iPad Pro Do you ever get used to the weight of the 12.9" iPad Pro?

[BrettDS]

So it's a long backstory, but I've had an iPad Air 2 for a while now and I love it. I recently lost my PC and after the keynote the other day I started thinking about trying the iPad Pro as a PC replacement. I figured that if I was going to attempt to replace my PC with an iPad then a bigger screen would be better, so I ran out and bought a 12.9" iPad Pro and the keyboard cover.

I used it for about a week and a half and I love the screen size and the keyboard is great. It turns out that lack of keyboard was one big reason that I kept going back to the PC. Writing a long post like this using the on screen keyboard was a bit of a pain. Obviously an iPad can't do everything a PC can, but it can probably do well over 90% of what I use a PC for. I also love the quad speakers on the iPad Pro. It sounds significantly better than the Air 2.

But the weight just killed me. Trying to use it in bed and holding it over my head for a while, or holding it up with one hand as I typed with the other got tiring much too quickly. So much so that I decided to go back to my Air 2 last night. I had an old Bluetooth keyboard that I paired with the Air 2 and I figured that I'd use that combination for a few days before I returned the Pro.

Now I'm loving the weight of the Air 2... It's so much more comfortable to use. And the keyboard is great. If I decide to keep this combination I may get a better keyboard, but adding a keyboard to my iPad is something I should have done a long time ago. However, I really miss the screen size and the speakers of the Pro. So part of me is wondering if I give it more time if I'd get used to the weight or is it a compromise that I'd have to live with to get the big screen? I know I can upgrade to a 9.7" Pro to get the better speakers, but it's not worth the money to upgrade from the Air 2 just for the speakers.

 

[ZBoater]

It ain't getting any lighter with time.

 

[TrueBlou]

The weight should be an issue for me (I've got severe nerve damage and holding a weight for a decent length of time is a real problem) and it definitely is if I hold it in the traditional way I've always held my iPads.

But I've started to hold the Pro by its furthest away edge, so that my arm runs diagonally across the back and letting the iPad rest on my forearm. I've found holding it in this way lets me hold it for long enough without the weight becoming a problem.

But there's no getting away from the fact that it's no lightweight.

 

[Clix Pix]

Most of the time mine is supported on a 3-wire stand, which works nicely most of the time with the Apple BT wireless keyboard positioned in front of the iPad. I just carry the iPad around the house but don't attempt to hold it and use it. Reading in bed with it IS possible, but I prefer the smaller, lighter iPad Pro 9.7 for that.

 

[upritbass]

Yes.

 

[4004786]

I used to find it heavy, but I've been using a 13" MacBook Pro at work these past few weeks, which has made the iPad feel like a lot lighter.

Before that, though, I was using my 12" MacBook, and for whatever reason the iPad feels bulkier than that.

 

[itsOver9000]

But the weight just killed me. Trying to use it in bed and holding it over my head for a while, or holding it up with one hand

100 reps, daily, with your iPad Pro and you'll be good to go.

 

[TrueBlou]

I used to find it heavy, but I've been using a 13" MacBook Pro at work these past few weeks, which has made the iPad feel like a lot lighter.

Before that, though, I was using my 12" MacBook, and for whatever reason the iPad feels bulkier than that.

That's interesting, I've not actually used the new MacBook, but if I remember correctly it's not as tall or wide as the Pro. I thought though that being a bit thicker and a good bit heavier than the Pro would have made it feel bulkier.

I know it's hard as we don't have like for like, but with some reports claiming the Pro can get close to (some) laptop performance, how do you find they compare?

 

[617aircav]

So it's a long backstory, but I've had an iPad Air 2 for a while now and I love it. I recently lost my PC and after the keynote the other day I started thinking about trying the iPad Pro as a PC replacement. I figured that if I was going to attempt to replace my PC with an iPad then a bigger screen would be better, so I ran out and bought a 12.9" iPad Pro and the keyboard cover.

I used it for about a week and a half and I love the screen size and the keyboard is great. It turns out that lack of keyboard was one big reason that I kept going back to the PC. Writing a long post like this using the on screen keyboard was a bit of a pain. Obviously an iPad can't do everything a PC can, but it can probably do well over 90% of what I use a PC for. I also love the quad speakers on the iPad Pro. It sounds significantly better than the Air 2.

But the weight just killed me. Trying to use it in bed and holding it over my head for a while, or holding it up with one hand as I typed with the other got tiring much too quickly. So much so that I decided to go back to my Air 2 last night. I had an old Bluetooth keyboard that I paired with the Air 2 and I figured that I'd use that combination for a few days before I returned the Pro.

Now I'm loving the weight of the Air 2... It's so much more comfortable to use. And the keyboard is great. If I decide to keep this combination I may get a better keyboard, but adding a keyboard to my iPad is something I should have done a long time ago. However, I really miss the screen size and the speakers of the Pro. So part of me is wondering if I give it more time if I'd get used to the weight or is it a compromise that I'd have to live with to get the big screen? I know I can upgrade to a 9.7" Pro to get the better speakers, but it's not worth the money to upgrade from the Air 2 just for the speakers.

Don't have a pro but upgraded from a surface 3 to a surface pro 4. I went back to the 3 as it was easier to hold. The 4 was just too big to use in bed.

 

[rui no onna]

Around the same weight as the original iPad. Didn't ever get used to carrying that for long periods so I doubt I'll get used to the Pro 12.9. Mind, I'm waiting for a generation or two more before jumping on the bandwagon. I just don't feel that software has caught up yet.

Indeed, I feel the same on a lot of iPhone apps (still not optimized for 4.7/5.5).

 

[Capt T]

I carry mine around quite a bit. To me it is light weight and well balanced. It is about the same weight as the original iPad.

 

[modernaccord]

I actually have been Mac free since iPad Pro 12.9" launch day. I still have my Mac, which I use to organize my business tax receipts, but it just sits at home on a desk and gets turned on maybe once a month. The rest of my time all of my work is done on the 12.9" iPad.

It's not heavy, and it's actually in my opinion a better product than the 12" MacBook if you want a quick computing solution. People think I'm crazy, but I genuinely don't find a need for my Mac anymore.

 

[TrueBlou]

I actually have been Mac free since iPad Pro 12.9" launch day. I still have my Mac, which I use to organize my business tax receipts, but it just sits at home on a desk and gets turned on maybe once a month. The rest of my time all of my work is done on the 12.9" iPad.

It's not heavy, and it's actually in my opinion a better product than the 12" MacBook if you want a quick computing solution. People think I'm crazy, but I genuinely don't find a need for my Mac anymore.

I'm in a similar situation. All my Mac is getting used for now is Xcode and a bit of Illustrator for artwork for apps. Even then I'm using Remote Desktop software to hook into it from my iPad 12.9" quite a bit. And I'm even edging away from illustrator and using Graphic and Concepts on the iPad with the Pencil more and more. (Not such a big fan of Illustrator on the iPad compared to other apps.)

I'm utterly shocked at just how productive I've become on my Pro, it's exceed my expectations, before now all of my iPads were 99.8% consumption devices.

 

[4004786]

That's interesting, I've not actually used the new MacBook, but if I remember correctly it's not as tall or wide as the Pro. I thought though that being a bit thicker and a good bit heavier than the Pro would have made it feel bulkier.

I know it's hard as we don't have like for like, but with some reports claiming the Pro can get close to (some) laptop performance, how do you find they compare?

Yeah, I'd expect it to feel bulkier, too! But for whatever reason it doesn't to me. My guess would be that it's because the laptop has a smaller footprint, but I'm not sure. Others may feel differently, of course

In terms of performance, I find that they're similar. Neither really lags or is slow for the tasks that I use them for. With that said, the Macbook is still a noticeably better experience in some regards. The fact that it has twice as much RAM as the IPP and never closes out is a big deal. If, on my iPad Pro, I have a few apps open (say...GoodNotes, YouTube, Netflix, Safari with 5 tabs), some of them are going to get cleared from memory.

Despite this, I still prefer using the Pro for everything other than programming. And I'd use it for programming if it were possible!

Oh, and, I also use them in tandem with the Astropad app. Photoshop open on the 12" MB with Pencil input on the 12.9" IPP. The experience is pretty great, especially considering that I use it unwired.

 

[TrueBlou]

Yeah, I'd expect it to feel bulkier, too! But for whatever reason it doesn't to me. My guess would be that it's because the laptop has a smaller footprint, but I'm not sure. Others may feel differently, of course

In terms of performance, I find that they're similar. Neither really lags or is slow for the tasks that I use them for. With that said, the Macbook is still a noticeably better experience in some regards. The fact that it has twice as much RAM as the IPP and never closes out is a big deal. If, on my iPad Pro, I have a few apps open (say...GoodNotes, YouTube, Netflix, Safari with 5 tabs), some of them are going to get cleared from memory.

Despite this, I still prefer using the Pro for everything other than programming. And I'd use it for programming if it were possible!

Oh, and, I also use them in tandem with the Astropad app. Photoshop open on the 12" MB with Pencil input on the 12.9" IPP. The experience is pretty great, especially considering that I use it unwired.

I'd quite like a native Xcode for the iPad Pro, we can dream I've been looking at Astropad recently for when I have no option but to use certain Mac apps, nice to hear an independent opinion of it.

 

[sam3020]

I had a 12.9 inch iPad Pro and absolutely loved it but brought a 9.7 inch iPad Pro and couldn't believe how small the screen felt to start with but now I love it and won't go back to the 12.9. It's so nice being able to hold it in 2 hands and type naturally

 

[Eric5273]

To answer the original question asked, no I don't think you get used to the weight. But you learn that the best way to use the 12.9" iPad Pro is when it is in some sort of stand. On my desk I use it with the Apple Smart Keyboard. In bed I have a stand as well that holds it up over my head so I can watch video or browse the web without holding the iPad. And if I am sitting down, then I just put it on my lap.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

Your muscles will adapt to just about anything unless you have a physical problem or the object is unreasonably too heavy for the body to adapt to.

 

[Ledgem]

I tried it for about two weeks but couldn't get on with it. I use my iPad as a paper replacement, writing and then referencing hand-written notes, and reading information. I was originally using an iPad mini for the job, and figured that I'd just adjust to the weight of the iPad Pro as I went. As others have mentioned, I learned to adjust my grip, but the most comfortable grip came to be one where I was resting the iPad against my torso and along my forearm. It was less exhausting that way, but a lot more restrictive. (Holding it like that, I could only effectively write on the upper half of the screen, which defeated some of the purpose of having the large screen in the first place.)

I don't find the weight to be particularly bothersome for use at home. Holding it while seated or laying down is fairly easy, and I can find ways to rest it on parts of furniture or areas of my body such that the weight does not become a bother over time. I would imagine that if you really force yourself, you can adjust to the weight... but there's no getting around the fact that it's tiring to hold with one hand for long periods of time. I generally think that Apple's obsession with "thin and light" has gone far enough, but the larger iPad Pro is one device that could benefit from continued advances in lightness.

 

[annk]

I thought it would be too big and heavy for me, but I got used to the size and weight immediately. I use it with the keyboard and/or pencil for email, browsing, taking notes, recording, watching movies and reading. For reading or watching movies in bed, I have it with the keyboard in back, in stand modus, on a lap desk (like this one), or I just detach it from the Smart keyboard and hold it.

Basically (almost) the only things I use my MBP for now are writing Word documents (I write a lot, proofread, use track changes and other functions, and have to use Word) and admin stuff on MR!

 

[urkel]

You don't get used to the weight, you only mentally justify it by convincing yourself that a tablet is a computer and a computer is supposed to weigh this much.

The weight bothered me at first because normal tasks felt strained by a heavier device. It took a while for me to get to the point of mental justification but once I got a Smart Keyboard I did it. I was carrying a new style of computer. But a week later I couldn't mask that my new computer was really just a tablet and that's when I decided to sell everything and go back to an Air2.

For me then a 1lb 9.7 just feels right and I can't wait for a deal on the new Pro Mini.

 

[TrueBlou]

I thought it would be too big and heavy for me, but I got used to the size and weight immediately. I use it with the keyboard and/or pencil for email, browsing, taking notes, recording, watching movies and reading. For reading or watching movies in bed, I have it with the keyboard in back, in stand modus, on a lap desk (like this one), or I just detach it from the Smart keyboard and hold it.

Basically (almost) the only things I use my MBP for now are writing Word documents (I write a lot, proofread, use track changes and other functions, and have to use Word) and admin stuff on MR!

They force you to use a non-mobile OS just to get work done. Bloody disgrace, about time they updated the system to support iOS.


I kid of course.

 

[Azzin]

Yes.

Easily and very quickly for me.

 

[TrueBlou]

You don't get used to the weight, you only mentally justify it by convincing yourself that a tablet is a computer and a computer is supposed to weigh this much.

The weight bothered me at first because normal tasks felt strained by a heavier device. It took a while for me to get to the point of mental justification but once I got a Smart Keyboard I did it. I was carrying a new style of computer. But a week later I couldn't mask that my new computer was really just a tablet and that's when I decided to sell everything and go back to an Air2.

For me then a 1lb 9.7 just feels right and I can't wait for a deal on the new Pro Mini.

I do see where you're coming from and I agree to a point. It's maybe not so much getting used to as adapting.

I mentioned earlier about having nerve damage, trust me if I couldn't get used to, or adapt to the weight. Then there's no way I'd be able to keep the iPad, it just wouldn't be an option no matter how much I liked it. It wouldn't be the first thing I've had to stop using.

But by completely changing how I've always held my iPads and resting it on my forearm instead of by its edges, it's better supported and the weight is better distributed. To the point that I am able to comfortably use it for enough of an extended period that I need to when it's not on a desk or resting on my lap.

 

[BrettDS]

Thanks for all the input. I'm still having trouble with this decision. I used my old Air 2 with the bluetooth keyboard for a few days and I love the weight, but I really missed the screen size and speakers of the big pro. I actually had wiped the pro and boxed it up again with the intent of returning it, but I decided to give it another try, so I pulled it out of the box again and restored it. I've been using both devices on and off for the past two days and that seems like a good solution, but I really can't justify owning two iPads, so I need to pick one or the other.

Perhaps I just overthink things. When the iPhone 6 came out, I preordered a 6, then two weeks later I found a 6+ and bought that and used it for about a week before deciding it was too heavy and awkward and returned it. I missed the big screen of the 6+, but I used my 6 for another two months and then bought another 6+ and decided that the big screen was worth dealing with the weight and I sold the 6. I still wish that the phone was smaller and lighter at times, but I really haven't looked back from there. I bought a 6S+ with no hesitation. Maybe I just need to give the pro a bit more of a chance.