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9.7" iPad Pro or 10.5" ?

augustya

augustya

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Original poster
Feb 17, 2012
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Hey Guys,

I am in a dilemma, ever since I was introduced to the iPad its size 9.7" has appealed so much to me that it has stuck on to me. I am kind of hung on to it. 9.7" is the perfect size not too small, not too large, and large enough to have a full, big screen experience. But with the 10.5" Apple has broken that sweet spot. I am a little too worried that the 10.5" size would be a bit bulky and difficult to handle in terms of compactness and portability.The 10.5" is also slightly heavier in weight when compared to the 9.7" iPad Pro. What do you guys think should I take the plunge for 10.5"? Or should I buy the 9.7" iPad Pro ?
 
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augustya said:
Hey Guys,

I am in a dilemma, ever since I was introduced to the iPad its size 9.7" has appealed so much to me that it has stuck on to me. I am kind of hung on to it. 9.7" is the perfect size not too small, not too large, and large enough to have a full, big screen experience. But with the 10.5" Apple has broken that sweet spot. I am a little too worried that the 10.5" size would be a bit bulky and difficult to handle in terms of compactness and portability.The 10.5" is also slightly heavier in weight when compared to the 9.7" iPad Pro. What do you guys think should I take the plunge for 10.5"? Or should I buy the 9.7" iPad Pro ?
Click to expand...
Your best bet is going to see them in person. Size wise I don't think it is much different weight wise.
 
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The Game 161 said:
Your best bet is going to see them in person. Size wise I don't think it is much different weight wise.
Click to expand...

Yes I am waiting to see it in person but looking at the dimensions the 10.5" iPP is taller, wider and bulkier than the 9.7" iPad Pro the weight of the 9.7" iPP was (Wifi+Cellular) 444 grams where as the weight of the 10.5" iPP is 477 grams.
 
The 10.5 Pro is around the same weight as the iPad Air and 2017 iPad (5th gen) and that 33g on a tablet is fairly negligible. It's taller and wider than the 9.7 Pro but the size increase, same as weight, is also negligible.

I reckon the most annoying thing with 10.5 Pro would probably be apps not supporting the new resolution on the outset.
 
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You won’t be disappointed either way. You could definitely get a good deal on a 9.7 in the coming weeks, so watch out for that.
 
Tapiture said:
You won’t be disappointed either way. You could definitely get a good deal on a 9.7 in the coming weeks, so watch out for that.
Click to expand...

I want to be able to make a decision :) so help me with that :)
 
Personally, unless you're getting the 9.7 Pro for $300 off or something, I'd go with the 10.5 Pro. The 4GB RAM and slightly higher resolution should be quite helpful for multitasking in iOS 11.
 
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Consider that the 9.7 pro, after just one year, has already a limitation with iOS11:
it can only run 2 active apps at the same time, due to RAM limitations.
both the 12.9" (2015 and 2017) iPad Pro and the new 10.5" can run 3 (2 in split view, one floating)
 
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The 4GB RAM is a really strong argument for the 10.5" over the 9.7". Unless you don't forsee yourself doing a lot of multitasking, the 10.5" is a better choice. Conversely, if your main use case is content consumption, the 2017 iPad seems better and is much cheaper.

That's probably why Apple dropped the 9.7" Pro. It didn't make sense between the 2017 iPad and the 10.5" iPad Pro.
 
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augustya said:
Yes I am waiting to see it in person but looking at the dimensions the 10.5" iPP is taller, wider and bulkier than the 9.7" iPad Pro the weight of the 9.7" iPP was (Wifi+Cellular) 444 grams where as the weight of the 10.5" iPP is 477 grams.
Click to expand...

When I read rumours that Apple would kill 9.7 with the 10.5, I immediately bought a second hand 9.7 for 550. I am nervous 10.5 will have same app compatibility issues as 12.9. Few apps support iPad Pro 12.9 resolution versus 9.7. And, as you stated, it is larger and heavier. I've been debating if I made the right choice with 9.7 and I think I did.
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masotime said:
The 4GB RAM is a really strong argument for the 10.5" over the 9.7". Unless you don't forsee yourself doing a lot of multitasking, the 10.5" is a better choice. Conversely, if your main use case is content consumption, the 2017 iPad seems better and is much cheaper.

That's probably why Apple dropped the 9.7" Pro. It didn't make sense between the 2017 iPad and the 10.5" iPad Pro.
Click to expand...
I have a 9.7 and rarely multi task. I don't get how people are multi tasking on a screen smaller than 11 inches... I barely like to do that on 13" rMBP
 
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BigAppleNYC123 said:
When I read rumours that Apple would kill 9.7 with the 10.5, I immediately bought a second hand 9.7 for 550. I am nervous 10.5 will have same app compatibility issues as 12.9. Few apps support iPad Pro 12.9 resolution versus 9.7. And, as you stated, it is larger and heavier. I've been debating if I made the right choice with 9.7 and I think I did.
Click to expand...

It seems like your only real worry is if your purchase of the 9.7" @ $550 was justified? Don't be. Just enjoy it. The issue at hand here is whether you should buy it right now, and it probably isn't, unless you're getting it at a significant discount / price comparable to the 2017 iPad.
 
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masotime said:
It seems like your only real worry is if your purchase of the 9.7" @ $550 was justified? Don't be. Just enjoy it. The issue at hand here is whether you should buy it right now, and it probably isn't, unless you're getting it at a significant discount / price comparable to the 2017 iPad.
Click to expand...
Thanks bud! :)
 
masotime said:
The 4GB RAM is a really strong argument for the 10.5" over the 9.7". Unless you don't forsee yourself doing a lot of multitasking, the 10.5" is a better choice. Conversely, if your main use case is content consumption, the 2017 iPad seems better and is much cheaper.

That's probably why Apple dropped the 9.7" Pro. It didn't make sense between the 2017 iPad and the 10.5" iPad Pro.
Click to expand...

Yes indeed the 4 GB RAM is a strong argument which also makes the device more future proof but I don't see my myself multitasking on the iPad too much but it is a good to have feature. I may multi task from time to time.
 
augustya said:
Yes indeed the 4 GB RAM is a strong argument which also makes the device more future proof but I don't see my myself multitasking on the iPad too much but it is a good to have feature. I may multi task from time to time.
Click to expand...
The 4GB RAM doesn't just help with split screen. It reduces Safari reloads, apps reloads (for apps running in background), etc.
 
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augustya said:
I want to be able to make a decision :) so help me with that :)
Click to expand...
Well if you want me to tell you what to do, I’d advise you to get a 9.7 Pro at $200 off because I’m sure a sale will come along, and then you can save and maybe splurge next year for the OLED, edgeless iPad Pro. You’ve said your satisfied with the 9.7 and like the size more than the 10.5, and the 9.7 is totally compatible with 9.7, so why not save a few hundred dollars and go with the 9.7?
 
If I buy a new iPad right now I don't think I would again upgrade next year OLED displays doesn't seem like an incentive strong enough for me to be able to upgrade. So whatever I buy now will stay with me for a couple of years atleast !
 
Considering the leaked benchmarks show it has 4GB of RAM and an INSANE processor, I would go with the 10.5. I just ordered mine and I'm coming from a 9.7 Pro. Considering I've been using the same size iPad screen daily for 7 years now the 10.5 is going to be a welcome upgrade with very little increase in size or weight. And that screen......I cant wait.
 
It's a tiny thing but another difference is that the 9.7" iPad Pro has the first generation TouchID sensor in it whereas the 10.5" has the second gen sensor. Apple claim that the second gen sensor is more accurate and about twice as fast as the first gen. I confess that I've never tried a first gen TouchID device but I've got so used to the as-if-TouchID-isn't-even-there speed and convenience of the unlock on my iPhone 6s that I couldn't go back to anything that wasn't as invisible in its operation as the second-gen sensor. I'm not sure how the first gen sensor fares in that respect.

Apple had already released the iPhone 6s with the second gen TouchID 6 months earlier by the time it launched the 9.7" iPad Pro and this might sound a bit crazy but I was so infuriated that Apple had put an outdated part into what was a very premium-priced iPad that I skipped that release in large part due to the TouchID sensor. I'm ready for a change now though - 10.5" iPad Pro ordered on launch day and scheduled for delivery next Tuesday.
 
It's a no-brainer to get the 10.5" unless money is a major obstacle.

The difference between the 10.5" and 9.7" is less than 1 cubic inch in volume and 30 grams in weight.

The processor, memory, refresh rate, and battery specs have all been improved. Not to mention you will be getting an extra year of iOS updates.
 
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