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

[Surfsalot]

Anyone saying video is not bigger on the 13" must be due for glasses lol
Forget the bars they are pitch black, look at de picture size.

 

[nawoo]

Same with video. the 13” just has bigger black bars on top & bottom while the video is basically the same size as played on the 11”.

LOL

 

[blen]

More Space solved that issue for me. At least I get desktop versions in landscape mode. The only time I use 9.7”+ iPads in portrait is when reading comics.

I’m used to the iPad mini so the smaller UI elements when using More Space don’t bother me at all. No need to pinch and zoom.

You should see the 13 in more space mode…

 

[richard371]

You should see the 13 in more space mode…

Tried that when I had the 11. Too small for me.

 

[Surfsalot]

Tried that when I had the 11. Too small for me.

yeah I can't use it on my M1 11"

 

[madat42]

Tips for 11" users:
- Stage Manager + "More Space" + increase Text Size one notch + Safari Page Zoom at 115%.
- Turn on Zoom in Accessibility and turn on Use Keystrokes to allow zooming in one notch while watching video. Makes the video bigger and decreases the black bars. You lose some content on the sides but worth it.

 

[millydog]

I’ve gone with the 13”. I was very tempted by the 11” though, but I already had both sizes (M1 12.9” and M2 11”) and found myself using the 12.9” almost all of the time. Now that the 13” is lighter, it will be even easier to use.
Below are a couple of alternative ways that I watch video on my 13”. I watch in PIP mode while on MacRumors or while playing a game (relaxing games like Family Island). The 13” provides more screen area and larger video for PIP mode while multitasking.
I have no trouble using the 13” in my recliner, desk or bed. I only have the Smart Folio and Pencil Pro so far, but plan on buying the Magic Keyboard shortly.

 

[Kahnforever]

I have 14” M3 MBP, and went with the 13” M4 iPad Pro.

I had my doubts coming from the heavy 2020 12.9”, but assuming Apple keeps a similar weight and form factor as this new M4, I can confidently say I will never again entertain going down to 11”.


From my experience, the 11” feels cramped, even in light web/video browsing usage. It doesn’t have the gravitas of the “can do everything” 13” form factor.

Why do I need a 13” iPad with a 14” laptop? I’d prefer to travel with the iPad more often.

My laptop has turned into a 95% docked into dual Studio Display set up. I was going to get a Mac Studio but the M3 MBP is so powerful that it’s no longer necessary.

Simply put, I’m shifting toward mobile. iPhone 15 Pro Max as EDC, 13” M4 iPad as the on-the-go play machine and workhorse, and 14” M3 MBP for occasional work travel and primarily docked desktop.

All of this said, can I understand someone who comes to a completely different conclusion and chooses the 11”? Absolutely! To each their own! Both are fantastic choices.

Sick!!!!!

 

[Kahnforever]

So everything is larger on the 13" screen? Wow thanks OP, I never would have figured this one out without doing some deep research on this complex topic.

So much so you took time out of your successful life to comment on this thread.

 

[Isamilis]

I’ve gone with the 13”. I was very tempted by the 11” though, but I already had both sizes (M1 12.9” and M2 11”) and found myself using the 12.9” almost all of the time. Now that the 13” is lighter, it will be even easier to use.
Below are a couple of alternative ways that I watch video on my 13”. I watch in PIP mode while on MacRumors or while playing a game (relaxing games like Family Island). The 13” provides more screen area and larger video for PIP mode while multitasking.
I have no trouble using the 13” in my recliner, desk or bed. I only have the Smart Folio and Pencil Pro so far, but plan on buying the Magic Keyboard shortly.

View attachment 2383451
View attachment 2383452

If I frequently use and have concerns on multiple window / split, 13” is better. Other than that, in my use case, I didn’t see worthwhile sacrificing the mobility of 11”

 

[garethjs]

Anyone saying video is not bigger on the 13" must be due for glasses lol
Forget the bars they are pitch black, look at de picture size.

Is it 25% bigger though? That is the screen real estate diffference between the 13” and the 11” I think

 

[Surfsalot]

Is it 25% bigger though? That is the screen real estate diffference between the 13” and the 11” I think

Wouldn't be 25% Gareth from whirlpool
But is bigger. Tried them in HN yesterday.
Go back a page there is a photo of both.

 

[millydog]

If I frequently use and have concerns on multiple window / split, 13” is better. Other than that, in my use case, I didn’t see worthwhile sacrificing the mobility of 11”

Yes, I agree. I had the same thoughts. I think that I could’ve gone for either size, personally. I was tempted to get the 11” for portability, but as I mostly already used my 12.9” and that was my older device, I decided to upgrade that one this time. I still have my M2 11” and depending on how I go, I might upgrade that one next time. I’m not planning on upgrading now for 4.5 years though.

 

[Surfsalot]

Would like to see a poll on what size people got that don't use a keyboard or pencil ever.
Just a folio or other similar case and finger lol

 

[richard371]

Would like to see a poll on what size people got that don't use a keyboard or pencil ever.
Just a folio or other similar case and finger lol

Even though they both have OLED screens now it would still be skewed since the 13 is $300 more. If they were the same price it would be a more accurate poll.

 

[Devyn89]

I’m pretty sure I’ll be sticking with the 13”. I tried the 11” and I loved it, fantastic as a notebook and reading things on the go. The 13” though is just stunning looking, and reading the Darth Vader comics (finally) is a joy, especially with the weight reduction.

 

[erasr]

I’ve been loving the 11” ‘throwing’ it around the house this week. I’m using it more portably, like on the dinner table if I’m eating on my own, or with the MKB in bed, or holding it in one hand for a good hour earlier on the sofa.

I think overall I feel this wouldn’t be as easy with the 13”. Don’t get me wrong, extra screen is sexy but the iPad is best when moved around, portable, maneuvrable.

Reading with one hand is bliss.

 

[DeepSix]

Mini is the real iPad for size and portability. Otherwise wait and hope Apple comes out with a 27" ipad next

 

[Greenmeenie]

On the desktop, that's true. But apps do take advantage of the extra space. Like the calendar app, in month mode, the squares are bigger and show more text. The email app shows more emails in the left hand column without scrolling. Things like that. Also the video is bigger on the 13. Not a huge amount, but it is bigger.

Sure, but not as BIG a difference as you’d expect. For most people it seems that the 13” is more of a laptop replacement… but for me the 11” is the perfect size for a tablet. And also for me, it has replaced my laptop for all my content creation & media consumption needs. I just find the 11” iPad Pro the better size.

 

[frost_horizon]

I bought 11" M2, but sold it after a few months. I found that MacBook Pro 14" + Kindle Scribe give me much more. If Amazon will release Kindle Scribe with Colored E-Ink, it will be an insta buy for me. But I don’t think I will ever buy iPad again. Not until Apple fix iPadOS at least. It is broken in so many places.

 

[sleeptodream]

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.

View attachment 2382951

You could’ve just left it at “I’m 6’2” and have really big hands”

 

[nxt3]

I was in-between on the sizing too. Went to an Apple Store and landed on the 11". In my time at the store, holding the 13" with one hand left my hand feeling cramped after 5-10min. Not to mention, if you're using it as a tablet, there is a larger distance your fingers need to travel to hit certain UI elements. On the 11", I found I was able to use my thumbs more often--but on the 13", I was needing to hold the iPad with one hand, and use my other hand's index finger to reach things. This affected things like typing--which I found easier on the smaller of the two.

If you're someone who plans to use the iPad via a keyboard/mouse and are in the camp of "the iPad needs to replace my laptop", the 13" makes a lot of since with the extra screen real estate, no doubt.

For my usage, I planned on using the iPad purely as a tablet: sending iMessages, browsing the internet, and using my existing iOS apps on a larger display. The 11" felt perfect for that, even if the 13" is more practical for productivity. My longer-term plans involved using this iPad as a means to remote into a Mac Mini and get my fix for "laptop replacement" that way.

Regardless of what choice you make, it seems like a great device. Can't go wrong with either one--get what suits your needs.

Crossposting from another thread.

 

[racostaf]

 

[Rangers94]

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

What comics do you read? Do you d’load them from the app store? Sounds like something I may be interested in. Thx!

 

[Rafterman]

I have a 13, with the idea of getting the new Mini 7 later this year too.