I have both of the 2018 versions and if I had to choose only one it would most likely be the 11". It sits perfectly inside my steering wheel when I drive to a starbucks (parking lot) to smoke a cigar and watch videos. The 12.9" won't do that. It is also just more iPad-like for taking to coffee shops etc. I also prefer it for sitting at night reading the news while listening to music. That said, the 12.9 is my workhorse it gets used all day every day for my stock trading.
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iPad Pro Exchanged 12.9” for 11”
- Thread starter sorgo †
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kp98077
macrumors 601
rui no onna
Contributor
That boils down to personal preferences and use-cases. 🤷♀️
I was ok with the 12.9 in tablet mode most of the time, I think my biggest problem was when typing with my thumbs, as those letters near the center of the keyboard were a bit too hard to reach. I’ll never understand why Apple removed that brilliant split keyboard that solved this problem.
rui no onna
Contributor
I’ve got short, stubby fingers so I definitely understand. Even the 10.5” was already a bit harder for me to navigate compared to 9.7”.
I can use the 12.9 but 10-11 is just more comfortable for me for couch or bed use.
kp98077
macrumors 601
wow looks nice! yes for desktop i like the 12.9... for couch, bed, travel... no 🙂
Precisely.
I bought both, as I have noticed my reading has reduced drastically since not having a smaller iPad.
12.9 is on the desk permanently in the studio, in tablet mode [won't get the keyboard for this one]. been using it all morning so far, and really love it. Yes not a massive difference to my 2018, but enough to make the experience more fluid and quick which is what I want when working.
11 is at home and for mobile use [will get the white keyboard for this one]. This is more for consumption with work on the go.
I just take it off for the couch, I use my 12 pro max in bed or sleep lol. I had a 2018 11” for 2.5 years.
I travel for work by car so no issue.
My wife’s 11” looks like a mini next to this lol.
kp98077
macrumors 601
And now I am more leaning to the 11" again 🙂 The 12.9", with keyboard or no keyboard is no joy in bed 🙂
Never used the pencil with the 10.5 so I guess thats it then 🙂 Jus ordered the pen anyway 🙂
For some reason I see advantages to both. Sold my maxed out 16" and gone for a 13" M1 MBP so I have some funding left so to speak. The 13" MBP and 12.9"iPad with keyboard is less money than what I got for the 16".
prospervic
macrumors 65816
Which makes it PERFECT for watching Zack Snyder's Justice League.
So I put this on the other exchange 12.9 for 11 due to blooming/shadows thread… (coming from a 2018 512GB IPP 11 Cellular). I’m impatiently waiting for the 14/16” MBP.
“Returned the 2021 12.9 and picked up a 2021 1TB Cellular 11 today. Also have the MK for both and spent a few comparing… typing, looking at the same screens, etc… 12.9 screen a bit brighter, whites whiter, darker colors a bit deeper than the 11. 11 seemed a bit warmer color. 12.9 MK a bit easier to type on than the 11, which required a bit of adjustment then felt fine. Funnily after being on the 12.9 for ~1 week, the 11 felt tiny and looked like it side by side, despite being decently sized. However, 12.9 I 2 handed and propped more than I like and had to focus holding it 1 handed, whereas the 11 you just don’t (need to) pay attention holding it.
I know it’s been talked about before, but IMO if Apple made a 12” Pro that came in at 1.25 lbs, I think that’s the sweet spot between portability and utility.”
“Returned the 2021 12.9 and picked up a 2021 1TB Cellular 11 today. Also have the MK for both and spent a few comparing… typing, looking at the same screens, etc… 12.9 screen a bit brighter, whites whiter, darker colors a bit deeper than the 11. 11 seemed a bit warmer color. 12.9 MK a bit easier to type on than the 11, which required a bit of adjustment then felt fine. Funnily after being on the 12.9 for ~1 week, the 11 felt tiny and looked like it side by side, despite being decently sized. However, 12.9 I 2 handed and propped more than I like and had to focus holding it 1 handed, whereas the 11 you just don’t (need to) pay attention holding it.
I know it’s been talked about before, but IMO if Apple made a 12” Pro that came in at 1.25 lbs, I think that’s the sweet spot between portability and utility.”
Im keeping my 12.9” I love the screen and with the magic keyboard it will replace my notebook except for one work application that requires windows os and I ONLY us that when we do an onsite install on the digital price labels
If 12.9 is too heavy then you need to be in the gym at least 4 times a week. Stop making excuses.
Just kidding. But yeah, I understand the appeal of the 11. It's smaller but still it seems like there's a decent amount of room. I had the first Pros and it trips me out how they made the screens bigger just by shrinking the bezels.
For me, it just seems like everything is better with the bigger screen. Might be a little more convenient to read with one hand with the 11, but I find the 12.9 pretty light for its size and I appreciate that.
Just kidding. But yeah, I understand the appeal of the 11. It's smaller but still it seems like there's a decent amount of room. I had the first Pros and it trips me out how they made the screens bigger just by shrinking the bezels.
For me, it just seems like everything is better with the bigger screen. Might be a little more convenient to read with one hand with the 11, but I find the 12.9 pretty light for its size and I appreciate that.
Lol I live at the gym, have decent sized hands but don’t have Shaq sized flippers.
Magic keyboard makes a difference with productivity for the 11. You gain that on screen keyboard screen real estate back. Didn’t have it for my 2018 11 IPP but wish I would’ve bought it.
Rafterman
macrumors 604
Actually, there's nothing perfect for watching Justice League 😀
OK, I'm being harsh. Snyder's version wasn't too bad.
MrEcted
macrumors regular
I'm definitely glad we have a choice.
Every time I look at that picture I'm reminded of when I had a 12.9 and I couldn't wait to get rid of it and get the 11. That picture really highlights the size and 4:3 aspect ratio. I remember every time I tried walking around with my 12.9 I always felt like I was hauling around a giant square.
Those long nights, walking down the street with just me and my square. Some good memories at times, but I'm glad they are memories now.
We still have a 11” so i can compare, depends on your uses, i don’t walk down the street or anywhere except around the house from office to lounge with a iPad lol, or it goes in the car.
Much prefer the 4.3 for video content, the 11” looks grey in comparison.
If i want to use something smaller i have a 12 pro max.
MrEcted
macrumors regular
I know you're "just kidding", but the weight issue is fairly significant IMO. The 12.9 is 30% heavier, and even more-so if you attach the Magic Keyboard (11-inch MKB, while heavy, is certainly lighter) but it's not just the raw weight that's an issue. The fact is that the 12.9 is like a massive square and since it's much wider that means the added length creates a larger "lever" which will give the perception of even more added weight when using it with one hand.
I'm a gym rat so it's not that it's an issue with handling weight, it's just annoying to hold because it starts to dig into your hand, meanwhile I could one-hand the 11-inch all day with no discomfort.
MrEcted
macrumors regular
Comparing the 11-inch to a 12 Pro MAX is a little bit ridiculous, right? They're in completely different classes. That's like saying "sure I prefer my Grave Digger monster truck, but why would I even consider a Ford F-150 for something smaller when I've always got this go-kart?"
haruhiko
macrumors 604
Don’t watch HDR videos on YouTube before returning your 12.9”. It will be a very hard decision after that.