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What’s the perfect iPad size?

  • > 12.9”

    Votes: 10 6.6%
  • 12.9”

    Votes: 31 20.5%
  • 10.5”

    Votes: 51 33.8%
  • 9.7”

    Votes: 17 11.3%
  • In between 9.7” and 7.9”

    Votes: 5 3.3%
  • 7.9”

    Votes: 23 15.2%
  • < 7.9”

    Votes: 1 0.7%
  • Something else

    Votes: 1 0.7%
  • In between 10.5” and 12.9”

    Votes: 12 7.9%

  • Total voters
    151
Although I like the 10.5 I actually think it's just a tad too big. Maybe I'm just not used to it yet. I wish they kept the 9.7 frame and shrunk the bezels even more (not entirely sure if you could fit a 10.5 screen on that frame) without increasing the size at all.

I retained my iPad Air 2, and I still do appreciate the 9.7 form factor. Even though I do like the added display and overall size of the 10.5.
 
First and foremost, I look at an iPad a mobile device - something extremely portable. 10.5 is just about big as it can get and still be small enough to throw in your bag without really knowing it is there, and to be able to use it even where there is not a lot of room - for example in an economy class airline seat.
 
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10.5 is great. The only thing I wish they would have done is set the resolution to match the 12.9". Then offer scaled modes, like you can on the iPhone (Display Zoom I think?) That way you could still get all the screen real estate the 12.9" does but with a better form factor IMO. Meaning you could run a full size iPad app next to a iPhone sized app.
 
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I'd probably want something between the 10.5 and 12.9".

You are missing the option I would vote for, which is in between 10.5 and 12.9....Perfect would be somewhere around 11.5 but with the narrow bezels of the 10.5.

I’m leaning towards the same in between size. For now I will wait on the sidelines to see if Apple reduces the bezels and/or reduces the screen size of the larger iPad Pro.

A 12” screen with higher ppi could fit the same content from 12.9 with reduced size/weight. Not likely but one can dream...

11 or 11.5 would be my sweet spot. I love my 1st gen 12.9 at home, but often take my 10.5 on the go.

Thanks for the input. That option has been added.
 
The 12.9 iPad is around the same dimensions as letter-sized paper. If they can make it foldable and drastically reduce the weight somehow, that would be my preferred size.

If comparing existing models, the 9.7" and 10.5" models are a good compromise between mobility and display size. The current 10.5" model is pretty much the biggest iPad that my purse can handle. Anything bigger and I'm gonna have to buy new purses.
 
I own a iPad 1, iPad 3, iPad Air 2 and now a new iPad Pro 12.9. I have to tell you that I was not sure about the 12.9 size, but after using if for two weeks, mostly at home (on the couch, in the kitchen or in bed) I really like it. I can not see myself ever going back.
 
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I would love an iPad the size of a mini but with reduced bezels to allow for a larger screen. So something between 7.9" and 9.7".

I'm not looking for an iPad to sit on a desk or replace my laptop. I want comfortable handheld device.
 
The perfectly sized iPad is one that meets your needs. One size does not fit all, nor is there a single sized iPad that can be considered perfect.

True--a lot goes into choosing. I can justify only one, so I have to find the most ideal compromise. For me, that's a 9.7 (which is all I've used) or a 10.5 (theoretical since I've not seen one).

There have been times with a 9.7 that I've wanted a bit larger display. Were I to get a 10.5 Pro, there may be times when I would like a tad less. Either way, it will be a compromise.
 
True--a lot goes into choosing. I can justify only one, so I have to find the most ideal compromise. For me, that's a 9.7 (which is all I've used) or a 10.5 (theoretical since I've not seen one).

There have been times with a 9.7 that I've wanted a bit larger display. Were I to get a 10.5 Pro, there may be times when I would like a tad less. Either way, it will be a compromise.
I recently upgraded from the 9.7” iPad Air 2 to the 10.5” iPad Pro and it’s great. The slightly reduced bezels and slightly increased screen size are really perfect.
 
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I would love an iPad the size of a mini but with reduced bezels to allow for a larger screen. So something between 7.9" and 9.7".

I'm not looking for an iPad to sit on a desk or replace my laptop. I want comfortable handheld device.

I think the Mini has a potential for a comeback. I don't think it needs a compete overhaul, but modifications in the right area's with Pencil support, perhaps reduced bezels, Promotion display, ext. I can only imagine the excitement if this happens.
 
The 12.9 iPad is around the same dimensions as letter-sized paper. If they can make it foldable and drastically reduce the weight somehow, that would be my preferred size.

If comparing existing models, the 9.7" and 10.5" models are a good compromise between mobility and display size. The current 10.5" model is pretty much the biggest iPad that my purse can handle. Anything bigger and I'm gonna have to buy new purses.

Maybe that’s what you truly want... not a new iPad but a new purse
 
If I had to absolutely pick one size, I'd say the 10.5. The screen size is large enough to comfortably multi-task, to do work on, to watch movies, surf the web, read comics/books. It's also small enough such that holding it isn't awkward, even in bed. Best iPad size if the iPad is being frequently used in hand and on a desk.

I've found that the 7.9 iPad is awesome if you intend to use the iPad only in hand. It's quite awkward to use it on a desk since you either need to carry a full size keyboard separately, or use a very cramped keyboard case. Any productive work that is best suited for a keyboard would therefore, not be optimal on the 7.9. That said, the 7.9 is best suited for tasks that require you to hold the iPad in hand, teaching comes to mind.

The 12.9 has the opposite problem. I've used the original 12.9 at home and found that it's very awkward to hold in hand, even in bed. When used on a desk however, this iPad is awesome. If you prefer to use the iPad like a laptop for productivity and content consumption (whether or not it actually replaces your laptop), then this is probably the best size for you. It's still useable for the occasional use in hand, but not ideal (it's not a weight problem, it's a weight distribution problem due to the large screen size).

Hence, the 10.5 is the best iPad screen size since it does everything well with little compromises. If you know your needs, you probably know which size is best for you. If you are not sure, then the 10.5 is probably the best bet.

I can't think of any reason why you'd go for 9.7 over 10.5 (Office 365 and cost aside).

***

Side note: Personally, I think if you want an even larger screen iPad (> 15"), it seems like what you want is for Apple to create a touch-enabled flat-screen iMac that runs iOS.
 
We’ve seen quite a few iterations of iPads now. Additionally, iPhones are ever-increasing in size.

Assuming we can continue to decrease bezels, which iPad size is perfect for your needs and/or wants?

Perfect Size in 2018

10.5" OLED Display, with Updated styling, No Home Button less Bezels so it would be the same size as the current 9.7" Pro no larger.
 
At first the 12.9 in iPad was way too big. It's practically about 75%-80% the size of the MacBook Pro 15.4 in.

The 9.7 in iPad is small for me. And when I owned my iPad Air 1st Gen, I always wanted a bigger display on it. Through their's a slightly bigger version of the 9.7 in iPad. The 10.5 in iPad is still has a small screen for me.

The iPad Mini is way too small for me. But it is probably the perfect size for most people who want a big enough iPad that they can hold in one hand and still be able to take it everywhere with them.

Now the 12.9 in iPad is the perfect screen size for me. The size of the 12.9 in iPad doesn't brother me. Either way I would be carrying around a 13.3 in MacBook with me. But since I can work with the 12.9 in iPad, I don't need to carry around a MacBook anymore. The size of both devices are about the same in some ways.
 
Perfect Size in 2018

10.5" OLED Display, with Updated styling, No Home Button less Bezels so it would be the same size as the current 9.7" Pro no larger.

Less bezels on the 10.5 in 2018? Apple just reduced the bezels by 40% on the 10.5 iPad. How much More bezel-less are you expecting it to be? Not to mention, the 10.5 iPad will not see another release in 2018, when it was just launched less than two months ago.
 
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Less bezels on the 10.5 in 2018? Apple just reduced the bezels by 40% on the 10.5 iPad. How much More bezel-less are you expecting it to be? Not to mention, the 10.5 iPad will not see another release in 2018, when it was just launched less than two months ago.

I agree with what I assume you implied: the 10.5 represents about as little bezel as I would like in an iPad.
 
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