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iPad Pro on airplane tray table?

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skywest153

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 21, 2010
82
43
Hi all,

I tried my best to do a search here before posting this, but results weren't really answering my question...

Is the iPad Pro (in your experience) easy to use in an aircraft on the tray table WITH the keyboard from Apple?

I'm exploring the possibility of getting one of these. Right now I have the rMB, but I'm open to trying the IPP out if it's even a contender in an environment like this.

Thanks for any answers!
 
I've used mine in a few different flights with no problems at all. I fly Delta so the experience may be different on other carriers.
 
duffyanneal said:
I've used mine in a few different flights with no problems at all. I fly Delta so the experience may be different on other carriers.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I fly Delta and American a lot, so this is good to know. In what little info I've been able to find, I saw two "professional" reviews that stated the angle with the keyboard and using it on the tray table made for very cramped space. You didn't feel this way?
 
I agree that it's better than a laptop. I have flown several times, mostly Delta, and had no problems using IPP. It is one of the many reasons that I love it, the ease of flying with it and usability once seated.
 
I was just on a few flights the other day. It fits fine. I wish I had a case for mine... can't prop it up, so I end up holding it in my lap.
 
Just to be clear, I'm looking for opinions WITH the smart keyboard attached. I realize some of you may not use the keyboard, but this is the crucial kicker for me.

I am a web programmer, and would plan to use Coda during flights. The virtual keyboard is not an option for that.
 
I use the Logitech Create keyboard on a plane. The Smart Keyboard is not as stable on an airplane.
 
I just flew from Newark to LA on United with my Ipad Pro with ASK. Fits fine and watched two movies on it on the tray table.

The only time it was a little bit awkward was when the person in front reclined back all the way. Otherwise no issues.
 
skywest153 said:
Thanks for the info. I fly Delta and American a lot, so this is good to know. In what little info I've been able to find, I saw two "professional" reviews that stated the angle with the keyboard and using it on the tray table made for very cramped space. You didn't feel this way?
Click to expand...

It may be a bit awkward to use if you were sitting on an exit isle using a tray that is stowed in the armrest. On a standard tray table in Delta comfort + the IPP and ASK worked great. Better than most business notebooks for sure. Since Apple left off the row of shortcut keys on the ASK the keyboard is quite short so you can shift the IPP closer towards your body. That helps to offset when the guy in front leans the seat back all the way for a 1 hour flight.

I didn't experience any issues with stability while using the ASK. It's actually quite a bit more stable that I thought it would be. It's even stable in my lap. Probably no more or less stable than my SP3 was.
 
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skywest153 said:
Just to be clear, I'm looking for opinions WITH the smart keyboard attached. I realize some of you may not use the keyboard, but this is the crucial kicker for me.

I am a web programmer, and would plan to use Coda during flights. The virtual keyboard is not an option for that.
Click to expand...
I do have the Apple Smart Keyboard. No issues at all in my opinion. We'll be flying Toronto to Phoenix tomorrow and back again on Sunday.
 
skywest153 said:
Just to be clear, I'm looking for opinions WITH the smart keyboard attached. I realize some of you may not use the keyboard, but this is the crucial kicker for me.

I am a web programmer, and would plan to use Coda during flights. The virtual keyboard is not an option for that.
Click to expand...
It's been fine for me on Southwest. The added bonus is that even with the keyboard, it is under 2 lbs, so you can use it in "tablet" mode below 10,000 feet, and then when you cross 10,000 feet you can put it on your tray table with the keyboard set up.
 
I also find the ASK to be very stable in my lap. They did a great job with this, very comfortable to type on.
 
KPOM said:
It's been fine for me on Southwest. The added bonus is that even with the keyboard, it is under 2 lbs, so you can use it in "tablet" mode below 10,000 feet, and then when you cross 10,000 feet you can put it on your tray table with the keyboard set up.
Click to expand...

You know, something I hadn't even thought of - is it universally accepted that an iPad Pro is ok below 10k feet? I'm guessing it will come down to the stewardess. I'm guessing whether you have a keyboard case may influence them as well.

Seems up in the air (pun intended) so far?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...-ipad-pro-hand-held-electronic-equipment.html
 
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On a flight last week, watched someone trying to use their iPP after the gorilla in front of him threw his seat back - it wasn't happening - they finally gave up and packed it away.
 
If you can be comfortable using a rMB on a flight, then you should be as comfortable or more so using IPP on a plane. You're basically using the same amount of space.
 
darknyt said:
You know, something I hadn't even thought of - is it universally accepted that an iPad Pro is ok below 10k feet? I'm guessing it will come down to the stewardess. I'm guessing whether you have a keyboard case may influence them as well.

Seems up in the air (pun intended) so far?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...-ipad-pro-hand-held-electronic-equipment.html
Click to expand...

I believe the FAA has established 2lbs as the cutoff. The 12" MacBook is just over that, while the iPad Pro is well uner that without the keyboard cover, and still under it even with the keyboard cover. However, I don't use the keyboard below 10,000 feet since then it isn't "handheld."
 
I've used mine in an allegiant flight. The tray table measured probably 4x12" and I was still able to use my iPad Pro on it.
 
RedOrchestra said:
On a flight last week, watched someone trying to use their iPP after the gorilla in front of him threw his seat back - it wasn't happening - they finally gave up and packed it away.
Click to expand...
It fits better than a laptop because the screen can be closer to you with an IPP than a laptop. I do pay attention to someone reclining but haven't had a problem with contact.
 
KPOM said:
I believe the FAA has established 2lbs as the cutoff. The 12" MacBook is just over that, while the iPad Pro is well uner that without the keyboard cover, and still under it even with the keyboard cover. However, I don't use the keyboard below 10,000 feet since then it isn't "handheld."
Click to expand...
I was on a flight with an iPad Air 2 and a Zagg keyboard. Just before takeoff, a flight attendant looked at it and said,"Oh, it's an iPad. That's OK." I have used my iPad Pro with a Smart Cover without any problem. When I fly next, in April, I will have my ASK. It will be interesting to see what happens then.
 
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I just did a round trip from San Francisco, Seoul and Manila. Just got back in yesterday. I flew Korean Air and used my iPad pro with smart keyboard cover on all the flights.

Two of the flights were on the new 747-8 and I sit in 50K on both of the long flights. 50k is in economy but doesn't have a seat in front of it. The tray folds out of the armrest. Because the tray table is only attached on one side it did cause a little "bounce" when typing. But it wasn't bad at all. I got a lot of work done.

On the shorter routes I flew Korean Air 777 and had a "normal" economy seat. Row 48 I think. I was still able to comfortably use my iPad pro on the tray table even when the person in front of me reclined their seat.

I will say this... Having room left on the tray table for a coffee while using the pro was almost impossible. Fortunately I didn't have anyone sitting beside me. So I used that tray table for the coffee. :D
 
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Seriously? Everyone keeps talking about how BIG the iPad Pro is. Of course I have never even owned a Smart Phone, so I am not used to squinting, panning and scrolling trying to view content on an postage stamp like the masses (I work with a MacPro with three 26" monitors attached and a 17" MacBook Pro).

I am getting ready to order an iPad Pro, so I went to Best Buy to check it out. I have never owned an iPad either (never had a use for one previously), but my first reaction when they showed me the Pro at Best Buy was "This is the big, bulky thing everyone is stressing about?". It is the size of a sheet of notebook paper!!! The other iPads just looked too tiny to fool with, but I guess if you are used to looking at a little phone all day, they massive?

To me, the iPad Pro is about as small a device as I would choose to own - to me it is just right for what it delivers.
 
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KPOM said:
I believe the FAA has established 2lbs as the cutoff. The 12" MacBook is just over that, while the iPad Pro is well uner that without the keyboard cover, and still under it even with the keyboard cover. However, I don't use the keyboard below 10,000 feet since then it isn't "handheld."
Click to expand...
While true, I think the discussion and reality revolves around the stewardesses interpretation of that in the air. As others have pointed out, they don't patrol the aisles with scales. Seeing something that visually appears the same screen size as a laptop may be enough for some of them.

Time will tell.
 
I was in Economy on Air Canada Rouge today. The seats are very close together. I was able to use my IPP to watch a couple of movies. It did fit on the tray table and shifting to one side left enough room for a drink on the tray.

Typing would have been a challenge or at least difficult. Then again my 15" rMBP would not have been useable at all.
 
Does that mean many of you did not bring MacBook Pro with you on the trip? I am curious if I should bring my rMBP with me when I buy iPP 2 this year?
 
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