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iPad Is 9.7" still the ideal size?

What is the ideal iPad size?

  • iPad Air (9.7 inch iPad

    Votes: 88 59.1%

  • iPad Pro

    Votes: 39 26.2%

  • iPad mini

    Votes: 22 14.8%
  • Total voters
    149
JerTheGeek

JerTheGeek

macrumors 68000
Original poster
May 15, 2014
1,993
487
Was just thinking about this as I held my Air 2. For me, this is still the best size. I tried the mini 4 and really liked the lightness of it, but ultimately the screen was just too small for me, especially when I already have an iPhone 6. If I need something bigger, I have my MacBook Air 13"; so the Air fits well in between these two for me.
Now that the Pro is out and many have switched to it, is the 9.7" size still ideal in your opinions? Or is the Pro the new best iPad size? Do you think Apple is trying to make the Pro the "mainstream" iPad, or is the air still the ideal iPad size?
 
maxsix

maxsix

Suspended
Jun 28, 2015
3,100
3,731
Western Hemisphere
I have all three sizes of iPads. My Pro is rather bulky and cumbersome for portable use. The larger size as compared to my Air 2 is quite noticeable. I still like the Air best.
 
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nightlong

nightlong

macrumors 6502a
Jun 16, 2012
864
168
Australia
If I could only have one iPad it would be the iPad Air 2 with cellular - light, fast, ultra portable and I always have internet . My iPad Pro is wifi only and I see it as a different tool. Each for my purposes is the ideal size.

There isn't a universal ideal size. The ideal size is what works best for your use and budget.
 
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D

darknyt

macrumors 6502a
Sep 17, 2009
604
98
Have Air, Air 2 and now Pro. It's def a trade off in size vs portability, but Pro is my daily driver now. For media consumption it's fantastic. Can't go back now. Picking up Air 2 is like going back to 5S after 6 plus.

In many ways, there are a lot of the same adjustments/compromises as going to larger iPhone.
 
N

Nausicaa

macrumors 6502a
Jan 11, 2007
607
283
Pro for me. But I'm also 6'4" so the size maybe isn't such a problem. I think the bigger screen makes iOS a much more capable and enjoyable OS. Slide over and split view feel a little pointless on the Air. It does have a larger footprint though. The Air really can be taken and used anywhere. The Pro is a little more limited, but not much. Still have a hard time calling a 13" computer as incredible as the iPad, at 1.5 pounds, bulky.
 
JerTheGeek

JerTheGeek

macrumors 68000
Original poster
May 15, 2014
1,993
487
Nausicaa said:
Pro for me. But I'm also 6'4" so the size maybe isn't such a problem. I think the bigger screen makes iOS a much more capable and enjoyable OS. Slide over and split view feel a little pointless on the Air. It does have a larger footprint though. The Air really can be taken and used anywhere. The Pro is a little more limited, but not much. Still have a hard time calling a 13" computer as incredible as the iPad, at 1.5 pounds, bulky.
Click to expand...
Good point on the weight. If you want that size it is pretty lightweight from what I have seen using it in the store.
 
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T

tompab

macrumors newbie
Nov 21, 2015
10
3
Can't believe you added a poll and purposely didn't even put in the mini despite mentioning it. You are completely skewing your result by providing bad options. Around 8 inch is the ideal tablet size for me.
 
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Ghost31

Ghost31

macrumors 68040
Jun 9, 2015
3,463
5,393
The pro is absolutely perfect for me. After having mine since December, I can't even imagine going back down to the 9.7 inch size and actually doing things with it. Just feels so small. Amazing how perspective changes
 
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sracer

sracer

macrumors G4
Apr 9, 2010
10,403
13,287
where hip is spoken
Nausicaa said:
Pro for me. But I'm also 6'4" so the size maybe isn't such a problem. I think the bigger screen makes iOS a much more capable and enjoyable OS. Slide over and split view feel a little pointless on the Air. It does have a larger footprint though. The Air really can be taken and used anywhere. The Pro is a little more limited, but not much. Still have a hard time calling a 13" computer as incredible as the iPad, at 1.5 pounds, bulky.
Click to expand...
Yeah, funny how people's perspective gets skewed. I've seen quite a bit of hyperbole around the "heft" of the iPad Pro, second only to the hyperbole about the screen quality of the Macbook Airs. :)

I'm finding that split view and slide over work extremely well when using the Air 2 with a physical keyboard... even more as time goes on and more apps support those features. I rarely use those features when using only the onscreen keyboard.

I think the "ideal" size for me would probably be somewhere in the middle between the Air and the Pro. But since this isn't Samsung we're talking about (who seems to produce tablets in 1/2" increments), I'll have to settle with the Air 2. :)
 
Channan

Channan

macrumors 68030
Mar 7, 2012
2,890
3,119
New Orleans
Don't and probably won't own a Pro, but I have a mini 2 and an Air 2 and I still think the Air 2 is the best size. I got the mini 2 as a gift, so I'll sometimes bring it out with me since it can fit in some of my pockets, but the Air 2 is my preferred device.
 
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JerTheGeek

JerTheGeek

macrumors 68000
Original poster
May 15, 2014
1,993
487
tompab said:
Can't believe you added a poll and purposely didn't even put in the mini despite mentioning it. You are completely skewing your result by providing bad options. Around 8 inch is the ideal tablet size for me.
Click to expand...
Sorry about that, I've now added a mini option
 
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Jmacman78

Jmacman78

macrumors 6502
Jan 7, 2007
392
110
Northwest, CT
I am debating this right now, I'm thinking of picking up an iPad Air 2 or an iPad Pro. I'm just wondering how the Pro will work out for me on a daily basis, I like to use the iPad around the house mostly.
 
A

ACG12

macrumors 6502a
Jun 9, 2015
860
746
Yes and no. For at home use its the perfect size, but while not at home, my wife's mini is ideal.
 
sunapple

sunapple

macrumors 68030
Jul 16, 2013
2,836
5,418
The Netherlands
I always get the biggest option, because more screen estate lets you see more, do more.

As long as it fits your bag or pocket, once you get it out you get the best experience IMO. Would buy a 17" MacBook in a heartbeat for instance.
 
W

Wbutchart

macrumors regular
Aug 20, 2013
142
4
I have the mini 2 and really like the size, use if for productivity without much an issue. I have a 5s and would not be in a hurry to get a bigger iPhone so that combo works for me. The bigger sizes both have advantages but mini works best for me.
 
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