The case for having both the 12.9 iPad Pro and the 9.7"/10.5" Pro

[va1984]

I have been thinking about this since the announcement. I think Apple got me this time; I am going to have to have a double iPad Pro set up. I did this for a month or so last year and it was fun.

My reasoning: Apple has introduced two big sets of improvements for iPad in iOS 11, but one points to the 12.9 version and the other to the 9.7 version

Multitasking shines on the 12.9 display. Stating the obvious really. All that 3 or 4 app multitasking bonanza is going to require a magnifying glass on the small tablet. I loved the big display of the 12.9, I especially love how, in landscape, it's actually taller than a 13.3 laptop.

Notetaking shines on the 10.5/9.7 display. Again, pretty obvious. All the iOS11 enhancements designed to make you take notes quickly are going to be much more useful if you can whip out a reasonably sized ipad when the inspiration strikes you on your subway ride. Reading, airplay use, and a few other scenarios also call for the smaller tablet size.

I am kind of lucky because my use case actually justifies having both devices at my disposal -- and doesn't really justify owning a super powerful Mac, for example. I need to be able to annotate students' work and pdfs, and this may be nicer on the larger or smaller screen depending on the circumstances. And I need to be able to write in Ulysses -- sometimes with a PDF on the half screen, sometimes without. The fact that you can use a single Apple Pencil and pair it with each iPad on a case-by-case basis is an added bonus.

Is anybody else contemplating a two-Pro set up? If so, what's your excuse/reasoning?

 

[sneak3]

No, and I'm sorry but that is pretty dumb. You can rationalize all you want but the sensible way based on what you described is just getting the new IPP 12.9 and be done. Get rid of the rest. Unless you have money to throw, then who cares.

 

[Abazigal]

I am tempted by the dual iPad lifestyle as well. As a teacher, my theorised arrangement would be my current 9.7" iPad Pro in the classroom (where portability is paramount) and the 12.9" iPad Pro for use back at my workstation or at home, where a larger screen is more useful. And since both can share accessories and apps and sync over the cloud, there's a low cost of switching.

I am also at the stage where I am more comfortable getting things done on iOS than a Mac (for most part). I can afford a 2nd iPad, but I am just not sure I can do such a setup justice.

Heart says yes, brain says no.

Some others have tried this as well.

https://brooksreview.net/2016/07/sad-face-for-split-view/

 

[appleisler]

I totally get it. By accident rather than design I currently have a dual ipad setup - because I jumped on the first 12.9 iPad Pro to get access to Apple Pencil. I use and love my 12.9 Pro for working - wherever I have the need to touch type lengthy emails/documents or work with PDFs and of course have things in split view. But I found that it was just too big for watching Netflix in bed, reading news feeds on the sofa, facebooking etc and so my Air2 has remained in service. I grab it for recreation and the big Pro for being productive. When I got the big Pro, I had expected that the Air2 would get retired but I use and love it just as much as I ever did.

However, I often find myself wishing I could write notes with my Apple Pencil on my smaller Air2 and that I had the option to travel light with it and still keep a Smart Keyboard cover etc. And there is no more Airs and the basic iPad without the laminated screen leaves me cold and I want my Apple Pencil to work everywhere (one day even my iPhone). Handwriting helps me think.

My dilemma is to stick with what I have for another generation, trade in the Air2 and 12.9 Pro to see if the 10.5" indeed is my 'goldilocks' iPad or go to having the 2 Pros.

I like the idea of simplifying to a single iPad (supported with an iMac) but not sure if this will involve too many compromises.

 

[44267547]

No, and I'm sorry but that is pretty dumb. You can rationalize all you want but the sensible way based on what you described is just getting the new IPP 12.9 and be done. Get rid of the rest. Unless you have money to throw, then who cares.

You're not looking at it from all angles. Having "Money to throw" isn't the point. I do agree that the 12.9 iPad would be an excellent desktop and it can certainly be used for portability. But there are plenty reasons to justify having a 9.7 Pro or retaining your 9.7 current iPad. As others have stated, the 12.9 Pro could be used as a desk top, where they may have different uses/applications for the 9.7 iPad for holding or comfortability over the much larger 12.9 Pro. It's based on how one appreciates the sizes for various positions.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Had both but returned the 12.9 for another 9.7. Just did not need or like the size.

 

[ABC5S]

I have now the 9.7 inch but I will be getting the 12.9 this Tuesday. The 9.7 inch will be my back up tablet in the event that something goes wrong with my 12.9.

 

[rui no onna]

Is anybody else contemplating a two-Pro set up? If so, what's your excuse/reasoning?

I am because I really want the Pro 12.9 for reading comics.

I'll still use the Pro 9.7/10.5 as my mobile/primary iPad. The only question is if I'll end up keeping my 9.7 or upgrading that to the 10.5.

That said, I'm still using a laptop purchased in, hmm, 2012? My iPhone 6 essentially paid for my iPhone 7 upgrade last year with the $650 trade-in credit ($27/mo) and I lose that credit if I switch phones this year.

 

[IPadNParadise]

No, and I'm sorry but that is pretty dumb. You can rationalize all you want but the sensible way based on what you described is just getting the new IPP 12.9 and be done. Get rid of the rest. Unless you have money to throw, then who cares.

I dont think "dumb" is called for at all. We all here like our technology and if your workflow needs or desire wants 2 ipads, then that makes sense to me. I'm always going to assume anyone asking about owning 2 ipads has the funds to afford it.
Dumb? We can use paper/pencil to take notes, read a physical book, various other things manually, so we could all be called dumb for buying expensive electronic devicescwhen manual is so much cheaper. Ok, off my podium....carry on!

 

[gorkt]

I would like a 13" tablet for home or work use, but I think the Surface Pro would better for my needs since I do a lot of windows work.

 

[Altis]

I have been thinking about this since the announcement. I think Apple got me this time; I am going to have to have a double iPad Pro set up. I did this for a month or so last year and it was fun.

My reasoning: Apple has introduced two big sets of improvements for iPad in iOS 11, but one points to the 12.9 version and the other to the 9.7 version

Multitasking shines on the 12.9 display. Stating the obvious really. All that 3 or 4 app multitasking bonanza is going to require a magnifying glass on the small tablet. I loved the big display of the 12.9, I especially love how, in landscape, it's actually taller than a 13.3 laptop.

Notetaking shines on the 10.5/9.7 display. Again, pretty obvious. All the iOS11 enhancements designed to make you take notes quickly are going to be much more useful if you can whip out a reasonably sized ipad when the inspiration strikes you on your subway ride. Reading, airplay use, and a few other scenarios also call for the smaller tablet size.

I am kind of lucky because my use case actually justifies having both devices at my disposal -- and doesn't really justify owning a super powerful Mac, for example. I need to be able to annotate students' work and pdfs, and this may be nicer on the larger or smaller screen depending on the circumstances. And I need to be able to write in Ulysses -- sometimes with a PDF on the half screen, sometimes without. The fact that you can use a single Apple Pencil and pair it with each iPad on a case-by-case basis is an added bonus.

Is anybody else contemplating a two-Pro set up? If so, what's your excuse/reasoning?

How does note-taking shine more for the 10.5" than the 12.9"?

I'd just try the 12.9" and see how it goes. I can't imagine it's worth spending hundreds of dollars to have a slightly smaller screen sometimes but then having to deal with two devices.

The 12.9" is still very light and easy to move around with. The main advantage to the 10.5" is the price, and easier to use on public transport.

But then, when I see questions like this, it's almost always someone who simply wants something and is looking for justification and validation that it isn't super crazy. If that's the case, and money is no object, then get what you want.

 

[va1984]

How does note-taking shine more for the 10.5" than the 12.9"?

I'd just try the 12.9" and see how it goes. I can't imagine it's worth spending hundreds of dollars to have a slightly smaller screen sometimes but then having to deal with two devices.

The 12.9" is still very light and easy to move around with. The main advantage to the 10.5" is the price, and easier to use on public transport.

But then, when I see questions like this, it's almost always someone who simply wants something and is looking for justification and validation that it isn't super crazy. If that's the case, and money is no object, then get what you want.

Note taking on the 9.7" seems to me to be a good deal more practical in a number tor situations than on the 12.9" -- which, to be clear, I owned and loved for one year, so I know how I behave around it.

Also, I wouldn't be buying a new 10.5 and a new 12.9 -- that would be absurd even for an iPad-lover like me! Simply, I would carry on using my current 9.7" Pro and align it with a new 12.9" which I would fund by selling a Mac.

My whole point, though, was that iOS 11 for iPad is nuanced enough that it begins to have different strengths for the 10" format and the 13" format: this isn't a criticism but rather a remark meant to underscore who the OS has matured. See, on macOS you can just do any window size for apps, so screen size is less determinant. People can customise. But on iOS, it's important that Apple 'designs for' a particular type of use case, since the OS is less flexible. So, to me, multitasking in iOS11 seem to be born out of the 12.9" format, and notetaking seems to me born out the experience of handling a notepad-sized iPad, i.e. the 9.7/10.5.

Of course, this whole thread is about relatively unnecessary "wants", which may be irritating to some, and I understand that.

 

[AVBeatMan]

I started a thread on this before I saw this one.

I currently have the new iPad Pro 10.5 and last years 12.9 Pro. Love them both. What I'm thinking of doing is sell last years 12.9 and buy the new one. Crazy money, crazy idea but, so what? I love em both.

What makes it worse is that I also have the iPad mini 4!! This I mainly use to take into the office. I wish there was Apple Pencil support for the mini....

 

[Ixidor]

If the use case for have both iPad Pros is because the 12.9" iPad Pro is better for multitasking, I kinda disagree. I'd pick the 12" MacBook (with the 10.5" iPad Pro) instead. The weight of the 12.9" IPP is similar to the MacBook.

The MacBook despite its slightly smaller size, is much more efficient for multitasking, and you get a mouse/trackpad support. You will also be able to use MacOS apps for situations where you need it, and also work in an iOS environment on your 10.5 IPP if need be.

Additionally, you can hook up the 10.5 IPP to the MacBook and turn it into a dual monitor set up, which maximizes your multitasking ability.

There is just so much more you can do with a 10.5 IPP + 12" MacBook than with 2 IPP.

I'm not saying that a two iPad set up is bad, but getting it simply because the 12.9 IPP has a larger screen for multi-tasking doesn't seem like the best use of your money. There are certainly valid reasons for owning 2 IPP. One good reason would be to use the 12.9 IPP as a large canvas for drawing but the 10.5 for portability.

 

[rrayborn38]

I have a 12.9" and a Mini 4 - and that works fine. I'm not sure one needs both Pro models, though, unless you are a hard-core Apple collector.

As Ixidor said, a 12" MacBook or 13" MacBook Pro is a better second device.

 

[s2mikey]

If the use case for have both iPad Pros is because the 12.9" iPad Pro is better for multitasking, I kinda disagree. I'd pick the 12" MacBook (with the 10.5" iPad Pro) instead. The weight of the 12.9" IPP is similar to the MacBook.

The MacBook despite its slightly smaller size, is much more efficient for multitasking, and you get a mouse/trackpad support. You will also be able to use MacOS apps for situations where you need it, and also work in an iOS environment on your 10.5 IPP if need be.

Additionally, you can hook up the 10.5 IPP to the MacBook and turn it into a dual monitor set up, which maximizes your multitasking ability.

There is just so much more you can do with a 10.5 IPP + 12" MacBook than with 2 IPP.

I'm not saying that a two iPad set up is bad, but getting it simply because the 12.9 IPP has a larger screen for multi-tasking doesn't seem like the best use of your money. There are certainly valid reasons for owning 2 IPP. One good reason would be to use the 12.9 IPP as a large canvas for drawing but the 10.5 for portability.

Agreed - the biggest issue I have with the 12.9 iPad is that its cost puts it dangerously close to a MacBook in price and becomes an iffy investment, IMO. Especially once you ad accessories, more storage and/or cellular support. If you really need a bigger screen and a workhorse per se, then the MacBook line is probably the right call. And, if you're willing to buy used or refurbed you can quite a powerful MacBook in the same price range as the 12.9 iPad.

I love the 10.5 size, that'll be my next tablet for sure. Just not quite yet.

To the OP - you dont need both. The big one seems right for you. The 9.7 will hardly get used, me thinks.

 

[44267547]

I started a thread on this before I saw this one.

I currently have the new iPad Pro 10.5 and last years 12.9 Pro. Love them both. What I'm thinking of doing is sell last years 12.9 and buy the new one. Crazy money, crazy idea but, so what? I love em both.

What makes it worse is that I also have the iPad mini 4!! This I mainly use to take into the office. I wish there was Apple Pencil support for the mini....

This is my game plan as well. I would have different uses for the 12.9 iPad over the 10.5 iPad. The 12.9 Mainly I would take advantage of the larger iPad with split screen and multitasking better, with it being more stationary. But the 10.5 is where I would want the smaller form factor when needed and more mobile.