Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

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
Holding the iPad Pro in portrait is laughable

I use it in portrait mode when reading ebooks, and also when editing documents using the on-screen keyboard. The keyboard takes so little space in portrait that I am able to see most of a page while working on a document, which is great.
 
9.7 is ideal considering that they designed the software around that size. If the want a new ideal size like 8.2, or 10.3 then they can do that and design the software around that accordingly. It's impossible to sit here with a 9.7 inch tablet on software that was specifically designed for 9.7" and say it's not the ideal size.
 
Having had all three for awhile now I must say that even though I'm well over 6'3" with large hands, I still find my iPad Pro cumbersome. But I don't try to use it as a laptop either.

iPad Air 2 is my favorite by far.

The reason I don't like my mini is it's not substantially smaller or lighter than my Air. It's the only iPad I never use... So the kids get it.

Personal Preference is how you should decide, just he careful when choosing the mini or Pro since they each have major drawbacks.
 
Short answer? Absolutely yes. I played with a Pro at the apple staore and while it was darned cool it felt like I was holding a small computer monitor in my hands. Its a great product, dont get me wrong. But it was just too much size, NOT weight, but size. It has its uses, obviously but 9.7" just happens to be right in the wheel-house for portability, screen size, weight, everything else, IMO.
That's exactly what I was thinking. The mini and pro have their benefits for many users, but overall I think the 9.7 is "ideal" in terms of a great balance of portability and immersive screen size
 
  • Like
Reactions: Skika and Anand953
I think the pro is the perfect device. Laptop replacement at my desk. Notebook during meetings. iOS apps to use at home and on the road. Nice keyboard when needed, easy to just take off when not.

Seriously, it is somewhat of a paradigm shift. I will no doubt hit upon a few things that I still need a laptop for but I am going to try to use the iPad pro as my main device.
 
Nothing can beat the "holding experience" of a mini 4 iPad on the sofa.... holding it relaxed on landscape even with one hand :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: ron7624
Nothing can beat the "holding experience" of a mini 4 iPad on the sofa.... holding it relaxed on landscape even with one hand :)
Actually my Nexus 7 is far more comfortable to hold one handed in the vertical orientation. My Mini 4 is a bit too wide and I have very large hands. Also the minis edges are sharp compared to the nicely rounded sides of the Nexus 7. It's the little things that make a difference..
 
Actually my Nexus 7 is far more comfortable to hold one handed in the vertical orientation. My Mini 4 is a bit too wide and I have very large hands. Also the minis edges are sharp compared to the nicely rounded sides of the Nexus 7. It's the little things that make a difference..

The Nexus 7 is a nice size but since I got the Air 2 I have hardly used mine at all - I far prefer the Air 2's size and display.
 
The Nexus 7 is a nice size but since I got the Air 2 I have hardly used mine at all - I far prefer the Air 2's size and display.
I use both since they're different enough to each have their advantages.

My iPad Air 2 has a nice display but so does my Nexus 7 (second gen). It might not be Retina but that's Apple Hype anyway.

Yes it's higher resolution, but side by side during real world use the differences are minimal.
 
I love my pro. The standard model feels more like an accessory or companion. The pro feels like your workhorse tablet and media consumption flagship.

Of course, everyone is different. If I was traveling, which I rarely travel far enough to need more than an iPhone, but if I was say going to Europe and wanted more than an iPhone plus, I'd want an air or mini.

If traveling where flight is not required, I think the pro is easy to take.
 
I love my pro. The standard model feels more like an accessory or companion. The pro feels like your workhorse tablet and media consumption flagship.

Of course, everyone is different. If I was traveling, which I rarely travel far enough to need more than an iPhone, but if I was say going to Europe and wanted more than an iPhone plus, I'd want an air or mini.

If traveling where flight is not required, I think the pro is easy to take.
I think you make a great point.

I travel by air every week for work. For me the Air 2 is an ideal size. It's a great size when I'm actually using, it's small and discrete when using it in flight, doesn't take up much space in my laptop bag and adds very little weight (i.e. All important criteria for my use). If I primarily used th iPad at home, I'd be strongly considering th pro.
 
Last edited:
I think you make a great point.

I travel by air every week for work. For me the Air 2 is an ideal size. It's a great size when I'm actually using, it's small and discrete when using it in flight, doesn't take up much space in my laptop bag and adds very little weight (i.e. All important criteria for my use). If I primarily used th iPad at home, I'd be strongly considering th pro.
I use my iPad primarily at home, but since I use textbooks on it and like to hold the iPad while laying in bed (the original intent of the iPad lol ;)), the air 2 is the perfect balance of immersivness and portability: the pro would be too big and uncomfortable for me in these uses.
 
Actually my Nexus 7 is far more comfortable to hold one handed in the vertical orientation. My Mini 4 is a bit too wide and I have very large hands. Also the minis edges are sharp compared to the nicely rounded sides of the Nexus 7. It's the little things that make a difference..

The Nexus 7 is like an merging between a phone and a tablet that doesn't work in my opinion. It just takes away most of the disadvantages of both categories.
 
The Nexus 7 is like an merging between a phone and a tablet that doesn't work in my opinion. It just takes away most of the disadvantages of both categories.
Agreed. I like my iPhone 6 for portability, and my Air 2 for a larger more immersive experience. The smaller tablets IMO, even the iPad mini 4 (though I loved using it and it is a very nice device), are a compromise on both sides.
 
Eight and 4 inches over here, and 20" desktop. Happy with the smallest in class. My TV is a modest 50-incher as well.
 
The Nexus 7 is like an merging between a phone and a tablet that doesn't work in my opinion. It just takes away most of the disadvantages of both categories.
That's because you've never tried one.

I buy a lot of devices and computers, I've allocated a very large budget to do so, just for fun, the experiences, and not having to rely on others opinions. I never advocate for any brand or model, I simply share my thoughts experience and preferences.

So while you might hate Android, that specific size and form factor has its advantages.
 
I like the Mini but there is no such thing as one ideal size. Why try to create one? Buy what you need.. use it for what you need it for.. that will dictate YOUR ideal size but not everyones.
Sorry, I've been grumpy all day.
 
The more I think about it, the more I am glad I chose the Air 2 over the mini 4. As I've mentioned, the mini 4 was a nice device for sure, but I really like the big screen. The screen is great quality, and it's so thin and light. I do wonder about the pro and it's super immersive screen, but I think it would just be too big to be comfortable or portable. I like using my iPad around the house, and the air 2 is great for this; the pro would be a bit too large for this I believe.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DSTOFEL
iPad Mini for me. I could never get into iPads before they came out with the Mini size. The full sized ones always felt too large to be ultraportable but not as good as a laptop.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJTaurus
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.