What many people are not realizing is that the iPad Pro 12.9″ is lighter naked than the 9.7″ model combined with a keyboard and case1. Not having this extra weight is what makes all the difference when we want to use the iPad handheld. With a light, naked iPad, I can hold it in my hands, type on the glass effectively, maybe holding it up while sitting in my chair, using the armrest. Or I can put it down on my lap, and also use the pen to draw or explore ideas. It is still a bit heavy, and I still would love the iPad to lose half its weight again, but with the current, naked weights, I can already use it for long periods without feeling that I need a table to rest the iPad on2. I do not miss a physical keyboard. The typing speed on glass is a bit slower3, but it is still much faster then using a pen, and more than fast enough to keep up with my thoughts. We tend to greatly underestimate the time needed for clearly formulating our thoughts, typing is a relatively minor part of the time I need for a post. I see that a physical keyboard enables you to type blindly, without having to glance from time to time. This is valuable for transcribing talks, but only journalists and secretaries do this often, and I believe this wrongly colors journalists opinions about the necessity of a physical keyboard.
So start treating your iPad as a tool that can withstand use, and enjoy the light weight. Maybe get a sleeve4 to protect your iPad during transport, which can also serve as a nice place to rest your iPad on a table. Trust Apple to make a solid piece of hardware that does not need extra protection.
- The 12.9″ iPad is 714g, the 9.7″ is 437g. For the 9.7″ model, the Smart Keyboard weights 225g, the silicone case 84g, and a Smart Cover would add 110g. For the 12.9″ model, the keyboard is 340g, the case roughly 125g, and the cover 164g. So a fully protected 9.7″ is with 746g heavier than its larger sibling naked. My thanks to Jason Snell for measuring this. 9.7″ case is estimated because of lack of data. ⏎
- It probably helps that I am swimming regularly. Even once a week will train muscles in the arms and fingers that are typically neglected, and it makes it easier to hold the iPad. ⏎
- A trained typist gets pretty close, losing only about 2o% of his speed. And I was surprised to find that this also holds true for myself. ⏎
- I love the sleeves from Joli Originals, they are absolutely marvelous. ⏎