All iPads WWYD for portability in this situation?

[ssledoux]

I have an iPP 12.9 I use for my main device. Yes, it’s portable, but not really portable enough to just throw in a bag and take with me on weekend trips. I’ve been traveling a lot due to regular visits with a close cousin who had a massive stroke some months back, and I feel like the 12.9 with MK is just a bit much.

Would you go iPad mini, or base iPad if you wanted something to throw in your bag on trips? I have an iPhone 14 pro, but it’s really just not enough to use for days.

Not sure I’ll do anything, but just thinking about it, and wanted some thoughts.

 

[alFR]

What do you do on the iPad when you're away? And what's the main reason you don't feel the phone is enough? Screen real estate? App availability? Something else?

 

[MajorFubar]

I tend to buy just non-pro iPads, so currently that would be an iPad 10 or Air. If I'm going to struggle lugging something as big as a 12.9" iPad Pro around, I may as well take that extra step and lug my Macbook Air, which buries it in the ground for any uses that are not touch-centric. So yeah, smaller form-factor for me. Though not phone-small.

 

[sparksd]

I have the M1 12.9 and a 14 Pro Max and got the cellular Mini 6 as my portable device when I want more than the phone - works great.

 

[Toutou]

The Mini is obviously more portable, and a great device, as long as you don’t need a laptop-like experience with a physical keyboard.

 

[Richard8655]

I have a Mini (as above) for any travel outside the home. Small and lightweight enough to pop in a backpack and discreet enough for an hour long ride on the local commuter train.

 

[rui no onna]

While I’m usually a big fan of the $300 iPad, I recommend considering either the M1 Air 5 or Pro 11.

With the new More Space zoom option (M-series chipsets only), these give you around the same screen real estate as the 12.9” default zoom with a noticeably smaller footprint.

Air 5 More Space


Pro 12.9 Default
​

 

[EastHillWill]

What do you do on the iPad when you're away? And what's the main reason you don't feel the phone is enough? Screen real estate? App availability? Something else?

In addition to these questions, do you want to use a keyboard with this device?

 

[sparksd]

The Mini is obviously more portable, and a great device, as long as you don’t need a laptop-like experience with a physical keyboard.

If I think I'm going to want to use a keyboard with mine, this folding one is ultra-portable -

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0799LKCLJ

 

[cthompson94]

I do have the 12.9 and mini and I will say that the mini is really nice in the hand, but the battery life on the mini isn't really that good especially if you will be using cellular and the screen can be difficult to see in sunlight (if you will be in areas that are bright)

 

[ssledoux]

To answer most of the questions, it would mainly be for more screen real estate than my phone, and though I do use my keyboard sometimes on my pro when traveling, it’s not a necessity I don’t think. I wouldn’t invest in the keyboard for the base iPad I don’t think - just too redundant, and brings the cost up a bit much for a travel device.

Reading just isn’t good on the phone, and though I know a Kindle would be better for that, I’d prefer to buy something that would have other functions for me.

 

[BhaveshUK]

To answer most of the questions, it would mainly be for more screen real estate than my phone, and though I do use my keyboard sometimes on my pro when traveling, it’s not a necessity I don’t think. I wouldn’t invest in the keyboard for the base iPad I don’t think - just too redundant, and brings the cost up a bit much for a travel device.

Reading just isn’t good on the phone, and though I know a Kindle would be better for that, I’d prefer to buy something that would have other functions for me.

I’d save as much money as possible and get the iPad 9th generation (or a preowned iPad Air in similar price bracket) given this is a device you’re planning to “throw in a bag”.

 

[sparksd]

To answer most of the questions, it would mainly be for more screen real estate than my phone, and though I do use my keyboard sometimes on my pro when traveling, it’s not a necessity I don’t think. I wouldn’t invest in the keyboard for the base iPad I don’t think - just too redundant, and brings the cost up a bit much for a travel device.

Reading just isn’t good on the phone, and though I know a Kindle would be better for that, I’d prefer to buy something that would have other functions for me.

I also have a Kindle Oasis and I rarely use it, preferring the Mini 6. Also, the small keyboard I linked to above is only $29.

 

[VaruLV]

9th gen iPad when on sale, iPad Mini 6 when on sale or iPad Air 5th gen, when on sale.

Depending on where you live that is.

 

[rui no onna]

To answer most of the questions, it would mainly be for more screen real estate than my phone, and though I do use my keyboard sometimes on my pro when traveling, it’s not a necessity I don’t think. I wouldn’t invest in the keyboard for the base iPad I don’t think - just too redundant, and brings the cost up a bit much for a travel device.

Reading just isn’t good on the phone, and though I know a Kindle would be better for that, I’d prefer to buy something that would have other functions for me.

For portrait reading, the iPad mini is great.

For general use, I find the 10-11” iPads are a bit more flexible.

On 10-11”, you can read in portrait with either bigger font sizes and have the same amount of content, or you can get more content at the same font size. You can also read in 2-page/column landscape mode which is similar to have 2 iPad minis side by side.

Web browsing, I usually find easier to do on 9.7” or bigger, too. Occasionally, I’d encounter layout issues using the iPad mini even on sites like Amazon or ebay. The wider aspect ratio of the mini makes it feel cramped when switching to landscape.

 

[FeliApple]

While I’m usually a big fan of the $300 iPad, I recommend considering either the M1 Air 5 or Pro 11.

With the new More Space zoom option (M-series chipsets only), these give you around the same screen real estate as the 12.9” default zoom with a noticeably smaller footprint.

Air 5 More Space
View attachment 2107382

Pro 12.9 Default
View attachment 2107381​

I’m the first person to defend not updating iOS, but there are some occasions in which I think “I wish Apple
guaranteed performance and battery life so I can update without concern”. That looks so cool! I wish I could have it on my Air 5.

 

[ssledoux]

For portrait reading, the iPad mini is great.

For general use, I find the 10-11” iPads are a bit more flexible.

On 10-11”, you can read in portrait with either bigger font sizes and have the same amount of content, or you can get more content at the same font size. You can also read in 2-page/column landscape mode which is similar to have 2 iPad minis side by side.

Web browsing, I usually find easier to do on 9.7” or bigger, too. Occasionally, I’d encounter layout issues using the iPad mini even on sites like Amazon or ebay. The wider aspect ratio of the mini makes it feel cramped when switching to landscape.

Well I had an 11” pro before my 12.9, and sometimes regret going bigger, just because I feel like 2 devices is overkill, and the 11” was so portable. I know I won’t spring for another pro because I definitely think that is more than I need for this situation. I mean truthfully any of it is, but it would be so much more convenient.

 

[rui no onna]

Well I had an 11” pro before my 12.9, and sometimes regret going bigger, just because I feel like 2 devices is overkill, and the 11” was so portable. I know I won’t spring for another pro because I definitely think that is more than I need for this situation. I mean truthfully any of it is, but it would be so much more convenient.

You don’t need to get the 11” Pro. The 10.9” Air 5 gives you all the same software features available on the M1 Pro 11”.

The 10.2-10.9” base iPads offer most of the benefits I mentioned earlier. Only thing you’d really be missing is More Space (pretty much a 12.9” desktop shrunken down to fit 10.9-11”).

Alas, the choice between the mini or something more medium-sized is entirely subjective. In your situation, I would choose to bring something medium-sized.

You can buy both sizes to try. We’re at holiday return period now anyway so you’ve got 2 months to decide which to keep.

 

[riverfreak]

I have an iPP 12.9 I use for my main device. Yes, it’s portable, but not really portable enough to just throw in a bag and take with me on weekend trips. I’ve been traveling a lot due to regular visits with a close cousin who had a massive stroke some months back, and I feel like the 12.9 with MK is just a bit much.

Would you go iPad mini, or base iPad if you wanted something to throw in your bag on trips? I have an iPhone 14 pro, but it’s really just not enough to use for days.

Not sure I’ll do anything, but just thinking about it, and wanted some thoughts.

I have the same 12.9” iPad.

Maybe ditch the Magic Keyboard and get the regular simple folio case. It makes the whole package so much lighter and more compact. The MK is a beast.

 

[CMoore515]

I'm actually going through this in my own situation. Have a 12.9" but based on traveling and portability I could use something smaller when I want 'just' a tablet. I've contemplated buying a case to use instead of MK, or buying a mini or Air. (Currently on sale at Best Buy in my area)

I don't know what I'll do. Lol

 

[LibbyLA]

Walmart has had the Air 4 64G on sale for $349 for a couple of days. They’re out of stock but an article I read claims that they’re supposed to be restocking at 7 PM Eastern Monday, Nov. 7. The 256G is still available at $499, or was when I looked this morning.

Amazon has had the iPad gen 9 for $299. Had it for $269 and my purchase didn’t go through TWICE.

 

[tekchic]

I went from 11" Pro 2018 to the M2 Pro and I'm keeping my 11" for travel/portability/treadmill, etc. At the point it starts getting too old in another maybe 3-4 years, I'll probably pick up a Mini for traveling, especially since it now supports the Pencil, so I could still sketch on the go.

I do love having gone back to the 12.9" screen size (I had the original 12.9), but it's not as convenient on an airplane / in a bag, etc.

 

[MisterSavage]

In your scenario I'd go with the regular iPad because I travel with my 11" and I'd want the bigger screen size.

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

I’d go with a regular iPad or Air.

Funnily enough, I’m sort of thinking about a Pro because I find myself wanting a little more screen real estate. But I only recently bought the M1 iPad Air so I feel like I can’t really justify it, and I wouldn’t want to sell the Air because it is a very comfortable size overall.

 

[rkuo]

iPad mini: more efficient consumption/browsing as compared to a phone. Still portrait mode.

iPad air: This plus a keyboard if you plan on e-mailing a lot, taking notes, or you need to multitask a bit (browse and watch youtube at the same time, use iMessage, etc)

Don’t see the point in an iPad Pro 11 for the stated use cases.

Given you don’t seem too interested in a keyboard for this, the iPad Mini seems the solid choice. It’s also easy to get on sale for 399 right now.