I have the first gen 12.9. I’ve tried to find a reason to go to the new 10.5. However, I do a good deal of word processing and my wife and I watch a lot of videos together with it. Those two reasons alone is the reason to buy the 12. The screen size allows for easier work and makes video watching just better. Is it portable? To an extent. It’s easier to carry than my MacBook Air. Sure, it’s not as portable as the 10.5 but it also allows me to use my email or a pdf and still have enough screen real estate to see what I’m typing in Word.
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iPad Pro Why choose the 12.9 model over 10.5?
- Thread starter kasakka
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I had a moment to try the multitasking in a store and you are right, it feels that little bit less cramped. For just browsing in a single window I did not find the 12.9 to have any real benefit but I'm sure the size is useful for drawing and such. At the moment I'm slightly leaning towards the large model but am concerned about portability.
I'm not that happy with the keyboard cases on offer as they are expensive and everything except ASK is bulky but I would need something that can set the iPad at an angle, preferably adjustable so it can be used slightly elevated for drawing and set on a table for watching movies. I know the type cover kinda handles that but is there anything better out there for this purpose, without adding much weight to the device?
I'm not that happy with the keyboard cases on offer as they are expensive and everything except ASK is bulky but I would need something that can set the iPad at an angle, preferably adjustable so it can be used slightly elevated for drawing and set on a table for watching movies. I know the type cover kinda handles that but is there anything better out there for this purpose, without adding much weight to the device?
I use a backcase and usually use my iPad flat, like a book, when not at home. At home, when i use it for movies, i keep it on an aluminum stand bought on amazon. Good looking and you can change the angle.
Having used the 12.9 for a couple months exclusively I find my new 10.5" IPP a little cramped to look at for long periods of time. I was suprised that the 12.9 doesn't really show much more of a web page compared to the 10.5 but the larger screen is easier to look at for long periods of time. I still think the 10.5 is the way to go if you're when traveling or on-the-go. Best description of the 12.9 I've heard is that it feels like carrying around a pizza box. For me, I definitely prefer having both sizes. So much so that I'm upgrading to the 2nd gen 12.9. The 12.9 is great for use at home and the 10.5 on the go.
It's weird that the 12.9 inch iPad feels so big to carry around when people walk around with 13 and 15 inch laptops all the time
I do prefer the 10.5" though. It feels like the sweet spot between 9.7 and 12.9.
From what i can gather the 12.9" iPad Pro is better for multitasking, the bigger screen will be better when doing thinks like watching a video in picture in picture while word processing and or searching the web, there is more screen estate on the 12.9" compared to the smaller 10.5" i currently use the 12.9" first gen iPad Pro I'm going to be upgrading soon to the 2nd gen, i didn't think about getting the 10.5" for a while but i think for multitasking the 12.9" is the way to go plus when IOS 11 drops it's going to get even better.
This. You can open 2 apps in 50/50 mode on the 12.9" iPad and they look right (since it is simply 2 iPads in portrait mode), which is great when you are viewing two document side-by-side. While in the smaller iPads, you will typically be viewing your apps in 3:1 ratio, which is better for social media (e.g.: safari as main app, with tweetbot in smartphone view by the side).
I had (still have) an iPad Air 2 before getting the new 12.9 Pro. I bought the Air 2 exclusively for painting with Procreate, as I actually prefer the Mini for general use. It served me well as a portable digital painting studio, but since getting the 12.9 I haven't used it at all. I was planning on keeping the Air 2 as my portable device, but I'm finding that I prefer to carry around the 12.9 to enjoy the considerable benefits of painting on a larger screen. Yes, it's less comfortable to hold one-handed, but for me the trade-off is worth it. Using the 12.9 has required some adaptations -I have to use a rucksack rather than my small shoulder bag, I use a special stand for watching videos in bed, and when painting in landscape mode I have to sit down with the iPad on my knees rather than stand and hold it in one hand - but for me, all this is worth it. But for all its 'pro' features that the Air 2 lacks (promotion, Truetone etc.), the only features that have really made the upgrade worth it for me are the larger screen and, to a lesser extent, pencil support and the ASK. So I think that if I'd replaced the Air 2 with a 10.5, it would have felt like a slightly less significant upgrade(contrary to the OP, my Air 2 still works just fine). I know that most people feel differently about that, so that's just my personal standpoint. To me, the 12.9 is not just an upgrade, but actually feels like a totally different type of machine -so I can completely understand why some people are getting both.
To summarise, I think that the 12.9 is hands down the better device for drawing/painting (it's not that you can't get similar results on a smaller tablet, it's just that it's a much more pleasurable experience on the larger screen, despite the extra effort it requires when out and about), but for general consumption I would personally recommend the smaller size, especially if you intend to use the device for travelling.
To summarise, I think that the 12.9 is hands down the better device for drawing/painting (it's not that you can't get similar results on a smaller tablet, it's just that it's a much more pleasurable experience on the larger screen, despite the extra effort it requires when out and about), but for general consumption I would personally recommend the smaller size, especially if you intend to use the device for travelling.
For me the iPhone plus models are the best as on the go solution as it fits into your jeans and take anywhere without much problems. How many people you see in public going to work using a tablet on the go in comparison to smartphones?
When you finally sit somewhere at a desk, that is where the laptop or tablets comes in.
That depends. Because when you have someone that works in the field that Needs to be mobile, I see quite a few iPads being used for those that are not always at a desk job. Contractors, medical professionals, Realtors, sales professions are all examples of those who use the iPad for mobility and one handed use for when standing.
Yes, I have seen some use of it. I mostly see pilots use it where they have their maps downloaded on the iPad. I have also ran into restaurants where the place the order into an iPad.
But on average when people are going to school or work (in public transportation), they just use their smartphones.
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Good variety of opinions on best device size.
I've had the 12.9 for over a year and love it. It stays at home just fine... and it travels just fine too! That said, it's not a device I'd use while walking around or on rush-hour public transport. I have an iPhone 7 for that, although I'm tempted to try the plus size next time. A bit more screen would be good.
The keyboard feels way roomier too, (Smart Keyboard and software keyboard)
If that sorta thing is important to you
Coming from 9.7 ASK to 12.9 ASK, I feel like I can breath a little when typing
If that sorta thing is important to you
Coming from 9.7 ASK to 12.9 ASK, I feel like I can breath a little when typing
It's around the same physical size as regular pad paper.It's weird that the 12.9 inch iPad feels so big to carry around when people walk around with 13 and 15 inch laptops all the time
12.9 is great. It's just bigger, and being a bigger guy with big hands (unlike trump) I appreciate that.
For me personally I just can't justify getting an iPad at 9 or 10 inches and actually wanting to use it over my iPhone 7 plus. I had the iPad Air 2 for awhile and after jumping up to the plus size iPhone, I just didn't have the urge to even use the iPad anymore. I didn't see a big enough jump in screen size to say to myself "ok. I'm going to put my phone down and go pick up ANOTHER device that doesn't seem much larger"
With my 12.9 iPad, it feels like ripping the screen off a MacBook Pro and holding it in your hands. It's amazing. And once I got used to this size I just couldn't go back down. I literally squint when I see a regular sized iPad. Sounds weird, but true. Viewing just about everything on the larger iPad is more comfortable and the keyboard is absolutely perfect for me to type on. Like I'm doing right now
With my 12.9 iPad, it feels like ripping the screen off a MacBook Pro and holding it in your hands. It's amazing. And once I got used to this size I just couldn't go back down. I literally squint when I see a regular sized iPad. Sounds weird, but true. Viewing just about everything on the larger iPad is more comfortable and the keyboard is absolutely perfect for me to type on. Like I'm doing right now
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After using the 10.5 for a couple of days, I'll probably go to the 12.9 model. Here are my reasons why:
1) I plan to multitask with this iPad. Google Doc on one end, Safari on the other. As of now, the 10.5 does not offer the best split screen. You'll essentially have to pinch in to get a good look at either of the windows. I think if your work revolves around this, the 12.9 is a no brained. Having two full sized apps next to each other is great.
2) The screen. I'm guessing because this is the first year of production, the 10.5 has some QC issues with the screen. There's a post on this forum with a lot of people posting about it. I can unfortunately see it too - yellow/grey bands around the iPad. For a device that I plan to try to replace my laptop, this is a no no.
3) Screen size! I enjoy watching TV shows and the like on the 10.5, but I can only imagine what it feels like watching it on a larger screen.
1) I plan to multitask with this iPad. Google Doc on one end, Safari on the other. As of now, the 10.5 does not offer the best split screen. You'll essentially have to pinch in to get a good look at either of the windows. I think if your work revolves around this, the 12.9 is a no brained. Having two full sized apps next to each other is great.
2) The screen. I'm guessing because this is the first year of production, the 10.5 has some QC issues with the screen. There's a post on this forum with a lot of people posting about it. I can unfortunately see it too - yellow/grey bands around the iPad. For a device that I plan to try to replace my laptop, this is a no no.
3) Screen size! I enjoy watching TV shows and the like on the 10.5, but I can only imagine what it feels like watching it on a larger screen.
This is kinda what happened to me after buying a phone with a 5.5" screen. I started using my Oneplus One (and now OP3) a lot more for my web reading needs whereas before when I had a 5" Galaxy S4 I used the iPad more. So maybe the 12.9" would be indeed a good choice for me as well.
You really need to try them out before you can decide which one is right for you. I have both the 12.9 and 10.5 and I personally find the 12.9 too big to want to carry around. As I've mentioned before here the best description I've heard is that the 12.9 feels like you're carrying around a pizza box. On the tray table of a airplane seat it would look almost comically large. I do like using the 12.9 at home on my desk since the bigger screen is easier to look at for extended periods of time. The 10.5 is so much more portable and easier to carry around with you. I got the LTE model so that I don't have to be a slave to wifi. For me there is no comparison between a 5.5" phone and a 10.5 screen. The 10.5" has to be like 3X as much screen real estate.
It's great, but not so much for watching in bed. I find that even at arm's length, the screen is too close, so I have to use a special stand to keep it at a comfortable distance (and with this set up, it really is good!). Obviously viewing distance is a matter of personal preference, though. I found the 9.7 size just right for watching video when held at arm's length.
