The sweet spot (size) for general use ...

[TheLondonFella]

Just came out of my "local" Apple Store.

Played around with the Pro, Air 2 & Mini 4.

I truly believe the 9.7" to be the best size for "regular" use.

I'm now definitely holding out for the Air 3 (I refuse to buy an Air 2 at full price, at this stage).

I'm certain the Pro is fantastic for artists & the like, but for regular use I feel the 9.7" iPad is just right.

The Mini's screen felt a bit too cramped for me.

What say you?

 

[Lobwedgephil]

All depends on your usage and you now have three great choices so use the one that works best for you.

 

[masotime]

I'm now definitely holding out for the Air 3 (I refuse to buy an Air 2 at full price, at this stage).

I definitely agree that the Air 2 is the right size for general use (the iPad Pro is too heavy, the iPad Mini is a little small at times), but why would you have to get the Air 2 at full price? With a Discover card + using Apple Pay at e.g. Staples with a $150 discount (this happened some weeks back), you'd be able to snag e.g. a top end 128GB Cellular at $680 - 22% cashback = ~$530.

 

[ZBoater]

Regular use? What's that?

Pro FTW!

 

[sjleworthy]

never used a mini.

the Pro for me is an awesome beast. perfect. but, as you say, too cumbersome for casual home relaxing? maybe. havent tried yet. but i can imagine it being a bit un-wieldly for bed and couch use maybe.

i planned on a mini for the chill out bits, but again, must try one first. i even find the regular ipad too small now after the Pro

 

[mikemj23]

For me, after only a day or two of use the Pro feels completely comfortable for normal use. I had the same experience with the 6 Plus. I've had Mini, Air 2 as well. One thing I've learned since getting my Pro is that the case really does matter. I originally got the Apple Silicone back and I liked it but it added weight to the Pro. I took it back and got the smart cover and I'm much happier with that. It may be a minimal difference weight wise but I do believe that there is a fine line as it relates to everyday use and portability for the Pro and adding too much weight or bulk with a case was a huge impact for me.

 

[mi7chy]

Nah. Wrote off 9.7" since it's too small for productivity and that requires two hands. Optimal sizes are 5.7" for pocketability, 8" for one handed use and 13" for two handed use.

 

[gorkt]

If you only can get one tablet, the 9.7" is a good all around device. If you are splitting up your tablet use, I personally like the Pro/Mini combo. I would use the Pro at home for TV, gaming, web surfing and light work tasks and then use the mini for on the go stuff.

 

[Night Spring]

If you only can get one tablet, the 9.7" is a good all around device. If you are splitting up your tablet use, I personally like the Pro/Mini combo. I would use the Pro at home for TV, gaming, web surfing and light work tasks and then use the mini for on the go stuff.

This would be my ideal use, also. Now, if only the Apple Watch worked with iPads, I could get rid of my iPhone, but no....

 

[AbSoluTc]

My ideal use - iPhone 6S Plus, iPad Air 2, iPad Pro, rMBP. Only thing I am missing is the Air 2. Perfect size variation for me. I really don't need the iPad Air honestly. I love the IPP's size.

 

[TheLondonFella]

I definitely agree that the Air 2 is the right size for general use (the iPad Pro is too heavy, the iPad Mini is a little small at times), but why would you have to get the Air 2 at full price? With a Discover card + using Apple Pay at e.g. Staples with a $150 discount (this happened some weeks back), you'd be able to snag e.g. a top end 128GB Cellular at $680 - 22% cashback = ~$530.

Thanks for the tip, buddy.

However, there's a little clue in my Screen Name ;-)

 

[TheLondonFella]

Regular use? What's that?

Pro FTW!

Ha!

However, one would argue that a Pro wouldn't be using an iPad for his/her craft?

Retina MacBook Pro FTW ;-)

 

[TheLondonFella]

never used a mini.

the Pro for me is an awesome beast. perfect. but, as you say, too cumbersome for casual home relaxing? maybe. havent tried yet. but i can imagine it being a bit un-wieldly for bed and couch use maybe.

i planned on a mini for the chill out bits, but again, must try one first. i even find the regular ipad too small now after the Pro

Glad you're still loving it, mate.

 

[TheLondonFella]

For me, after only a day or two of use the Pro feels completely comfortable for normal use. I had the same experience with the 6 Plus. I've had Mini, Air 2 as well. One thing I've learned since getting my Pro is that the case really does matter. I originally got the Apple Silicone back and I liked it but it added weight to the Pro. I took it back and got the smart cover and I'm much happier with that. It may be a minimal difference weight wise but I do believe that there is a fine line as it relates to everyday use and portability for the Pro and adding too much weight or bulk with a case was a huge impact for me.

I fully understand, Mike.

Weight aside, I can see how the Silicone Case would add quite a bit of bulk (relatively).

The size of the Pro doesn't bother me at all. My issue being that the screen real estate isn't being utilised. Take the MacRumors site, as a perfect example ... even in portrait, you have 2 options: 1, the site appears in the middle of the screen, with white letter boxing in either side of it. 2, "zoom in" to get rid of the bars, but then the text is far too large to be read comfortably (for anyone who doesn't have an issue with regular text size, of course).

That's why I say that for "regular" use (browsing the web, email etc) the 9.7" is just right (for me).

But of course, it's each to their own ...

 

[TheLondonFella]

If you only can get one tablet, the 9.7" is a good all around device. If you are splitting up your tablet use, I personally like the Pro/Mini combo. I would use the Pro at home for TV, gaming, web surfing and light work tasks and then use the mini for on the go stuff.

Nice one.

Thanks for the response.

However, for gaming I prefer my PS4.

For surfing, I truly believe the 9.7" is "just right".

Light work tasks I suppose would depend on the work, but if we're speaking of email & such then I believe the 9.7" trumps again.

For TV, I can see the Pro being the optimal device. But the, again, I wouldn't get a tablet just for TV. For that, I have my plasma.

On the go, I can see the Mini being great.

The good thing is that we have decisions, these days. Before it was only the 9.7" device, and I always did wonder "what if" regarding a bigger/smaller iPad.

I'm pleased that I now know which is right for me, and equally for others who have found the size that is right for them.

Everyone's happy, and that's what it's all about ...

 

[Mystro]

General use sweet spot is the iPad Pro and the Air 2 as a compact portable. I could never go back to a standard iPad size for my main tablet. The Pro could even be my portable if I didn't already have a few Air 2's already. I had a mini 4 for a few weeks and the eye fatigue was horrible. Split screen was joke for my eyes.

 

[ucfgrad93]

All depends on your usage and you now have three great choices so use the one that works best for you.

Agreed. There is no one device that is perfect for everyone.

 

[bcaslis]

I fully understand, Mike.

Weight aside, I can see how the Silicone Case would add quite a bit of bulk (relatively).

The size of the Pro doesn't bother me at all. My issue being that the screen real estate isn't being utilised. Take the MacRumors site, as a perfect example ... even in portrait, you have 2 options: 1, the site appears in the middle of the screen, with white letter boxing in either side of it. 2, "zoom in" to get rid of the bars, but then the text is far too large to be read comfortably (for anyone who doesn't have an issue with regular text size, of course).

That's why I say that for "regular" use (browsing the web, email etc) the 9.7" is just right (for me).

But of course, it's each to their own ...

Actually there is an easy fix for the MacRumors website. Go to the bottom of the page and click the Fluid HD option. Now the webpage uses all the real estate on an iPad Pro (or any other screen).

 

[RickTaylor]

For me, the mini hits the sweet spot with its size and form factor. Any smaller, and I wouldn't want to use it for viewing pdfs. Any larger, and it wouldn't fit in my suit jacket pocket.

The screen is a bit cramped as the interface was originally designed for a larger device. But for me the additional portability is well worth it.

 

[Smeaton1724]

Nice one.

Thanks for the response.

However, for gaming I prefer my PS4.

For surfing, I truly believe the 9.7" is "just right".

Light work tasks I suppose would depend on the work, but if we're speaking of email & such then I believe the 9.7" trumps again.

For TV, I can see the Pro being the optimal device. But the, again, I wouldn't get a tablet just for TV. For that, I have my plasma.

On the go, I can see the Mini being great.

The good thing is that we have decisions, these days. Before it was only the 9.7" device, and I always did wonder "what if" regarding a bigger/smaller iPad.

I'm pleased that I now know which is right for me, and equally for others who have found the size that is right for them.

Everyone's happy, and that's what it's all about ...

I take it you returned your Pro order? Did you get a pencil to try?

Im typing this from my iPad 4, the Pro is on a stand adjacent to my retina MacBook. I really really want to like my Pro, however I'm so used to the 9.7 form factor I just pick it up to use as instinct!

 

[TheLondonFella]

I take it you returned your Pro order? Did you get a pencil to try?

Im typing this from my iPad 4, the Pro is on a stand adjacent to my retina MacBook. I really really want to like my Pro, however I'm so used to the 9.7 form factor I just pick it up to use as instinct!

Yes buddy, I returned the Pro.

Hadn't tried a pencil, but I don't draw so it's of no use to me.

I'm still using my iPad 4, as you are, and I am now really wanting to upgrade.

I'm just going to wait it out for the Air 3, which I am pretty sure will be perfect for my wants/needs.

I'm hoping it will come along around about March time (hopefully sooner).

If Apple makes us wait until next September I will lose a lot of respect for them ...

 

[TheLondonFella]

Actually there is an easy fix for the MacRumors website. Go to the bottom of the page and click the Fluid HD option. Now the webpage uses all the real estate on an iPad Pro (or any other screen).

Nice one.

Thanks for the tip ...

 

[QCassidy352]

The 9.7" is the sweet spot for me. My two main uses are ebooks and video (also do mail, iMessage, light browsing, photos, FaceTime, etc). I guess the mini might be better for books and the pro better for video, so the air 2 strikes the balance.

 

[UltimateSyn]

My ideal use - iPhone 6S Plus, iPad Air 2, iPad Pro, rMBP. Only thing I am missing is the Air 2. Perfect size variation for me. I really don't need the iPad Air honestly. I love the IPP's size.

Same setup here. You rocking the 13 or 15 inch rMBP? I'm tempted to buy the Air 2 or the Mini 4 to have a small tablet but I can't really justify the cost after spending ~1200 on the Pro. Such a great device.

 

[Mascots]

The screen is a bit cramped as the interface was originally designed for a larger device. But for me the additional portability is well worth it.

I rather like it! After using a Mini for a few years, when moving to an Air, it feels like the elements are too large and spaced out. I like rather the compression.

Mini4eva