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iPad Pro 12.9 portability… on a plane?

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PowerMacintosh7200

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 10, 2022
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Hi everyone.

My question is more aligned with portability feedback.

I'm curious to hear if any owners have used the 12.9 on a plane for movie viewing for example. Too big? just fine? or…

I want to use my iPad Pro while working remote as a second screen for my MBP 16" and the 12.9 is a perfect size. But, just as important I want the best size for using on a plane.

Happy to hear from anyone in regards to the portability of the 12.9.
 
I'll preface my comments with the acknowledgement that most people have no problem using the 12.9 iPad Pro on a plane.
In my experiences, it is too large. If a keyboard case is used, then it is also too unwieldy when having to fold it up and store it when needing to use the tray table or to allow a fellow passenger to get past.

It was after a half dozen flights using a 12.9 Pro on a plane that convinced me to get an iPad Mini. THAT has worked out extremely well. I primarily use it with a smartcover, but I'll put it in a keyboard case when I need to get some work done while in flight.

But since you want to use the 12.9 Pro as a 2nd display for your MBP, a Mini wouldn't work out.

I also use my iPhone on flights for watching videos. I use a simple hook/mount that allows my phone to hang from the hook on the seatback in front of me so that it is at eye level. I use a small rechargeable battery bank/stick to power the phone while watching videos so that I have a full charge when I arrive at my destination.
 
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If you’re flying business it’s not a problem. In economy it’s much tighter but manageable for me for reading and movies. I’d rather be slightly inconvenienced on a flight than not having a good size portable second monitor screen with me on work trips.
 
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ericwn said:
If you’re flying business it’s not a problem. In economy it’s much tighter but manageable for me for reading and movies. I’d rather be slightly inconvenienced on a flight than not having a good size portable second monitor screen with me on work trips.
Click to expand...
yep, you nailed my thoughts – I’d rather be slightly inconvenienced on a flight than not having a good size portable second monitor screen.
 
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sracer said:
I'll preface my comments with the acknowledgement that most people have no problem using the 12.9 iPad Pro on a plane.
In my experiences, it is too large. If a keyboard case is used, then it is also too unwieldy when having to fold it up and store it when needing to use the tray table or to allow a fellow passenger to get past.

It was after a half dozen flights using a 12.9 Pro on a plane that convinced me to get an iPad Mini. THAT has worked out extremely well. I primarily use it with a smartcover, but I'll put it in a keyboard case when I need to get some work done while in flight.

But since you want to use the 12.9 Pro as a 2nd display for your MBP, a Mini wouldn't work out.

I also use my iPhone on flights for watching videos. I use a simple hook/mount that allows my phone to hang from the hook on the seatback in front of me so that it is at eye level. I use a small rechargeable battery bank/stick to power the phone while watching videos so that I have a full charge when I arrive at my destination.
Click to expand...
Great points.
 
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FWIW, it seems that some airlines are dropping the built-in displays and want you to provide your own device for the in-flight entertainment/information. In place of the built-in display, there is a mount to hold your device on the headrest in front of you. For the flights I were on, my 11" iPad Pro fit in there perfectly. I'm not sure if they'd be able to hold something much bigger, but maybe someone else can confirm. Otherwise, you'd have to put it on the table in front of you, like usual.

On my flights, I was able to put my MacBook Pro on the table in front of me and my iPad in the mount above...and used it as a second display with Sidecar. It was quite an unexpected/neat setup.

Here's a couple examples of the mounts I'm referring to...

60386795_10156414501593505_8635963546057834496_n.jpg


rawImage.jpg.png
 
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I use my 12.9 on flights; it’s manageable… but now I’ve added an iPad mini to the stable and that works better in coach. That’s not the only reason I got the mini, of course, but it is my go-to now.
 
I have both a Mini and 12.9. I only use the 12.9 during flights. Sure, it takes the whole space on the tray, but I find that it helps my travel fatigue better than a smaller Mini screen. The only issue for me is that once I pull out my 12.9, then EVERYONE is watching the movie with me lol
 
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I don’t have a 12.9 pro. I’ve only ever used my 11 inch pro on a place. Now for me the idea of using a 12.9 inch iPad Pro outside of the house would be ghastly but I think it’s definitely do-able. I mean if you are happy to use a 12.9 inch pro in public then why not a plane?
 
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PowerMacintosh7200 said:
Hi everyone.

My question is more aligned with portability feedback.

I'm curious to hear if any owners have used the 12.9 on a plane for movie viewing for example. Too big? just fine? or…

I want to use my iPad Pro while working remote as a second screen for my MBP 16" and the 12.9 is a perfect size. But, just as important I want the best size for using on a plane.

Happy to hear from anyone in regards to the portability of the 12.9.
Click to expand...

I recently flew (economy) from NJ toCalifornia and back. No problems watching movies or anything like that. I use the smart folio (no keyboard), so it fit fine on the tray. With a keyboard, tho, no dice. And forget using the 16" MBP M1-that I think is definitely too big.
 
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I have around 400,000 miles flying in the “cheap seats” with a 12.9 iPad Pro. The reason I mentioned the cheap seats is because where you sit matters.… tray table size is smaller where I sit. 🤣 I‘be been 12.9 only since it launched in 2015. I’ve found that case/keyboard case makes a big difference. Example, Logitech keyboard case is too big. The kick stand with the keyboard location is too big for the tray table. Take the keyboard off and it’s perfect.. but I like to work while traveling. The Apple Magic keyboard works fine.

if you can use a laptop while flying, then you’ll have no problem using a 12.9 iPad. I used a laptop for years, so the 12.9 iPad was even more convenient considering I can remove the keyboard if I ever wanted to.
 
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It will work on an airplane, its size is decent for that. Personally I think the 10.9"-11" iPads are the ideal plane-sized devices, but the 12.9" isn't too large for that situation. Just can't fit quite as many biscuit cookies next to it on the tray.
 
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You'll be fine.. I have a 12.9 (new) and used in economy, plus and b business, the tray tables are nearly the same. you can maybe fit a drink but that's it! I don't find the 12.9 heavy at all! feather light.. perfect combo since I have to take a Thinpad also
 
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I always take my 12.9” Pro with me when flying. And I fly Southwest, which has small planes crammed full of people. I’ve never had any problems. I used to take my MBP with me on trips, now I take the iPad. It does everything I need in a smaller package.
 
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usmaak said:
I always take my 12.9” Pro with me when flying. And I fly Southwest, which has small planes crammed full of people. I’ve never had any problems. I used to take my MBP with me on trips, now I take the iPad. It does everything I need in a smaller package.
Click to expand...
Do you use a keyboard
 
I've used my 12.9 on a plane and it's so big that the guy next to me was constantly looking over at what I was doing. I'm guessing he could perfectly read the text I was editing and he just couldn't help but be nosey. That's the thing, it's a great iPad but due to the close proximity of the person next to you, get ready to share what you're doing on the screen. There's just no privacy on a plane with a 12.9" iPad.
 
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lambertjohn said:
I've used my 12.9 on a plane and it's so big that the guy next to me was constantly looking over at what I was doing. I'm guessing he could perfectly read the text I was editing and he just couldn't help but be nosey. That's the thing, it's a great iPad but due to the close proximity of the person next to you, get ready to share what you're doing on the screen. There's just no privacy on a plane with a 12.9" iPad.
Click to expand...
If someone was looking at my screen while I was on a plane, I'd open up a note and start typing up some information about them. Really give them something to look at. 🤣 I wouldn't assume privacy anywhere where people are crammed together like that. I guess it would be the same with any decent sized laptop.
 
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I used my 12.9" iPad Pro, with a Magic Keyboard, on several economy flights over the past year. It's fine, and I like the viewing angle that the MKB provides when seated on the food tray. Yes, I had to fold up the iPad in the MKB when it was time to eat, but that didn't bother me.
 
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