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tps3443

macrumors 65816
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Jan 24, 2019
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I have the 11” iPad Pro 3rd gen. I love it very much. But I keep reading that the 12.9” version is like this mothership of all iPads, and nothing can compare lol.

Am I really missing anything?
 
i use mine for media consumption and web browsing. Nothing for productivity. I find the things i do, the bigger screen is that much more immersive than the 11". I came from the 10.5, went for the 11. the 11 didnt feel like an upgrade so i went for 12.9. no ragrets.
 
Despite becoming very thin and portable to all the previous generation 12.9" iPad Pro's the current 12.9" still feels like a Laptop screen cut from its main device, it still feels big to hold. YMMV but 11" is more in Tablet Territory ! 12.9" is Big !!
 
I have the 11” iPad Pro 3rd gen. I love it very much. But I keep reading that the 12.9” version is like this mothership of all iPads, and nothing can compare lol.

Am I really missing anything?
Yes, you're missing the ability to have 2 apps with the full UI displayed when in split-window. (all of the smaller iPads display the compact version of the app in split-window) Depending upon how you use your iPad and the apps yo use, it is either a nothing-burger or significant enough to justify the added expense.

I used my 12.9 iPad Pro heavily for productivity. Having the full UI visible was of great benefit for me. The downsides were: the reduced mobility because of its size and the chronic lack of support for split-window for the apps that I rely on didn't allow me to use split-window as much as I wanted to.

I ended up downsizing to the 2018 iPad w/Apple Pencil, which in an odd way, was more useful to me than the 12.9 Pro.
 
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I have the previous model, 12.9 inch. TBH, chassis aside, the screen is too big. The 12.9 is not too comfortable held upright.

It feels best:

-In landscape on Netflix
-In landscape in Safari when you don't need to hold it
-In landscape on a desk when you're typing something.

For everything else, including Sunday couch internet surfing (which is 99% of what all iPads in the world see) the 11-inch is better.
 
I agonized over this for ages and had both for a time. I returned the 12.9". It was great for desk-top productivity, split screen mode is more satisfying. But it was lousy for couch surfing (just unwieldy) or even carrying in my purse (it barely squeezed into my medium sized purse). Ultimately I decided to go with the 11" but it was a tough decision. Maybe some day I'll go to a 12.9" pro + iPad mini set up, but for now I think I made the right decision. If using primarily on a table, I think the 12.9" would be great, but I wanted my iPad to be good for all my uses.
 
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I ended up downsizing to the 2018 iPad w/Apple Pencil, which in an odd way, was more useful to me than the 12.9 Pro.

Can you explain this a bit more? I take it's due to the enhanced portability of the 2018 iPad as compared to the 12.9 Pro?
 
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Hasn’t the 12.9” been reduced in size compared to the 11”? So I’m assuming th biggest upgrade is with the 12.9”

I’m using the 2017 iPad Pro and I enjoy it, however I might upgrade to the new one if it’s worth it.
 
Can you explain this a bit more? I take it's due to the enhanced portability of the 2018 iPad as compared to the 12.9 Pro?
You're correct. The 2018 iPad is more portable than the 12.9 Pro and that contributes greatly toward taking it and using it situations where it would be cumbersome to use the 12.9 Pro. A close second reason is the extremely wide variety of cases and covers for the 2018 iPad that exist that make it much easier to find just the right one for one's needs.

Because the 2018 iPad has the same chassis as the Air 1, all of the cases, covers, and keyboard (cases/covers) will work with it. Using the ASK with my 12.9 Pro was great, but it could become a bit unwieldy when unfolding it...and impossible for me to use on airplane tray table when the person in front has their seat fully reclined. And because the keyboard covers I use with the 2018 iPad have a slot where the iPad sits, it takes less depth to use (if you can visualize what I'm attempting to describe)
 
Both are being severely crippled by running a slightly modified mobile phone OS... It doesn't matter what size you have, you are missing out on the potential of this device either way. For this reason I have not bought an iPad since the iPhone plus size came out.
 
Both are being severely crippled by running a slightly modified mobile phone OS... It doesn't matter what size you have, you are missing out on the potential of this device either way. For this reason I have not bought an iPad since the iPhone plus size came out.


I definitely agree with this. But at the same time while I am editing videos on my iPad, im thinking it is not like a phone in the least. Adobe is one of the few apps that will take advantage of all of this cpu power. And it runs through 4K footage in a snap!

I wish they would make a iPad more like a laptop. We need a mouse most of all.. How about full thunderbolt 3 support at 40gbps. Then we could run external graphics cards, instead they give us USBc which is a gimped version at 10gbps.

A tablet will never replace the true power of a real computer. I dunno why they think adding a mouse to one, and giving us full control will do that.
 
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Yeah, i would say the 11” iPad pro is definitely providing the FULL experience. In both content creation and consumption it is the perfect size for me. As an artist, i originally did think i’d pick the 12.9” ...but i ultimately chose the 11 because it just ticked more boxes for me. I travel a lot, and it was just more portable. It was still Big enough for art, yet compact enough to use anywhere anytime. Since i don’t use a keyboard with my ipads, I appreciate the ability to be able to type with my thumbs while holding the 11 in portrait or landscape. This is how i use my ipad the most. In my hands. Traveling. Moving about. I just liked it better as a tablet than the 12.9 even tho that is a great device as well.
 
A tablet will never replace the true power of a real computer. I dunno why they think adding a mouse to one, and giving us full control will do that.
Because not all iPad users are into "multimedia creation". For others, support for mice and universally accessible file system would allow them to be able to replace a traditional laptop.
 
Hasn’t the 12.9” been reduced in size compared to the 11”? So I’m assuming th biggest upgrade is with the 12.9”

There was a big reduction in size with 12.9 and I assumed sight unseen it would be a good fit for me. It was not. I have no regrets switching mine for an 11".
 
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I never thought of this you can’t type with the 12.9”?.. I am also holding my iPad 11” in portrait mode typing this with my thumbs right now. It seems like it is just small enough to be able to do this too. I’m assuming the 12.9” is to large for portrait typing.
 
I never thought of this you can’t type with the 12.9”?.. I am also holding my iPad 11” in portrait mode typing this with my thumbs right now. It seems like it is just small enough to be able to do this too. I’m assuming the 12.9” is to large for portrait typing.

My main dislike was the the keyboard on the 12.9 in landscape mode which is how I use my iPads.
 
I'm currently using both, but one or the other needs to be returned...I think the "experience" is the same, which is to say *great,* with both.

Despite becoming very thin and portable to all the previous generation 12.9" iPad Pro's the current 12.9" still feels like a Laptop screen cut from its main device, it still feels big to hold. YMMV but 11" is more in Tablet Territory ! 12.9" is Big !!

"Feels like a laptop screen" is very accurate (in more ways than one).

Yes, you're missing the ability to have 2 apps with the full UI displayed when in split-window. (all of the smaller iPads display the compact version of the app in split-window) Depending upon how you use your iPad and the apps yo use, it is either a nothing-burger or significant enough to justify the added expense.

I used my 12.9 iPad Pro heavily for productivity. Having the full UI visible was of great benefit for me. The downsides were: the reduced mobility because of its size and the chronic lack of support for split-window for the apps that I rely on didn't allow me to use split-window as much as I wanted to.

I ended up downsizing to the 2018 iPad w/Apple Pencil, which in an odd way, was more useful to me than the 12.9 Pro.

The big thing, which is very useful for me for work purposes, is being able to have two productivity apps open side by side. It's possible with the 11" but everything gets very small, and editing with a pencil is difficult.

I did have a brief flirtation with the Gen 6 + pencil, but after being used to laminated/AR-coated displays, I couldn't get over the mental cringe every time I touched the display or used the pencil. It's a great iPad and a great value, but it was sort of like fingernails on a chalkboard for me.

12.9 for desk use, 11 for everything else. That's how I view the size choice.

I agree. The 12.9" is light enough, but the balance isn't right (for me) for one-hand use for more than a few minutes.
 
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I’m just going to keep my 11” I’m pretty happy with it. The 12.9” will probably be to cumbersome for me, from what I’m hearing from other owners.

Since this was my first iPad, I have very little experience with tablets. Besides a Nexus 7 that I had around 2012, which was a smaller 7” tablet and it was android too.

I will consider holding one at a local apple store sometime just to see what it feels like.
 
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Had the 10.5 tried the 11. 11 didn’t seem like much of an upgrade really I actually liked the way the 10.5 looked in portrait more than the 11 as the sides were thinner. I took back the 11 and purchased the 2018 12.9. I too had all the concerns (One hand holding, portrait mode looking funky, couch sitting not comfy etc.) however it seems that I rarely use the ipad with one hand nor do I use it in portrait mode Much really. I like landscape for sitting on the couch and do not see much difference as with the 10.5 and the 12.9 I typically have my arms supported by one of the arms of the couch making the size and weight negligible. I also feel like I was having a bit of eye strain working on the 10.5/11 and haven’t noticed this with the 12.9. The 12.9s screen will pull you in and make you happy you went with it if you were to go with it. Let’s be honest you will get a keyboard and 99% of the time probably use it in landscape anyway. Theoretically the 11 seems more like the portable option but bang for your buck is with the 12.9 as it is way smaller than its 12.9 brothers of the last few years and the screen will feel like a huge upgrade and is more portable than you think.
 
Had the 10.5 tried the 11. 11 didn’t seem like much of an upgrade really I actually liked the way the 10.5 looked in portrait more than the 11 as the sides were thinner. I took back the 11 and purchased the 2018 12.9. I too had all the concerns (One hand holding, portrait mode looking funky, couch sitting not comfy etc.) however it seems that I rarely use the ipad with one hand nor do I use it in portrait mode Much really. I like landscape for sitting on the couch and do not see much difference as with the 10.5 and the 12.9 I typically have my arms supported by one of the arms of the couch making the size and weight negligible. I also feel like I was having a bit of eye strain working on the 10.5/11 and haven’t noticed this with the 12.9. The 12.9s screen will pull you in and make you happy you went with it if you were to go with it. Let’s be honest you will get a keyboard and 99% of the time probably use it in landscape anyway. Theoretically the 11 seems more like the portable option but bang for your buck is with the 12.9 as it is way smaller than its 12.9 brothers of the last few years and the screen will feel like a huge upgrade.


10.5” vs 11” is a minimal size difference. 11” is only 5% larger. But, ipc improvements in performance are something computer hardware aficionados could only dream of with these newer iPad pros. Utilizing some apps for editing that could take hours with a 10.5” are down to minutes, or even seconds with either of these newer iPads.
 
10.5” vs 11” is a minimal size difference. 11” is only 5% larger. But, ipc improvements in performance are something computer hardware aficionados could only dream of with these newer iPad pros. Utilizing some apps for editing that could take hours with a 10.5” are down to minutes, or even seconds with either of these newer iPads.
The newer ones are nice nothing takes long on my 12.9
 
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