacBook Pro when I need to get work done that is best on an actual computer, and an iPhone 14 Pro max. I can leave my MacBook Pro at home when I travel or go to work, and still get similar functionality out of my iPad Pro w/ Magic KeyBoard, with a smaller footprint and less bulk. I don’t think you’d be disappointed if you downsized to the 11”
I have the M1 12.9 after the Air 2 and 10.5 and I'll never go back to a smaller iPad - I love the 12.9 and don't find the size or weight (even with the MKB) to be an issue. Personal preferences, you need to choose what works for you.
Consider an iPad Mini if portability is paramount. With an accompanying keyboard case, it can serve as a "mini laptop" when the need arises for writing short reports. With an accompanying Apple Pencil, it can serve as an electronic notebook for class note-taking. With your MacBook Air, it can serve as an external monitor to assist in writing reports and looking up references.
Even people asked, should I use another case/sleeve to protect Magic Keyboard. Case for case, lol.
It looks like, iPad is must-have for few people only, but it has beautiful design which attracts regular people just for their better experiences. These people are the one who asked the above questions.
I have an 11” iPad Pro m2 with the Magic Keyboard and it’s the perfect in between device for portability when you need it and productivity. Sometimes I wish I had the bigger screen, but not when I’m out and about. Most of the time, I want the smaller screen. So I have the 11 pro max. Between these two, I can pretty much do most things I’d want to do with a laptop. I actually think having cellular connection on the iPad as well is a much bigger deal. I use it all the time.