iPad Pro Should I sell my Pro 12.9 & Mini and get the Pro 11?

[dlpowered89]

Hello guys,

Back when they released the mini LED on the 12.9, I got lured in to purchasing the bigger brother and sell the 11 because of its gorgeous mini LED display. After a few months, I purchased the mini because I needed travel friendly device to read.

Looking back, I think I have never really used the 12.9 to its full potential because of its size and weight. I was never able to read comfortably or browse & consume media because it was just too awkward to handle. Mini, on the other hand gets used for all the things I used to do on the 11. Dont get me wrong, I like the 12.9 and the vibrant screen it offers but now I am thinking what purpose it serves when I find it uncomfortable to use.

The dilemma would be a lot easier if I didnt know about the upcoming OLED iPads next year, which would theoretically resolve the issue I am having today. Knowing this, I am torn on either riding the wave until the next gen iPad Pro 11, which would have everything I am looking for, or just get the current 11 now and worry about next gen next year. What would you do?

 

[BB1970]

I had the 12.9 and loved it… but ultimately I returned it for my present 11. The thing is, yes, the screen in the 12 was amazing, but how often do you really notice it? The 11 has 600 nits of brightness and so does the 12 in average viewing (though it bumps up greatly in hdr). All I’m saying is don’t get super caught up on the oled, mini led, etc thing. If the 11 comes out with a oled, sure it might be the perfect tablet, but I really won’t miss not having one in every realistic situation. And as it always say, never buy the first generation of a new tech. I would get the 11 now and wait for gen 2 of the 11 oled. I should add though, I’m one of those weirdos that uses his iPad A LOT for things like video creation and music apps. So something that can be used as a sort of video camera and audio mixer is my thing so the compromised size of the 11 between the mini and 12 works for me perfectly.

 

[ericwn]

Totally happy with the 12.9. While I can see an argument made for a less heavy device even for travel I’d never buy a second iPad just for that. In my opinion one iPad is likely more than sufficient for most of us and having had any size iPad over the years I was also able to make any size work for me. It seems that you really don’t have a solid reason to update now. I’d just wait until those rumoured new devices are there and then drastically thin the herd.

 

[Nhwhazup]

If I were you, I’d wait until the new OLED 11 inch comes out or you’ll want to trade up again.

 

[Doc69]

I use my 12.9" iPad Pro mostly in bed (with a hands-free stand) and as a monitor when playing music (I'd like to see the album covers) as well as for instruction videos when working out. I love the size and would never trade it down for a smaller one. Especially when reading portrait formatted letter-sized pdf documents, a smaller screen would make the text too tiny. Hey, I'd probably trade up to a 15" one if it ever comes out. If you want to go for the 11" instead, I would probably wait for a newer model with an OLED screen. I have the latest M2 one, and the only thing I'm not happy about is the blooming, i.e. lighter shades around bright objects on a dark background. I have gotten used to it, but it's still quite annoying. So OLED would be a big step up in that regard.

 

[Lotuskid]

Yes.. but only because I’m looking to sell my 11 inch pro 😅

 

[synthblock]

I did exactly that with the M1 iPad. And when the M2 came out I got the 12.9 again and used both side by side for a month. I haven't used the 11" in months. I prefer the 11" but the extra screen real estate, better screen, and noticeably better sound out of the speakers keep me going back to the 12.9. I should note I only use an iPad Pro these days but also did when I just used the 11".

 

[darngooddesign]

Hello guys,

Back when they released the mini LED on the 12.9, I got lured in to purchasing the bigger brother and sell the 11 because of its gorgeous mini LED display. After a few months, I purchased the mini because I needed travel friendly device to read.

Looking back, I think I have never really used the 12.9 to its full potential because of its size and weight. I was never able to read comfortably or browse & consume media because it was just too awkward to handle. Mini, on the other hand gets used for all the things I used to do on the 11. Dont get me wrong, I like the 12.9 and the vibrant screen it offers but now I am thinking what purpose it serves when I find it uncomfortable to use.

Get the 11” and see how much you use it for a two weeks. Then decide if you want to sell both of them or just the 13”.

The dilemma would be a lot easier if I didnt know about the upcoming OLED iPads next year, which would theoretically resolve the issue I am having today. Knowing this, I am torn on either riding the wave until the next gen iPad Pro 11, which would have everything I am looking for, or just get the current 11 now and worry about next gen next year. What would you do?

The rumors also say they will be a lot more expensive.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Sell the 12.9 but keep the mini, hehe.

 

[sparksd]

I have the M1 12.9 and the Mini 6 and would not trade them for the 11 - I wouldn't care for the compromised size on both ends.

 

[coachingguy]

I’ve got the M1 11” and mini 6 and IMHO it’s a fantastic pairing.


Coachingguy

 

[blkjedi954]

Totally happy with the 12.9. While I can see an argument made for a less heavy device even for travel I’d never buy a second iPad just for that. In my opinion one iPad is likely more than sufficient for most of us and having had any size iPad over the years I was also able to make any size work for me. It seems that you really don’t have a solid reason to update now. I’d just wait until those rumoured new devices are there and then drastically thin the herd.

12.9 being too big and cumbersome IS a solid reason. I have both and the difference in unwieldiness is definitely noticeable! Thank you very much.

 

[ericwn]

12.9 being too big and cumbersome IS a solid reason. I have both and the difference in unwieldiness is definitely noticeable! Thank you very much.

Yes, personal preference differs. Thanks for sharing yours.

 

[d5aqoëp]

The 12.9" Pro was too big for me for couch reading and I noticed I was having issues with weight on my chest. So I sold it and got the 11" Pro 256GB Cellular for same money. $100 loss I am glad that I took that hit !

 

[Yebubbleman]

Hello guys,

Back when they released the mini LED on the 12.9, I got lured in to purchasing the bigger brother and sell the 11 because of its gorgeous mini LED display. After a few months, I purchased the mini because I needed travel friendly device to read.

Looking back, I think I have never really used the 12.9 to its full potential because of its size and weight. I was never able to read comfortably or browse & consume media because it was just too awkward to handle. Mini, on the other hand gets used for all the things I used to do on the 11. Dont get me wrong, I like the 12.9 and the vibrant screen it offers but now I am thinking what purpose it serves when I find it uncomfortable to use.

The dilemma would be a lot easier if I didnt know about the upcoming OLED iPads next year, which would theoretically resolve the issue I am having today. Knowing this, I am torn on either riding the wave until the next gen iPad Pro 11, which would have everything I am looking for, or just get the current 11 now and worry about next gen next year. What would you do?

A few things that may or may not help you:

(1) As much as people like to worry about a feature coming around the corner, the fact of the matter is that all Apple technology is disposable. (All tech, really. But especially Apple. AND ESPECIALLY iPhones and iPads.) All that to say that getting hung up on OLED is sort of silly because it is inevitable that you'll eventually get an iPad Pro that comes with the feature even if you are not getting the first device with that feature. It's also generally the case that first generation displays (at least on the non-refurbished products) tend to have issues. So, I wouldn't fret about what's coming.

(2) I've often gone back and forth between the 10-11-inch iPads and the mini+12.9 combo. What I've found personally is that the 10-11-inch iPads are too small to be serious productivity workhorses, while also too large for serious portability. I saw someone on another post on these forums refer to 10-11-inch iPads as armchair consumption devices. And, I think that's where they're most ideal. But that's a very limited use case scenario, at least for me. I got my current 4th Generation iPad Air hoping that I'd use it to watch movies in bed. Turns out using both arms to hold the iPad Air is annoying and using one arm to hold it will quickly cause strain. On the other side of the spectrum, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is an extremely versatile productivity device. The keyboard is comfortably sized (while Apple has come a long way in terms of ergonomically comfortable keyboards since the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, I've still never found the experience on any of the keyboards made for 11-inch iPad Pros and 10.9-inch iPad Airs comfortable for typing for any long term use). It's probably the best note-taking device I've ever used (due to not taking up a huge physical footprint, especially if all you're using is a Smart Keyboard Folio and not a Magic Keyboard - and due to full-screen apps being the norm and not just a weird thing you can do on a Mac to make it feel more like an iPad). In short, I find the mini and 12.9 combo to cover the most bases. But it's not for everyone.

(3) iPads, more than any other Apple product are highly subjective in terms of what's optimal. What works for me won't necessarily be what works for you. I don't mind having multiple iPads that do different things. I firmly believe that each size of iPad has its intended uses and intended users. I find it weird that there's only one option of small iPad, only one option of large iPad, and three (four if you could each currently-sold generation of "iPad") options for middle-sized iPads. If you find that the mini+12.9 combo isn't doing it for you, try going with a 10-11-inch iPad; maybe that WILL work better for you.

 

[dlpowered89]

Thank you all for your comments! I worked out a deal with my wife to take her iPad Pro 11, albeit an older gen, for mine. I'd say this is the best outcome since no additional expense is required.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Thank you all for your comments! I worked out a deal with my wife to take her iPad Pro 11, albeit an older gen, for mine. I'd say this is the best outcome since no additional expense is required.

You owe your better half a nice meal out on the town.

 

[dlpowered89]

You owe your better half a nice meal out on the town.

Ditto!

 

[HDFan]

2.9 being too big and cumbersome IS a solid reason.

10-11-inch iPads as armchair consumption devices.

Turns out using both arms to hold the iPad Air is annoying

My experience as well. Tablet pillow eliminates the holding problem.

getting hung up on OLED is sort of silly

I have an OLED phone, LED and min LED iPads. Don't see the difference, but don't look closely. May be significant for some people. Did notice it when iPhone went OLED, but no longer.

 

[Surfsalot]

I don’t see the point in 2 iPads they all do the same, I sold a 12.9” M1 for a 11” M1, I had a 11” for 2 years before should of just stuck with that size.

 

[sparksd]

I don’t see the point in 2 iPads they all do the same, I sold a 12.9” M1 for a 11” M1, I had a 11” for 2 years before should of just stuck with that size.

If you're referring to the OP's case where the 2 iPads are a 12.9 and a Mini then you're talking about two very similar but different devices with quite different use cases.

 

[floral]

It's always a good idea to simplify your team of devices, but make sure you'd benefit from the exchange!