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Help Me Decide... 128gb 9.7 Pro or 32gb 12.9 Pro?

128gb 9.7 Pro or 32gb 12.9 Pro?

  • Total voters
    61
  • Poll closed .
MrXiro

MrXiro

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Nov 2, 2007
3,850
599
Los Angeles
I've narrowed my decision down to these two models. They are both within my budget. I currently have a 64gb Air 2 I am looking to sell on CL.

I was able to get an open item 32gb 12.9 model for $623 last week but now I'm kind of debating if I want more storage and some of the new features (the color gamut intrigues me) of the 9.7.
Usage on my 64gb Air 2 was generally around 25-36gb depending on what movies I had on it at the moment, but I rarely needed to manage it unless I shoved a bunch of HD movies on it.

I'd have to spend roughly $125 more for the new 9.7 Pro since there is no discount on it.

Please pick which you would do.

EDIT: My uses include taking it to the gym to use on the elliptical machine to watch TV, reading/surfing in bed and on the couch. Since I got the 12.9 I've also been drawing again. As a kid I wanted to be a comic book artist.
 
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What do you use it for? If you actually try to be productive or doesn't really live the couch I would get the 12" but if it's just for media consumption or entertainment on the go and travel I'd get the 9"

This really is your descion. Can't help to much with this one.
 
MrXiro said:
I've narrowed my decision down to these two models. They are both within my budget. I currently have a 64gb Air 2 I am looking to sell on CL.

I was able to get an open item 32gb 12.9 model for $623 last week but now I'm kind of debating if I want more storage and some of the new features (the color gamut intrigues me) of the 9.7.
Usage on my 64gb Air 2 was generally around 25-36gb depending on what movies I had on it at the moment, but I rarely needed to manage it unless I shoved a bunch of HD movies on it.

I'd have to spend roughly $125 more for the new 9.7 Pro since there is no discount on it.

Please pick which you would do.
Click to expand...
I just received my 12.9 Pro. The thing is a beast. It is slightly smaller than the windshield on my wife's Mini Cooper and large enough to blot out the sun over a small city. :eek:
Up to this point I've only ever owned 9.7 iPads from day-1 of the 1st gen iPad up until today.

I think that the issue comes down to screen size... as another posted said, avoid the 32GB. If it means waiting to save up money and/or killer deal to get the 128 (of either size) do it.

Why you might choose the 12.9 iPP:
  • Want to make heavy use of splitwindow
  • Remote desktop into another system
  • Heavy use as a drawing/handwriting tablet
  • More spacious keyboard cover layout/spacing
 
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32GB would fill up very quickly for me, If you're just going to stream everything I suppose you could get by


Also, the size difference is dramatic, 9.7" is very portable, the 12".... not so much
 
sracer said:
I just received my 12.9 Pro. The thing is a beast. It is slightly smaller than the windshield on my wife's Mini Cooper and large enough to blot out the sun over a small city. :eek:
Up to this point I've only ever owned 9.7 iPads from day-1 of the 1st gen iPad up until today.

I think that the issue comes down to screen size... as another posted said, avoid the 32GB. If it means waiting to save up money and/or killer deal to get the 128 (of either size) do it.

Why you might choose the 12.9 iPP:
  • Want to make heavy use of splitwindow
  • Remote desktop into another system
  • Heavy use as a drawing/handwriting tablet
  • More spacious keyboard cover layout/spacing
Click to expand...

I love the size of the screen... but hate the size of the tablet... it is very unwieldy... I wish I had some Dr Who TARDIS magic and had a 12.9 inch screen in a 10 inch body. :p
 
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This is truly a decision only you can make.

The two Pro tablets are largely the same in terms of features.

The 12.9" weighs 1.5 pounds, has a massive screen, great for watching movies and other content consumption. The machine also has 4GB of RAM, as opposed to the 9.7"'s 2GB. If you often have a lot of tabs open and use the split-screen multitasking frequently, the 4GB of RAM may make a difference in your day to day usage. If you use the camera adapter, the USB 3.0 speeds may also be noticeable to you.

The 9.7" only weighs a pound and has a smaller, more portable form factor. However, this also comes with a smaller screen size. The advantages are a superior camera system, wider color gamut, and the ability to adjust the screen based on ambient light. Oh, and always on Hey Siri, if that floats your boat.
 
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fenderbass146 said:
What do you use it for? If you actually try to be productive or doesn't really live the couch I would get the 12" but if it's just for media consumption or entertainment on the go and travel I'd get the 9"

This really is your descion. Can't help to much with this one.
Click to expand...

I take my iPad to the gym a lot. Actually every day. Watch tv shows on the elliptical. But I also couch it a bit too. Been drawing a bit since I got the 12.9.
[doublepost=1459267537][/doublepost]
Speedy Gonzalez said:
Whatever you decide to get make yourself a favor and stay away from 32GB
Click to expand...

Why is 32 so bad? I used to be able to manage on 16gb... though I'm sure I couldn't now.
 
MrXiro said:
I take my iPad to the gym a lot. Actually every day. Watch tv shows on the elliptical. But I also couch it a bit too. Been drawing a bit since I got the 12.9.
[doublepost=1459267537][/doublepost]

Why is 32 so bad? I used to be able to manage on 16gb... though I'm sure I couldn't now.
Click to expand...

You said you usually use 25-36GB of space on your Air 2, so 32GB isn't bad as long you as you don't mind constantly having to juggle the storage. You may find it a bit frustrating and limiting in the long run, though.
 
MrXiro said:
I take my iPad to the gym a lot. Actually every day. Watch tv shows on the elliptical. But I also couch it a bit too. Been drawing a bit since I got the 12.9.
[doublepost=1459267537][/doublepost]

Why is 32 so bad? I used to be able to manage on 16gb... though I'm sure I couldn't now.
Click to expand...
If your using it in a gym. Please for the love of god get the 9"
 
CE3 said:
You said you usually use 25-36GB of space on your Air 2, so 32GB isn't bad as long you as you don't mind constantly having to juggle the storage. You may find it a bit frustrating and limiting in the long run, though.
Click to expand...

Well I am constantly deleting the TV shows I watch on there. That's what I have mostly on my iPad... I delete the show right after I watch it cause I don't like the clutter in my videos window. Also to make room for new stuff, so it's constant juggling unless I'm not able to make it to he gym and get a backlog.
[doublepost=1459268813][/doublepost]
fenderbass146 said:
If your using it in a gym. Please for the love of god get the 9"
Click to expand...

Ha... I've taken the 12.9 to the gym... while I feel like a tool. It kind of rocks to watch TV on a 13 inch screen. But I also felt like a tool with my first gen iPad years ago when everyone else was just using their tiny phones. :p
 
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MrXiro said:
Why is 32 so bad? I used to be able to manage on 16gb... though I'm sure I couldn't now.
Click to expand...
With greater capabilities comes the possibility of greater storage needs. More apps. Larger apps.

I don't know what Apple has in store for iOS, but there is a reason why they are producing 128GB and 256GB iPads now (and discontinued the 64GB option). That is at odds with their push for iCloud.

It is highly unlikely but what if iOS 10 (X) is something revolutionary that would be able to take advantage of that extra storage? It would be similar to the iPad Air 1's 1GB preventing it from utilizing splitwindow. I could see an iOS 10-exclusive feature that requires 128GB or greater.
 
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It depends WHAT you're putting on the device. I have a 64gb iphone 6S with 145 apps and 31 photos and am using a whopping 16.7gb. No videos, but even on a 32gb device with 27.5gb free there is still enough for 4-5 full movies there and not maxing it out.

Games are going to be bigger apps. Even simpler games like Clash of Clans type games will ge 100mb game but will cache a ton of data making it bloat. Most regular every day apps could be 50mb even with the cache. Except for Word and Excel together which are 1gb.

If you're not gaming on it and not storing all of you 10,000 songs and movie library, and are ok loading up and deleting video every now and then, then 32gb should be enough really.
 
ZBoater said:
I'd say save up a bit more and get the 128GB 9.7" Pro. And a pencil. And a keyboard. And a case. And AppleCare.

Save a LOT more.
Click to expand...
I got a pencil already. I don't think I need the keyboard... it's not quite the right workflow for me on a Pro. I use a Macpro for video editing and a Macbookr for writing on the go... I bought a full body case from Amazon that works pretty good. It even lets me magnetically attach the Pencil to the cover when not in use... the hold isn't great but it stays...

Since the LTE 128gb iPad is now the same price as the none LTE at Best Buy this week. I was considering that one too. At this point the standard 128gb 12.9 isn't an option because I don't want to pay full price on a product that is mid cycle.
[doublepost=1459272804][/doublepost]
stulaw11 said:
It depends WHAT you're putting on the device. I have a 64gb iphone 6S with 145 apps and 31 photos and am using a whopping 16.7gb. No videos, but even on a 32gb device with 27.5gb free there is still enough for 3-4-5 full movies there.
Click to expand...

Mostly videos.... handful of games. I had to delete a few of the fatter games from the 32gb Pro when I did a restore from my Air 2 with it.
 
MrXiro said:
I take my iPad to the gym a lot. Actually every day. Watch tv shows on the elliptical. But I also couch it a bit too. Been drawing a bit since I got the 12.9.
[doublepost=1459267537][/doublepost]

Why is 32 so bad? I used to be able to manage on 16gb... though I'm sure I couldn't now.
Click to expand...

well in my experience most of the good games are big some even up to 4gb now you may want to put some videos or tv shows or music the bigger storage is more so you don't have to manage space.
 
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If you're already sitting at 25-36GB usage, I think going with 32GB will be cutting it pretty close. Fine if you're willing to replace the iPad within a year or two. Not so much if you plan on using it longer. While RAM is a possible issue for future longevity, lack of storage has always been my pet peeve.

Apps have gotten bigger nowadays and I've found it really annoying to get an error message when updating, say, Numbers and/or Excel because available storage has gone down to 0MB and there's not enough space for caching the upgrade files.
 
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rui no onna said:
If you're already sitting at 25-36GB usage, I think going with 32GB will be cutting it pretty close. Fine if you're willing to replace the iPad within a year or two. Not so much if you plan on using it longer. While RAM is a possible issue for future longevity, lack of storage has always been my pet peeve.

Apps have gotten bigger nowadays and I've found it really annoying to get an error message when updating, say, Numbers and/or Excel because available storage has gone down to 0MB and there's not enough space for caching the upgrade files.
Click to expand...

I am definitely a serial upgrader. I think the only iPad I didn't buy was the iPad 4 (went mini that year) and I bought a Air 1 but decided to go with Mini 2 instead so I returned it and swapped it.
 
While I think the ram issue is a little overblown around here I think the portability issue of the 12.9" is a little overblown as well. To put it in perspective it's a half pound heavier than the iPad Air 2 and the size of a pad of paper which I carry around all the time at work. It isn't like you are dragging around a boat anchor here it's still more portable than just about any laptop, half pound lighter than the MacBook and a little bigger and those things are amazingly portable.

Of course the 10" is more portable but using the pro on an airplane or something wouldn't be much different than using an 13" macbook air size wise and I don't see anyone complaining of the portability of that. I do see reviewers saying they wouldn't take the pro on a plane however which just doesn't make sense to me. I'm sure they all have no problem with a 13" air. I do tend to use it in my lap more but it's actually really comfortable to use that way. Lot less strain than even one handing my mini for any decent amount of time honestly and you aren't losing anything in landscape. Kind of like having two iPads with split screen.

It is something to consider and I would say you use it differently (which is where I think a lot of this stems from) but it definitely isn't something you could just use at home or have any issues bringing it along with you or using in most cases. So I'd say it's still really portable in the grand scheme of things but I do use it more like a laptop. I guess instead of fighting that I'm really enjoying using it that way. It's a different experience but an overall positive one in my case at least.
 
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MrXiro said:
I've narrowed my decision down to these two models. They are both within my budget. I currently have a 64gb Air 2 I am looking to sell on CL.

I was able to get an open item 32gb 12.9 model for $623 last week but now I'm kind of debating if I want more storage and some of the new features (the color gamut intrigues me) of the 9.7.
Usage on my 64gb Air 2 was generally around 25-36gb depending on what movies I had on it at the moment, but I rarely needed to manage it unless I shoved a bunch of HD movies on it.

I'd have to spend roughly $125 more for the new 9.7 Pro since there is no discount on it.

Please pick which you would do.

EDIT: My uses include taking it to the gym to use on the elliptical machine to watch TV, reading/surfing in bed and on the couch. Since I got the 12.9 I've also been drawing again. As a kid I wanted to be a comic book artist.
Click to expand...


Help You decide Simple new 9.7 Inch iPad Pro has

- Much better Camera
- 25% better colors
- Much Brighter display than the 12.9 iPad Pro
 
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