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CharlesShaw

macrumors 68000
May 8, 2015
1,732
2,872
The display of the 11" is a nogo, no blacks, all grey. A pain to watch movies in a darker room. I love the 12.9 screen, so amazing
The OP isn’t watching movies in the dark, but it’s good that you found an ideal device for your use case. I think the 12.9 is gorgeous, so I was sad to send it back.
 
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NorrisKillsKids

macrumors 6502a
Jan 14, 2008
620
32
I'm puzzled by those who get the 12.9 vs say an M2 Air or whatever so I vote 11 inch. Good mix of portability and usability. 12 inches would be hot. Actually, 11.5.
 

sparksd

macrumors G3
Jun 7, 2015
9,992
34,254
Seattle WA
I'm puzzled by those who get the 12.9 vs say an M2 Air or whatever so I vote 11 inch. Good mix of portability and usability. 12 inches would be hot. Actually, 11.5.
No puzzle - I said 12.9 because of the screen size. No issues of portability with it for me (I had an Air 2 & 10.5 previously so I have the comparison).
 

Zest28

macrumors 68030
Jul 11, 2022
2,581
3,933
Up to you, but I greatly dislike the 11” iPad for notetaking as I cannot type on it. The keyboard of the 12.9 iPad Pro is the same size as a laptop, so typing on it is natural to me. So becareful with the 11” iPad, especially if you have big hands.

If portability is a priority, I got an iPhone 11 Pro Max that functions like a small iPad (and later the iPhone 15 Pro Max when it comes).
 

Zest28

macrumors 68030
Jul 11, 2022
2,581
3,933
I'm puzzled by those who get the 12.9 vs say an M2 Air or whatever so I vote 11 inch. Good mix of portability and usability. 12 inches would be hot. Actually, 11.5.

Why? I own both the M2 MBA and the 12.9 iPad Pro, and the 12.9 iPad Pro has far superior hardware. Much better screen quality, much better speakers, much better camera’s, and so on ….

If I had to sell one device, it would be the M2 MBA and I would keep my M1 12.9 iPad Pro and the 16” M1 Max MacBook Pro.
 

NorrisKillsKids

macrumors 6502a
Jan 14, 2008
620
32
Why? I own both the M2 MBA and the 12.9 iPad Pro, and the 12.9 iPad Pro has far superior hardware. Much better screen quality, much better speakers, much better camera’s, and so on ….

If I had to sell one device, it would be the M2 MBA and I would keep my M1 12.9 iPad Pro and the 16” M1 Max MacBook Pro.
See I think 16/12.9 are a good mix because they're so different. The iPad Pro definitely has some benefits but I guess I just don't view those as that big day to day.

To each their own I guess.
 

magbarn

macrumors 68040
Oct 25, 2008
3,018
2,386
I would've already done the swap if Apple would just stop being cheap and put in a miniled or oled screen on the 11. It's the deal breaker for me. It makes me put up with the big size of the 12.9
 

CharlesShaw

macrumors 68000
May 8, 2015
1,732
2,872
It's the deal breaker for me. It makes me put up with the big size of the 12.9
On the bright side, there’s only [one] option for you. People with limited options tend to just accept what they have and are not constantly questioning if they should have made a different choice.

p.s. Buying my Apple Watch Ultra felt like a return to the days of limited options. The only choice was which band to get. No questions about color, size, or cellular.
 
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jerryk

macrumors 604
Nov 3, 2011
7,421
4,208
SF Bay Area
I have only held a 12.9 a few times, but have always thought they were too big for my use cases. I use my iPad Pro for travel, reading and marking up papers, note taking, and general content consumption, often in bed trying to fall asleep. For the last case, it already hurts when the smaller iPad falls on my face. I imagine a 12.9" would leave a mark.
 
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PlayUltimate

macrumors 65816
Jul 29, 2016
1,007
1,856
Boulder, CO
Have you considered a separate BT keyboard?
This is my setup with my 12.9". I have a "much older" AAA battery Apple Magic Keyboard. I don't use it often and it just stays in my bag. Since it uses AAA batteries, I don't need to worry about charging it and I just keep a few extra batteries in my bag as well.
 

GradSchool2021

macrumors newbie
Feb 11, 2021
15
20
I first had my iPad Pro 11" M1, then "downgraded" to iPad Mini 6, then "upgraded" to iPad Pro 12.9" M2. Time will tell, but so far I'm happy with the 12.9".

I'm probably in the minority here that I don't like Macs (I used to love it in 2008-2015, when it was still Intel-based because I need Excel and AAA gaming). I am firmly in the Windows space now, my company-issued laptop is a ThinkPad and at home I have a gaming laptop (ASUS Zephyrus G15). Therefore, I don't know the feeling that "12.9-inch is too heavy, at that point you might as well use the MBA or MBP 14-inch" because I don't use and don't have Macs. I leave my company laptop at the office, my gaming laptop at home, and I carry the iPad Pro 12.9" with me (everyday carry/daily driver).

Some people praise the 11" for its portability, but I don't personally feel it. To carry the iPad Pro, you'll need a bag anyways (it's not like the iPad Mini 6 which can fit in some of my jackets' pockets), and I don't feel the mere 300g difference between 3.1lbs/1.4kg and 2.3lbs/1.1kg. Some people may say that the 12.9" is too heavy to use handheld, but I'd say that the same could be said for 11". If you intend to use iPad purely as a tablet, get the iPad Mini 6, I can hold for hours without feeling fatigue in my arms. So the 11" to me is a jack of all trades, master of none, it's not as portable as the Mini (pocketable, comfy to use one handed), but it's not as enjoyable to use as the 12.9" as a laptop replacement (small screen so I need to lean forward, cramped Magic Keyboard, etc.)
 
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Cliveay

macrumors newbie
Oct 14, 2021
2
1
i wouldn’t dismiss the iPad Mini…
I originally purchased the 12.9 as was going all-in as the replacement for my macbook that I rarely use, for a time I really liked the 12.9, but then it started to feel big and heavy.

after much thought I purchased the mini… and although it’s been awhile now I absolutely LOVE the mini. its light, easy to hold and a joy to use… it’s brought back my love for iPads.

I have kept my 12.9 but rarely use it, and still very rarely use my MacBook… the iPad mini is a great device.
worth considering.

Haven’t looked back.

(I have a regular sized iPad for work, but the mini is so much nicer to use)
 
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JeffreyVB

macrumors regular
Feb 27, 2019
131
82
Va Beach, VA
I just did the opposite. Bought a 12.9, and thinking about selling my 11. I LOVE the extra screen real estate on the 12.9. It is bigger and bulkier, but the extra screen space gives me more room to multitask, take notes in OneNote with my pencil and diagram out things for work and school.
 
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The Game 161

macrumors Nehalem
Dec 15, 2010
30,974
20,168
UK
I went from 12.9 to 11 with no regrets. If I need a bigger screen I would use my 16 inch MacBook Pro. 11 inch more portable to use on sofa and content wise you aren’t actually getting as much more content based you expect.
 

RickTaylor

macrumors 6502a
Nov 9, 2013
816
332
Why not both? I have a 12.9" iPad I use at a desk, for taking notes, and using as a white board over a projector or Zoom. And I have an iPad mini I take everywhere with me.

On the other hand, if you can use an iPhone to take notes, perhaps you don't need anything else in addition to your current iPad.
 

Yaxchian

macrumors newbie
Apr 9, 2014
23
3
Meanwhile I use both too. For movies and tutorials 12.9“, for music, ebooks and on the road 11“
 

JaraCz

macrumors regular
Sep 9, 2022
232
156
On this forum is 133 pages long thread about 11 vs 12.9 which is 50:50. What better answer do u think you will get here.
 
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