iPad Pro Upgrade thoughts from other type preferring people

[Soybomb]

I’m a terrible texter, I’m not quick and I’m error prone. The swipe style keyboards are a small improvement but not great. I’m super used to working with a keyboard and a fast typer. I’ve been a linux sysadmin and devops guy but my job is turning more toward management so I’m hacking around less at home. I have a 2015 15” MBP that I can reserve for that.

A couple years ago I picked up the 9.7” Pro along with folio keyboard and pencil hoping it would be a nice new work accessory. As historically happens, I used the stylus less than I’d hoped to. The folio keyboard isn’t terrible, in fact I was surprised by how much the cmd+tab functionality added to the utility of the device. It sure is cramped though and I wind up rarely using the keyboard as a result. I wound up using Duo more than anything for work and just scrolling reddit and hangouts at home.

A little time has went by and now I’m getting the itch to upgrade. I’m already spoiled by faceid. I picked up the 11 pro max for my new phone and its great but I still struggle to do much for very long on a phone. My work has changed and I no longer bring my own device to work. At home I mostly browse reddit, use hangouts, and poke around on the web. I’ve turned into more of a consumer of content as I get frustrated composing long messages even on hangouts. I’ll often wind up baking myself under my MBP just for easier typing. Media is still typically consumed on the TV.

Anyone been in a similar situation? What device did you go with and how happy are you with that decision? I’m inclined to trade up to the 12.9” pro soon and get a folio case. I know there’s a strong sentiment that it’s too big for some, but I’m not looking to be portable or use it in bed, mostly on the couch. I think the larger display would be nice and the larger keyboard might be just the ticket for a convenient lap-chatting machine. I don’t think I’ll buy the new pencil, I just don’t take written notes enough. I’m still kind of trying to talk myself out of getting the larger device and thinking the 11” would be enough, but it seems like a nice little bonus and would make the keyboard even more usable. I never would have typed this out on my ipad without a keyboard for sure. Is the keyboard experience on the 12.9 significantly improved over the 9.7”

 

[secretk]

I’m a terrible texter, I’m not quick and I’m error prone. The swipe style keyboards are a small improvement but not great. I’m super used to working with a keyboard and a fast typer. I’ve been a linux sysadmin and devops guy but my job is turning more toward management so I’m hacking around less at home. I have a 2015 15” MBP that I can reserve for that.

A couple years ago I picked up the 9.7” Pro along with folio keyboard and pencil hoping it would be a nice new work accessory. As historically happens, I used the stylus less than I’d hoped to. The folio keyboard isn’t terrible, in fact I was surprised by how much the cmd+tab functionality added to the utility of the device. It sure is cramped though and I wind up rarely using the keyboard as a result. I wound up using Duo more than anything for work and just scrolling reddit and hangouts at home.

A little time has went by and now I’m getting the itch to upgrade. I’m already spoiled by faceid. I picked up the 11 pro max for my new phone and its great but I still struggle to do much for very long on a phone. My work has changed and I no longer bring my own device to work. At home I mostly browse reddit, use hangouts, and poke around on the web. I’ve turned into more of a consumer of content as I get frustrated composing long messages even on hangouts. I’ll often wind up baking myself under my MBP just for easier typing. Media is still typically consumed on the TV.

Anyone been in a similar situation? What device did you go with and how happy are you with that decision?

I cannot answer your other questions as I don't own 12.9 iPad. I have the regular 2018 iPad.

I am like you. I am fast typing person and I feel constrained and get frustrated if I use a device that restricts me in terms of typing speed. I also tend to use my laptop the most (compared to the phone or iPad) as I have the best typing experience there. I went with the regular 2018 iPad because I wanted something portable and I just accepted the fact that the keyboard would be compromise. Nevertheless I use the iPad only when I have no computer around so I decided that for those specific cases I could live with worse typing experience.

I find the 12.9 inch too big for my case. I would not use it to be honest in the couch. I also find the iPads not lappable with keyboards. Most of the weight is on the iPad itself and not the keyboard. This makes them terrible for lap usage IMO. I much prefer the laptops for those kind of cases.

 

[ericwn]

The most expensive iPad just for Hangouts and Reddit? Sounds a bit excessive to me.
If you need a nice external keyboard (a kind of product I wish Apple made itself but sadly they only focus on thin) maybe just get a Logitech 380.
You could even use it for your phone since it can be paired with several devices at once.

 

[Nacho98]

I'm sort of the same.

I had a 4th gen iPad retina back in 2012, and I loved it because it was such a novelty and seemed to fill a gap.

Then I sold that in 2014 and bought an Air 2, which was my most used, yet most hated device. Aside from growing to hate the white bezels, the crappy battery life (never got 10 hours out of it, ever), the first gen Touch ID (not so much a problem until later years well after TouchID 2 came out), and the fact the device had a slight curve to it from being too thin, I just got annoyed with certain things, and sold it last fall just to be rid of it after complaining about it for 4 years, despite easily being my most used device.

I got annoyed with having to constantly hold it up or prop it up. Sure it is more utilitarian than a computer in that I can lay on my side and have it sideways with me, but I got tired of always propping it up and holding it, or leaning over it when I set it flat on the arm of the couch. I also got tired of trying to type longer forum replies like this on it. I also really didn't do anything whatsoever with it besides browse the internet and once in a while, Netflix. I don't even read books anymore.

So I started thinking, god it would really be better to just have an ultraportable laptop, like a 12" Macbook. One that I could sit upright, have a full keyboard, OR still be able to prop it up on my lap.

But then I started thinking, 1) I hate paying top dollar for old Apple tech, 2) it's sort of redundant since I already have a MBP (and had just upgraded it last fall), and 3) It was almost impossible to justify that cost for a glorified facebook machine.

So I spent the last year with neither. Just a 15" MBP docked at my desk (12 cycles on battery as of today after 12 months), and my 5.8" Xs. Honestly, I like the simplicity of my life, and just used my beater work laptop in place of my old iPad, being the beater to toss around the house carelessly. And honestly I didn't miss the iPad, but I got so sick of the 1995 era junk TN panel on the work laptop that was so washed out I couldn't even see my scrollbar half the time. Fast forward to last week, cable company jacks up my price and I cut them off and am on the verge of going with Hulu live, so thought it might be nice to watch TV in bed with an iPad.

So yesterday I bought an iPad mini 5, and while it is nice to have again, and it is and will be my most used device if I keep it, I'm already thinking of returning it because I still will get annoyed again with typing, and I honestly liked my simple life with just MBP + iPhone, even though I don't really like doing anything on my phone and keep it pretty much to short tasks - I don't like browsing forums or reading at length on it. I know people would say get the bigger iPad + smart keyboard, but I have no interest in that and I didn't want to spend too much if I was going to reintroduce an iPad to my life. A smart keyboard is clunky/ugly/bulky and at that point I should've just bought a 12" Macbook.

So I can't answer your question, unfortunately. Lol.

 

[muzzy996]

The most expensive iPad just for Hangouts and Reddit? Sounds a bit excessive to me.
If you need a nice external keyboard (a kind of product I wish Apple made itself but sadly they only focus on thin) maybe just get a Logitech 380.
You could even use it for your phone since it can be paired with several devices at once.

I think the point OP was trying to make is that the 12.9 iPP is likely to be more lap-able for them when lounging around the house or on the couch. A completely separate keyboard would mean having to prop the iPad up somewhere else. So their question really was about whether or not the wider keyboard on the 12.9 is noticeably more comfortable to type on as opposed to the smaller iPad keyboards. To me it is, but I’m on a 2017 version and i specifically purchased the 12.9 because of keyboard and screen size.

 

[danmart]

I’m inclined to trade up to the 12.9” pro soon and get a folio case. I know there’s a strong sentiment that it’s too big for some, but I’m not looking to be portable or use it in bed, mostly on the couch. I think the larger display would be nice and the larger keyboard might be just the ticket for a convenient lap-chatting machine.

I find the 12.9 easily portable and usable in a wide range of scenarios. I don’t have the Keyboard Folio. I tried it in the Apple Store and found it made the device just that bit too heavy for comfortable carrying. I went with the Smart Folio, but actually it’s not very high quality in terms of longevity, so I would go with a third-party case without the keyboard.

Bluetooth keyboard is the better option for serious typing (I use a Magic Keyboard) and can certainly be done on your lap on the couch. The on-screen keyboard is pretty cool on the 12.9 as well, in my experience. The key spacing works really well and feels similar to a key device.

 

[Soybomb]

I think the point OP was trying to make is that the 12.9 iPP is likely to be more lap-able for them when lounging around the house or on the couch. A completely separate keyboard would mean having to prop the iPad up somewhere else. So their question really was about whether or not the wider keyboard on the 12.9 is noticeably more comfortable to type on as opposed to the smaller iPad keyboards. To me it is, but I’m on a 2017 version and i specifically purchased the 12.9 because of keyboard and screen size.

Hah I’m not even sure I have a point I was trying to make. Glad several of you have chimed in though, it doesn’t seem like there’s a ton of people that really miss keyboards, it just feels so inefficient to not have it. And yes to the other person, a pro is probably overkill for my use, but its got a nicer screen and sound for the few times I fire up netflix or whatever. I’d consider stepping down but don’t mind a small premium.

I’ve considered the Bluetooth/magic keyboard as well but questioned if it’d be as convenient as the attached folio keyboard. The point about the weight balance being bad when using it on your lap is great though. My 9.7” with it on my lap feels like its ready to tumble back any time. A 12.9” and a separate keyboard on my lap on the couch sounds crowded but it makes me think if maybe I’m looking for a small swinging arm mount to put on the end table and just pull out the keyboard for when my browsing gets “serious.”

And yes the MacBook Air might be the most practical option given what I want, but I do appreciate being able to ditch the keyboard at times. One of the things that got old with my MBP was how little it took for the fans to kick into high speed and for it to start cooking my lap. I kind of like the user experience with a tablet there.

Keep the feedback coming

 

[hancuriang]

I have 12.9 and keyboard folio. I dont think the keyboard folio is great i make tons of typos with it... but the 11 one is of course too small. If you get a bt keyboard, which ipp to get depends if you want portability or better multitasking

 

[Macintoshrumors]

I have the 10.5 and i love the spit keyboard feature, it was actually big reason why i took to long to upgrade to my fisrt 12.9. Its not on the 11 or 12.9. I have no idea why. Anyway I came across a great deal on a mint 12.9 with a keyboard on swappa and pulled the trigger. I’m glad I did. If you do upgrade, a keyboard is an option. I find the floating keyboard to be not as effective as the spilt keyboard, but its something and predictive text helps. I say go for it, get the 11 especially if your just consuming content, promotion and quad speakers are so worth it.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I dont think the keyboard folio is great i make tons of typos with it...

Have you gotten used to the keyboard folio?