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Ghost31

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jun 9, 2015
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I’ve had the 12.9 first gen and now the 2nd gen and as much as I’ve loved it ever since it came in 2015, I’ve gotten to the point where i feel like its a pain in the butt to take it out sometimes and use it. Most times when i wanna use it, i really really have to justify it like “how long am i gonna use it for and for what. Will i be watching Netflix on it for more than a half hour? Or browsing for a longtime? If not, just use iPhone” and thats what I’ve done and its gotten me thinking if i had a smaller size ala 10.5 (or the new rumored 11incher in June) i might be more inclined to use it more.

Even without knowing anything, whatever new iPads come, I’m gonna step down a size and see how it feels and go from there. What about you guys? What do you have and what’ll be your next one?
 
I've got an Air, and I kinda feel the opposite of you. Even if my iPad is right next to me, I often think "Noah. Too small to really enjoy this or that... I'll go get my MacBook instead", or go to iMac, etc. Even for simple things I usually go to a bigger device, or like you, my phone, because the iPad isn't big enough to be what I go to for comfort, or small enough that it's what I go to for ease. So I end up mostly using it as a bedtime podcast-player. In the far future when I decide to get another one, I'll take it as big as I can get it, so I have something that I'll enjoy consuming content on more. Ït'll never become my productivity choice though. At least I doubt it
 
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I have 12.9 and Air 2. And I'm looking to upgrade the Air 2 whenever they announce the new iPad pro 10.5 or equivalent. The 12.9 is my laptop essentially, but lighter and with some additional functionality for my purposes, whereas the Air 2 gets used more like a tablet typically would.
 
I used to have an Air, but I was using it less and less after I stopped eating lunch at work and watching TV on it on my break. At home I had to pretty much force myself to use it because I found the size unwieldy (admittedly, it was made much bulkier by its Otterbox Defender case).

Now I have a mini 4 and I love the size. It has a slimmer case (Speck folio case) and the design itself suits me perfectly.

If they someday make another mini, I’ll be all over it. Otherwise, I hope there’s a good alternative. Something smaller than the 9.7 or 10.5, but a tiny bit larger than the mini might be okay. If not, I’d just have to get the smallest Pro with a slim case.
 
I have a 12.9 and a mini. I use the 12.9 almost exclusively for creation/productivity and for that I’ve found the size perfect. The mini is my go-to casual consumption device at home (mostly reading), and for that the size is good but I often wish it was smaller so that I could grasp it in one hand comfortably. (Unfortunately, I despise large phones. They’re too large when I’m out and about and too small when I’m home.) For watching shows and movies, at home I prefer using a tv, and I don’t watch videos when I’m out.
 
I just recently went from 10,5 to 12,9. Both of them are large and heavy devices. Before I had a mini 4 and that was the only really portable device in my opinon.
 
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Properly the rumoured 11 inch iPad

Was going to sell my MacBook Pro and go for 10.5 and 12.9 but think a 11 inch iPad Pro and MacBook Pro might be a better option
 
I only really use my iPad as a consumption device, so I'd get a mini or mid-sized iPad. I prefer the mini.
I'd only get a 12.9 if I wanted to replace my laptop, which is unlikely.
 
I got an Air 2. I will upgrade to a ~10" Pro when it comes down significantly in price or when the base iPad matches the features of the current Pro. I want pencil support, but not at the current prices. I have no need for the ~13" model.
 
I've got the 10.5 and I love it, but I will get the next big one (preferably bezel free(ish) and the same body size as the current 12.9) if/when it's released. Every day I walk past a 12.9 that's on display right near the door of a phone shop, and every day I sigh and wish I had one. I use my iPad mainly for drawing and for work (I scan textbook pages so I don't have to carry the books each time) and would really appreciate the extra screen estate.

I think the key for portability is finding a bag that works for you. I loved my Mini 2 and quite liked my 9.7 pro (although I traded it in without a second's hesitation to get the 10.5) but rarely took either of them out because I hadn't really sorted out how to carry them comfortably. I got a wonderful bag for my 10.5 and I happily take it out all the time. Being aware of the difference that makes, I've scoped out potential bags for the larger size so I'll be ready.

Taking into account how much people seem to be torn between the 10.5 and the 12.9, I'm thinking about keeping my 10.5 for a while after getting the next release of the largest iPad, just in case... I really love it though, so may keep it as an out and about device and the larger one for at home.
 
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I have the first model 12.9. I love it, but it's too big and heavy for what I do most on it (read books in bed). I'll be looking for something lighter, but not too much smaller. These old eyes aren't getting any younger.
 
I’d buy another mini instantly.

As for my next pro, I’ve always wanted to get the 12.9” one but the weight and physical size has always put me off. For now I’ll stick to my 10.5” pro but if/when they find a way to get the 12.9” lighter I might consider it in the future.
 
I've currently got the 2017 iPad Pro 12.9" version, IF there is indeed a 11" version introduced with Face ID and a new redesign then i will probably get that, however if they also increase the screen size of the 12.9" to maybe 13.5" or something i would get that as i like the big screen.
 
I will have my 12.9 inch iPad sitting on my office desk and 10.5 inch iPad sitting at my bedroom desk. I will get the 9.7inch iPad (whenever they announce the new one), probably the 128GB LTE version.

The current 9.7 inch LTE 32GB which I have is serving me fine and I am taking it out all the time with me. It is as responsive as A9 chips can get, I do not feel any slow down at all since I got few months back. If they announce the new 9.7inch LTE version, I will for sure trade in for a new one.
 
Whatever the next version of the 10.5 Pro ends up being (11 inch rumored). I may go larger one day if there are some significant OS advantages, but right now the 10.5 is perfect. Looking forward to less bezel and the removal of the home button.
 
Mini 5 or (Apple) bust for me.

Rumored super-sized iPhone X+ is much too expensive (price plus monthly plan) relative to a Mini. Regular iPad sans bezels is too big for the "goldilocks" portability of Mini. This "hole" still begs for a Mini form factor. If it's out of favor because it's not profitable enough, charge enough to hit the target profits but don't kill the Mini.
 
What size ipad will be my next ipad? Hmm. Well that all depends on what Apple does this March or June at WWDC. I am currently still using an ipad mini 2. I love it, but it's on it's last leg. The physical home button doesn't work anymore, so i had to set up a virtual home button. It works, but is buggy and a pain sometimes. The screen is also cracked in several places.

I won't upgrade to the mini 4 because it's already nearly 3 yrs old, and as an artist, i really want to use the apple pencil.

The problem is, i prefer the size of the mini. I travel a lot, and it's just the perfect size for me. I can even slide it into my cargo pants pocket. Some people say the iphone plus is too close in size to the mini to make it useful. I disagree. The 7.9" mini screen is just large enough to get serious work done on. I would love if Apple released a bezel-less ipad mini pro, and enlarge the screen size to 8.5" but with the same physical size like they plan to do with the 10.5" & 12.9" ipad pro.

It's a long shot, and I am not holding my breath, but that would be the perfect size ipad for me. An ipad mini that i could use the Apple pencil with.

If Apple doesn't do this, I will buy the smallest ipad pro this June after WWDC. I could live with the 10.5", but would prefer a new mini.
 
Currently own a cellular iPad Pro 10.5. Definitely stick with what I have because it's the perfect size for me and has an insane A10X chip.
 
Probably the 12.9” iPad. My current smaller iPad for use in the classroom, with the larger iPad for use outside.
 
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