If you’ve been following along you’ll know I destroyed my beloved 10.5” iPad Pro a couple of months ago. Since then I’ve been using a combination of a MacBook, iPhone and iPad Mini. This worked well but I’ve been missing the larger iPad screen. When our family iPad mini 2 stopped being able to run the apps we needed the mini 5 got reset and put into it’s place (Apple, please can we have multiuser support in IPadOS).
I decided to finally put in an order for a new iPad. I decided to go for the 2020 iPad Pro 11” in silver 256GB. I contemplated the 12.9” but in the end the added cost and size put me off. I use my iPad mostly in tablet mode and for me portability is the number 1 priority.
On first opening I was shocked at how big it felt and to be honest still does. A couple of months with the iPad Mini and I really came to love the form factor. This actually feels like a 12.9” to me right now, I’m loving it.
I also picked up the 2nd generation Apple Pencil and a smart folio.
I’ve switched a lot of my personal journaling and productivity over to the iPad from my iPhone and finding I’m using the Apple Pencil a load more. I’ve found that with it attached to the side it’s always there and charged. I’m making more notes (especially in work) than I did before and I can’t believe how much better Pencil 2 is. The decrease in weight, matte finish and shorter stem means it feels a lot more like a errrr Pencil.
Battery life is a lot better than my years old iPad Pro 10.5” was so added bonus.
Performance is great as you’d expect. I haven’t got a 2018 to compare with but it feels slicker than my 10.5” but to be honest in my day to day use I’m not seeing much. I don’t game on it or do video editing but will soon be recording music so I’ll see how it handles and report back.
The only real downside so far is losing my home button and TouchID. I’m finding that unlocking my iPad with FaceID is slower and I’m constantly blocking the camera. This is teething problems for me rather than the iPad but wasn’t something I thought I’d have issues with.
I’m only a few days in but really liking the new form factor and Pencil. I’ve also ordered a Magic Keyboard so I’ll report back with how I’m doing.
