Who Here Uses the 2018 12.9" iPP as a Tablet with only the Folio or Some Other Case? No Keyboard

[spacebro]

I could not reach the middle of the soft keyboard on the old iPads, could not reach keys like ghbty when gripping the iPad in landscape. With the new iPads, I can reach these keys now. I haven't once hooked up a real keyboard and have no plans to buy the keyboard folio. I added tiny clear stickers to the home keys and am really happy with soft keyboards now. I'm a coder and very proficient with the magic keyboard, and about 60% as fast on the soft keyboard. Typing a little slower doesn't matter in the scheme of things.

 

[djas]

On 2nd Gen 12.9". No keyboard. Just a 3rd party backcover with Pencil.

 

[Mansali]

I got mine for the screen size for better media consumption. So yes of course.

 

[RogerKmilw]

I replaced my macbook with the 12.9" iPad Pro and purchased it with the folio keyboard case so I had been pretty much using it within the folio exclusively. However, a few times recently I have taken it out of the folio and been experiencing just tablet mode and am liking it more and more. Even the on screen keyboard has been a pleasant surprise and has me now considering picking up a smart folio for times when I know I won't be doing a ton of word processing and benefiting from the thinner/lighter form factor of not having a physical keyboard. For owners of both, is there a noticeable difference in size between the folio keyboard and folio smart cover?

I know the Apple Smart Folio is outrageously expensive but for the 12.9 it’s perfect if you don’t need a keyboard. Adds barely any weight, is thin as any folio could be and just enough protection. I mostly use my 12.9 at home so I usually remove the folio and enjoy using it bare-assed. What a beautiful feat of design and engineering!

 

[andyw715]

I know the Apple Smart Folio is outrageously expensive but for the 12.9 it’s perfect if you don’t need a keyboard. Adds barely any weight, is thin as any folio could be and just enough protection. I mostly use my 12.9 at home so I usually remove the folio and enjoy using it bare-assed. What a beautiful feat of design and engineering!

Not sure if I agree with the weight comment.

It seems heavier than the smart keyboard/back cover combo that I had for my old 12.9er.

But I do agree it is a great cover/keyboard

 

[Greenmeenie]

Yes and no, for me at least. It's an awesome computer and I'd actually like to have both, 12.9 for desk use and 11 for everything else. I think that is the best set up to be honest. Using the 12.9 in bed or on the couch felt too awkward for me.

I’m curious, if...if Apple released an iPad mini Pro with thinner bezels, face ID & Pencil support...would you get the 12.9” for desk and the iPad mini Pro for going mobile? That’s what I originally thought i’d do. But after having the 11” iPad Pro I think it’s the sweet spot Goldilocks iPad for me. Not too big, not too small.

However, I think if Apple does release a regular ipad mini with pencil support, I will pick that up in addition to my 11” for when I wanna really go mobile and just stick the mini in my cargo pants pocket.

 

[DNichter]

I’m curious, if...if Apple released an iPad mini Pro with thinner bezels, face ID & Pencil support...would you get the 12.9” for desk and the iPad mini Pro for going mobile? That’s what I originally thought i’d do. But after having the 11” iPad Pro I think it’s the sweet spot Goldilocks iPad for me. Not too big, not too small.

However, I think if Apple does release a regular ipad mini with pencil support, I will pick that up in addition to my 11” for when I wanna really go mobile and just stick the mini in my cargo pants pocket.

No, probably not. I think the mini is a bit too small to be productive on. My XS Max pretty much fills that spot for me. I agree with you though, the 11 is a very good size and I am really liking the new aspect ratio. I have done well in limiting my computing devices to basically just an iPhone and iPad so I wouldn't want to have a 3rd. The 11 inch is the best combination of desk use/productivity and mobile.

 

[Greenmeenie]

No, probably not. I think the mini is a bit too small to be productive on. My XS Max pretty much fills that spot for me. I agree with you though, the 11 is a very good size and I am really liking the new aspect ratio. I have done well in limiting my computing devices to basically just an iPhone and iPad so I wouldn't want to have a 3rd. The 11 inch is the best combination of desk use/productivity and mobile.

Yeah, I hear ya. The iPad mini + 11” iPad Pro + an iPhone Xs Max would be kinda redundant. For me it sorta made sense for awhile cause I had my iPad mini 2 with the AT&T unlimited data plan and was using IT as my phone substitute! It really worked for me. I travel a lot and mostly text and use voip, face time & other communication apps. I didn’t miss a phone at all.

But when my iPad mini 2 started dying a slow death, I knew I needed to prepare for the next chapter. Getting an iPad mini 4 wasn’t an option cause it was already 3 yrs old. I love my 11” iPad Pro now for media consumption & content creation. But as a phone replacement, it’s not as convenient as the iPad mini was.

So that’s why I was thinking of getting a new iPad mini if Apple updates them in March. But perhaps getting the iPhone Xs Max is the better choice. I wonder if I could put my AT&T unlimited data plan SIM card into an iPhone and use it as an iPad mini mini? Hmmm. Lol.

 

[DNichter]

Yeah, I hear ya. The iPad mini + 11” iPad Pro + an iPhone Xs Max would be kinda redundant. For me it sorta made sense for awhile cause I had my iPad mini 2 with the AT&T unlimited data plan and was using IT as my phone substitute! It really worked for me. I travel a lot and mostly text and use voip, face time & other communication apps. I didn’t miss a phone at all.

But when my iPad mini 2 started dying a slow death, I knew I needed to prepare for the next chapter. Getting an iPad mini 4 wasn’t an option cause it was already 3 yrs old. I love my 11” iPad Pro now for media consumption & content creation. But as a phone replacement, it’s not as convenient as the iPad mini was.

So that’s why I was thinking of getting a new iPad mini if Apple updates them in March. But perhaps getting the iPhone Xs Max is the better choice. I wonder if I could put my AT&T unlimited data plan SIM card into an iPhone and use it as an iPad mini mini? Hmmm. Lol.

You could try! I definitely don't know anything about that sort of stuff, but it's worth some research on your end. Yea, I think the Max kind of hits on everything you need it for, but I get not wanting a typical phone contract and everything.

 

[glindon]

I have both the Smart Keyboard Foilio and the White Folio case. So if I think I’m going to do a lot of typing I switch between the two.

 

[mightyjabba]

Not sure if I agree with the weight comment.

It seems heavier than the smart keyboard/back cover combo that I had for my old 12.9er.

But I do agree it is a great cover/keyboard

He’s talking about the folio cover (the one without the keyboard). Does anyone know what the weight difference is between the 12.9 with the folio cover and the 12.9 with the keyboard folio? Just wondering how much weight the keyboard adds compared to just the cover.