Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

All iPads Would you want a 14+” iPad?

Would you consider purchasing a 14+” iPad?

  • Yes

    Votes: 37 44.0%

  • No

    Votes: 47 56.0%
  • Total voters
    84
S

Scarboose

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 15, 2018
126
178
Rumors suggest Apple is exploring larger iPad options. I’m curious, what do the rest of you think about this? Personally, I would love a bigger iPad! I currently have the 3rd gen 12.9 and wish it were bigger. I believe if Apple did make a larger iPad, it would be at least 14”. I think they would add more multitasking possibilities onto a larger version and move the camera to the long edge (finally).

I don’t think this is too far fetched of an idea either, especially with Samsung releasing its Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. A few Apple focused tech channels have looked at the 14.6“ size and have had a lot of good things to say about it.

I firmly believe that is what holds the iPad back from being a truly productive device is its size. While the 12.9 is “big”, it is smaller than any MacBook sold today. A 13.3“ display is not the best to have multiple windows or apps open side by side. The new Pros, like the 14.2”, does though. I imagine if you ran iPadOS on a 14.2 display, this would allow for much larger windows side by side and I think you could comfortably Multitask with 4 corner windows AND still do slide over from the side too. 5 possible apps/windows!

Final thought - I also believe Apple would greatly benefit from this. Creating a “Studio“ sized iPad would prompt a lot of people to get 2 iPads. A lot of users already do this, but I don’t currently. I think I would then! A 14+” desk iPad and then a mini or air for on the go.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kltmom and nastysailboat
I'd possibly be on board if I was rocking two iPads, yes.

For me, even the 12.9 is too big for a tablet, but great for typing or watching movies. I guess drawing too, but I don't do that like I used to.

So ultimately, I probably wouldn't go that large, but I'd be awful curious to see how it looks and feels.
 
I think I’d be interested in a bigger iPad, not sure exactly what size though. Probably 14” or 15”, but possibly up to 16”. It would be very beneficial to have more screen for drawing, multitasking with keyboard, and for Sidecar. I don’t use my 12.9” for casual consumption anyway. My only hesitation is making my daily carry bag heavier. If the weight doesn’t increase too much, then I’m pretty sure I’d buy it. And one more condition—drawing with Pencil via Sidecar needs to get better, on par with drawing on a Cintiq.

By the way, OP, keep in mind that the 4:3 aspect ratio of the 12.9” iPad actually makes it the same screen area size or even a little bigger than a 13.3” MacBook at 16:10.
 
I’m glad you phrased the question would I “consider” buying a bigger iPad, because I definitely would. But given that I can barely justify the use/price of a 12.9 iPP, I probably wouldn’t buy one. Though the screen real estate at that aspect ratio would be hard to resist…
 
I can certainly see the use cases for this, I just don't have those uses. Then again, I thought the 12.9 would be too big for me and I now love it. Plus, if it meant software was fully featured on a larger iPad I would then consider it.
 
Scarboose said:
I firmly believe that is what holds the iPad back from being a truly productive device is its size. While the 12.9 is “big”, it is smaller than any MacBook sold today. A 13.3“ display is not the best to have multiple windows or apps open side by side. The new Pros, like the 14.2”, does though. I imagine if you ran iPadOS on a 14.2 display, this would allow for much larger windows side by side and I think you could comfortably Multitask with 4 corner windows AND still do slide over from the side too. 5 possible apps/windows!
Click to expand...
I think the 13" is perfect for two windows side by side, it just feels a little cramped in portrait mode. If you want more than two windows, a bigger screen would help. But I think there are other limitations to iPad OS that hinder its productivity potential, though, like the tiny amount of memory management it can handle.
 
Looking at my 16 inch MBP and thinking if I would like a iPad that size. For use at table and mostly at home - sure. For lecture halls and travelling perhaps not.

The Studio display only requires to be touch sensitivity and iPadOS bootable and then there is 27 inch iPad. :)
 
I could, but Apple already charges $1099 for the 12.9-inch model. A 14-inch model would be even more expensive, which makes it very hard to swallow considering my use case.

Samsung sells a 12.4-inch S7 FE for a more reasonable price, which is fine for those who want a tablet just for watching videos, browsing the web, or reading e-books. If Apple released a large iPad at that price range, even with a slower processor and lesser specs, I would consider it.
 
Probably not. I mostly use my iPad as a tablet and not a laptop replacement. IF it could run macOs and fully function as a laptop as well as a large tablet I might change my mind. But I'd likely have a smaller iPad to use as a tablet. 14" is definitely too large for the way I currently use my iPad.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PaladinGuy
I often review two letter-sized PDFs side by side in GoodReader so a bigger display would certainly be nice for that.

However, the 12.9” iPad is just barely small enough that it doesn’t block my PC monitors. I’d need a riser for the monitors if I get an even bigger iPad.
 
  • Like
Reactions: iPadified
I have been a large tablet fan since the beginning (got a surface pro 3 in 2014, got my 12.9 in 2015 and now have also the 3rd gen 12.9 and I also got a Surface Book 2 15in, the Tab S7+ in 2020 and the Tab S8 ultra this year). A few considerations:

- A large tablet is typically the choice for those that also have a smaller one (just like with laptops), although not necessarily. It's generally not meant to be a device that you hold for hours (e.g. for reading) with just one hand. If holding the tablet with one hand is the main use case (typically on a couch), then a large tablet is probably not for you

- Large tablet can sometimes replace laptops (and for some people most of the time), but laptop replacement should not be their primary use (again, with exceptions), and if that's the main use case, people are better served by a laptop. Instead they can replace effectively pen and paper or even a TV for many people.

- Some use cases for larger tablets:
In portrait mode: reading PDF document (non optimized like ebooks etc.), reading sheet music on a music rest
In landscape: watching videos, being an external monitor with a battery, touch and pen input, doing remote desktop, gaming with a controller, and in general all the standard tablet use cases (photo/video editing, drawing etc.) where a larger display makes the experience better

- Weight: this one is tricky because it's not just "the heavier, the most uncomfortable" as it depends on the aspect ratio. My Surface Book 2 is 822gr vs 725gr for the S8 ultra, but in landscape the feel the same weight (when holding with one hand) because of the different aspect ratio, while in portrait the ultra feels much lighter, actually even lighter than my 2018 12.9 ipad pro (642gr).

I think Apple could get away with a 15in iPad at 800gr or even a bit more, if the weigh is well distributed (maybe they could make it a bit less square to make it more comfortable in portrait mode, e.g. using the aspect ratio of the 11in pro)
 
  • Like
Reactions: kltmom and iPadified
Crow_Servo said:
So ultimately, I probably wouldn't go that large, but I'd be awful curious to see how it looks and feels.
Click to expand...

The problem with that is, considering how hard it is to get iPads in stock, epecially at launch, an "experiment" of launching at 14 inch iPad would use up resources that other iPad models could use to get stock moving.
 
Last edited:
Scarboose said:
I firmly believe that is what holds the iPad back from being a truly productive device is its size.
Click to expand...
That's absolutely NOT the issue. What's holding back the iPad is Apple's refusal to give iPadOS more capability. I think Apple really did themselves a disfavor by putting the M1 into the device. Now we can see that chip driving external displays, handling real file systems, apps being allowed to use more than 12GB of RAM (previously limited to 6GB), running Apple's Pro apps, running X-Code, and so much more on Macs. Literally the ONLY thing stopping iPads from being a truly productive device is that Apple simply doesn't want it to be that way. Until they change that mentality it won't matter what size the screen is.

And no, I would NOT consider a larger iPad. Espcially at the price Apple would charge for it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LibbyLA and PaladinGuy
I would only be interested in a larger iPad if the OS isn't as limited as it currently stands, but if the limitations were less like with files and maybe a bit better multitasking then a larger iPad paired with a keyboard/trackpad would be both an amazing content device along with productivity
 
Scarboose said:
Rumors suggest Apple is exploring larger iPad options. I’m curious, what do the rest of you think about this? Personally, I would love a bigger iPad! I currently have the 3rd gen 12.9 and wish it were bigger. I believe if Apple did make a larger iPad, it would be at least 14”. I think they would add more multitasking possibilities onto a larger version and move the camera to the long edge (finally).

I don’t think this is too far fetched of an idea either, especially with Samsung releasing its Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. A few Apple focused tech channels have looked at the 14.6“ size and have had a lot of good things to say about it.

I firmly believe that is what holds the iPad back from being a truly productive device is its size. While the 12.9 is “big”, it is smaller than any MacBook sold today. A 13.3“ display is not the best to have multiple windows or apps open side by side. The new Pros, like the 14.2”, does though. I imagine if you ran iPadOS on a 14.2 display, this would allow for much larger windows side by side and I think you could comfortably Multitask with 4 corner windows AND still do slide over from the side too. 5 possible apps/windows!

Final thought - I also believe Apple would greatly benefit from this. Creating a “Studio“ sized iPad would prompt a lot of people to get 2 iPads. A lot of users already do this, but I don’t currently. I think I would then! A 14+” desk iPad and then a mini or air for on the go.
Click to expand...

I'd vote yes to a 14'' iPad if Apple made it a true replacement for a laptop. As it stands I feel like I need to have my MacBook, and cannot just have an iPad. Just my opinion.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PaladinGuy
MBX said:
14'' is not enough of a difference to the 12.9''

It should be at least 15'' or 16'' and yes I want that. We've had these discussions before.
Click to expand...
Yes, I would say the minimum increase in size would be 1.5in, so 14.4in at the very minimum. 15in is definitely an option too, but I think it would also be the maximum they would go because of weight.
 
sracer said:
Q. Would you want a 14+” iPad?
A. Not with the current state of iPad OS and support for peripherals.

If Apple were to enhance iPad OS to support a DeX-like mode and an accessible system-wide filesystem, I would definitely be interested.
Click to expand...
While having more options is always a good thing, I don't think it would make a big difference. I have the S8 ultra and I rarely use DeX on the tablet, as multitasking on the regular UI is already pretty good (and more powerful than iPadOS, with 3 apps in split screen and both vertical and horizontal split, plus slide over of a 4th app).
Where DeX shines is as a way to have monitor support, and at that it's pretty amazing.
When you plug in a monitor you basically have 2 separate device, a tablet and a second device on the monitor and you choose where to open apps... For instance this allows me to use remote desktop on the monitor and still have the tablet, while with iPad I cannot use the tablet and do remote desktop at the same time....
That would be great on iPad, but it would work even on an iPad mini....
 
The Game 161 said:
No I think 12.9 is my limit for a tablet. Unless you use it purely as a laptop replacement of course
Click to expand...
Very few people manage to turn an iPad into a complete laptop replacement, especially for work, but there are many other use cases for a larger iPad (I gave examples in my post above), so there would be a market for those (without the iPad becoming a laptop replacement)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back