iPad Pro A bigger screen is great, but will I hate holding a 12.9?

[Kyle76]

Are the extra size and weight unwieldy for just sitting around reading emails, watching YouTubes and checking message boards with the tablet in my lap? I use my iPad this way a lot. I’d love a bigger screen sometimes, but will I hate it at other times?

 

[Expos of 1969]

Are the extra size and weight unwieldy for just sitting around reading emails, watching YouTubes and checking message boards with the tablet in my lap? I use my iPad this way a lot. I’d love a bigger screen sometimes, but will I hate it at other times?

I certainly would find it cumbersome and too heavy to use it as I use my 8th generation one: hand held in an easy chair. For a larger screen I found my 13 inch MBP did fine on my lap or thighs.

 

[MrGimper]

I have a 10.5 Pro and have literally just come back from the local Curry's where I tried out a 12.9 for the first time. I love it, took all of 5 mins to adjust. Not too heavy, not too big, such a nice bigger screen. After 10 mins I didn't want to give it back and the 11 I then tried seemed like a toy. Glad I did it, totally fallen for the 12.9 now and will be ordering the 1TB on pre-order day. I'll also go for silver as the SG is a fingerprint magnet, and I just love the contrast and rawness of the silver, and I think any nicks etc will be less visible.

EDIT: To point out the "not too heavy" was also taking into account the security bolt on the back of the device, which the assistant, who owns a 12.9, said was probably most of the weight I was holding.

 

[gagee]

Are the extra size and weight unwieldy for just sitting around reading emails, watching YouTubes and checking message boards with the tablet in my lap? I use my iPad this way a lot. I’d love a bigger screen sometimes, but will I hate it at other times?

I had the 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 and moving to the 11 inch this time. The 12.9 mostly stayed on the desk. I missed the portability. But everyone is different.

 

[MrGimper]

I had the 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 and moving to the 11 inch this time. The 12.9 mostly stayed on the desk. I missed the portability. But everyone is different.

What portability did you miss? Not a criticism, just curious as to me it's just an inch bigger in each dimension and not that much less portable. Wonder if I'm missing something, not that my iPad goes anywhere much lol

 

[acastic]

The 11 inch is much easier to hold with one hand. Might also depend on the size of your hands.

 

[gagee]

What portability did you miss? Not a criticism, just curious as to me it's just an inch bigger in each dimension and not that much less portable. Wonder if I'm missing something, not that my iPad goes anywhere much lol

Just holding it and using it away from the desk. It did feel heavy and not always comfortable holding it for a long period of time while watching content. But everyone is different. Decided to try the 11 inch this time and see how I like it.

 

[mcvaughan]

You get used to it. The 12.9 is just amazing.

 

[Macbooky]

I’ve owned the larger iPad Pro since it was first released. It can be heavy holding it for long periods but I just try to rest it on a cushion or in my lap. The big screen really is nice to use. I haven’t upgraded for a couple of years so will probably get this new one. Definitely recommended.

 

[sracer]

Are the extra size and weight unwieldy for just sitting around reading emails, watching YouTubes and checking message boards with the tablet in my lap? I use my iPad this way a lot. I’d love a bigger screen sometimes, but will I hate it at other times?

You'll definitely love the larger screen and hate it. The difference between love and hate is a measure of the screen size... the larger the screen the greater the love for it when it "works", the greater the hate when it doesn't. The same is true in the opposite direction... less than a certain size, that difference between love and hate grows too.

With the 12.9 Pro, you need more space to do anything (duh). For example: If you're sitting on a couch using it, it'll be fine... but when you need to put down to get up and get a cup of coffee, you need more free space on your coffee or side table to rest the iPad safely.

Things become more challenging if you're using a keyboard case. It was after a few attempts of using the 12.9 Pro on flights that I decided the limitations of the larger screen outweighed the benefits. (yeah, I know that I'm the oddball that finds the 12.9 too large to comfortably use on planes... everyone else is able to do so without issues)

I went back to the 9.7" form-factor for two years after that, and then down to the Mini 5. Love it. Yes, there are times where I wish it was a bit larger, but it is the reverse situation of what I experienced with the 12.9 Pro... the benefits of the smaller screen outweighed the limitations.

In the end, you won't really and truly know unless you try it for yourself.

 

[Gregg2]

I use a "stand" originally designed for a laptop for holding my iPad8 and usually set both down on a pillow in my lap so it's not too far away from my eyes to read comfortably. The stand puts it at a better angle than sitting flat. But, yeah, even this one would be too heavy to hold for more than 5 minutes or so.

 

[MrGimper]

I’ve owned the larger iPad Pro since it was first released. It can be heavy holding it for long periods but I just try to rest it on a cushion or in my lap. The big screen really is nice to use. I haven’t upgraded for a couple of years so will probably get this new one. Definitely recommended.

This is how I use my 10.5", I very rarely hold it out in one hand without propping it on something

 

[Kiimora]

I upgraded to my first 12.9“ from the 2018 IPP 11“ last year and its been amazing . I tend to use it on my desk placed on a stand or on a cushion sitting but never for long periods whilst standing. So yeah go for it but be prepared to be hooked

 

[ofarlig]

I never want to hold the 12.9", it sits in the magic keyboard 99% of the time. The 11" was in the hand 80% of the time it was being used. Don't even know how I would do with the 12.9" on a plane tbh, covid have made it so I cannot try but I am not sure I would want to...

 

[ateslik]

I went from the 12.9 to the 11. I'll take the 11 all day long. It's MUCH lighter and much better suited for holding while sketching. And it fits perfectly in the outside pocket of my laptop bag, so when I travel I have both my laptop and ipad in one bag. If we ever get on an airplane again I'm going to try dual screen while flying, just to see it, lol.

 

[Never mind]

I use this below for my 11 inch and prior to that my 12.9 inch which is very helpful

 

[MrGimper]

One thing I noticed about my time with the 12.9 today is that I didn't naturally use it in landscape. I always use my 10.5 in landscape, but naturally used the 12.9 in portrait. Possibly because in portrait it's almost the same width as the 10.5/11 in landscape. Just something I remembered.

 

[Expos of 1969]

I use this below for my 11 inch and prior to that my 12.9 inch which is very helpful

I don't know what to say

 

[Apple_Robert]

If you plan on holding the 12.9 most of the time, I think you will end up regretting that decision. Get a stand / Magic Keyboard or use a smaller iPad. The 11" has been a perfect mobile size for me.

 

[Jake3231]

I'm interested to see this discussion. I am thinking of upgrading from my 10.5" Air to one of the new Pros. I use it almost entirely for writing with Apple Pencil and then some casual content consumption. Has anyone compared the 11" and 13" models specifically for writing or note taking?

 

[ofarlig]

I'm interested to see this discussion. I am thinking of upgrading from my 10.5" Air to one of the new Pros. I use it almost entirely for writing with Apple Pencil and then some casual content consumption. Has anyone compared the 11" and 13" models specifically for writing or note taking?

I prefer the 11” for note taking, I think the 12.9” is too heavy and unwieldy to comfortably write on it.

 

[Jake3231]

I prefer the 11” for note taking, I think the 12.9” is too heavy and unwieldy to comfortably write on it.

Do you find that you often have to zoom or move around the screen content while writing on the 11”?

I find the 10.5” model to be pretty good, but I still have to do a lot of zooming and moving around the page as I’m writing, and it seems that the 11” would only be slightly bigger.

 

[ofarlig]

Do you find that you often have to zoom or move around the screen content while writing on the 11”?

I find the 10.5” model to be pretty good, but I still have to do a lot of zooming and moving around the page as I’m writing, and it seems that the 11” would only be slightly bigger.

Yes I used to do that on the 11”. The 12.9” is a lot bigger of course but that is partly a problem when writing.

 

[sparksd]

Are the extra size and weight unwieldy for just sitting around reading emails, watching YouTubes and checking message boards with the tablet in my lap? I use my iPad this way a lot. I’d love a bigger screen sometimes, but will I hate it at other times?

Only you can really answer that as everyone feels different about it. Me - doesn't bother me in the least. In fact, I'll never again buy another tablet smaller than my 12.9. (was an upgrade from the 10.5)

 

[MrGimper]

I prefer the 11” for note taking, I think the 12.9” is too heavy and unwieldy to comfortably write on it.

Genuine question, why is it too heavy? I don't use my iPad for notes but if I did it would be resting or laying on something. Is your normal usage to write notes while you hold it unsupported? Trying to understand the use-case