12.9 Now outdated?

[sadxrad]

I've been using the 12.9" iPad Pro for over year with 8 months of that being my main device over a 2012 rMBP. Entering 2017 it still handles my usage beautifully with excellent battery life. New models might be around the corner but you can't go wrong with this device.

 

[capathy21]

I've been using the 12.9" iPad Pro for over year with 8 months of that being my main device over a 2012 rMBP. Entering 2017 it still handles my usage beautifully with excellent battery life. New models might be around the corner but you can't go wrong with this device.

How long did it take you to get used to touching the screen instead of using a mouse/trackpad? I love my 12.9 and am two weeks in to using it for everything. I love everything except having to touch the screen for certain things. I know I will get used to it, but growing up using a mouse, it's a hard habit to break.

 

[xraydoc]

I've been using the 12.9" iPad Pro for over year with 8 months of that being my main device over a 2012 rMBP. Entering 2017 it still handles my usage beautifully with excellent battery life. New models might be around the corner but you can't go wrong with this device.

I've also been using my 12.9" iPad Pro since launch day. It's running better than ever and I couldn't be more happy with it.

It's essentially my main device as I spend over 75% of my time on it. Even just today I've used it plus the keyboard cover and Pencil to respond to maybe 20 emails (including adding multiple attachments, which iOS once couldn't do), fill out two documents that were emailed to me that I would otherwise have to print, complete with a pen, and have faxed back or scanned, managed my calendar with split screening Calendar and Mail, and saved a few attachments to my iCloud drive.

And later today, I'll use it connected to a VGA projector in our conference room to run through a PowerPoint slide deck.

All this while weighing less than half of what an ultralight laptop would.

What's not to love? No, I'm not a Photoshop pro and certainly I'm not claiming the iPad Pro can replace a conventional Photoshop setup (yet) but for me, it's better than a laptop. I still have a new 2016 15" MBP for the heavy work, but like Apple has suggested, there's trucks and there's cars. My iPad Pro is my sports car and my MBP is my truck (and my iMac-based server at home is my data center).

 

[fokmik]

if you are looking to buy a 12.9" iPP, yes for you, is outdated...wait for the update. But for those who already use/have it, is not outdated since its running iOS. Maybe in 2018 to feel some differences in speed/capabilities

 

[sadxrad]

How long did it take you to get used to touching the screen instead of using a mouse/trackpad? I love my 12.9 and am two weeks in to using it for everything. I love everything except having to touch the screen for certain things. I know I will get used to it, but growing up using a mouse, it's a hard habit to break.

I use my 12.9" Pro with a keyboard 90% of the time so migrating my workflow to apps with quality keyboard shortcuts has really helped. Tweetbot for Twitter and Spark for email for example. Using keyboard shortcuts to navigate iOS has saved me a lot of screen/home button touches too. It's defenitelty a tough habit to break as I've always been a trackpad/laptop person but I promise it gets easier.

 

[masotime]

All this while weighing less than half of what an ultralight laptop would.

I'm nitpicking, but I really can't let this go.

12" MacBook - 920 grams
12.9" iPad Pro - 713 grams

Granted, the iPad Pro has a considerably larger screen, but still it's very much a stretch to call it "less than half of what an ultralight laptop" weighs. I'd actually really like it if it were, but right now I find it pretty heavy - I'd love it to be lighter and more portable, without compromising the battery life of course.

 

[xraydoc]

I'm nitpicking, but I really can't let this go.

12" MacBook - 920 grams
12.9" iPad Pro - 713 grams

Granted, the iPad Pro has a considerably larger screen, but still it's very much a stretch to call it "less than half of what an ultralight laptop" weighs. I'd actually really like it if it were, but right now I find it pretty heavy - I'd love it to be lighter and more portable, without compromising the battery life of course.

Pardon my hyperbole. Although I was thinking of something like the Dell XPS 2-in-1 which has a touch screen and a pen/stylus option. That machine weighs 1.24kg.

 

[Synergie]

So you can't explain how it's a step backwards, great

1/2 the RAM
Lower clocked Processor
Lower Screen Resolution
Split screen on 9.7 IPP uses the 'mobile' versions of apps instead of be full apps while 12.9 uses the full apps on the split screen
No USB 3.0 on 9.7 means unable to use faster charging with the 29 watt USB-C charger (with USB-C to lightning cable) or faster transfer of data using some devices like the newer Leef iBridge that use USB 3.0 or Apple's SD to lightning to transfer photos and videos

If 9.7 was meant to be an 'upgrade' Apple would have kept all the above on the 9.7 and added the newer features like better camera. When you think about it how many people who have iPad pros also have an iPhone 7 or 7 plus? Or even a 6s or 6s plus? Most will take photos with the phone and access them on the iPad via iCloud. There goes the main big 'upgrade' point of the 9.7. (How many actually take photos with a tablet anyway???) and I don't like the true tone thing as I find it makes things look yellow.

To me the 9.7 is just another iPad air with Apple Pencil capability.

 

[PrettyWings]

Pardon my hyperbole. Although I was thinking of something like the Dell XPS 2-in-1 which has a touch screen and a pen/stylus option. That machine weighs 1.24kg.

It's not even heavy. If it is, it's time to go into the weight room. It's a new year

 

[RedOrchestra]

I don't like the true tone thing as I find it makes things look yellow.

That's a personal preference thing ... personally mine is on all the time with the exception of watching video and live TV.

Did you notice that Apple DIDN'T do a single solitary thing in iOS 10 to enhance the 12.9" experience - notta' one ... so enjoy that 12.9" form factor NOW ... because I don't thing the ecosystem is going to see another iteration i.e. it's a one and done..

 

[Synergie]

That's a personal preference thing ... personally mine is on all the time with the exception of watching video and live TV.

Did you notice that Apple DIDN'T do a single solitary thing in iOS 10 to enhance the 12.9" experience - notta' one ... so enjoy that 12.9" form factor NOW ... because I don't thing the ecosystem is going to see another iteration i.e. it's a one and done..

Yes! Yes I will enjoy my 4Gb RAM, faster USB transfers and faster processor speed! Yes I will enjoy my huge screen real estate and more resolution! I don't see the 9.7 as having anything to make it 'pro' at all. The pencil??? That's it?? You will see air also get the true tone thing and upgraded camera. The 'Pro' aspect comes in with better specs. The camera is a gimmick because as I said majority of people don't take photos with their tablet! They use the front camera probably more (for Skype and FaceTime) but for actual photos they likely use their iPhones and if they are serious about photography they will more than likely have an SLR camera. Then comes in the fast transfer speeds with the SD card to lightning adapter. At least the 12.9" is actually 'pro' and the capability will be current for quite awhile yet! My ONLY beef is no WYSIWYG web editor like dreamweaver for iOS. I have coda for small edits on the go which has FTP capability so I can edit and save right on the server but I'd prefer a visual editor. Graphics are fine actually... the Adobe suite is fully capable (even though it's split between several apps).

Please adobe create a mobile dreamweaver app!!

 

[Math889]

Seriously ,Apple should have added more ram to the 9.7 iPad Pro . For me , it's an Air 3 not a Pro .I don't recommend to upgrade if you already have an Air 2. The 9.7 is outdated not the 12.9.

 

[masotime]

It's not even heavy. If it is, it's time to go into the weight room. It's a new year

Very often the issue is related more to torque than weight, which is something most people don't realize.

To illustrate, I could have a 0.1kg device, but if the center of gravity is e.g. 2m from the edge you hold (COG 1m from your hands), you'd have a resultant torque of about 1Nm.

To put that in perspective, the 12" Macbook weighs roughly 1kg and is 20cm from the long edges (COG 0.1m from your hands), which results in a torque of 0.2Nm.

It would actually be 5 times harder to hold a 0.1kg (10 times lighter) 2m x 2m sheet than a 1kg MacBook, simply because of torque.

The larger dimensions of the 12.9" iPad Pro itself make it harder to hold at a similar weight due to torque, making a lighter 12.9" iPad Pro a more important factor compared to smaller devices.

 

[Synergie]

Very often the issue is related more to torque than weight, which is something most people don't realize.

To illustrate, I could have a 0.1kg device, but if the center of gravity is e.g. 2m from the edge you hold (COG 1m from your hands), you'd have a resultant torque of about 1Nm.

To put that in perspective, the 12" Macbook weighs roughly 1kg and is 20cm from the long edges (COG 0.1m from your hands), which results in a torque of 0.2Nm.

It would actually be 5 times harder to hold a 0.1kg (10 times lighter) 2m x 2m sheet than a 1kg MacBook, simply because of torque.

The larger dimensions of the 12.9" iPad Pro itself make it harder to hold at a similar weight due to torque, making a lighter 12.9" iPad Pro a more important factor compared to smaller devices.

Seriously, I have tiny female hands, and have NO ISSUES holding the IPP 12.9 I find it very light unless I have a huge chunky case on it.

 

[masotime]

Seriously, I have tiny female hands, and have NO ISSUES holding the IPP 12.9 I find it very light unless I have a huge chunky case on it.

There really are a lot of factors, and the "weight factor" is very subjective. For example, do you hold your iPad Pro on the long edge or the short edge? Have you tried holding it on the short edge for long periods of time, e.g. 10+ minutes? Still, I'd agree that it depends on the individual.

There are a bunch of points that need to be considered when comparing tablet handling with laptop handling:

• You will rarely hold a laptop in your hand for long, and you'll always hold it in Landscape (long edge), so there's a definitive torque advantage, although when "opened" the Center of Gravity (COG) tends to shift away from you.
• Tablets can be held either portrait or landscape, with portrait imposing a significant torque penalty because the COG is further from your hands.
• The primary means of input for a tablet is touch, not a keyboard, so you'll often need to hold it in one hand while using the other to touch the screen. This immediately increases the torque because the distance now the diagonal from a corner to the COG, not from edge to the COG.

This makes torque all the more important when considering the design of a tablet.

If we compare all 3 iPad sizes and weights right now from the perspective of holding them in Portrait (this is my preferred way of handling my iPads when not resting on a table):

• The iPad mini has a COG 10cm away, 0.30kg for a torque of ~0.030Nm
• The iPad Pro 9.7" has a COG 12cm away, 0.44kg for a torque of ~0.053Nm
• The iPad Pro 12.9" has a COG 15cm away, 0.72kg for a torque of ~0.11Nm

Taking the iPad mini as the reference, the iPad Pro 9.7" is 1.46x heavier and the iPad Pro 12.9" is 2.4x heavier.
Torque wise, the iPad Pro 9.7" is 1.77x "heavier" and the 12.9" is 3.67x "heavier".

Assuming I didn't make any mistakes with my math, the torque differential because of size affects handling significantly, although it may or may not bother individuals differently. The current 12.9" is 2x harder to handle than the 9.7" in portrait mode even though it is only 1.65x heavier.

I don't insist that the iPad Pro 12.9" is too difficult to handle - that is really very subjective, but I think people should really pay more attention to torque in ergonomics rather than simply weight - it does matter.

 

[Conutz]

There really are a lot of factors, and the "weight factor" is very subjective. For example, do you hold your iPad Pro on the long edge or the short edge? Have you tried holding it on the short edge for long periods of time, e.g. 10+ minutes? Still, I'd agree that it depends on the individual.

There are a bunch of points that need to be considered when comparing tablet handling with laptop handling:

• You will rarely hold a laptop in your hand for long, and you'll always hold it in Landscape (long edge), so there's a definitive torque advantage, although when "opened" the Center of Gravity (COG) tends to shift away from you.
• Tablets can be held either portrait or landscape, with portrait imposing a significant torque penalty because the COG is further from your hands.
• The primary means of input for a tablet is touch, not a keyboard, so you'll often need to hold it in one hand while using the other to touch the screen. This immediately increases the torque because the distance now the diagonal from a corner to the COG, not from edge to the COG.

This makes torque all the more important when considering the design of a tablet.

If we compare all 3 iPad sizes and weights right now from the perspective of holding them in Portrait (this is my preferred way of handling my iPads when not resting on a table):

• The iPad mini has a COG 10cm away, 0.30kg for a torque of ~0.030Nm
• The iPad Pro 9.7" has a COG 12cm away, 0.44kg for a torque of ~0.053Nm
• The iPad Pro 12.9" has a COG 15cm away, 0.72kg for a torque of ~0.11Nm

Taking the iPad mini as the reference, the iPad Pro 9.7" is 1.46x heavier and the iPad Pro 12.9" is 2.4x heavier.
Torque wise, the iPad Pro 9.7" is 1.77x "heavier" and the 12.9" is 3.67x "heavier".

Assuming I didn't make any mistakes with my math, the torque differential because of size affects handling significantly, although it may or may not bother individuals differently. The current 12.9" is 2x harder to handle than the 9.7" in portrait mode even though it is only 1.65x heavier.

I don't insist that the iPad Pro 12.9" is too difficult to handle - that is really very subjective, but I think people should really pay more attention to torque in ergonomics rather than simply weight - it does matter.

A 12.9" iPad will by definition have higher "torque levels", it's almost twice the size of the 9.7"! Unless you're going to come up with ultra-low density glass, Al alloys, batteries, etc. AND you want a large-screened device, then you're going to have to put up with your beloved torque. The purpose of a large-screened device is just that - to be larger than the smaller-screened devices, e.g. Old MBP17" vs. various 15", 13", 12" and 11" models. Size vs. portability is the oldest trade-off in the portable computer world. You want a big screen? Then lug the weight...

 

[jumpingjackflash]

Split screen on 9.7 IPP uses the 'mobile' versions of apps instead of be full apps while 12.9 uses the full apps on the split screen

Agreed. Split screen on 9.7" is awful. I believe 12.9" is more better, but not untill ALL apps are truly supported. Right now the split screen on iOS is not what it should be.

 

[Math889]

I hope Apple releases an new ipad Pro in march , .Otherwise, I will buy the 12.9 IPad Pro Space Grey

 

[DynaFXD]

if you are looking to buy a 12.9" iPP, yes for you, is outdated...wait for the update. But for those who already use/have it, is not outdated since its running iOS. Maybe in 2018 to feel some differences in speed/capabilities

Yeah, I don't agree with that. If a person has a need, then address that need. No one knows what may or may not come and when; there will always be something better down the line. That being said, the 12.9 iPP has been out long enough to generate a substantial used market. I could not justify a new iPP. After searching through eBay I found a 128 GB with Cellular and WIFI for less than a Apple refurbished 32 GB WIFI only device. So there are options for almost any user out there.

BTW loving the device. These things have great legs. Even our iPad, iPad2, iPad Air still get regular use as media devices and light gaming. I suspect the 12.9 iPP will be viable for a long time to come.

 

[Luke7984:]

I am going to buy one in march , precisely first week . It's not outdated. And I really don't care about true tone. Space grey or gold ???

 

[The Game 161]

Agreed. Split screen on 9.7" is awful. I believe 12.9" is more better, but not untill ALL apps are truly supported. Right now the split screen on iOS is not what it should be.

problem is ALOT of apps aren't making use of the 12.9 screen

in fact it's far better on the 9.7 due to this reason..that extra screen space is almost wasted most of the time

 

[Dave245]

problem is ALOT of apps aren't making use of the 12.9 screen

in fact it's far better on the 9.7 due to this reason..that extra screen space is almost wasted most of the time

The split screen feature on both the iPad Pro and the Mac is my favourite feature, along with the picture in picture feature. I do think Apple should add a couple more pro features in IOS 11, i think they will.

 

[The Game 161]

The split screen feature on both the iPad Pro and the Mac is my favourite feature, along with the picture in picture feature. I do think Apple should add a couple more pro features in IOS 11, i think they will.

PIP is great when watching TV player/BT sport for me...glad netflix have it too now

spiltscreen is not something i use loads of but still good to use even on the 9.7.

clearly it's better on the bigger screen but hardly terrible on 9.7.

 

[Dave245]

PIP is great when watching TV player/BT sport for me...glad netflix have it too now

spiltscreen is not something i use loads of but still good to use even on the 9.7.

clearly it's better on the bigger screen but hardly terrible on 9.7.

yea, picture in picture is great on Netflix, iPlayer as well (here in the UK) and Apple's own videos app. I use the split screen mainly in Safari, and now you can open to Safari tabs at the same time, or 2 apps at the same time which can be useful. It's probably not bad on the 9.7" iPad but i do love it on my 12.9" I just hope Apple add the screen tech from the 9.7" into the 12.9" iPad Pro during an update (hopefully this year) there are also rumours that Apple are working on feature like being able to use the Apple Pencil to annotate within Safari (like drawing on a webpage and making notes) the Mail App, Messages and so on. Personally i think that would be a great idea.

http://www.cultofmac.com/443614/big-ipad-update-will-make-apple-pencil-more-powerful/

 

[The Game 161]

yea, picture in picture is great on Netflix, iPlayer as well (here in the UK) and Apple's own videos app. I use the split screen mainly in Safari, and now you can open to Safari tabs at the same time, or 2 apps at the same time which can be useful. It's probably not bad on the 9.7" iPad but i do love it on my 12.9" I just hope Apple add the screen tech from the 9.7" into the 12.9" iPad Pro during an update (hopefully this year) there are also rumours that Apple are working on feature like being able to use the Apple Pencil to annotate within Safari (like drawing on a webpage and making notes) the Mail App, Messages and so on. Personally i think that would be a great idea.

http://www.cultofmac.com/443614/big-ipad-update-will-make-apple-pencil-more-powerful/

I do like the sound of that, would make it like the note note line in terms of using it for more productivity