iPad Pro 12 or 9?

[ouchiko]

So my iPad Mini 2 is feeling a little sluggish and with the iPhone 6S i own its starting to not really be a useful device. So Im debating with the iPad 9.7 Air 2 or Pro or indeed the Pro 12. Whilst price matters, for the sake of this argument lets ignore it.

I mostly use my iPad at home, browsing the web and playing the odd game. I watch Youtube and the various streaming apps but I won't be buying it to do any "pro" work. My heart is for the 12 simply because of the screen size whilst I would probably go for the Air 2 if I went for the smaller model - because I probably don't need all the whistles truth be told.

So I suppose my questions are:

1. Is the 12 a good device for just sitting on the couch browsing the web?
2. Shall I wait it out to see what happens in September?
3. Does anyone else just use the 12 like this and what's it like?

Thanks
Jim.

 

[M. Gustave]

It really sounds like you just need an iPad Air 2.

 

[4004786]

I have both models, and I prefer the 9.7 by far for the tasks you describe. I agree with M. Gustavo – you should try out the Air2.

I use the 12" for watching Netflix and doing work.

 

[ericwn]

Hm, in my opinion you should buy what you can afford and what brings you the most joy in actual use. If you have the chance to compare these devices side by side, do that, form an opinion, then buy. Of course, if you really only want to surf the web, most iPads will do, the Air 2 is a good example.

 

[Skika]

If you are just going to use it casually i think it would be hard to justify the 12"s price and would, in my opinion, be an overkill for your usage. I suggest the Air 2 as mentioned by others. Also you should consider the size, if you are used to using your mini the difference between it and the 12" is really big, so you could fins yourself finding it cumbersome in some situations in relation to your previous mini, while the air2 is bigger its still a very portable device.

 

[617aircav]

Air 2 would be you best bargain and value.

 

[waitandwait]

I bought both.

12.9
Huge screen space for watching movies
Good for typing, work and emails


9.7
It's feels like the regular iPad but many times better and faster
More portable

 

[iSheep5S]

12.9. I wouldn't have any other after owning this.

If apple discontinued it I would I guess settle for a 9.7. Hopefully not tho. ☺️

 

[kis]

The 12.9" really is meant for productivity, whereas the 9.7" is great for web surfing etc. I have the bigger version but I mainly use it on a table with the keyboard attached

 

[satinsilverem2]

I moved from a Mini 2 as well and bought both at first to see which I liked and ended up sticking with the 9.7. The 12 was nice but it was just to big for me to be portable like an iPad should be. If I was the kind of person that just used it at home then I would have stuck with the 12. The screen on the 9.7 is also nicer in my opinion. Colors are really nice and the true tone does really make a difference when reading for a while. Also if I was choosing a pro vs an Air 2 I would choose the pro. The Air 2 has speaker rattle issues, and the pro has amazing sound quality for its size. The Air 2 is going on two years old now, even though it is a very capable device thats still a bit of age.

 

[aoaaron]

9

 

[lax28]

I happen to have both, and based on what you have said and my experiences with both I would recommend the 9.7

 

[eoblaed]

I love my 12.9, but I also recognize it might be a bit large for some people.

My advice would be to get the 12.9 ... you have two weeks to try it out and see if it works for you. If it does, you'll love how much space you have on that screen. If you find it to be too big, just return it and get the 9. Problem solved, and it's the only way you'll know for sure if the 12.9 is what you're looking for, or if it's too big.

 

[rui no onna]

Curious, anyone here use the 12.9" with Comixology app? How is it? Is the app optimized for larger displays yet?

 

[Precursor]

Curious, anyone here use the 12.9" with Comixology app? How is it? Is the app optimized for larger displays yet?

I use comixology on my 12.9 and I haven't seen any difference than on my 9.7
I don't get what you mean with it being optimized for large screen. It fills up the screen fully like always. Have you experienced otherwise?

 

[rui no onna]

I use comixology on my 12.9 and I haven't seen any difference than on my 9.7
I don't get what you mean with it being optimized for large screen. It fills up the screen fully like always. Have you experienced otherwise?

I don't have the 12.9" model but was considering buying one since I recently got started reading American comics. The 9.7" works well in 2-page landscape mode for Japanese manga but is not so ideal for American comics.

I was wondering if Comixology was being rendered natively/optimized for the 12.9" model's higher resolution or if it's just pretty much a blown-up/upscaled version of the 9.7".

 

[off_piste]

So my iPad Mini 2 is feeling a little sluggish and with the iPhone 6S i own its starting to not really be a useful device. So Im debating with the iPad 9.7 Air 2 or Pro or indeed the Pro 12. Whilst price matters, for the sake of this argument lets ignore it.

I mostly use my iPad at home, browsing the web and playing the odd game. I watch Youtube and the various streaming apps but I won't be buying it to do any "pro" work. My heart is for the 12 simply because of the screen size whilst I would probably go for the Air 2 if I went for the smaller model - because I probably don't need all the whistles truth be told.

So I suppose my questions are:

1. Is the 12 a good device for just sitting on the couch browsing the web?
2. Shall I wait it out to see what happens in September?
3. Does anyone else just use the 12 like this and what's it like?

Thanks
Jim.

I'd take his advice below. An extended trial is the only way you can really tell. Playing with at an Apple Store won't give you time to adjust and doesn't replicate your usage patterns.

I love my 12.9, but I also recognize it might be a bit large for some people.

My advice would be to get the 12.9 ... you have two weeks to try it out and see if it works for you. If it does, you'll love how much space you have on that screen. If you find it to be too big, just return it and get the 9. Problem solved, and it's the only way you'll know for sure if the 12.9 is what you're looking for, or if it's too big.

 

[Osty]

After this year's WWDC, I don't trust Apple to do anything decent with the 12.9.

Unless you must have the screen real estate, pen support and/or the wired keyboard. The Air 2 is a better deal.

I'm still on the Mini 2 and I don't feel the need to upgrade. It performs well enough for me, has a gorgeous screen and fits in my jacket pocket. Heck, I even wrote half my Nanowrimo novel on it last year.

My heart would love a 12.9 but my head knows I'd only use it at home. I'd also have a hard time convincing my wife that I need to part with $1500AUD (+ pencil $160) so I can draw fantasy maps on it.

 

[Precursor]

I don't have the 12.9" model but was considering buying one since I recently got started reading American comics. The 9.7" works well in 2-page landscape mode for Japanese manga but is not so ideal for American comics.

I was wondering if Comixology was being rendered natively/optimized for the 12.9" model's higher resolution or if it's just pretty much a blown-up/upscaled version of the 9.7".

Ahh I see what you mean.
I doubt they would have different resolutions of the same comics for different screen sizes. What you see on 9.7 is the same as what you see on 12.9. Yes 12.9 has bigger screen but it has higher resolution, so you don't get a decrease in viewing quality.

When I use comixology I always double tap on screen once and switch to the "slideshow" style (in portrait), makes it much more immersive

 

[rui no onna]

Ahh I see what you mean.
I doubt they would have different resolutions of the same comics for different screen sizes. What you see on 9.7 is the same as what you see on 12.9. Yes 12.9 has bigger screen but it has higher resolution, so you don't get a decrease in viewing quality.

When I use comixology I always double tap on screen once and switch to the "slideshow" style (in portrait), makes it much more immersive

Yes, the images are likely the same resolution (and seem to be fairly high res given the download sizes). However, there is still a difference when it comes to rendering if apps are not optimized for the iPad Pro's higher res.

It's kinda like when you're using apps that are not optimized for the 6/6s+. On the iPhone 6/6s, text and graphics are sharp but on the 6/6s+, there's a blurriness which makes it obvious that the app was merely upscaled.

Unfortunately, one can't install apps on a display model in Apple retail stores and I've yet to see a display model iPad Pro with Comixology or Marvel Unlimited pre-installed at our local store so I guess the only way to check it myself is to buy one and return it if it doesn't work as I hope.

 

[Osamede]

The 12.9" really is meant for productivity, whereas the 9.7" is great for web surfing etc. I have the bigger version but I mainly use it on a table with the keyboard attached

if that were the case, it woulndt be running IOS - it would have a file system and better data input capability.

It's portable TV and drawing pad for your amusement, honestly......

 

[Coolpher]

Air 2 would be you best bargain and value.

At this point no one should really be getting the air to and less there just surfing the web if they're consuming media of any kind a pro has the best speaker system out there and it's worth the price to upgrade

 

[Precursor]

Yes, the images are likely the same resolution (and seem to be fairly high res given the download sizes). However, there is still a difference when it comes to rendering if apps are not optimized for the iPad Pro's higher res.

It's kinda like when you're using apps that are not optimized for the 6/6s+. On the iPhone 6/6s, text and graphics are sharp but on the 6/6s+, there's a blurriness which makes it obvious that the app was merely upscaled.

Unfortunately, one can't install apps on a display model in Apple retail stores and I've yet to see a display model iPad Pro with Comixology or Marvel Unlimited pre-installed at our local store so I guess the only way to check it myself is to buy one and return it if it doesn't work as I hope.

It is pretty much optimized for 12.9 iPP, I get full screen with no black bands on sides on Comixology. If i remember correctly there was an update on Comixology for iPP in December/January (been trying to upload a screenshot for 15 mins now, damn page won't let me upload a 2.9 MB file)

 

[daniel1948]

So my iPad Mini 2 is feeling a little sluggish and with the iPhone 6S i own its starting to not really be a useful device. So Im debating with the iPad 9.7 Air 2 or Pro or indeed the Pro 12. Whilst price matters, for the sake of this argument lets ignore it.

I mostly use my iPad at home, browsing the web and playing the odd game. I watch Youtube and the various streaming apps but I won't be buying it to do any "pro" work. My heart is for the 12 simply because of the screen size whilst I would probably go for the Air 2 if I went for the smaller model - because I probably don't need all the whistles truth be told.

So I suppose my questions are:

1. Is the 12 a good device for just sitting on the couch browsing the web?
2. Shall I wait it out to see what happens in September?
3. Does anyone else just use the 12 like this and what's it like?

Thanks
Jim.

I have a Gen 1 iPad Mini, a Gen 1 iPad Air, and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro I'm typing this on. Here are my observations:

The Mini is the best for reading a book on the Kindle app. It's easier to hold while I'm sitting in my easy chair and still plenty big for reading a book.

The Pro is best for watching streaming media. The other tablets just seem a bit small for that. With twice the screen area of the Air, the Pro is a MUCH better viewing experience. The Pro is also MUCH better for typing on, because of its richer keyboard. Combined with iOS's suggestions when typing, it's a MUCH better typing experience than the smaller tablets. (I don't know which keyboard the 9.7-inch Pro has.) The Pro is also much better for browsing the web, providing I'm using it while sitting at a table.

I find that the Pro is a bit awkward to use on my lap while sitting in my easy chair if I'm actively engaging with it, due to its size and weight, though if it's just propped up on its stand (Apple "magic" cover) while I'm watching streaming media, it's fine.

The Air is big enough for everything I need a computer for when I'm traveling (when I travel I don't have time for watching movies) and also light enough to carry in my backpack. The Pro is pretty heavy, so it stays home when I travel. The Air is also plenty big for the games I play: chess, checkers, solitaire, flow, sudoku, etc., so if I feel like a game of chess or sudoku in bed before turning the lights out I'll use the Air, but if I want to watch a movie, I'll use the Pro.

I hope this helps. They're all great machines.

 

[ssledoux]

Honestly, if you think you'd like the 12.9 and you can afford to purchase it, do it. It's a fantastic device and I highly doubt you'd regret it. I struggled with the same decision and I am so happy I have the 12.9.