How lap-able is the Pro 12.9

[TrueBlou]

Are you using any case or stand?

It definitely is heavier, and its size does mean I have to think a second before picking it up. If I grab it by a corner, that would definitely cause a "oops" moment as the weight would twist it against my hand. I have to take care to pick it up by the middle of an edge. The Air is so light I can pick it up any which way without thinking about it. I also decided to just go with a TPU back case, and forego the Smart Cover, because I feared the combined weight of back case + Smart Cover would make the iPP too heavy. There are definitely moments when I glance at the iPad Air, thinking longingly of it's almost weightless ease of handling, then I look at the gorgeous 12.9 screen, and I never pick up my Air after all. But I can definitely understand how some people might prefer the 9.7 form factor.

Oh it's definitely noticeably heavier than my old Air 2, but no, definitely no case in normal use, it makes it far too heavy.

I do have the Smart Keyboard but that's fine as when I'm holding the Pro I just detach the keyboard. I've also got a nice leather case for it just in case I'm going anywhere that's going to demand a bit of extra protection in transit. But again it'll be coming out of that most of the time to use it.

I've got a skin on the back to protect from scratches and other than keyboard use, that's all I have on it when I'm using it. Which is great, I always fit skins because they basically add no weight or bulk.

I can't hold it by its edge with one hand for long because of the nerve damage, so I've taken to putting my hand across to the opposit edge of the iPad and letting it rest on my forearm instead of holding it at the edge (kind of like the way you'd hold a clipboard.)

I find it extremely comfortable and well balanced that way and it doesn't aggravate my injury which is a major aspect. If it caused a problem I'd have to get rid of it no matter how much I like it.

But yeah, screen size/weight and, well, all aspects I suppose are very personal things, none of us are exactly the same, thank god

My wife point blank refuses to own an iPad bigger than her Mini 4. I was tempted to buy her an Air 2 instead of the Mini 4 at the time (it was a surprise Christmas present, or birthday I forget which, she got the Waych for one, iPad for the other) but in the end I knew she'd have clubbed me over the skull with it because it would have been too big for her. She is only a dainty wee thing.



*Edit
Ooft, sorry, kind of rambled off on one there. I've had to take extra meds today so I'm high as a really high kite, makes me waffle

 

[Night Spring]

I can't hold it by its edge with one hand for long because of the nerve damage, so I've taken to putting my hand across to the opposit edge of the iPad and letting it rest on my forearm instead of holding it at the edge (kind of like the way you'd hold a clipboard.)

I sometimes find myself holding it like that when I'm walking around with it. When I'm sitting down, I usually rest the long edge against my legs, and support the short edges with both my hands. Sometimes I use a pillow to help prop it up.

I'm a smallish woman myself, but unlike your wife, I always preferred the 9.7 iPads over the mini, and now that I have the 12.9, I absolutely love it. Could be that because of my eyesight, the bigger the screen, easier to read. But like you said, the 12.9 is close to the size of a clipboard, which everyone can handle, including young kids. So your wife preferring the mini isn't solely due to her size!

 

[TrueBlou]

I sometimes find myself holding it like that when I'm walking around with it. When I'm sitting down, I usually rest the long edge against my legs, and support the short edges with both my hands. Sometimes I use a pillow to help prop it up.

I'm a smallish woman myself, but unlike your wife, I always preferred the 9.7 iPads over the mini, and now that I have the 12.9, I absolutely love it. Could be that because of my eyesight, the bigger the screen, easier to read. But like you said, the 12.9 is close to the size of a clipboard, which everyone can handle, including young kids. So your wife preferring the mini isn't solely due to her size!

Yeah I suppose that's true. I desperately want to make a joke about her just being used to the 7.9" size, but that would just be crass

 

[AFEPPL]

That is just not true. The 12.9 works great in the lap and i would prefer over a laptop any day.

But you are confusing two things... you could use a 60" TV on your lap, it doesnt mean its the best or most useable solution. You can use an iPad on you knee without doubt, but for most, given you have to "support" the device its never going to be as comfortable as a laptop like device.

 

[TrueBlou]

But you are confusing two things... you could use a 60" TV on your lap, it doesnt mean its the best or most useable solution. You can use an iPad on you knee without doubt, but for most, given you have to "support" the device its never going to be as comfortable as a laptop like device.

You're dead right that it's an individual thing. But don't you think we're just a bit spoiled with size and weight of devices these days leading to silliness like this.

I used to have an Alienware laptop that weighed more than a current 21" iMac does. If we have managed things like that in the past, and a lot of us must have, surely something like an iPad is a lightweight by comparison.

 

[Night Spring]

given you have to "support" the device its never going to be as comfortable as a laptop like device.

Think I may have said this before, but laptop has the keyboard, which I find always gets in the way, especially when trying to read. And I use my iPad for reading around 80-99% of the time. So I'd rather support the iPad with my hands than deal with the laptop keyboard, which I find very uncomfortable.

 

[Newtons Apple]

But you are confusing two things... you could use a 60" TV on your lap, it doesnt mean its the best or most useable solution. You can use an iPad on you knee without doubt, but for most, given you have to "support" the device its never going to be as comfortable as a laptop like device.

Sorry but I have not touched my laptops after getting an iPad for Internet crusing. No possible way I would go back to a laptop. For me the iPad, not matter what size is the best by far!

 

[Stevi]

You're dead right that it's an individual thing. But don't you think we're just a bit spoiled with size and weight of devices these days leading to silliness like this.

I used to have an Alienware laptop that weighed more than a current 21" iMac does. If we have managed things like that in the past, and a lot of us must have, surely something like an iPad is a lightweight by comparison.

In the early 90s when I was doing my Master's my Dad used to lug home a Compac portable computer so I could type my thesis. Calling it portable by todays standards is down right laughable. It had a screen that couldn't have been bigger than an iPad Mini and it was black and the type was green. It had no real graphics capabilities to speak of and it was basically an enormous typewriter. The last thing it ever was, was lapable. You would need someone to lift it onto your lap and once there you'd be yelling to get the d@mn thing off.

I am constantly amazed at how far computing has come since I first started tinkering with computers in the late 1970s. Everything is definitely relative.

 

[AFEPPL]

Sorry but I have not touched my laptops after getting an iPad for Internet crusing. No possible way I would go back to a laptop. For me the iPad, not matter what size is the best by far!

That doesn't make it better or worse...
I wouldnt touch an iPad of any size for web browsing or anything but noddy games if a laptop was within reach.

The question was lap work... a laptop on your lap means two free hands, iPad on lap, means 50% less productivity and no real keyboard. Game over.

 

[Newtons Apple]

That doesn't make it better or worse...
I wouldnt touch an iPad of any size for web browsing or anything but noddy games if a laptop was within reach.

The question was lap work... a laptop on your lap means two free hands, iPad on lap, means 50% less productivity and no real keyboard. Game over.

So you think I and everyone else is holding onto their iPad in the lap while using it? LOL!

That tells me you do not even have an iPad and have no idea. Game over for you.

Maybe in your opinion and I guess I am not allowed to mine?

 

[AFEPPL]

Its not an opinion around better or worse.. You have to hold it, thats one less hand, that 50%.
It is what it is... you can't use the apple keyboard on your lap comfortably as it is now. At best you can kinda make it work on an aircraft. i didn't deny you your opinion, but you won't agree you have compromises.

I have ipads, and i made my opinion on them clear, i'd reach for the laptop.
I won't touch the 12.9, too big, too heavy and yes, i have one next to me RIGHT now..

 

[Newtons Apple]

Its not an opinion around better or worse.. You have to hold it, thats one less hand, that 50%.
It is what it is... you can't use the apple keyboard on your lap comfortably as it is now. At best you can kinda make it work on an aircraft. i didn't deny you your opinion, but you won't agree you have compromises.

I have ipads, and i made my opinion on them clear, i'd reach for the laptop.
I won't touch the 12.9, too big, too heavy and yes, i have one next to me RIGHT now..

If you are having to hold your iPad in your lap with one hand you are doing it wrong.

 

[AFEPPL]

Gravity is a bitch, if i let go, it falls flat...

 

[Newtons Apple]

Humans are supposed to adapt and figure out how to do things . . . . laughing at the idea that when you let it go it falls flat and you do it over and over again trying to figure it out!

I guess all can not adapt.

 

[AFEPPL]

Humans do, we came to the conclusion a square wheel is not the best idea in most cases.
While we can adapt and overcome, sometime it is best not to try and sweep the floor with a spade, or dig a hole with a rake!! Best to agree, the opinions won't align..

 

[Night Spring]

You have to hold it, thats one less hand, that 50%.

I hold it like this.

I can type on the on screen keyboard with both hands if I want. Or I can grip both edges and use my thumbs to scroll. Or I can hold it with one hand while tapping with the other index finger, as in this picture. If you don't like sitting with y,our legs up, you can use a pillow to prop it up.

Or there are cases like this, which makes the iPad sit on your lap like a laptop.

 

[TrueBlou]

View attachment 627722

In the early 90s when I was doing my Master's my Dad used to lug home a Compac portable computer so I could type my thesis. Calling it portable by todays standards is down right laughable. It had a screen that couldn't have been bigger than an iPad Mini and it was black and the type was green. It had no real graphics capabilities to speak of and it was basically an enormous typewriter. The last thing it ever was, was lapable. You would need someone to lift it onto your lap and once there you'd be yelling to get the d@mn thing off.

I am constantly amazed at how far computing has come since I first started tinkering with computers in the late 1970s. Everything is definitely relative.

Oh I remember those beasts, not seen a piccie of one for a while. I remember when I was amazed by those.

I totally agree with you, it was the late 70's when I first started getting interested in computing/technology as well. I'm still constantly amazed at what we can achieve now, I remember when my Psion was my go to choice of pocketable computing. Still got an old Windows CE device in the drawer as well, when I look at that compared to now it's just laughable.

 

[Phil A.]

Well maybe it depends on your lap...if you have a teeny tiny lap, it might not fit, whereas if you have a large lap it will fit comfortably...What I am trying to say is only you can decide if it fits your lap comfortably.

I'm 5' 11" and weigh 150lbs so don't have a very big lap but have no issues at all using the bigger iPP on my lap either with or without the smart keyboard. The way some people talk about the bigger iPP you'd think it was 30", not 12.9"

 

[richpjr]

If you are having to hold your iPad in your lap with one hand you are doing it wrong.

I only have a 9.7 iPad at the moment, but am not sure how gravity would make it (or any size iPad) fall off my lap. An earthquake might though...

 

[Newtons Apple]

I hold it like this.

I can type on the on screen keyboard with both hands if I want. Or I can grip both edges and use my thumbs to scroll. Or I can hold it with one hand while tapping with the other index finger, as in this picture. If you don't like sitting with y,our legs up, you can use a pillow to prop it up.

Or there are cases like this, which makes the iPad sit on your lap like a laptop.

Looks like you are one of the great humans who COULD adapt!

 

[dugbee]

Thanks for this thread. Anyone have a "wedge" pillow http://www.wedgestand.com/ that would work with a 12.9? (right on their site it's not recommended) My mother has an iPad 3 and uses it with a wedgestand. I was thinking of getting her the 12.9, but not unless she can use it in a similar fashion.

She mainly plays games and watches YouTube, so a keyboard cover wouldn't get much use, and I worry that the rigid covers wouldn't be as comfortable. Part of me thinks the larger size would be good for older eyes, the other part of me thinks she'll be resistant to the change and I should just get her a new 9.7 Pro. Can't seem to win!

 

[Night Spring]

Thanks for this thread. Anyone have a "wedge" pillow http://www.wedgestand.com/ that would work with a 12.9? (right on their site it's not recommended) My mother has an iPad 3 and uses it with a wedgestand. I was thinking of getting her the 12.9, but not unless she can use it in a similar fashion.

I've actually been using that wedgestand with my 12.9 iPP -- I never noticed that they don't recommend it! It's a bit unstable if you try to use it in portrait, but quite fine for landscape.

Also, you might consider the Smart Cover for your mom. I find it quite comfortable to prop up my iPad with that, though you might need to show her how to fold it, if she hasn't used one before. And yes, the larger size is great for older eyes. Do consider using the zoom display mode to make it even easier.

 

[dugbee]

I've actually been using that wedgestand with my 12.9 iPP -- I never noticed that they don't recommend it! It's a bit unstable if you try to use it in portrait, but quite fine for landscape.

Also, you might consider the Smart Cover for your mom.

Thanks for the info! Yep I am planning on getting the Smart Cover. The iPad 3 is the greatest thing I ever got her, it reduced my tech support calls to almost none! But now it's showing its age (speed wise) so a new one will be great.

 

[modernaccord]

you're going to want some sort of keyboard with a sturdy hinge (not a magnet like the smart keyboard). The SK only works on a table or on your lap if you sit perfectly straight and don't move much.

The only reason I keep the ASK around is because it is the thinnest solution on the market and my use case doesn't call for much typing.

 

[Tom G.]

Totally lap able. I use it with the pen and quill leather case so that I can use the Apple Smart keyboard without removing it from the pen and quill case. I have no problems at all in using it.

For me the 9.7inch iPad would be way too small, I love the size of the 12.9. For me it is perfect.