Apple’s iPad has come a long way since its debut again in 2010. Now there are the standard iPad, the light-weight iPad Air, the compact iPad Mini, and essentially the most succesful mannequin, the iPad Pro. Content material creators, digital nomads, and professionals will most definitely be drawn to that final member of Apple’s convoluted pill lineup, with the ability to take full benefit of the Professional’s superior M1 or M2 silicon, ultra-bright show, and wealth of software program options equivalent to Hover Mode due to premium add-ons just like the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil.
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When you’ve got your thoughts set on the iPad Professional, the follow-up query is, must you purchase the 11-inch model or the 12.9-inch?
On paper, the size do not sound too far aside. However when you’ve ever gone hands-on with the flagship tablets — which I like to recommend you do to get a really feel of issues — then you recognize that one is extra like a traditional-sized pill and the opposite is an emphatically giant slab.
Clearly, measurement is the largest distinction between the 2, however I’ve listed a number of extra key causes beneath that it is best to think about earlier than deciding on which configuration to purchase.
Specs
|
iPad Professional 11-inch |
iPad Professional 12.9-inch |
|
|
Show |
11-inch Liquid Retina LCD show (2,388 x 1,668) with ProMotion |
12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR show (2,732 x 2,048) with ProMotion |
|
Processor |
Apple Silicon M1 or M2 |
Apple Silicon M1 or M2 |
|
Storage |
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
|
Digicam system |
12MP extensive, 10MP ultrawide, 12MP TrueDepth FaceTime |
12MP extensive, 10MP ultrawide, 12MP TrueDepth FaceTime |
|
Connectivity |
USB-C Thunderbolt/USB-4, Wi-Fi 6, 5G, LTE, Bluetooth |
USB-C Thunderbolt/USB-4, Wi-Fi, 5G, LTE, Bluetooth |
|
Battery |
As much as 10 hours of video playback |
As much as 10 hours of video playback |
|
Colours |
Area Grey, Silver |
Area Grey, Silver |
|
Value vary |
You can purchase the 11-inch iPad Professional if…
1. You favor a extra moveable work machine
Do not get it twisted, each iPad Professional sizes are shockingly skinny (about 0.25 inch) and may be simply tucked into any backpack sleeve, however the smaller 11-inch is far simpler to carry and weighs about half a pound lower than the 12.9-inch mannequin.
When you plan on touring with the iPad from dwelling to the workplace to native cafes, then the extra moveable footprint of the 11-inch Professional must be a giant consideration.
In truth, when you’re upgrading from an current iPad, whether or not it is the Air, the Mini, or the vanilla mannequin, you then’ll end up proper at dwelling with the 11-inch type issue. And its M1-based performance will be noticeably better.
2. You need to avoid wasting no less than $300
Is it thought of free cash when you save your self from spending extra? Both approach, choosing the 11-inch iPad Professional as a substitute of the 12.9-inch mannequin, on common, will prevent about $300. The primary distinction between the 2 — and, spoiler alert for one of many causes to purchase the 12.9-inch mannequin as a substitute — is the brighter mini-LED show on the bigger iPad. However is the next nit rely value $300 extra? The reply actually is determined by how you are going to use the pill, however for most individuals, it is a resounding “No.”
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It’s totally doubtless that when you’re shopping for an iPad, not to mention a Professional, you may snag considered one of Apple’s keyboard instances as effectively. Whether or not you are eyeing a full-function Magic Keyboard or a minimal folio case, you may be spending $20-$50 much less for equipment made for the 11-inch mannequin.
You can purchase the 12.9-inch iPad Professional if…
1. Your workflow requires a bigger canvas
How are you planning to make use of the iPad Professional? Are you a graphics designer who thrives on Photoshop? Do you edit uncooked 4K movies each different day of the week? When you think about your self an influence consumer, then the bigger iPad Professional ought to serve you higher than its smaller different. Not solely does the 12.9-inch mannequin provide you with a wider show on which to visualise your graphics, video timelines, and multi-window layouts, but it surely’s additionally noticeably brighter, with a peak brightness of 1,600 nits.
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The superior visible output is due to Apple’s Professional Show XDR, an meeting of mini LEDs unfold beneath the glass to create extra dimming zones. Principally, you’ll be able to count on one of many best-performing excessive dynamic vary (HDR) shows on the 12.9-inch iPad Professional.
2. You need a bigger keyboard to kind on
Hear me out: The typing expertise on any keyboard case you purchase for the 12.9-inch iPad Professional shall be higher than that for the 11-inch mannequin. It is because each case will very doubtless have a bigger palm relaxation and trackpad to cowl up the 12.9-inch iPad’s show when closed shut.
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Whereas keyboard instances shall be dearer for the bigger iPad, as talked about earlier than, typing on one which was made for the 12.9-inch iPad must be much less cramped and usually extra comfy. For touring typists, that motive alone might justify the premium.
FAQs
It is a query that is been requested because the iPad’s debut, whether or not or not it may change a laptop computer. To reply: Sure, to some extent. Due to software program enhancements and higher multitasking options on iPadOS, the iPad Professional, greater than ever, can change a laptop computer. ZDNET’s personal Jason Cipriani has written plenty of articles on his iPad experiences doing simply that.
Nevertheless, it is best to know that there are nonetheless loads of pro-grade companies and packages that require a desktop or laptop computer to run, most of which aren’t optimized for the iPad’s working system.
Apple’s non-Professional iPads have gotten way more succesful through the years due to the combination of the corporate’s personal silicon, however the iPad Professional continues to be the one to purchase when you’re an expert consumer or inventive.
I might advise any potential shopper to go to an area Apple retailer and demo the lower-end iPad fashions first, and if none of them fulfill your work wants, transfer as much as the iPad Professional.
Each the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Professionals assist the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil, which is arguably the best tool for digital content creation. That mentioned, the very best iPad Professional for drawing is determined by whether or not you favor a extra moveable canvas or one which has extra display actual property. For artists, the 12.9-inch iPad Professional, with its greater and brighter show, ought to typically serve higher, particularly when you draw outside.
For many college students, the 11-inch iPad Professional is the higher selection. It is simpler to hold round than the 12.9-inch mannequin and price $300 much less, regardless of which storage configuration. Each fashions include 5G and LTE assist if you wish to use the pill on the go or your faculty’s Wi-Fi is clunky, so the variations to notice listed here are portability and worth.
