iPad Pro Struggling to decide, make use of 14 day return?

[c14nhl]

I promise not to make this another, "What size should I purchase?" thread.

I've spent some time in the Apple Store over the past couple of weeks trying to figure out which I want and just can't decide.

The Apple Store employee told me today to pick up the 10.5", use it as I do my current 9.7" Pro for 7 days, if I don't feel it's a big enough upgrade, return it no questions asked and go for the 12.9".

Has anyone purchased an iPad with the thought beforehand that you might return it for the other model? I haven't ever thought of this. I think I'm going to do exactly that. It just seems mad returning something that works perfectly.

 

[FrankySavvy]

I have pondered this myself, I purchased the 10.5" and absolutely love the look and feel but I am an artist and thought I might want the extra screen real-estate. I have gone 3 times now to the Apple Store, playing around with both side by side, drawing and what not. Every time I gravitate towards the 10.5". As for everything other then drawing the 12.9" screen is absolutely massive and cumbersome. I can one hand the 10.5" and draw. I also like the fact that the smaller size makes it more intimate for the way I draw, it helps me focus. The smaller the blank canvas I am staring at when I start a drawing, the less daunting. The 10.5" inch size just feels perfect right now. If they update the 12.9" to a smaller form factor maybe I would reconsider, but the 10.5" is exactly the size I need right now. Just ask yourself why you would need the bigger screen.

 

[44267547]

I promise not to make this another, "What size should I purchase?" thread.

I've spent some time in the Apple Store over the past couple of weeks trying to figure out which I want and just can't decide.

The Apple Store employee told me today to pick up the 10.5", use it as I do my current 9.7" Pro for 7 days, if I don't feel it's a big enough upgrade, return it no questions asked and go for the 12.9".

Has anyone purchased an iPad with the thought beforehand that you might return it for the other model? I haven't ever thought of this. I think I'm going to do exactly that. It just seems mad returning something that works perfectly.

If I was unsure of which my model iPad I entirely liked, sometimes the only way of knowing which model you want is my purchasing it and experiencing it away from the store. Fortunately, that's what return policies at for.

Ultimately, it comes down to which model/size are you happy with. As long as the 10.5 meets your expectations and works flawlessly, then that's all that matters, assuming that's the size you wanted.

Apple wants the customer content with their purchase.

 

[darkarn]

Apple wants the customer content with their purchase.

Quoted for truth! The Apple Store staff told me this too, stating that they allow it unlike other electronics stores here simply because they are Apple!

And yes, I am doing this too, albeit testing out cellular and white bezels

 

[Newtons Apple]

It is the only way some can can make the choice. Until you use for a few days you never know.

 

[MrGimper]

I did when I was deciding whether to go with the mini or the Air 2. Apple offer a 14 day "no quibble" return period. Nothing wrong with making the most of it.

 

[maflynn]

Shortly after purchasing the 10.5" I was being tempted with the idea of getting the 12.9, but in the end, I worked through the thought process and determined for my needs the 10.5 was a better fit.

I recommend that you figure out the one that best fits your needs, get that and then see how it works. If you think the other model will work better after using the first one, then exchange it.

 

[c14nhl]

Thanks for all your comments.

I'll get the 10.5" and test it out with everyday use next week.

 

[onepoint]

I don't buy items intending to return them, but I've never hesitated to return something within the allowable period if I wasn't fully content. Case in point, the iPad Pro 10.5

My goal was to transition from a work-supplied 1st gen 12.9 but Apple's decision on how to treat multitasking (e.g., Split View like the 9.7 iPad with iPhone-sized apps, and not like the 12.9) doomed the device for me and my personal use case(s). So I tried the iPad in the field for about a week and took it back after coming to that conclusion.

 

[DougFNJ]

For me that return period delivers peace of mind.
I bought the 10.5 as an upgrade to my 9.7. I was already sold, but I felt if the overall differences between the 2 were negligient, or if the 10.5 was noticeably heavier, it's nice to know I won't have to have buyers remorse.

 

[Eric5273]

What have you got to lose? Try it out and if you don't like it, return it. Sounds like a win/win to me.

 

[spooklog]

I'm in the process of giving the 10.5 a tryout. So far so good, but I may exchange it for the 12.9 just to make sure. I always make full use of return policies, especially with expensive items. Sometimes I really need to take the item home and test it out to decide if that's what I need.

 

[maflynn]

I don't buy items intending to return them

I don't purchase anything with the mindset to return it, but given the high prices we pay and the need to figure out what best fits your needs. I can see the logic in getting the 10.5 seeing if it fits your needs, and if not, exchanging it for the 12.9

 

[0003462]

It just seems mad returning something that works perfectly.

Except that it wouldn't be working perfectly at all. It's a device that needs to fit your life. If it doesn't, it isn't working perfectly.

This is what return periods are for, making sure it's the right purchase for you.

A couple of years ago I bought an iPad mini 4 and Smart Cover. As I used it, I realised that what I wanted it for would be better suited to a larger screen, so I returned the items and got an iPad Air 2 instead.

A few weeks ago I got an iPad Pro 10.5, unsure if it was worth the upgrade for my uses from the Air 2. I bought it fully aware I may return it within the 14 days. Turns out, I didn't

Return periods are your right.

 

[Ollé]

I just exchanged mine today.

I originally bought a 10.5 Wifi only. Decided over the course of the past week that not having cellular data was a pain and iPhone tethering was more cumbersome than it was worth.

Exchanged and paid the difference for a 10.5 Cellular.

 

[c14nhl]

I just exchanged mine today

How was the experience for you?

 

[seadragon]

I don't give returning something to Apple after trying it a second thought. It's their return policy and they've built all the returns into their business model. The Apple Store employees even encourage customers to buy and try. And in case you missed it, Apple is on track to become a TRILLION dollar company soon. They are not hurting in any way.

So, I say keep buying and trying! It's one of the main reasons I buy all my stuff from Apple.

 

[darkarn]

Such returns seem to be a source for all those open box or refurb sales anyway

 

[sracer]

I promise not to make this another, "What size should I purchase?" thread.

I've spent some time in the Apple Store over the past couple of weeks trying to figure out which I want and just can't decide.

The Apple Store employee told me today to pick up the 10.5", use it as I do my current 9.7" Pro for 7 days, if I don't feel it's a big enough upgrade, return it no questions asked and go for the 12.9".

Has anyone purchased an iPad with the thought beforehand that you might return it for the other model? I haven't ever thought of this. I think I'm going to do exactly that. It just seems mad returning something that works perfectly.

That suggestion seems pretty odd to me. The difference in size between the 10.5 and 9.7 Pros is not that great. Apps won't look different between the two. Because the size difference between 9.7 and 12.9 is so significant, you'll be able to see right away.... the benefits of having the larger screen with the ability to have 2 full apps side-by-side, and the deficits of having something so large.

If you buy the 10.5 first, you may see that it works fine but wonder if the 12.9 would be better... then you return it for the 12.9 only to discover that it is too large for you... forcing you to go BACK to the 10.5.

 

[seadragon]

Just buy both and return the one you like the least.

 

[Ollé]

How was the experience for you?

Painless and extremely easy. Genuinely no questions asked.

The only iffy part was checking to see if they had the correct replacement model in stock. All that happened after that was they refunded the purchase price of the model I was exchanging to a gift card and used that to purchase the new one. All I had to come up with was the $200 or so difference.

 

[44267547]

If you buy the 10.5 first, you may see that it works fine but wonder if the 12.9 would be better... then you return it for the 12.9 only to discover that it is too large for you... forcing you to go BACK to the 10.5.

Agreed. That's a fairly large upgrade to go from a 9.7 iPad to 12.9. My suggestion would be purchase the 10.5, use it and the user should ask oneself, does this feel like enough of an upgrade were you would appreciate a slightly larger form factor.

I also think it depends on how mobile someone is, where if they plan on traveling a lot, the 10.5 would be ideal, where the 12.9 iPad is very portable, but just much larger in size and more cumbersome to hold depending on your position.

 

[bahndoos]

I promise not to make this another, "What size should I purchase?" thread.

I've spent some time in the Apple Store over the past couple of weeks trying to figure out which I want and just can't decide.

The Apple Store employee told me today to pick up the 10.5", use it as I do my current 9.7" Pro for 7 days, if I don't feel it's a big enough upgrade, return it no questions asked and go for the 12.9".

Has anyone purchased an iPad with the thought beforehand that you might return it for the other model? I haven't ever thought of this. I think I'm going to do exactly that. It just seems mad returning something that works perfectly.

I had a good look at both 10.5 and 12.9 at the Apple Store, over the course of 3 visits. Honestly, I could not decide between the two. The 12.9 seemed nice for sheer screen real estate, but the only real advantage over the 10.5 was slightly better ease of multitasking, in my use case. The 10.5 on the other hand was so much more easy to just pick and start doing whatever you're doing, without worrying about size., and it does everything the 12.9 does. So I ended up buying BOTH. It became apparent that was the only way to decide for me, by using them both at home side by side.

For the first week I enjoyed using them both equally, for the reasons stated above. But as I got into it further and further, two things became clear. The 12.9 is your choice if you want something to mostly replace your laptop. It functioned best as a propped up device on a desk which, while portable, was not preferable in moving around with, or holding in my hands as I read books or took handwritten notes with the Pencil. The 10.5 is your choice if you want to use it as a tablet mostly, with laptop type activities here and there, as frequently as you please, but not forgetting the tablet aspect. It is the better in-between device to a phone and a full fledged laptop. That is how I've always seen my iPads, and it came to light quite clearly in the 2 weeks I used both new iPads.

Hence I returned the 12.9. For me, its not a laptop replacement. It remains very much the in-between device which make some phone apps more comfortable to use, and yet also can get some (but only some) serious work done that I would normally do on a desktop/laptop.

 

[Adelphos33]

I think I've figured out a good rule of thumb for this...

If you use your iPad a lot holding it in one hand, especially while standing, get the 10.5"

If you use it mostly sitting down or use the split screen / keyboard cover a lot, get the 12.9"

 

[c14nhl]

I use my iPad everyday at work. I also take public transport to work. Weight and size aren't an issue here as I also have to take a work provided laptop in my backpack.

One thing I often do though, due to me being on the bus for just over an hour and also it being quiet, is pull out the iPad and send some emails, review documents, take notes from the documents via split view.

I've managed no problem up to now using split view with the 9.7" so even the small increase in size of the 10.5" would be decent. I'm just not sure the 12.9" would have the same "lapability" on my travels.

My iPad is my only personal computer. I use my work provided laptop for work only. When home, my iPad is used for everything personal. Content consumption, photo editing, video editing, gaming etc. That is the only reason I have even considered the 12.9", because it's my main computer.

I do not in the slightest consider this a question of replacing a laptop. I've not used a desktop class OS since the iPad 2 and therefore it's purely a case of further enhancing my iPad/iOS experience.