IPad Pro – expensive but worth it if it meets your needs!

The iPad Pro 12.9 that came out at the end of last year has a number of advantages but some disadvantages. Its size can be either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on what you need. Because of its size issues, it becomes a specific choice based on what the iPad Pro can and can’t do for you. They have just released the iPad Pro 9.7, which is essentially a smaller version and is the same size as the iPad Air 2. It is my understanding from most of the comments about both-sized versions that other than the size-related comments I’m making, comments regarding the iPad Pro 12.9 will also apply to the smaller iPad Pro 9.7.

The pros for the iPad Pro 12.9 larger size are as follows:

1. The larger screen size makes e-edition versions of actual newspapers easy to read. The e-editions have the same format as the actual newspaper with some reading enhancements depending on the paper. I take the Chicago Tribune, USA Today and the Champaign Urbana’s News-Gazette in the electronic versions (e-Editions). With the larger size display, these newspapers are easy to read on the larger iPad Pro. Because of the high quality display, the type is clear and the pictures are excellent. It is almost like reading a tabloid edition of the actual paper. This is an advantage to senior lawyers and others with vision problems.

2. The camera is improved and the quality of the pictures on the iPad Pro are extremely clear and very striking. From what I can see of the smaller 9.7 version, the quality of the pictures may be even better. The larger size and weight does sometimes make taking pictures a challenge.

3. The larger iPad Pro is the size of a full sheet of paper, which allows you to edit a document right on the screen using apps such as Dropbox and iAnnotate and the new iPad Pro pencil. I have my assistant email me documents. I edit them and email them back with the edits. This really works well as I like to be able to look at the actual page when making edits.

4. If you turn the iPad Pro 12.9 to the landscape view (on the side), there is an e-mail strip on the left side that displays an email index and the actual email is open and displayed in the adjoining larger side. Both are much easier to read than with the smaller iPads. I also have the iPad Pro keyboard. I can open the iPad in the morning at the coffee shop and go through and reply to all my emails very quickly. As a result, I start the day before I get to the office. When I get to the office, all my e-mails are already caught up. This can also be done with the other iPads but the larger display coupled with the iPad Pro keyboard really works well. They keyboard is an add-on which costs about $169 and is magnetically attached to the iPad. There are other keyboards besides the Apple one but the iPad Pro 12.9 version keyboard works well because it is close to normal keyboard size. I like the feel of the keys and always having the keyboard with me.

5. The streaming video is really good. It is fast. If you watch movies or want to watch sports or want to do split screen to watch two different games at the same time, you can do so with the iPad Pro 12.9. This gives you the portability to watch games, CLE, TV and movies wherever you are on the streaming basis. I watch CLE on mine while I’m working out. I also like the larger screen when looking at PowerPoint or other displayed materials with the CLE.

6. The iPad Pro pencil is easy to use and works very well for editing documents and making diagrams or drawing. It is the best editing tool I have found. It charges easily by plugging it into the charging port of the iPad Pro and charging it on the iPad. It only takes a matter of minutes to recharge the pencil. The iPad Pro also pops up a notice when the charge on the pencil is low. The pencil sells on www.apple.com for $99.

7. I got the Apple iPad Pro keyboard that attaches magnetically to the iPad. I also have the Apple back on the iPad to protect the iPad from external damage. I did not have much luck with keyboards on the other smaller iPads. They were smaller and made the iPad bulky. Standalone keyboards were worse because they were separate. The iPad Pro 12.9 keyboard fixes this problem. It is close to full size and works very well for me. It is probably the best keyboard that I’ve seen for the iPad. It is relatively lightweight and always with the iPad. I use the new Apple attached keyboard a lot, particularly in responding to emails. It sells on www.apple.com for $169.

8. The sound on the iPad Pro is great. There are four speakers so the iPad Pro probably has the best sound of any portable tablet-type device. I have played classical music which sounds great. The sound using the various music and sports radio apps is also excellent.

9. The battery life, even using streaming video, seems to be very good. I have not had any problems with the battery running down during my daily use even when I stream videos quite a bit. However, I suggest that if you’re going to watch streaming for an extended time, it is probably best to plug the iPad Pro into a power source.

10. I have both the WiFi and 4G on my iPad Pro because I don’t always have access to WiFi. I have used the iPad Pro in all kinds of environments and find it has worked everywhere I have tried. This is helpful because a number of courthouses and other places I go to don’t have Wi-Fi. The 4G works to give me access to WestLaw, Fastcase and my calendars and emails wherever I am.

The cons for the iPad Pro 12.9 larger size are as follows:

1. Not all features of the larger size iPad Pro 12.9 are helpful. There are some drawbacks with the size and weight. These larger size-related issues should be considered if you are choosing between the iPad Pro 12.9 and the iPad Pro 9.7.

2. The larger size is cumbersome and somewhat heavy, especially with the addition of the keyboard with the Apple back protection. It is also hard to hold because of the weight and balance issues. This is a problem if you are in a hearing and trying to take notes or docket calendar times, etc. The smaller iPads work better in a courtroom environment. As a result, I continue to use my iPad Air 2 when I am in court to check the court schedules or keep track of my calendar, or do quick research. The smaller iPad is lighter and easier to use and not so cumbersome. The new iPad Pro 9.7 smaller edition solves this problem. I am considering purchasing one for that purpose but the expense is such that I’m not sure I can justify the cost of upgrading to the iPad Pro 9.7 at this point in addition to having the larger 12.9 version. The larger version clearly meets the needs I bought it for so that purchase was justified.

3. The iPad Pro can get heavy and get in the way. I tend to use it when I have a table or desk available to help support it. Also, when I use it with the keyboard, the cover holds the display up similar to a laptop.

4. The iPad Pro’s larger display can tend to make books and smaller documents larger and more difficult to read because of the larger-size print. It helps to be on landscape, which provides a two-page per screen view. But, even those are sometimes large and slow down reading. I like reading on the iPads but I prefer reading books on the smaller iPad because the size is such that I can read faster. If you have vision problems, the larger size will most certainly be helpful. However, bar journals and magazines can be read much more quickly on an iPad Pro 12.9 than in the print edition because they are the same size and you can scroll them.

5. The iPad Pro 12.9 size is so large that it may not always fit conveniently in all briefcases or carrying cases.

6. The problem with the pencil is there’s no clip so you can’t clip it in your shirt pocket and it’s really too long to conveniently do so. The cap on the end is detachable and you have to be careful that you don’t lose it. There is no way to attach the pencil to the iPad Pro. However, if you have the keyboard, there’s a magnetic place that will hold the cap on the keyboard while you are charging the pencil. I carry my pencil in my briefcase and that works for me.

The iPad Pro 12.9 and iPad Pro 9.7 are both very expensive. If you are using either for business and can write off the cost, that is helpful. I like my iPad Pro 12.9 and find it meets my needs very well. I especially like large size documents. I go to meetings which have sizable agenda books emailed to me. With the iPad Pro 12.9, I can go through a lot of documents very quickly and annotate them with my iPad pencil. It is much easier and quicker to go through several hundred pages on the iPad Pro than paper versions. Then, when I go to meetings, the iPad Pro has a good battery life and stays on longer than the older versions. Battery life is much better than on previous iPads I have.

As I indicated above, I am considering the smaller iPad Pro to replace my iPad Air 2. I’m debating the cost versus the increased speed and usability in courthouses. I’m not sure whether I want to act now or wait and see what comes out in the fall. Another option is to upgrade my laptop. It appears that the iPad Pro 9.7 small version is going to be with us for a while and it is a very good option. If you can use the advantages, the iPad Pro 12.9 is a very good option. They say size matters. With the iPad Pro, you have two good options depending on which size works best for you. 

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John T. Phipps is engaged in the general practice of law in Champaign, IL as John T. Phipps Law Offices, P.C. His primary emphasis is in the areas of family law, general civil litigation, real estate, probate and business law. He is the immediate past chair of the Senior Lawyers Section Council. He is a former chair of the ISBA General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section Council, Co-Editor of the Section’s newsletter and has been a member of the ISBA Assembly.