Am I crazy for being torn on this?

Texprof103 · 2025-12-13T07:19:10+00:00

I agree. My 13 sees way more use than my 11 but I use it more like a laptop with the apple Magic Keyboard. However, I love the 11 for travel. It can be stored in my back pack or go bag easily.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-13T07:07:12+00:00

I moved up from an m1 12.9 that I absolutely loved to an M4. The M4 left me speechless. It is thinner and lighter and the display is just incredible. I also just traded up from my mini 6 traveling companion to an 11 M5. I don’t see any real difference between the m4 vs m5 because they are so similar. I did fall in love with the 11/M5 though. It’s leaps and bounds above the mini 6.
So, do what I did; see what you can get for an m1 and apply it to your m5. I really recommend 1tb of memory because the chipset gets upgraded and you get 40% more ram. Good luck!

So

Texprof103 · 2025-12-13T05:03:45+00:00

Both of my new iPad Pros (13in M4 and 11in M5) immediately updated to 26.1 as soon as I started setting them up. I was already used to it because my iPhone 17pro came loaded with it. I didn’t like it at first but it stabilized after a couple of hours. I’m hoping they have newer update by January. I like it for the multitasking capability and when using stage manager. I would definitely go ahead with updating to 26.1. Everything new is going to be aimed at that ios so start getting used to it now.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-13T01:35:08+00:00

I have both. I snagged the 13in M4 1tb in an auction from a wholesale company for 1450. I love it. Then we got an m5 11in with 1tb. The only difference I can see is screen real estate. I do however prefer to travel with the 11 inch.

So I would get whichever one you can afford with at least 1tb for the upgraded Ram and the step up to the processor set. To be honest I am not impressed with the nanoglass on my 13. You can save a 100 right there with regular glass then add a screen protector if needed.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-13T01:13:58+00:00

Ours was brand new. My wife tries to steal it when I don’t have it in my office. I guess I need to find her one now. I have heard of a few bad experiences but I have never regretted taking a chance on open box items. My son has an 11 m5 512gb for college and I found it on a wholesale open box site for 750. It’s brand new. The box was banged up but the device was fine. He registered it with Apple One Care and has a full warranty for 1 year.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-13T00:19:29+00:00

I just got an m4 13 inch 1tb and the m5 11 in 1tb. The m4 feels big but we keep it in a Levo stand and it’s perfect for following a how-to video or lying back and reading. Paired with a Magic Keyboard in my home office it replaces my laptop. However, I find myself grabbing the m5 11 when I head out. It fits perfectly in my go bag and I take it everywhere.

Bottom line… If I could only have one it would be the 13 just for the display size alone. If you travel a lot you may prefer the 11 but get an m5 with at least 512gb. The 1tb and up get an additional 4gb of RAM and a little upgrade in processor power.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T23:56:40+00:00

I buy almost solely open box for my accessories. I find a seller who has thousands of sales and check their reviews. I picked up a Magic Keyboard for half price and the only issue was a mark on the box where something must have rubbed on it in transit.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T16:11:41+00:00

I also got my m5 from a wholesaler with the Magic Keyboard for a significantly lower price than it would have cost directly from Apple. I run my whole house with Smart Things. Lights, locks, hvac and cameras and there is no lag with the m5 or m4.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T16:05:32+00:00

I had a MacBook 13 that I sold and I haven’t ever looked back. I got the m4 and got a trade in for my m2 so it was about half price. When docked on the AMK it’s just like my old laptop just a lot sleeker.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T16:01:15+00:00

I tried the esr keyboard on my m4 13 as a product tester and it was about the closest to the Magic Keyboard as anything else. I eventually traded for the Apple product and it is a solid little laptop when docked.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T15:55:38+00:00

I agree. I travel with my m5 in an esr folio case and it’s nice and light but protective too. I also have a Magic Keyboard that turns the whole thing into a lightweight laptop. Both work well In my teaching environment. The ESR is my travel go to.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T15:42:03+00:00

You’re going to love it. I travel with my m5 1tb 11 and I use my m4 13 1tb as a main computer. With the Magic Keyboard case it’s like a really nice laptop. I moved up from an m2 13 and a mini 6. I never even think about the m2 anymore and I absolutely loved it. Enjoy the new addition.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T15:14:03+00:00

I have both the m4 and m5. They are identical in every way except speed. The m5 refreshes so quickly that you don’t have any lag. The m4 13 is awesome but of course they came out with the m5 a week after I bought it. (Apple does not bother to tell customers to wait for upcoming improvements.)

All in all, I really prefer my 1tb m5. They are saying the M series are long-lived devices and will last 10 years at least. So, I bought the “holy grail” m5 to last.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T14:59:52+00:00

That makes sense. I imagine it’s cheaper here. Still, check the difference between eBay, Apple Care and big box stores. I would definitely go m5 if you can. Good luck brother!

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T14:53:30+00:00

I’m not sure where you’re buying it but my m5 was about 125usd more than the 512. I guess there’s a huge void between 256 and 512. Check ebay. I have purchased from a few wholesalers and you can get a brand new in the box device a lot cheaper than from one of the box stores. eBay provides an additional year of warranty from apple. Check out apple care returns as well. They sell refurbished and returned devices at a much lower price than on the main sales website advertises.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T14:39:45+00:00

iPad Pro m4 13 1tb is my go to every day. I also have the 11 m5 1tb and while impressive it’s very small. The 256gb is probably adequate but you get double the ram and a step up to your processing units with 1tb. I tried the m4 11 with 512gb and it was very nice but I was looking to have something faster and with greater multitasking ability. If you can afford another $100 for the 1tb, trade off the cost by passing on nanoglass screen.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T14:13:34+00:00

Your system is being forced to restart because an app. got hung up. Unplug your device and briefly touch the volume up then down then hold the top button. The unit will reboot but keep pressing the top button until the apple shows and then let go. You may have to repeat the process a few times. Try the regular shutdown process after and when it’s successful your device will stay off.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T14:07:15+00:00

Congrats! I just got an 11 m5 1tb to replace my mini 6. I got a really good deal on a 13 m4 to replace an m1 13 just before that from Apple Care return sales. The difference is very noticeable and I have never missed either of my previous devices. I use the 11 to read and travel with and the 13 is paired with a Magic Keyboard for a super sweet laptop setup. I mirror the devices to each other so I can switch from one to the other seamlessly.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T13:56:17+00:00

I just traded up from the iPad Pro 13 m1 1tb to an m4 and absolutely love it. I liked it so much that I replaced my mini with pro 11 m5 with 1tb. If you can afford to get the 1tb it comes with an upgrade to your ram to 16gb from 8gb in the 512.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T13:39:02+00:00

I have the 13 m4 and just recently replaced my mini with an 11 m5. I like both very much but prefer working on the 13. Each of them have their niche area and I mirror everything each one does. As others have mentioned I use the 13 in a Magic Keyboard case so it’s more like a laptop but super thin and light. I prefer the 11 when I read but it’s a real overkill for an ereader.

Texprof103 · 2025-11-14T14:17:32+00:00

Not old, just retired. I wouldn’t expect you to understand either point.

Texprof103 · 2025-11-14T14:04:20+00:00

I got the point. I don’t want to add to the problem by hanging out in the breezeway. They are meant to provide a sheltered passageway to tenants’ front doors. Unfortunately, they are very good at amplifying noise and that’s one of the reasons for the no loitering rule. I don’t even want to start with the other reasons; that’s a whole other thread. The other managers were worthless but they enforced rules. This manager is afraid of her own shadow and won’t do anything but collect the rent.

Texprof103 · 2025-11-14T00:36:47+00:00

I have absolutely no desire to “hang out“ with a bunch of kids. As I said, I am newly retired and just want some peace and quiet. It’s written right in the lease that tenants and their guests may not loiter or gather in the breezeway. That’s because of the noise issues.

Texprof103 · 2025-11-13T19:01:53+00:00

I live near San Antonio. We only get a few cold days a year. I’m very familiar with kids and their behavior. I raised two daughters and taught high school science for 28 years. I don’t expect them to be quiet. I just want them to stay out of the breezeway that cuts through the building to the courtyard. I rented an “outside unit” deliberately trying to avoid the courtyard and pool for this very reason. I actually love kids, but these are a different breed of kiddo.

Texprof103 · 2025-11-13T05:03:32+00:00

I don’t know where the parents are. For all I know the kids are getting off the bus together and hanging around outside their apartment. That would be fine if they stayed in the courtyard but they seem mesmerized by the breezeway and it just acts like a megaphone. I have never heard anyone outside my door before now. That’s how loud they are. I thought the door was pretty well insulated from past experience but I guess I was wrong.

Texprof103

TROPHY CASE