iPad Today I am buying the iPad...

[parseckadet]

I was in a very similar boat to you. Had the 10.5”. Just got my annual bonus. Was holding out to see what the Air update would bring. And I went with the 11” pro for the exact same reasons as you. Though I don’t use it for work ever, I do use it for home productivity tasks (tax season is upon us after all). My only advice is that over the next two weeks, pay close attention to how much you use the trackpad. The weight difference between the Magic Keyboard and the Smart Keyboard Folio is 2/3 of a pound! Since you’re trying to shave weight, that trackpad has to justify the extra weight. For me it’s not worth it, but you might feel otherwise.

Also, I’m very sorry your mother is going through some health troubles. I hope she recovers.

 

[gadgetgirl85]

I am buying the same today

 

[iRondi]

I was in a very similar boat to you. Had the 10.5”. Just got my annual bonus. Was holding out to see what the Air update would bring. And I went with the 11” pro for the exact same reasons as you. Though I don’t use it for work ever, I do use it for home productivity tasks (tax season is upon us after all). My only advice is that over the next two weeks, pay close attention to how much you use the trackpad. The weight difference between the Magic Keyboard and the Smart Keyboard Folio is 2/3 of a pound! Since you’re trying to shave weight, that trackpad has to justify the extra weight. For me it’s not worth it, but you might feel otherwise.

Also, I’m very sorry your mother is going through some health troubles. I hope she recovers.

It is definitely hefty. I think during this hospital (now nursing home) visiting phase, I will be using the keyboard a lot - and probably the trackpad but I am going to kind of monitor it and see. Prior to the family stuff, I only used as tablet. Of course, I didn‘t have the keyboard for comparison. I do like how the keyboard is stiff. I can sit it on my lap in a terrible chair and still type, be productive. Also, I didn’t have to bring my MacBook today - so that is already making my bag much lighter.

I appreciate the well wishes from people. I am glad to at least be at nursing home, as the doctors were suggesting hospice. But my mom has defied them. I want to give her all the chances without exasperating any pain. She doesn’t have a known terminal diagnosis but they think/say she is dying. I have no idea what is going on — and living in this unknown world for weeks going on months is hard. I am not trying to be selfish but I do have to work as much as I can (my work has been great about things), so having this great adjustment in my ability to work is a small joy. I like having both a work device and iPad for the many hours I’m here. And now it’s one in the same.

 

[DeepSix]

Well I super love my new iPad and MK! I can’t think how I managed so long without it. I can definitely work well with it. The keyboard and track pad are just amazing. I think I like typing on this keyboard better than my regular work one. The perfect “clicky” keys.

MK isn't anything special compared to a mechanical keyboard. Once you go mechanical, it's pretty difficult to go back to any membrane keyboard.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

What the iPads need is a revamped iPadOS!

The OS will certainly evolve, and hopefully more software is written for it to take advantage of the extra headroom.

I have a feeling the extra power is actually laying the foundation for future VR/AR hardware.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

It is definitely hefty. I think during this hospital (now nursing home) visiting phase, I will be using the keyboard a lot - and probably the trackpad but I am going to kind of monitor it and see. Prior to the family stuff, I only used as tablet. Of course, I didn‘t have the keyboard for comparison. I do like how the keyboard is stiff. I can sit it on my lap in a terrible chair and still type, be productive. Also, I didn’t have to bring my MacBook today - so that is already making my bag much lighter.

I appreciate the well wishes from people. I am glad to at least be at nursing home, as the doctors were suggesting hospice. But my mom has defied them. I want to give her all the chances without exasperating any pain. She doesn’t have a known terminal diagnosis but they think/say she is dying. I have no idea what is going on — and living in this unknown world for weeks going on months is hard. I am not trying to be selfish but I do have to work as much as I can (my work has been great about things), so having this great adjustment in my ability to work is a small joy. I like having both a work device and iPad for the many hours I’m here. And now it’s one in the same.

Sorry to go off the main topic, but I’m saddened to hear about your mom. To hear that doctors only think she is dying and therefore recommend hospice is upsetting. A nursing home is a better environment than a hospital, but do you think she would be happier at home with in-home care?

This is none of my business, so don’t feel like you should respond. My heart just bleeds when I hear of these situations.

 

[James Godfrey]

Congrats on your purchase, I am sure you will love it, and come the end of the year I doubt there is going to be anything major coming to the iPad Pro line up this year. So I think you made a good choice pulling the trigger now

 

[LibbyLA]

Sorry to go off the main topic, but I’m saddened to hear about your mom. To hear that doctors only think she is dying and therefore recommend hospice is upsetting. A nursing home is a better environment than a hospital, but do you think she would be happier at home with in-home care?

This is none of my business, so don’t feel like you should respond. My heart just bleeds when I hear of these situations.

First, the on topic part. I have an iPad Pro 11 2021 with the Smart Folio Keyboard and an iPad Mini 6. I use both every day. I considered getting the Magic Keyboard but the weight is off putting for me. I have used the folio keyboards since the iPP Pro 9.7 and have been happy with them for iPP 9.7, 10.5, and two 11. I’ve taken both when I’ve visited my parents and the Mini 6 has gone to the nursing home with me when I’ve visited my Mom.

Now for the off topic part. Hospice is not a horrible thing and it’s not always about terminal illness. My 88-year-old Mom is on hospice for the third time, all for TIA/stroke/heart-related issues. The first two times, she was at home because she was mobile. Hospice meant that a nurse came once a week (it could have been more often had she needed the attention but she didn’t), there was a social worker available, and many or all of her medications were provided by hospice. There’s help for bathing and showering if it’s needed. She came off hospice after 6 months each time because her condition improved and she was no longer eligible for hospice (and didn’t need it).

Mom had another TIA in late December. My 95-year-old dad has been taking care of her as her dementia has gotten worse and worse. After this latest TIA, she wasn’t a candidate for rehab to regain strength because it’s not feasible to rehab someone who doesn’t understand enough to participate. I don’t know how my dad managed, with all the cooking, trying to keep Mom and the hospital bed clean and dry. I was there for less than 24 hours before I told him he had to either get help 24/7 or put Mom in a care facility and I wasn’t coming home until he did one or the other.

If he’d gotten sitters, he’s still have had to be on call 24 hours a day because it takes two people to get her up out of bed. It also costs more to have sitters 24/7 than it does to have her in a good care facility in a private room. Dad didn’t think that she would be cared for by others as well as he cared for her but he admits that the staff take great care of her and they keep her clean and dry a lot better than he was able to.

The night before she was scheduled to go into the nursing home, she had another TIA. She no longer can get up by herself. I don’t know what we’d have done had we not made that difficult decision. (And less than 3 weeks later, my dad was in bad shape with congestive heart failure that came on suddenly. Fortunately, he had an angiogram and a stent was put in. At least he had peace of mind knowing that Mom was in good hands.

I don’t know what the OP’s mother’s situation is. I hope that OP and her family are able to choose the best possible option for her mom based on her unique situation. Our family has had experience with hospice several times and have had positive experiences every time. That’s not to say that it’s always the right choice for everyone, but the hospice people we’ve dealt with seem to be very caring and concerned. There are some bad care facilities, but there are some good ones, too.

 

[nintendoswitch]

I wanted the pro, but I got the iPad 9 instead.

 

[DeepSix]

It offers peak performance in tasks like compression and decompression.

 

[ggibson913]

Congrats! I have the 2020 refresh version. I use it every day.

 

[shr631]

I have a 11” iPP 2nd generation and MK. I use it 100% attached to the MK, everyday. I have a 2021 12.9” iPP scheduled for Monday, I already received the white MK and a 2nd Pencil 2. I wanted more screen and larger keyboard given I only use it attached. Don’t hate me but my wife is happy to replace her iPad 6 with the 11” iPP. I use my iPP for work and she just uses it for play…

May I ask what sort of work tasks you use the 12.9 for? Curious to know the types of workflows or apps and how the iPP is working out for you. Thanks

 

[shr631]

I think the iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard, at least for my work flow and needs which includes lots of note taking, web browsing, emails, and Microsoft Word apps is such a great and productive combo. There’s so much versatility with the Touch based interface, but also all the short cuts and gestures built in to the Magic Keyboard. I have no regrets and plan to always have an iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard combo.

Noticed you have the M1 MBA as well. May I ask, do you use the iPP more or less than the MBA? I had the 12.9 M1 iPP, but recently traded it towards an M1 MBA as a family member needed my Windows 11 laptop. Well, they no longer need it after all and I’m seriously considering returning the MBA for the 12.9 with magic keyboard again. Hesitating because well the MBA is a nice laptop, but I really liked the iPP w MK. The display was sick and he whole thing seemed more fun and futuristic vs a laptop. Could have been the honeymoon phase though lol.

 

[GuruZac]

Noticed you have the M1 MBA as well. May I ask, do you use the iPP more or less than the MBA? I had the 12.9 M1 iPP, but recently traded it towards an M1 MBA as a family member needed my Windows 11 laptop. Well, they no longer need it after all and I’m seriously considering returning the MBA for the 12.9 with magic keyboard again. Hesitating because well the MBA is a nice laptop, but I really liked the iPP w MK. The display was sick and he whole thing seemed more fun and futuristic vs a laptop. Could have been the honeymoon phase though lol.

I use my iPad Pro/Magic Keyboard way more than my M1 MacBook Air Due to versatility. I do love both devices, but the only reason I still own a macOS device is because as a medical student our exams are proctored with software that requires macOS or Windows. Otherwise, it would be iPad Pro only for me. Post medical school, I’ll probably have an iMac for home computer for my daughters and my sole computer will be whatever the larger iPad Pro model is and Magic Keyboard.

 

[IngerMan]

May I ask what sort of work tasks you use the 12.9 for? Curious to know the types of workflows or apps and how the iPP is working out for you. Thanks

I use Microsoft office for work, all my work files are stored in One Drive, I create quotes and request for quote specials. I find I can do anything with a few more steps as I do on my Mac Mini. When I create spreadsheets I do use the Mini more for that because of screen size on the 11” Today I get the 12.9, excited

 

[shr631]

Thanks, I similarly only seem to use my laptop for edge cases these days. So I might go with the iPP & MK again. I can always get a laptop when the need arises again. Good to hear you’re happy with that setup.

 

[shr631]

I use Microsoft office for work, all my work files are stored in One Drive, I create quotes and request for quote specials. I find I can do anything with a few more steps as I do on my Mac Mini. When I create spreadsheets I do use the Mini more for that because of screen size on the 11” Today I get the 12.9, excited

Same, I mostly use MS office for productivity these days. I know file management isn’t as efficient as on a laptop OS, but I don’t do much of that, plus have a windows laptop coming back to me soon. Awesome, exciting day for you - enjoy the 12,9! Getting a pencil and/or keyboard with it?

 

[IngerMan]

Same, I mostly use MS office for productivity these days. I know file management isn’t as efficient as on a laptop OS, but I don’t do much of that, plus have a windows laptop coming back to me soon. Awesome, exciting day for you - enjoy the 12,9! Getting a pencil and/or keyboard with it?

Yes, I received the Pencil 2 and White MK a few days ago. Since my wife going to use the 11” Pencil and MK I added a emoji on my pencil 2. I use 100% with MK

 

[IngerMan]

Here is my new setup for the 12.9, I got it a few hours ago and installed a Debrand skin on the outside of the MK and sides of the iPad.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Here is my new setup for the 12.9, I got it a few hours ago and installed a Debrand skin on the outside of the MK and sides of the iPad.

View attachment 1973541View attachment 1973543

Just got my dbrand skin today for my iPad Pro 11. Now I can hold it with one hand really easily (nekkid). Lol. I too have a magic keyboard (typing on it now). But I just got the dbrand for my iPad. Yours looks great!

 

[spiderman0616]

It is definitely hefty. I think during this hospital (now nursing home) visiting phase, I will be using the keyboard a lot - and probably the trackpad but I am going to kind of monitor it and see. Prior to the family stuff, I only used as tablet. Of course, I didn‘t have the keyboard for comparison. I do like how the keyboard is stiff. I can sit it on my lap in a terrible chair and still type, be productive. Also, I didn’t have to bring my MacBook today - so that is already making my bag much lighter.

I appreciate the well wishes from people. I am glad to at least be at nursing home, as the doctors were suggesting hospice. But my mom has defied them. I want to give her all the chances without exasperating any pain. She doesn’t have a known terminal diagnosis but they think/say she is dying. I have no idea what is going on — and living in this unknown world for weeks going on months is hard. I am not trying to be selfish but I do have to work as much as I can (my work has been great about things), so having this great adjustment in my ability to work is a small joy. I like having both a work device and iPad for the many hours I’m here. And now it’s one in the same.

I think you may find it useful later down the road to also own a Smart Folio for it. Just so you have something thin and light to carry around when you don't want to lug around the Magic Keyboard. I think I might have stuck with the 12.9" a little longer if I had tried that first.

 

[gregpod9]

It was a tough choice for me between the iPad Air 5 256GB WiFi model and the iPad Pro 11 inch 128 GB WiFi model. I ended up buying the iPad Pro 128GB due to these advantages:
1. Brighter screen
2. Promotion display
3. Quad speakers
4. Better camera system
I paid for the iPad Pro 11 inch less than the iPad Air 5 256GB. I really don't need 256GB and 64GB is too little.

 

[Pezimak]

Pro 11" 256 GB Silver and Magic Keyboard.

I get a little giddy when I get a new tech device.

I know, I know...the iPad Air 5. I was tempted. Especially some of the fun colors. And part of me will kind of miss those colors, but I think the silver is sleek and modern. I often have a cover anyways. I really wanted the better camera, 4 speakers instead of two, the face ID. I was going for 256 GB regardless, so I paid $150 more to get a few extra features. Though I'm not one to throw away money, this is a purchase I have been planning - and I am rewarding myself from a bonus earned from a work project. The 120 Hz may also be on my list of reasons, as I play a few games which may benefit from the higher refresh rate.

What I am most excited about it also getting the Magic Keyboard. I am still going to get either a skin or case compatible with MK, as I think I will still be using as tablet predominantly. I have MacBook Pro (13" M1) for work. My mom has had a serious illness and I have been working remotely quite a bit, working from hospital. I try to plan my evening/weekend work to be things I don't need my amazing work monitor (34" extra-wide monitor). I hope that the iPad/MK combo will be sufficient to do some of my work. If not, I can return MK. I am eager to test it out.

I have an older iPad Pro (10.5" and 64 GB). I am maxed out on storage there and I have opted for 256 gb because I don't want to run into the storage issue soon. I do save a lot to cloud, but since I anticipate working more on this iPad, I prefer to have the space. I have a lot of apps offloaded to keep my current iPad functioning.

I also walk to work and carrying my laptop everywhere is not so fun. I am pending shoulder surgery for a labrum tear, but trying to put that off because of my mom's illness, so whatever I can do lighten up my backpack/purse, that is good.

In six months, I may wish I had waited for the new iPad Pro version, but I'm really at a stage where I will benefit from having a more work-functioning iPad. I keep putting off the upgrade.

Congratulations, I picked up my new iPad Pro 11” about a couple of weeks ago now. My whole setup with the case and Pencil is about a grand, I don’t regret it at all, I love it! Been playing Company Of Heroes on it and it’s fantastic.