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hajime

macrumors G3
Original poster
Jul 23, 2007
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As far as I know, both 2017 versions have been upgraded with the same new technologies. Why most reviews are on the 10.5"? Is there anything special about it?
 
I'm not sure, but it could be because it is the new, more accessible size. When the 9.7" Pro came out, it had only 2GB of RAM (versus 4GB in the 12.9" Pro) and had an underclocked A9X (compared to the 12.9"). There was a lot less reason to buy the 9.7" Pro when it came out. The 10.5" Pro fixes all of the issues and brings feature and performance parity (minus the screen size and resolution) to the iPad Pro family. I think the 10.5" Pro will sell more because it is a more accessible size and that, and being the new size, just leads to more discussion.
 
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I tried the 12.9 last year and honestly it didn't work no matter how hard I wanted to like. The 9.7 was like the iPad air so I held off on buying an iPad. The 10.5 seems to be perfect. I think the new size makes others excited.
 
Apple is pushing the new size (most of the tech reviews got the 10.5") and for those who find the 12.9 too big, the 10.5" may very well be just right.

The Apple store I went to has the 10.5" front and center which is fine. I took one look at it and said if I'm going to spend this much money, I'll spend a little more on the 12.9".
 
If I am going to buy an iPad PRO (I already got the Galaxy Note PRO 12.2), I am going to use it as a big tablet for drawing and as a secondary screen. Thus, 12.9" would be better for my purpose.
 
10.5 will suit the needs of the majority. I debated the 12.9 but I know for my use it was just going to be too big.
No way I could hide it fast enough at work when the boss walks past.
 
I don't think the 12.9 inch was sent out to reviewers, and as Apple said the smaller size is the best selling
 
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I don't think the 12.9 inch was sent out to reviewers, and as Apple said the smaller size is the best selling

And others are not mentioning for more attention, the 10.5 has a cheaper starting price point. But I also agree the size is more popular as well Over the larger 12.9.
 
I got a 12.9 last year, even though I had smaller iPads in the past my vision just could not handle those without eye strain and headaches after awhile.

It was time to try the 10.5 since the 12.9 was a bit unweilding. Perfect so far as I used it all day yesterday with no issues. Maybe true tone hopes as well.
 
To be honest, the problem with the 12.9 is that its too small.

The 9.7/10.5 are the ideal size for a general use tablet. But a 12.9 tablet doesnt seem to have a large audience. It’s too big to be a “carry everywhere” device and its too small to be a “work at home” machine.

We have both the 12.9 and 9.7 iPad Pro in the family. I use the 9.7 all the time, but when at home then I love using the 12.9. But since I only use it at home then I do feel it would be more useful if it were a bit bigger.
 
If I am going to buy an iPad PRO (I already got the Galaxy Note PRO 12.2), I am going to use it as a big tablet for drawing and as a secondary screen. Thus, 12.9" would be better for my purpose.
I think you are taking the word "PRO" too literally. From Apple, I take "Pro" to mean 'so powerful that you could even use it as your sole computing device in a professional environment'. Many (most?) consumers are using these iPads as their personal devices for non business purposes but still want all of the bells and whistles that come with the Pro name and price tag but at a comfortable to hold size. I practically never use my iPad resting on any hard surface (table, desk, etc). I tried the 12.9'when it came out and it was absolutely a beautiful piece of machinery but I just couldn't comfortably hold and balance it with one hand while interacting with it with the other hand. Its nice that Apple gives us these size options so that each individual can decide what works best for them.
 
I am just the opposite. I just sold my 9.7 when I turn on the 12.9 iPad and was immediately gratified all the text being better for my eyes, and I could have more content on the screen. I don't hold the 12.9 iPad, I have it on a tablet station so the weight nor the size doesn't bother me. Will not go back to a smaller screen again. Course everybody it's a little bit different.
 
So, I'm generally a fan of the bigger the screen, the better. I had a Surface Pro 4 for the longest time (recently sold it due to my company policy of no BYOC anymore...), and went to an iPad Pro 12.9 (BYOD for iOS / Android devices IS supported).

I tend to carry a ton of media with me, and I've always liked the 12.9 IPP, and I popped into my local Apple Store this morning thinking I might swap my 1st Gen 12.9 for the new 12.9 with 512GB. However, after playing around with a 10.5 IPP side by side with the new 12.9 IPP, I changed directions and bought the 10.5 IPP. I've got two weeks to figure out which one I actually prefer on a day to day basis, but the significantly lighter weight of the 10.5 was a big factor for me, as well as the fact that the 10.5 and 12.9 are now on equal performance terms (both 4 GB RAM, no underclocked CPUs, etc). Both screens are beautiful, and while the smaller bezels on the 10.5 are great, I have never found the bezels on the 12.9 to be intrusive by any means.

I do love my 12.9 IPP, but it's a little cumbersome to drag around everywhere, and I tend to use my tablets as tablets, rather than laptops (no keyboard cases / BT keyboards for either for me).

I was completely prepared to stay the course on the 12.9....but the 10.5 in the store really won me over.



Patrick
 
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So, I'm generally a fan of the bigger the screen, the better. I had a Surface Pro 4 for the longest time (recently sold it due to my company policy of no BYOC anymore...), and went to an iPad Pro 12.9 (BYOD for iOS / Android devices IS supported).
Patrick

How is the the 2017 12.9" and 10.5" iPAD PRO compared with the SP4 in terms of comfortable in typing on the laps while in public transportation? I think there are new cases for the 2017 iPad PRO.
 
How is the the 2017 12.9" and 10.5" iPAD PRO compared with the SP4 in terms of comfortable in typing on the laps while in public transportation? I think there are new cases for the 2017 iPad PRO.

Well, I don't ever take public transit, so I can't comment on that too much. When comparing using any of the devices while sitting down, my preferred gear was the SP4. With the kickstand all the way back, it was pretty comfortable typing on it using the on-screen keyboard. With the 12.9 IPP, I found that it would slip off it's magnetic connection to the Smart Cover, and holding it, even with two hands, made for a somewhat unwieldly process. That is one of the things I much prefer about the 10.5 IPP, is that it's lighter weight makes it easier to type on while holding it.

However, I much prefer the true, full sized virtual keyboard (with number keys!) on the 12.9 IPP vs the number-keyless version on the 10.5 IPP. With the SP4, I could choose whether to use the full-sized virtual keyboard or the number-keyless version of the keyboard.

It's my first day with the 10.5 IPP, so it's still early on in the testing (though I've had several 9.7" iPads before this as well).



Patrick
 
Well, I don't ever take public transit, so I can't comment on that too much. When comparing using any of the devices while sitting down, my preferred gear was the SP4. With the kickstand all the way back, it was pretty comfortable typing on it using the on-screen keyboard. With the 12.9 IPP, I found that it would slip off it's magnetic connection to the Smart Cover, and holding it, even with two hands, made for a somewhat unwieldly process. That is one of the things I much prefer about the 10.5 IPP, is that it's lighter weight makes it easier to type on while holding it.

However, I much prefer the true, full sized virtual keyboard (with number keys!) on the 12.9 IPP vs the number-keyless version on the 10.5 IPP. With the SP4, I could choose whether to use the full-sized virtual keyboard or the number-keyless version of the keyboard.

It's my first day with the 10.5 IPP, so it's still early on in the testing (though I've had several 9.7" iPads before this as well).



Patrick

Hi Patrick, thanks for your opinion. Please get back to us with your experience.

I found the virtual keyboard on my Galaxy Note PRO 12.2 excellent to type on. With Android, I could use other types of virtual keyboards as well.
 
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