iPad 12.9" owners - buy new 10.5", updated 12.9" or stick with current model?

[Max Your Macs]

I've been playing with the 10.5 coming from my 12.9. It feels a LOT smaller. I'm not yet convinced if I want to keep it or not. The display is really nice, and it is fast and responsive. I'm just not sure if I can get over the size of the apps in split screen mode.

I'm I the same boat. I have a first gen 12.9 and have loved it since the day I got it. The size was a little much at times like reading or watching movies in bed or whatever but not horrible. The new stuff in the 10.5 got my interest and I happened to find a really great deal on a return at Best Buy so I took the plunge. Spending a couple days using both side by side but honestly, I keep leaning back to the 12.9.

I'm not going to rehash the spec differences here since there are a million posts about that but to me, even though I see some difference, it's not earth shattering. The Apple Pencil is a bit smoother but it's not like it was terrible of the 12.9 to begin with and True Tone and ProMotion is nice the first two seconds you look for it then it just gets forgotten.

I think one thing that bothers me more than anything is that everything still seems so 'small' on the 10.5. Honestly, it still feels like the older 9.7 to use. The smaller (full size) keyboard, truncated Split View apps, etc... still makes it seem like a lot of software compromises for the sake of size. The weight difference is only half a pound so realistically it's not much.

Wondering if anyone else is seeing the same real-world experiences. I mean, you can compare specs all day and oohhhh and ahhhh over that but the truth is in using the devices all day and seeing how the differences really affect your work and use. I think I'm sticking with my 12.9 gen one and waiting to see how much more amazing iOS 11 makes use of that still beautiful screen.

 

[craig1410]

I'm I the same boat. I have a first gen 12.9 and have loved it since the day I got it. The size was a little much at times like reading or watching movies in bed or whatever but not horrible. The new stuff in the 10.5 got my interest and I happened to find a really great deal on a return at Best Buy so I took the plunge. Spending a couple days using both side by side but honestly, I keep leaning back to the 12.9.

I'm not going to rehash the spec differences here since there are a million posts about that but to me, even though I see some difference, it's not earth shattering. The Apple Pencil is a bit smoother but it's not like it was terrible of the 12.9 to begin with and True Tone and ProMotion is nice the first two seconds you look for it then it just gets forgotten.

I think one thing that bothers me more than anything is that everything still seems so 'small' on the 10.5. Honestly, it still feels like the older 9.7 to use. The smaller (full size) keyboard, truncated Split View apps, etc... still makes it seem like a lot of software compromises for the sake of size. The weight difference is only half a pound so realistically it's not much.

Wondering if anyone else is seeing the same real-world experiences. I mean, you can compare specs all day and oohhhh and ahhhh over that but the truth is in using the devices all day and seeing how the differences really affect your work and use. I think I'm sticking with my 12.9 gen one and waiting to see how much more amazing iOS 11 makes use of that still beautiful screen.

Well this post almost saved me from writing one of my own. Couldn't agree more.

I WANT a new iPad but I think I'll at least wait until the new iPhone is announced, presumably just after iOS 11 is available to the public. By that time developers will have had time to create iOS 11 versions of their apps and we can see whether the usability of the iPad really has made a huge leap forward as expected. I'm running the developer beta so I know that it has but we still need to see the results in terms of 3rd party app improvements.

Once I see what the new iPhone(s) bring along and can see whether the 12.9" Gen 1 iPad has any iOS 11 features disabled and can see the first few iOS 11 3rd party pro apps (I'm a web app developer) then I can decide whether to upgrade my iPhone 7+ or my 12.9" Gen 1 iPad (or neither or both). Simples...

 

[danmart]

I've upgraded from the gen 1 to gen 2 12.9 iPad and one of the biggest differences is that the new device is far easier to use outside in bright sunlight. If this is a factor for (the generic) you it could make a big difference.

 

[craig1410]

I've upgraded from the gen 1 to gen 2 12.9 iPad and one of the biggest differences is that the new device is far easier to use outside in bright sunlight. If this is a factor for (the generic) you it could make a big difference.

I suspect bright sunlight is more of an issue south of the Scottish border than it is to the north where I live

 

[44267547]

I've upgraded from the gen 1 to gen 2 12.9 iPad and one of the biggest differences is that the new device is far easier to use outside in bright sunlight. If this is a factor for (the generic) you it could make a big difference.

On the technical side, the new 12.9 iPad has 600 Nits of brightness compared to 424 Nits of brightness on the 2015 12.9 iPad.

 

[danmart]

I suspect bright sunlight is more of an issue south of the Scottish border than it is to the north where I live

I get to Scotland regularly and some days the weather is beautiful!