iPad Pro Well hello there 12.9 users! How often are you using it as a tablet?

[Ghost31]

Curious how you all are using this big hunk of sexy machinery. I’ve noticed my own habits changing over time as I’ve gone between the 9.7 the 12.9 the 10.5 and now the 11 and it’s interesting to see how different they all are being used based on size. Size has painted in my mind how I’ve used my devices and it seems like every year I waffle between “I want a tablet!” To the next year “why a tablet? It’s always docked to a keyboard anyway. May as well go bigger!”

when I had my 12.9, I ALWAYS had it docked to the Smart Keyboard. I would try to use it as just a tablet on the couch but it just felt like holding a pizza box in my lap. Then there was the time I held it over my head in bed and dropped it on my face. Jesus man. How did I ever think that was a good idea? Did I forget about gravity and what it might do to my face? I ended up going to work the next day with a red mark on my forehead as a reminder. So really, I kept my 12.9 propped up with the Smart Keyboard the whole time and pretty much never used it as a tablet.

this was also before the big redesign though and then making it considerably smaller, so it might be a bit better now. Curious for you guys with the larger pro how often you use it as a straight tablet vs docked like a laptop

 

[sparksd]

I use my 2018 Pro with a smart folio-like case and a sturdy stand while at the table but also regularly use it in my hands in a chair and even reading in bed - though I could use my 10.5 Pro I really prefer the larger screen for everything. If I'm going out and about (rare now) and need a keyboard, I'll put it in a Logitech Slim Folio Pro case. At the table, at times I'll use a K380 Bluetooth keyboard and a Magic Trackpad 2 or Logitech mouse. It's extremely versatile in terms of use and configuration. And I'll never buy another smaller iPad - the large display is fantastic.

 

[ericwn]

During my work day my 12.9 is usually sitting in a case, either a Spigen or one of my Logitech keyboard cases. I have times when I use it naked to take written notes with the Pencil, but not lately. In the evening it’s either in one of the cases or resting on my lap without a case.

I don’t think many people want to hold an iPad without any support from their legs or without a stand or something to prop it up against for extended periods of time.

 

[millydog]

As you would have seen me discuss (many times), I have the 12.9” 2018 and I’ve been using it as a tablet. The big screen is great. I have no problem using it in my recliner with my legs up. I rest the base of it in my lap and so I’m only supporting it with my hands so it doesn’t tip over. I don’t find it heavy when using it like that.
I also use it in bed and adjusted to that. I either lay on my side with the iPad resting on the bed next to me, sometimes with a pillow behind it. Or I lay on my back and rest it on my stomach, but only when I don’t think that I’ll fall asleep.
I take it to work with me, but here’s one place where I find it a bit too big. This might be different to other people’s experience, but I’m using it as a personal device along side my work laptop (15”). I find it a little heavy in my handbag when taking it to the office, but yet not too bad. With the size of it though on the desk, I feel like people can see what I have on my screen. I really only use it on my lunch break and use my iPhone for texts and podcasts while working (I’m a senior programmer). When it comes to using it at my desk, I either have it in portrait with the base resting against my stomach and the top half resting against the edge of the desk or I use the Apple Smart Folio cover to use it in the low angle so as to not show the screen to everone else and also as it’s the best angle for using the onscreen keyboard for typing. I have the Brydge Pro keyboard, but I found it too heavy to take to work, so it stays home. I also find it too much of a hassle to attach and detach my iPad from it.
I like to take my iPad everywhere, so I put it in my handbag with the Apple Smart Cover. I‘ve been finding it a bit heavy and awkward to take places though. There are sometimes when I have it with me, but I don’t want to get it out and use it. In those cases, I do have my iPhone with me though. I also have my older 10.5” iPP and a mini 5.
So it seems like I have all my use cases covered, but I’ve been wondering if an 11” could be my one device to rule them all. I had an 11” delivered late Wednesday afternoon. I spent yesterday with it and kept picking up both the 11” and my 12.9”. The 11” was feeling squashed in landscape as I’m use to the 2:3 ratio of the 12.9”. After one day, I thought I’d decided to keep the 12.9”, but I found myself thinking out it during the night. I’m working from home today and I’m not in my usual office environment, so I can only imagine taking it there.
I don’t yet have the MK, but I want to get it for the device size that I pick for my main iPad size. I have a MacBook Pro at home already, so I had imagined that the MK for the 11” might be the way to go as it would be easier to take to work.
Logic tells me that the 11” is the best size for my use cases, but I need to be sure that I’m not going to miss the big screen size if I switch.
If I was only using the 12.9” at home, I’d be fine and wouldn’t be dreaming of a smaller and lighter device, but I take my iPad everywhere.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Curious how you all are using this big hunk of sexy machinery. I’ve noticed my own habits changing over time as I’ve gone between the 9.7 the 12.9 the 10.5 and now the 11 and it’s interesting to see how different they all are being used based on size. Size has painted in my mind how I’ve used my devices and it seems like every year I waffle between “I want a tablet!” To the next year “why a tablet? It’s always docked to a keyboard anyway. May as well go bigger!”

when I had my 12.9, I ALWAYS had it docked to the Smart Keyboard. I would try to use it as just a tablet on the couch but it just felt like holding a pizza box in my lap. Then there was the time I held it over my head in bed and dropped it on my face. Jesus man. How did I ever think that was a good idea? Did I forget about gravity and what it might do to my face? I ended up going to work the next day with a red mark on my forehead as a reminder. So really, I kept my 12.9 propped up with the Smart Keyboard the whole time and pretty much never used it as a tablet.

this was also before the big redesign though and then making it considerably smaller, so it might be a bit better now. Curious for you guys with the larger pro how often you use it as a straight tablet vs docked like a laptop

I try to use it as a tablet for the most part, but I'm beginning to realize that the 12.9" size is a bit uncomfortable to hold for a long period of time.

 

[madrigal77]

I use it basically as a laptop with the Smart Keyboard folio.

 

[muzzy996]

I’m the opposite. When taking it with me places I’ll keep a smart keyboard on my 2017 iPP 12.9 mostly so that I have it to type things in a pinch (like right now in Tapatalk). At home though I’l frequently take the smart keyboard off and use the iPP either without a case or with a kickstand back case that I got from a Logitech keyboard/case combo.

90% of the time my iPP is a media consumption and browsing device. The other 10% is for work related stuff like taking notes or annotating PDFs.

 

[The Game 161]

I use my 12.9 with the MK i would say 95% of the day. If i want to take some notes or quickly use it on my lap with my knees up that’s my only use case really. That’s when i use my Apple Pencil more than anything.

nice to have the option and why i got this and got rid of my macbook

 

[SurferJoes]

The 2020 MacBook air is so much more comfortable on the lap than the 12.9 and magic keyboard.

 

[tarsins]

Since getting the Magic Keyboard I have’t used it as a tablet at all, nor have I used the pencil.

 

[Mr.Blacky]

I try to use it as a tablet for the most part, but I'm beginning to realize that the 12.9" size is a bit uncomfortable to hold for a long period of time.

You don't have to hold it all the time to use it as a tablet. 😉 I am using mine as a tablet 99,9% and I rarely holding it.

 

[Ghost31]

Welp...after talking about how great the 11 inch was for the longest time and how I’d probably never get the 12.9 inch, I got the 12.9 inch and I cant imagine ever going back. Wow. What the hell took me so long

 

[1rottenapple]

That is one reason why I upgraded over the 12.9. I love the use case of the 12.9 but for me it didn't feel comfortable using tablet on the couch with the 12.9. the 11 definitely changed my use case to mainly casual. I do see a need for foldable 7 inch table that folds to a 13 inch. That would be neat.

 

[iPadified]

All the time. I use the iPad for what is best for namely tablet mode (sofa, bed, kitchen, classroom, conferences...) and a MBP/MP for desktop work.

 

[Ungibbed]

I have found that I use my 12.9 (2017) as a tablet. Mainly because I have poor vision. Secondly, I heard from friends that the speakers were great.

I never got around to buying a keyboard case and now regret it since they are so scarce. I do use a cover/hard shell case to stand it up when desired. I do have the Apple Pencil and use it for drawing in Procreate.