iPad Pro 10.5″ designer mini-review part 1

This is a 3 part mini-review of the new iPad Pro 10.5″. Read part 2 and part 3.

Over the past few weeks I’ve scoured the internet for reviews of the new iPad Pros.

Last week Apple announced a new 10.5″ screen size, along with an updated version of the 12.9″. Over the past few weeks I’ve scoured the internet for reviews. Thanks to a bunch of different opinions (especially Brooks Review), I decided to try out the new 10.5″ size.

I went ahead and sold my 2015 12.9″ iPad Pro model and, with cash in hand headed to the Apple Store to pick up a new one.

Here’s a few things I noticed as I looked over the different iPad models at the store.

  • Screen size – At first I was taken back by how small the 10.5″ screen was. I thought I was looking at the iPad minis. I think I mentally imagining a bigger iPad. Yes it’s bigger than the 9.7″ sizes, but I’m coming down from a nearly 13″ screen. I had to try out a handful of apps, including split screen, to see if I could go down to something this small.
  • ProMotion – After testing out the Apple Pencil one the Notes app (the sketching part) I quickly decided that the 120hz was worth it. It’s pretty amazing! I’ve been using the older iPad Pro almost daily since January for sketching and could immediately tell this would make a difference. There’s almost no lag. This could make a huge difference for me.

After having second thoughts about the screen size that felt smaller than I was used to, I started to look again at the 12.9″ models. I went back and forth and finally decided I’d try out the 10.5″ for a few weeks and see if it worked for me.

I’m now writing this mini-review on the new iPad. I love both new models, and since the main thing I used the iPad for was sketching, I’ll have to try it out for a few days to get a better sense.

Note: Paper from FiftyThree.com doesn’t yet support the new screen size. The interface seems to be thinking I’m coming from a 12.9″ and is cutting off some of the UI elements. I’ve sent them an email asking if they can get it fixed. Since Paper is the number #1 app that I use it’s imperative that this start working as soon as possible.