So, leaning towards the iPP. Things to consider

[stevemiller]

I got the smaller 9.7 as I actively prefer the size, but if I liked or was even indifferent to the added size of the 12.9 I'd definitely get it instead.

None of the exclusive features of the 9.7 remotely would sway me. I switch between true tone on the iPad to my laptop and phone and never miss it on the other devices. I'm not the type to ever bring an iPad places for photos so the camera upgrade is a wash too.

Meanwhile the 12.9 ram will almost certainly make a performance difference in future OS updates, and the screen real estate is beneficial for productivity and consumption. I just personally didn't want something that big.

 

[aoaaron]

Go for which size makes you most comfortable.

The 12.9 is just too unwieldy but none of the exclusive features of either device (RAM/Camera/Truetone) really sway me from one to the other. It was all about portability and screen real estate.



[my thought process...]
For me, portability > screen real estate. My iPad is my companion throughout the day in a busy hospital to commuting to plane journeys, to walking around the house with it. If I'm at a desk or able to sit down, the Macbook Pro Retina will always be my choice over an iPad 12.9.

I used that as a thought process for buying the 9.7''.

 

[DougFNJ]

Wanted to throw this out there regarding the camera that a lot of people criticize. It is more useful than you think. Sometimes if I do take handwritten notes, I take a picture of the notes I took and can write or highlight over those notes. It's like writing on the actual paper.

Also, for the artists the photo you could take of any picture and draw over has to hold some kind of value in itself. My guess is that was a large intent the designers thought of with the camera.

 

[Skika]

Wanted to throw this out there regarding the camera that a lot of people criticize. It is more useful than you think. Sometimes if I do take handwritten notes, I take a picture of the notes I took and can write or highlight over those notes. It's like writing on the actual paper.

Also, for the artists the photo you could take of any picture and draw over has to hold some kind of value in itself. My guess is that was a large intent the designers thought of with the camera.

Precisely this. The point of the excellent camera on the 9.7 Pro goes beyond the usual picture taking.

 

[bruinsrme]

All of the opinions are completely subjective. Some feel carrying around a 12.9" iPad is cumbersome and defeating the purpose of carrying around an iPad vs their MacBooks. Some love the screen real estate they gained and as you read here, they would never go back. This goes the same for iPhone 6s vs 6s+ and 15" Macbook Pro vs 13" Macbook Pro vs 12" Macbook. If you value portability, the 9.7 is the way to go. If it's not that big a deal, then definitely go for the 12.9" as you really can't go wrong regarding quality either way. Right now you can regularly search out deals on Best Buy and Target, there are people that have saved as much as $200 from Walmart. You can also look at that cellular option and get $200 off which spreads the savings through your contract which gives you data on top.

I wouldn't wait through September October though as some mentioned, you might be disappointed if they don't release anything. Good luck.

One reason I really like the 12.9 is when I carry my laptop I tend to check my work email. Then its "I will take care of this real quick", and hour later.

 

[Tron72]

Yes, I'm not getting the 9.7 after all. So it's now between going for it this weekend or wait for the 12.9 iPP2, which I'm afraid the release date hasn't been revealed.

I've been patiently waiting for a memorial day sale this weekend as well to pick up my iPP 12.9 at a decent price. I think momentum is still building on the big Pro, and as others have said iOS 10 may really open it up, so I don't think there will be an iPP 2 till next year. I was once considering the 9.7 over the 12.9 as well but I plan to use it primarily for drawing so that helped me determine the better size, for my purpose. My only thing left to consider now is black or white bezel. I plan to use it primarily for drawing and like the idea of the white making it feel like one giant sketchbook. However I have never owned a white iPad/iPhone before so I need to come to a decision on that before the sales hit.

 

[sracer]

I've been patiently waiting for a memorial day sale this weekend as well to pick up my iPP 12.9 at a decent price. I think momentum is still building on the big Pro, and as others have said iOS 10 may really open it up, so I don't think there will be an iPP 2 till next year. I was once considering the 9.7 over the 12.9 as well but I plan to use it primarily for drawing so that helped me determine the better size, for my purpose. My only thing left to consider now is black or white bezel. I plan to use it primarily for drawing and like the idea of the white making it feel like one giant sketchbook. However I have never owned a white iPad/iPhone before so I need to come to a decision on that before the sales hit.

yes, that's an important decision. I've owned ipads with both white and black bezels and I settled on black. I find white too distracting and it throws off the color. It distorts the contrast even more. Then there is the thin black part of the touch screen between the bezel and the active area of the screen that doesn't look pleasing to my eyes.

But it is just my opinion based on how my eyes perceive things.

 

[specialk0449]

I agree with sracer's comments about the black bezel. I have owned both and opted to go with black on my 12.9 iPad. Glad I made the decision to go with the black bezel. Of course it your decision ultimately.

 

[Tron72]

yes, that's an important decision. I've owned ipads with both white and black bezels and I settled on black. I find white too distracting and it throws off the color. It distorts the contrast even more. Then there is the thin black part of the touch screen between the bezel and the active area of the screen that doesn't look pleasing to my eyes.

But it is just my opinion based on how my eyes perceive things.

I totally agree with you about it throwing off color. Against the black it has that extra pop of contrast that I really like. On the white, when I test them in the Apple store, I feel like I can easily distinguish how off white the screen is in say the Notes app. Whereas with the black bezel, the white screen simply appears white. I have a 2015 rMBP and, along with viewing the white iPP as a sketchbook, I thought it would be nice to also visually break up the similarities of the iPad Pro and my Macbook Pro since I'll use them differently. Though I suspect come decision time I'll fall back on my usual Space Gray. ...Sorry if I hijacked this thread with a black vs white bezel discussion. Color is my last "thing to consider" before buying since narrowing down size and storage.

 

[bxsonic]

I'm a little baffled by how so many reviews seem to dismiss the 12.9" and claim that the 9.7" is the superior tablet. I recently purchased the 12.9" iPad Pro & I think all the enhancements for iOS 9 truly shines on the bigger iPad. I don't think I'd use the split view as much if I had purchased the 9.7. Now I use it all the time. Even the software keyboard is good enough for emails and documents for me. For videos, comics, reading & playing certain games, the 12.9" is hands down the most immersive device I've ever used. Have had no issue using it on the couch, in bed or on my desk (it's really not that heavy for its size). This was my biggest concern since I went from an iPad 3 to an iPad Mini 2 because of the extra portability. The mini is still my preferred device for most iOS gaming though

Personally, I would only recommend the 9.7" if you truly need to be mobile while using the tablet or absolutely need to use the iPad as a camera. If you can, just wait for the 12.9" iPad Pro 2, which will probably have True Tone display, touch ID 2 & the 12 MP camera.