iPad Pro Why I Went for the 13" M4 iPad Pro vs the 11" M4 iPad Pro

[Kahnforever]

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.

Glad you made a decision that works for you.

 

[Kahnforever]

On the 13, most websites actually render in their desktop version vs. their tablet/mobile design, which personally I find infinitely better.

Yep, I noticed that too. That is a big deal and I updated my original post.

 

[Kahnforever]

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.

Stage Manager works on the 11” but is not great. All Windows in Stage Manager are scaled smaller and overlapping, not full screen. So it’s just a worse experience than the 13”.

 

[Kahnforever]

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?

Because:

1. I like having a laptop screen in the centre and monitors directly above.
2. I rest my thumbs on the trackpad and type with my fingers. Nothing is as fast as this so a laptop is needed. I know there is some hacked laptop like keyboard base solutions but nothing from Apple.

 

[leifp]

Feel a bit silly posting my analysis in its own fora as this would have been a good place for it.

I’m still not sold on replacing my existing M2 12.9” iPP but having spent some time with all of the M4 models I can categorically say that they’re a joy to behold and to use and I’ll wait on WWDC before deciding whether I’ll replace my present iPad with one. Not certain on size ($400 CAD is a lot of change for 2”) but the 13” M4 is already substantially less awkward to hold one handed than the 12.9” is…

 

[Aka757]

Feel a bit silly posting my analysis in its own fora as this would have been a good place for it.

I’m still not sold on replacing my existing M2 12.9” iPP but having spent some time with all of the M4 models I can categorically say that they’re a joy to behold and to use and I’ll wait on WWDC before deciding whether I’ll replace my present iPad with one. Not certain on size ($400 CAD is a lot of change for 2”) but the 13” M4 is already substantially less awkward to hold one handed than the 12.9” is…

If you do end up getting the M4, are you going to go with the nano texture option? I saw in your other post that you really liked the matte display, although it has much longer lead times.

 

[jazz1]

Feel a bit silly posting my analysis in its own fora as this would have been a good place for it.

I’m still not sold on replacing my existing M2 12.9” iPP but having spent some time with all of the M4 models I can categorically say that they’re a joy to behold and to use and I’ll wait on WWDC before deciding whether I’ll replace my present iPad with one. Not certain on size ($400 CAD is a lot of change for 2”) but the 13” M4 is already substantially less awkward to hold one handed than the 12.9” is…

I do love my M4 iPad Pro 13" and Magic Keyboard vs. my old M1 iPad rig. But, I'm not holding my breath regarding WWDC and potential iOS upgrades to take advantage of the new hardware.

Truly, I'm not being sarcastic at all. This time around I have managed to keep my future iOS expectations in check. Meaning I'm glad I upgraded from the M1 to the M4 iPad prior to WWDC. If Apple and developers do indeed upgrade iOS that will be "the frosting on the cake" as far as I'm am concerned.

I'm sure many people will take the wiser route and wait for WWDC to make an M4 iPad purchase. But even then won't it take time for developers to release new application features?

 

[Isengardtom]

Stage Manager works on the 11” but is not great. All Windows in Stage Manager are scaled smaller and overlapping, not full screen. So it’s just a worse experience than the 13”.

To be fair I think Stage manager is good for external displays but for tablet use I prefer the Split View with the shelf and everything

 

[Rafterman]

The biggest advantage of the 11 used to be weight, But now, .98 vs 1.28 lbs, the weight difference with the M4 is negligible.

 

[blen]

And with the keyboard the 13 combo is the weight of a MacBook Air, only ~0.4lbs heavier than 11 with keyboard.

 

[leifp]

If you do end up getting the M4, are you going to go with the nano texture option? I saw in your other post that you really liked the matte display, although it has much longer lead times.

I’m going to play around more with it over the coming weeks and we’ll see if I’m comfortable with that. I’m nervous it will not take kindly to cleaning, and once soiled… the lead time is less of an issue. My M2 is just fine…

 

[leifp]

I do love my M4 iPad Pro 13" and Magic Keyboard vs. my old M1 iPad rig. But, I'm not holding my breath regarding WWDC and potential iOS upgrades to take advantage of the new hardware.

Truly, I'm not being sarcastic at all. This time around I have managed to keep my future iOS expectations in check. Meaning I'm glad I upgraded from the M1 to the M4 iPad prior to WWDC. If Apple and developers do indeed upgrade iOS that will be "the frosting on the cake" as far as I'm am concerned.

I'm sure many people will take the wiser route and wait for WWDC to make an M4 iPad purchase. But even then won't it take time for developers to release new application features?

Yeah. I really don’t need to upgrade and should resist for a few more years/generations but the screen and the size/weight reductions are huge improvements to me…

 

[erasr]

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.

You’ve listed one website, Google, but there’s also tons of websites that are better on 11”. For instance, Instagram. Portrait mode.

It’s also lighter and easier to hold in one hand, which makes it even nicer for browsing. Like a book.

It’s easier to swap to landscape on 11”. One handed too!

Not sure I’d fancy holding my M2 MBA screen (that’s the same size) and moving it around the house without worrying about all that glass.

 

[The Game 161]

went bigger as I just prefer the biggest possible screens

15 pro max
13 inch iPad pro
16 inch MacBook Pro

 

[Surfsalot]

It beats sitting in my home office every hour of the day!

I love a little trip to my local coffee shop, take my iPad, log into Teams, relax!

Why wouldn’t you take it?

Cause if i go it's to get away from work lol
I have a home office too.

 

[Kahnforever]

You’ve listed one website, Google, but there’s also tons of websites that are better on 11”. For instance, Instagram. Portrait mode.

It’s also lighter and easier to hold in one hand, which makes it even nicer for browsing. Like a book.

It’s easier to swap to landscape on 11”. One handed too!

Not sure I’d fancy holding my M2 MBA screen (that’s the same size) and moving it around the house without worrying about all that glass.

There are indeed tons of Websites, and I visited them on the 11” in my testing. More Websites present as mobile on the 11” iPad vs the 13”. It is a smaller screen and some breakpoints are at that size. In my testing, no Websites presented as mobile on the 13” and about 20% did on the 11”.

You’re stating things as facts that aren’t. Instagram is not better on the Web on the 11” vs 13”, not in my experience.

The 11” is lighter and easier to hold in one hand vs the 13”, but that gap has now narrowed. This is a significant deciding factor for me: I could use the 13” in one hand for several minutes at a time without issue, so for me, this is moot.

I have no issues swapping to landscape on the 13”. Not an issue at all for me and I don’t even notice anything easier doing it with either size.

 

[Surfsalot]

I use my iPad M1 11" with folio case lying on my back in bed at night and early morning, can hold it one handed.
OP can you do that with the 13" M4?

 

[blen]

I use my iPad M1 11" with folio case lying on my back in bed at night and early morning, can hold it one handed.
OP can you do that with the 13" M4?

Get out of bed…and use a 13”

 

[garethjs]

I have a 15 pro max. Reason better camera and battery than the 15 pro

I have a 14” m3 MacBook Pro because it’s power and portable

I just got a 11” because again portability and arguably now better battery than the 13”

I have a 27” studio display paired to that MacBook cause i don’t need this to be portable so bigger is better

I suppose just because you have gotten large devices doesn’t mean the iPad has to be a 13”

I have the 11” set to more space and font set to small and have no issues reading emails. On the 13” with font set to small I couldn’t read emails that easily

Interestingly enough more and more 11” reviews online versus the 13”

 

[nawoo]

You’ve listed one website, Google, but there’s also tons of websites that are better on 11”. For instance, Instagram. Portrait mode.

It’s also lighter and easier to hold in one hand, which makes it even nicer for browsing. Like a book.

It’s easier to swap to landscape on 11”. One handed too!

Not sure I’d fancy holding my M2 MBA screen (that’s the same size) and moving it around the house without worrying about all that glass.

Doesnt instagram suck on the ipad? Its basically just the tiny iphone version. there's no ipad version of it

 

[Kahnforever]

I use my iPad M1 11" with folio case lying on my back in bed at night and early morning, can hold it one handed.
OP can you do that with the 13" M4?

Not as easily, but I do not use it like that.

 

[ThailandToo]

Explains a lot

I have a friend who is a little taller than that. And I am 5’11”. My friend acts like oh a Toyota Tacoma truck would make sense for me but not for him as he’s so big. He has a big Dodge Ram. Meanwhile, half the time he drives his wife’s car which is a little BMW because he can’t afford the fuel to drive his Dodge Ram around. I tell him I am miserable riding in that BMW as it’s too small. And he would say get over it.

Love it when people think they’re so much bigger and it’s not like Shaq is there at 350+lbs and 7’ tall. I am like yeah you’re three inches taller and you think you need everything bigger. Haha.

I think to each their own and we leave it at that. We don’t need to be ridiculous or justify anything based on something that really doesn’t affect the situation much at all. 5% taller than average and needs a 13” iPad. Haha.

 

[Surfsalot]

I just use 3 x 11" best of everything.

 

[Isengardtom]

I use my iPad M1 11" with folio case lying on my back in bed at night and early morning, can hold it one handed.
OP can you do that with the 13" M4?

In bed, I rest my 13” on my belly and the new one can be held more easily with one hand for a while

 

[Dolmio]

I have a 15 pro max. Reason better camera and battery than the 15 pro

I have a 14” m3 MacBook Pro because it’s power and portable

I just got a 11” because again portability and arguably now better battery than the 13”

I have a 27” studio display paired to that MacBook cause i don’t need this to be portable so bigger is better

I suppose just because you have gotten large devices doesn’t mean the iPad has to be a 13”

I have the 11” set to more space and font set to small and have no issues reading emails. On the 13” with font set to small I couldn’t read emails that easily

Interestingly enough more and more 11” reviews online versus the 13”

I have exactly the same set up as you iPhone 15 pro max , MacBook Pro 14 inch and now the iPad 11 inch M4

I think pretty much the same as I had the 2018 12.9 iPad Pro but to be honest with the MacBook Pro 14 inch I tended not to use it at all now I’ve flipped to an 11 inch I use it all the time on the sofa , in bed, as a device for the coffee shop and if I need to multi task the MacBook Pro is there so I guess with a lot of these things just depends on your set up .

If you want just one device ie you don’t have a laptop and maybe you just have a desktop possibly the 13 inch is more versatile ( trade off with true usage as an iPad )

If you have a laptop already probably the 11 inch would make more sense as you get an ideal iPad size for use as an iPad plus the ability to use as a mini laptop for light work as required with out having to carry much and knowing you can use anywhere for example emails , ms teams calls , movie watch etc

I’m loving the 11 inch iPad Pro