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2000 AD => General => Topic started by: mattp9989 on 23 August, 2017, 02:53:13 AM

Title: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: mattp9989 on 23 August, 2017, 02:53:13 AM
Anyone out there have experience?  I was thinking of taking the expensive plunge and would like to hear from anyone who has.  Large enough screen area to read properly?  what about double page spreads?  im assuming this would be the best tablet to represent actually holding a prog electronically?
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: The Adventurer on 23 August, 2017, 03:01:16 AM
Chunky is my go to iPad reading app. It works with all CBR/CBZ/ZIP/RAR/PDF file formats, has decent comic sorting options, and can connect to you local network so you can download your comics directly from your PC without going through an intermediary like Dropbox.

I have an iPad 4, and I've felt its been perfect for reading comic pages. Especially the slightly wider then most comics, 2000AD. Is the model of Pro you're thinking of getting the regular sized, or slightly larger one? Because if its the larger one, that's plenty big for a natural comic reading experiance. The Regular size is fine too. iPad Mini, probably not so much. A little too small I'd think.

EDIT: Oh yeah, 12.9 is massive compared to my 9.7 iPad 4.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: The Adventurer on 23 August, 2017, 03:07:03 AM
I'd actually worry the 12.9 is too heavy to be comfortable for comic reading. But then people said that about my 9.7-inch one, and they were wrong.

EDIT: The average US comic size height is only 10.24 inches, the iPad 12.9 screen is 12 inches tall!
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: Colin YNWA on 23 August, 2017, 06:08:35 AM
Different device I know, but I use a Samsung 12.2 and that had similar warning. I find it fine. Its of course not like reading a floppie but its a lot easier than reading say a 500 page hard cover omnibus. But its easy to find comfortable reading positions and I don't have a problem.

The extra screen real estate makes it well worth it for me.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 23 August, 2017, 06:57:30 AM
I have my 12.9 iPad Pro in a fairly heavy case but removed from that, it's surprisingly light. I'm not sure you'd want to hold it one-handed for any length of time*, but I'm holding mine with my left and typing this with my right... so it's certainly possible.

I'm not quite ready to give up physical comics just yet, but the iPad Pro has brought me close. It's lovely to read comics on and it's nice to read something 2000AD-sized** at near enough actual size on the 12.9.

* I have no idea why this is widely considered a measure of lightness/usability. None.

** A couple of my sub copies have gone astray, but they usually show up eventually, so I've sprung for an additional digital copy to tide me over. For DRM-free files, I'll second the recommendation for Chunky.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: IndigoPrime on 23 August, 2017, 09:57:11 AM
Having at various points had a number of iPads knocking around, and also sometimes reviewing the things for press (https://www.stuff.tv/apple/ipad-2017/review), I would say:

- Get yourself to an Apple Store, if you have a fairly local one, and actually hold the things in your hand. Play with the thing and move it around. Spend time there. If possible, upload some comic pages or PDFs to a website before you go and read them on the screen. (Safari for iOS will load files with no problems, and although you won't get a comic reader experience, you will see how the screen works for your chosen comic sizes.) Note that Apple has a reasonably liberal returns policy, if you don't like what you buy. Talk to a store clerk about what you want to do, and what options are available in that area.

- Avoid the mini at all costs. It is a DEAD line, and far too small, even if it's light.

- Recognise the new cheap iPad is a good deal, but slightly worse in terms of _some_ aspects of the screen than the iPad Air 2 it replaces. It's more like the iPad Air in terms of feel, and it has far more glare.

- If you're centring on comics reading, an iPad Air 2 might actually be a good cheap choice, note. It's thin, light, solid, and fast enough. However, this is not a good option if you want to do a lot of other stuff with the device, and for a number of years into the future. (My one is fine, but noticeably slow at some aspects of iOS 11. It's starting to struggle a little with some very advanced fare, meaning I reckon it has perhaps another 18 months before that becomes a problem. You should expect an iPad to last around four years in terms of feeling pretty nippy. In terms of build, they're very solid. My original iPad, from 2010, still works fine, although of course won't run any recent apps or games.)

- The two iPad Pros are worth looking at, and are very different in nature. The 10-inch one is really where Apple's tablet line is heading, and there's a larger screen in a form factor little different dimensions-wise from the Airs and new iPad. It's kind of a 'sweet spot' iPad. To my mind, the 12.9 is a bit much – too heavy (although, amusingly, almost exactly the same weight as the original iPad), but YMMV, hence my suggestion you test the things in the flesh.

I would note that price may of course be a factor. In the UK, the 128 GB iPad is £429. A 256 GB 10.5-inch Pro is £709. The 12.9-inch model adds another £150 to that price tag. (There are cheaper models for each, but you'd be nuts to plump for the low-end storage, since you can't expand them. 32 GB on an iPad is a joke, and 64 on a Pro is barely adequate.)

As for Readers, I'd also recommend Chunky. I know the developer is writing a new app right now, and so the original might be a maintenance app for the foreseeable, but it's very good. You can pull down content from various sources (cloud storage; via a browser from the likes of Humble Bundle; local storage, including connected Macs), and there are plenty of options regarding the app's appearance. Beyond that, Comic Zeal is probably the next best option.

One thing that is worth noting: if you go down this route, I highly recommend sourcing DRM-free copies of anything you buy, so you have the option of using whichever reader you choose. Although most companies do offer workable first-party readers for iOS, few are great, and it's not fun when you guy something and it's 'stuck' inside a shitty reader. (Rebellion, natch, has long gone down the consumer-first route, and so whatever you buy from them can be grabbed from the website.)

Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: Pete Wells on 23 August, 2017, 10:11:11 AM
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 23 August, 2017, 06:57:30 AM
I have my 12.9 iPad Pro in a fairly heavy case but removed from that, it's surprisingly light. I'm not sure you'd want to hold it one-handed for any length of time*, but I'm holding mine with my left and typing this with my right... so it's certainly possible.

* I have no idea why this is widely considered a measure of lightness/usability. None.

I quick look at my internet browsing history would give you that answer Mr Campbell.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: Albion on 23 August, 2017, 07:32:53 PM
I've been reading comics on an iPad for years and it's great.
I now have an iPad Pro and use the 2000AD app. I have the 9.7 inch one and it's fine. I also use Comic Zeal and ComiXology too. All good.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: -MikeD- on 24 August, 2017, 08:11:05 AM
Obviously, it's not worth buying a pro 12.9 just to read comics - but it does do a fantastic job. I haven't read 2000ad on the screen but it's great with Comixology, Marvel and Sequential. And if you're interested in drawing it's a must buy anyhow.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: IndigoPrime on 24 August, 2017, 02:33:51 PM
Again, I'd strongly recommend checking out the devices in the flesh, not least because the display on the new Pro is bigger than the standard, but the device itself weighs the same. (I've been fine with the Prog on a 9.7-inch iPad, FWIW, though.) And, yeah, if you're into art, then you're going to want a Pro and a Pencil.

Also: Albion – have you tried Chunky? If not, give it a go unless you're wedded to Comic Zeal.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: Albion on 25 August, 2017, 07:54:22 AM
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 24 August, 2017, 02:33:51 PM
Also: Albion – have you tried Chunky? If not, give it a go unless you're wedded to Comic Zeal.

No. I keep meaning to as I've seen you mention it before. I must check it out.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: Fungus on 25 August, 2017, 09:23:48 AM
Been using the 12.9" iPad for 6 months, reading prog/meg digitally. Chunky also is great. Dropbox (and external drive to store those comics). Colours zing and HIGHLY recommend it. Leatherish cover makes it quite a tactile experience too.

Have other uses and even Apple Pencil (tm) doodly stuff is interesting.

Surfing wise, I'm a convert since my 2 previous tablets were Android and so unresponsive as to be unusable. Was looking at iPhones yesterday, like I say, I'm a convert.

Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: IndigoPrime on 25 August, 2017, 05:27:16 PM
Fungus: new iPhones likely to be announced within two weeks. Don't buy now.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: Fungus on 25 August, 2017, 08:22:27 PM
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 25 August, 2017, 05:27:16 PM
Fungus: new iPhones likely to be announced within two weeks. Don't buy now.

Noted, ta IP!
Seemingly it's costlier to change phone on this contract now than in a month, this despite an unsolicited text advising me I can renew 'early'. I'll hold fire for a few weeks.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: topper24hours on 07 November, 2018, 11:29:53 PM
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 24 August, 2017, 02:33:51 PM
Again, I'd strongly recommend checking out the devices in the flesh, not least because the display on the new Pro is bigger than the standard, but the device itself weighs the same. (I've been fine with the Prog on a 9.7-inch iPad, FWIW, though.) And, yeah, if you're into art, then you're going to want a Pro and a Pencil.

Also: Albion – have you tried Chunky? If not, give it a go unless you're wedded to Comic Zeal.

Lol, why the bizarre quest to get people to quit using Comic Zeal (a FAR superior app, that they already paid for... if they're using), & use the lesser quality Chunky app??
Seems like you have an agenda or something.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: Fungus on 08 November, 2018, 01:09:33 AM
"bizarre quest"?
"quit"?

Asking "have you tried...?" is perfectly reasonable when multiple apps exist for the job. Lighten up, ya silly.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: The Adventurer on 08 November, 2018, 01:12:55 AM
Chunky is way better then Zeal for my day to day comic reading imo, especially with syncing new comics via local server. It's new version, I'm currently beta testing, is going to have all kinds of useful new tools for syncing with a my digital comic collection.

I don't know if it's changed, but when I was using ComicZeal I was having to physically plug my iPad into my pc every time to sync new releases.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: Dr Feeley Good on 08 November, 2018, 08:14:24 AM
Just upgraded my tablet, specifically for comic reading, gone from a old 10"tablet I had, which was a budget one to a Huawei Mediapad M5 10 lite, which is still 10" but the difference is unbelievable, can't believe I put up with the old one for so long!
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: TordelBack on 08 November, 2018, 08:25:48 AM
Quote from: Fungus on 08 November, 2018, 01:09:33 AM
"bizarre quest"?
"quit"?

Asking "have you tried...?" is perfectly reasonable when multiple apps exist for the job. Lighten up, ya silly.

Nothing says 'I have an agenda' like creating a brand new account to accuse someone of having an agenda...  But welcome to the forum all the same topper24hours!
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: CalHab on 08 November, 2018, 09:06:05 AM
Quote from: TordelBack on 08 November, 2018, 08:25:48 AM
Quote from: Fungus on 08 November, 2018, 01:09:33 AM
"bizarre quest"?
"quit"?

Asking "have you tried...?" is perfectly reasonable when multiple apps exist for the job. Lighten up, ya silly.

Nothing says 'I have an agenda' like creating a brand new account to accuse someone of having an agenda...  But welcome to the forum all the same topper24hours!

While resurrecting a year old thread. Odd behaviour, indeed.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: IndigoPrime on 08 November, 2018, 09:15:14 AM
Yeah, bit weird. My day job is mostly an apps beat. I've used them all (er, as in comics readers – not all apps). I recommend Chunky because I believe it to be the better reader on iPad. On iPhone, I'm not really a comics reader, and so don't really have an opinion there right now. (Comic Zeal, for example, is not optimised for iPhone X, let alone the XS Max.) On iPad, Chunky happens to be a cheaper option, too, and is actually updated regularly. (It was last updated in October. Comic Zeal last got an update over two years ago.)

It'll be interesting to see what happens next with Chunky too – I have a beta of the revamp and it has a very different take that, if the dev can get things working, will be just about perfect for how I deal with digital comics.

Oh, and the new iPad Pros are lovely, in case anyone here was wondering. The new 12.9 is smaller than its predecessor, and a little lighter. (Entertainingly, it's now 50g lighter than the original iPad.) The 11in retains the form factor and weight of its predecessor, but has a slightly larger display – although few apps currently take advantage of that. (It's only increased on the long edge, and so most apps currently have black bars, albeit small ones. This means you see the status bar at the top and a bar beneath the Home indicator.)
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: Dr Feeley Good on 08 November, 2018, 09:45:35 AM
I use ComicCat on android and it seems spot on, used to use Comicrack which I liked, but one day it stopped working and even deleting it and reinstalling wouldn't sort it...
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: Colin YNWA on 08 November, 2018, 09:53:20 PM
Quote from: Dr Feeley Good on 08 November, 2018, 09:45:35 AM
I use ComicCat on android and it seems spot on, used to use Comicrack which I liked, but one day it stopped working and even deleting it and reinstalling wouldn't sort it...

Yeah I lost Comicrack the same way. Such a shame.

I'm trying Astonishing Comics but its far from perfect but I'm too lazy to go for anythign else!
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: mattp9989 on 27 February, 2019, 02:18:24 PM
So back more on topic...for us that are not in the know the apect ratio of the ipad pro 12.9 is more like reading a prog than any other tablet?   im looking to upgrade and while i will read standard comics as well, i want something that "reads" magazines as close to the real thing as possible and im thinking it might be the ipad
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: IndigoPrime on 27 February, 2019, 02:24:54 PM
Your best bet is to stick a digital Prog online somewhere, and then check it out in an Apple Store. For my money, the 11in iPad Pro is fine for reading Progs and other comics, but you may prefer the larger display. The flip-side is that comes with more weight (631g vs 468) and a higher price=tag (+£200 on what's already an expensive device).

Another option, for those keen on an iPad, might be to source an iPad Air 2, which is still supported by the latest iOS. It's slim and light, but also has the screen coating that's omitted on the mirror-like cheaper iPads Apple's released since. (The display is a bit smaller, mind, at 9.7in.)
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: The Adventurer on 27 February, 2019, 08:34:55 PM
The iPad Pro 12.9in is 4:3 like all the iPad models (I think). That means basicly any magazine, manga, eurocomic, or 'golden age sized'* comics will basicly fit perfectly.  US style comics will have noticeable empty space on the right and left side of the screen.

*this is the technical name for the size and shape of 2000AD's paperback reprints, and the bagged Meg reprints.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: IndigoPrime on 27 February, 2019, 09:58:49 PM
The new 11in is 4.3:3—the first iPad since the original to have a new aspect ratio. Chunky works fine with it, of course.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: shaolin_monkey on 01 March, 2019, 01:19:02 PM
I got the plain old 2018 iPad, and 2000AD looks bloody lovely on it.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: The Adventurer on 01 March, 2019, 06:53:40 PM
Quote from: shaolin_monkey on 01 March, 2019, 01:19:02 PM
I got the plain old 2018 iPad, and 2000AD looks bloody lovely on it.

Same. And it sure does.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: Art on 01 March, 2019, 09:05:10 PM
Same here also.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: Krakajac on 02 March, 2019, 03:36:38 AM
Newbie question here...

With a no-frills iPad (for example the 2018 one mentioned above) - do you ever need to zoom in to read text when you're reading the prog - or is the whole page crisp and easy to read as it appears on the screen?

For example, can you read the Damage Report on page 2 of a prog without having to zoom in?
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: broodblik on 02 March, 2019, 03:58:46 AM
The quality of the prog is good no need to zoom in.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: The Adventurer on 02 March, 2019, 04:03:31 AM
Quote from: Krakajac on 02 March, 2019, 03:36:38 AM
Newbie question here...

With a no-frills iPad (for example the 2018 one mentioned above) - do you ever need to zoom in to read text when you're reading the prog - or is the whole page crisp and easy to read as it appears on the screen?

For example, can you read the Damage Report on page 2 of a prog without having to zoom in?

I was going to say the Damage Report might be a hair small and require a little bit of zoom. But I double checked, and nope, totally legible without zooming actually.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: Krakajac on 02 March, 2019, 09:29:04 AM
Great - thanks for your assistance. :)
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: IndigoPrime on 02 March, 2019, 09:48:08 AM
Again, grab a digital Prog, stick it on Dropbox, and then check it out on an iPad at your local Apple Store (assuming you have one).

Having reviewed the 2018 iPad, it is a great piece of kit. I wish it had the Air 2's non-reflective screen, but it's still very usable, and a bargain given the hardware you get. However, you might wish to hang on a month. It's very likely we will see a refresh within the next few weeks. This means at the very least a hardware bump, and existing items in the channel probably getting (small) price reductions.

Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: shaolin_monkey on 31 March, 2019, 04:41:00 PM
Quote from: The Adventurer on 02 March, 2019, 04:03:31 AM
Quote from: Krakajac on 02 March, 2019, 03:36:38 AM
Newbie question here...

With a no-frills iPad (for example the 2018 one mentioned above) - do you ever need to zoom in to read text when you're reading the prog - or is the whole page crisp and easy to read as it appears on the screen?

For example, can you read the Damage Report on page 2 of a prog without having to zoom in?

I was going to say the Damage Report might be a hair small and require a little bit of zoom. But I double checked, and nope, totally legible without zooming actually.

I have to zoom but only 'cos I'm getting very long sighted in my old age.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: Mardroid on 31 March, 2019, 08:01:46 PM
On my iPad* I zoom to read the text in the Tharg's intro comfortably, but I can manage it without it. (Obviously I definitely need to zoom in for Damage Report.)  The comic text is comfortable to read without any zooming, though, despite the pages being smaller than the printed version. I'll admit, part of me would like a bigger device, for the full sized comic experience, but I don't think I'd want the iPad larger for anything else, as it's just that the right size marrying ease of portability with use, internet and apps. A compromise maybe, but a very small one, since comics really are fine on it without zooming.

*second to latest model. The one smaller than  the 12" jobby. I believe it was the one that came out after the last iPad air, when they made cheaper options by cutting down on screen tech. Resolution is the same as previous though. And I believe the processor is more powerful, which just goes to show how expensive that retina whatever it is tech actually was. And stuff still looks smashing on it.
Title: Re: Ipad Pro 12.9 for reading Progs..opinions?
Post by: Tjm86 on 31 March, 2019, 08:53:25 PM
Quote from: shaolin_monkey on 31 March, 2019, 04:41:00 PM
I have to zoom but only 'cos I'm getting very long sighted in my old age.

I'm finding the zoom function on my paper prog is getting a bit ropey too ...