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Kahnforever

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 20, 2024
218
260
I know there's some threads on this topic, and I've participated in them. I thought to write my reasons for why, after many days of going back and forth to the Apple Store and using the 13" M4 iPad Pro and the 11" M4 iPad Pro, I settled on the 13". I was actually close to decided on the 11" but I kept going back to the Apple Store and doing a bunch of things on each. Overall, I've spent several hours at the Apple Store testing both screen sizes. I also realize this is a personal choice, but for many it appears a very difficult choice. I hope my review helps people make a decision.
  • Everything is scaled smaller on the 11". Yes, that may be obvious to some, but that includes UI elements, icons on the homescreens, text in Google Search results, etc. You can try and make text larger in Settings but it's not consistent everywhere, and not all Apps will obey that... and icons aren't getting bigger either. Overall, scaled down content causes much more pinching and zooming, which is time consuming and inefficient for the User.
  • There is less content on screen, and that also leads to more scrolling which is time consuming and wasteful for the User.
  • I tried the "More Content" setting on the 11" to try and fit more on the screen and that just further scaled everything down even smaller than it was to begin with. Text, UI elements, etc. were just too small for my liking.
  • The speakers are not as good on the 11" vs. the 13".
  • The drawing experience on the 11" with the Apple Pencil isn't as good as the 13" offers a larger canvas. I'm 6'2" and have decent sized hands so this is a factor, especially resting my hand on the screen while drawing. Less screen is covered up with my hand on the 13" when doing this and there is less scrolling around on the 13" to make room for more content in drawing apps compared to the 11".
  • As the 13" is now noticeably thinner and lighter than the previous iPad Pro, it makes a big difference when using it as a tablet. This was a pivotal deciding factor for me. I was able to hold it with one hand for several minutes while using the small onscreen keyboard with slide typing. I didn't feel fatigued, but with the old 12.9" iPad, I would have.
  • Typing with the MKB on the 13" is materially better than the 11". It's still good on the 11", but it's less cramped on the 13" as the 11" has some reduced size buttons and there is just a very small palmrest on the 11". The trackpad on the 11" is also smaller than the 13". The 13" feels very similar to a MacBook trackpad and keyboard which makes using the iPad in "laptop mode" quite good.
  • Multi-tasking with things like Stage Manager is hands down better on the 13" iPad compared to the 11" iPad. The increased screen real estate matters in this regard.
  • Being able to now hold the 13" in one hand for longer periods of time because of how thin and light it is and using the small keyboard with the other hand using slide typing won me over as well. I find that the full size keyboard in portrait orientation on the 13"... which is how I like to hold the tablet, is very awkward. But the small keyboard with one-handed slide typing works very well so this was also a deciding factor.
  • When the 11" and 13" are folded up in the MKB case, they are both very compact. I don't find the 13" that much less portable than an 11". Compared to my 16" MacBook Pro, the 13" iPad combined with MKB is extremely compact and travel-friendly.
  • More Websites render as mobile versions on the 11” whereas they are mostly desktop versions on the 13”. Mobile versions suck on the 11”.
I have a 16" MacBook Pro which is big and heavy and just sits on a desk plugged into monitors. I have a 15" M3 MacBook Air that I use on the couch and for personal business and travel. I have an iPhone Pro Max. So the idea that somehow because I have larger screened Apple devices I should opt for the 11" doesn't make sense. I want to use the iPad on a recliner to do long-form reading, some light work, art, some other content creation and travel with it when I can with the MKB. In the end, while the 11" is nice to hold in the hands, there are just too many compromises with it such that you can't cheat reality: all of the content and UI elements are scaled noticeably smaller than the 13" and that causes endless and repetitive pinching and zooming and scrolling which is much less necessary on the 13". Trying to fiddle with the 11" screen settings to make text larger, etc. is not consistent and a poor experience.

13" it is.

IMG_4810.jpg
 
Last edited:

nawoo

macrumors regular
Feb 3, 2008
197
189
Same for me. Bigger is better. The reduced thickness and weight has made the 13in much more portable and easier to hold. I use it naked and it's so easy to hand hold. Only when i need to watch shows or game, then i put it on a stand or use the apple smart folio.

Reading comics is so much better on the 13in. Everything looked so cramped on the 11in.
 

Kahnforever

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 20, 2024
218
260
And you didn't even mention video size?
Not as into videos, but yes, that is good. For me though, that is not a major consideration and especially since there is more letter-boxing on the 13" than the 11".
 

erasr

macrumors 6502a
Sep 18, 2007
743
644
Drawing and using a keyboard will be easier and nicer, agreed, but for browsing the web, watching video, YouTube, 13” is not massively better at all.

Websites render just fine in landscape on 11”. In fact, you gain nothing on 13” for this website except seeing more comments, but is that really a good thing, having more of the bright screen in your face?! My eyes already have massive screens to look at all day. Scrolling isn’t hard either.

Youtube, web, video are all glorious on the 11” more so because it’s portable and can be held in one hand.

Like I say, the keyboard and drawing element are definitely going to be easier on 13”. I personally don’t need those, I have the MKB for light work and that’s fine for me on 11”.

Where the 13” also shines is with productivity apps. I messed about with Garage band last night and do think that would be better with the 13”.

However, I’m off to the coffee shop soon, taking my 11” is ideal. I leave my 13” MBA on the desk at home.
 

DaPhox

macrumors 6502
Oct 23, 2019
292
442
Whe
Drawing and using a keyboard will be easier and nicer, agreed, but for browsing the web, watching video, YouTube, 13” is not massively better at all.

Websites render just fine in landscape on 11”. In fact, you gain nothing on 13” for this website except seeing more comments, but is that really a good thing, having more of the bright screen in your face?! My eyes already have massive screens to look at all day. Scrolling isn’t hard either.

Youtube, web, video are all glorious on the 11” more so because it’s portable and can be held in one hand.

Like I say, the keyboard and drawing element are definitely going to be easier on 13”. I personally don’t need those, I have the MKB for light work and that’s fine for me on 11”.

Where the 13” also shines is with productivity apps. I messed about with Garage band last night and do think that would be better with the 13”.

However, I’m off to the coffee shop soon, taking my 11” is ideal. I leave my 13” MBA on the desk at home.
The 13” is perfect as a ”laptop”. Definitely not as an ipad. People have totally forgot that the original ipad was carefully researched for a ”perfect” screen size, concidering distance et al. I can understand moving the camera on the 13”, but not the 11”. It makes no sense…
 
Last edited:

Surfsalot

Suspended
Mar 18, 2023
2,049
2,028
Drawing and using a keyboard will be easier and nicer, agreed, but for browsing the web, watching video, YouTube, 13” is not massively better at all.

Websites render just fine in landscape on 11”. In fact, you gain nothing on 13” for this website except seeing more comments, but is that really a good thing, having more of the bright screen in your face?! My eyes already have massive screens to look at all day. Scrolling isn’t hard either.

Youtube, web, video are all glorious on the 11” more so because it’s portable and can be held in one hand.

Like I say, the keyboard and drawing element are definitely going to be easier on 13”. I personally don’t need those, I have the MKB for light work and that’s fine for me on 11”.

Where the 13” also shines is with productivity apps. I messed about with Garage band last night and do think that would be better with the 13”.

However, I’m off to the coffee shop soon, taking my 11” is ideal. I leave my 13” MBA on the desk at home.
Last thing I would take to a coffee shop is a iPad or MacBook 😀
 
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Rainshadow

macrumors 6502a
Feb 16, 2017
645
1,417
I chose the opposite. 11” for me after much debate.

1. I was in store flipping between them and I loved the weight and feel of the 13, but whenever I picked up the 13 inch, I had to hold it back farther. Took me a while to notice it but I was picking up the device and pushing it ever so slightly further away to see the whole canvas. I have a 12.9 now and I sometimes physically look around the screen. When I picked up the 11, it just seemed… idk, right. Sure you can get more on screen with the 13, but I think that in some ways can be a detriment.

2. I agree with the pencil and keyboard. But I don’t use a mkb. I still can’t understand why anyone would have a Mac AND a $300 devices to turn their iPad into a “macpad”. I’m sure I will miss the 13 inch when I use the pencil.

3. The weight. Yea, the 13 is lighter and it’s fantastic to hold compared to my 12.9. But the 11 was even that much more comfortable to hold still. So the 13 does not get the win there.

4. The price. Now I know. Buy once cry once. But we are talking about a device that shoots up in price for the larger screen. Then people talk about a keyboard. And I would definitely need a pencil. I buy a case (sleeve) and a screen protector. Maybe a skin instead? Like these things all add up. Is it worth THAT much more money for “more stuff fits on a screen” when I have other screens at home? No.

At least, not to me. But to each their own. I for one am ready to try out an iPad the way it was intended again.
 

TechnoMonk

macrumors 68030
Oct 15, 2022
2,603
4,109
I tried 11 ipP when I bought my 12.9 M1 iPad Pro. 11 was too small, and wasn’t very functional for my needs. If I am gonna upgrade, it will be 13.
 
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blen

macrumors regular
Sep 13, 2008
169
170
Websites render just fine in landscape on 11”. In fact, you gain nothing on 13” for this website except seeing more comments, but is that really a good thing, having more of the bright screen in your face?! My eyes already have massive screens to look at all day. Scrolling isn’t hard either.
On the 13, most websites actually render in their desktop version vs. their tablet/mobile design, which personally I find infinitely better.
 

Sowelu

macrumors 6502a
Aug 15, 2008
813
1,012
New York City
I am leaning towards the 11" M4 Pro due to the smaller size, but have two concerns:

  • Since it's more portable, it can easily be taken anywhere, but it's probably going to be too small for lap typing (which may look comical for someone as tall as I am at 6'3"). Not loving those shrunken keys on the side either.
  • Will Stage Manager work as well on the 11" versus the 13". In other words, is there enough desktop real-estate to properly see which opened apps you have minimized.

Clearly, I've not had the chance to go to the Apple Store to check them out yet.
 
Last edited:

blen

macrumors regular
Sep 13, 2008
169
170
I am leaning towards the 11" M4 Pro due to the smaller size, but have two concerns:

Since it's more portable, it can easily be taken anywhere, but it's probably going to be too small for lap typing (which may look comical for someone as tall as I am at 6'3"). Not loving those shrunken keys on the side either.

Will Stage Manager work as well on the 11" versus the 13". In other words, is there enough desktop real-estate to properly see which opened apps you have minimized.

Clearly, I've not had the chance to go to the Apple Store to check them out yet.
Based on your size, 13 will likely be a winner for you!
 
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coachgq

macrumors 65816
Jun 16, 2009
1,011
2,005
I know there's some threads on this topic, and I've participated in them. I thought to write my reasons for why, after many days of going back and forth to the Apple Store and using the 13" M4 iPad Pro and the 11" M4 iPad Pro, I settled on the 13". I was actually close to decided on the 11" but I kept going back to the Apple Store and doing a bunch of things on each. Overall, I've spent several hours at the Apple Store testing both screen sizes. I also realize this is a personal choice, but for many it appears a very difficult choice. I hope my review helps people make a decision.
  • Everything is scaled smaller on the 11". Yes, that may be obvious to some, but that includes UI elements, icons on the homescreens, text in Google Search results, etc. You can try and make text larger in Settings but it's not consistent everywhere, and not all Apps will obey that... and icons aren't getting bigger either. Overall, scaled down content causes much more pinching and zooming, which is time consuming and inefficient for the User.
  • There is less content on screen, and that also leads to more scrolling which is time consuming and wasteful for the User.
  • I tried the "More Content" setting on the 11" to try and fit more on the screen and that just further scaled everything down even smaller than it was to begin with. Text, UI elements, etc. were just too small for my liking.
  • The speakers are not as good on the 11" vs. the 13".
  • The drawing experience on the 11" with the Apple Pencil isn't as good as the 13" offers a larger canvas. I'm 6'2" and have decent sized hands so this is a factor, especially resting my hand on the screen while drawing. Less screen is covered up with my hand on the 13" when doing this and there is less scrolling around on the 13" to make room for more content in drawing apps compared to the 11".
  • As the 13" is now noticeably thinner and lighter than the previous iPad Pro, it makes a big difference when using it as a tablet. This was a pivotal deciding factor for me. I was able to hold it with one hand for several minutes while using the small onscreen keyboard with slide typing. I didn't feel fatigued, but with the old 12.9" iPad, I would have.
  • Typing with the MKB on the 13" is materially better than the 11". It's still good on the 11", but it's less cramped on the 13" as the 11" has some reduced size buttons and there is just a very small palmrest on the 11". The trackpad on the 11" is also smaller than the 13". The 13" feels very similar to a MacBook trackpad and keyboard which makes using the iPad in "laptop mode" quite good.
  • Multi-tasking with things like Stage Manager is hands down better on the 13" iPad compared to the 11" iPad. The increased screen real estate matters in this regard.
  • Being able to now hold the 13" in one hand for longer periods of time because of how thin and light it is and using the small keyboard with the other hand using slide typing won me over as well. I find that the full size keyboard in portrait orientation on the 13"... which is how I like to hold the tablet, is very awkward. But the small keyboard with one-handed slide typing works very well so this was also a deciding factor.
  • When the 11" and 13" are folded up in the MKB case, they are both very compact. I don't find the 13" that much less portable than an 11". Compared to my 16" MacBook Pro, the 13" iPad combined with MKB is extremely compact and travel-friendly.
I have a 16" MacBook Pro which is big and heavy and just sits on a desk plugged into monitors. I have a 15" M3 MacBook Air that I use on the couch and for personal business and travel. I have an iPhone Pro Max. So the idea that somehow because I have larger screened Apple devices I should opt for the 11" doesn't make sense. I want to use the iPad on a recliner to do long-form reading, some light work, art, some other content creation and travel with it when I can with the MKB. In the end, while the 11" is nice to hold in the hands, there are just too many compromises with it such that you can't cheat reality: all of the content and UI elements are scaled noticeably smaller than the 13" and that causes endless and repetitive pinching and zooming and scrolling which is much less necessary on the 13". Trying to fiddle with the 11" screen settings to make text larger, etc. is not consistent and a poor experience.

13" it is.

View attachment 2382951
Why do you have a MacBook Pro 16 just sitting on a desk when you could have an M2 pro Mac mining the same for half the price?
 
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erasr

macrumors 6502a
Sep 18, 2007
743
644
On the 13, most websites actually render in their desktop version vs. their tablet/mobile design, which personally I find infinitely better.
You mean P~rnHub?

Every website renders desktop on my 11”. I work in web design, I’m pretty switched on to this stuff!
 

TechnoMonk

macrumors 68030
Oct 15, 2022
2,603
4,109
I don’t get it. 11 inch is intended design by apple. If you go 13 inch you can rather get a laptop instead that can do much more. Except if you really need the pencil.
Laptop isn’t as portable as iPad Pro. I like top heavy screen of iPad Pro and ability to adjust the screen angle. The iPad Pro Display has been better than MBA. I have a 16 MBP and iPad Pro is perfect device for me.
 
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Kahnforever

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 20, 2024
218
260
Drawing and using a keyboard will be easier and nicer, agreed, but for browsing the web, watching video, YouTube, 13” is not massively better at all.

Websites render just fine in landscape on 11”. In fact, you gain nothing on 13” for this website except seeing more comments, but is that really a good thing, having more of the bright screen in your face?! My eyes already have massive screens to look at all day. Scrolling isn’t hard either.

Youtube, web, video are all glorious on the 11” more so because it’s portable and can be held in one hand.

Like I say, the keyboard and drawing element are definitely going to be easier on 13”. I personally don’t need those, I have the MKB for light work and that’s fine for me on 11”.

Where the 13” also shines is with productivity apps. I messed about with Garage band last night and do think that would be better with the 13”.

However, I’m off to the coffee shop soon, taking my 11” is ideal. I leave my 13” MBA on the desk at home.
For browsing the web, watching YouTube videos and the like the 13” IS massively better than the 11”. For instance, Google search result text is very small on the 11” causing me to pinch and zoom. I don’t hold iPads landscape very often either but in landscape everything is bigger on the 13” anyway.

Pinching and zooming and scrolling causes the user to have to waste time and energy, over and over. I will have to do that 1000s of time in a given year over the 13”. I did detailed testing on both and that will be a reality for me.

I can easily hold the new M4 iPad with one hand. Not as much with the old one, but the thinness and lightness enable that now.

There’s no cheating reality: everything is scaled smaller on an 11”. I realize the 11” can work for some people and that’s cool.
 
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