Apple Pencil notes
Overview
The Apple Pencil is provokes very different reations in people:
Some people love using it
Some people hate using it
Some people are indifferent
One thing is clear: the Apple Pencil feels very different from an EMR pen. And people used to drawing tablets (all of which are based on EMR) may find it very odd to use the Apple Pencil.
Apple Pencil versus drawing tablet pens
Below are a list of things that drawing tablet users have pointed out about using the Apple Pencil. Not everyone experiences the same issues, but I do think these are representative of the overall experience.
Surface Texture
iPads without the Nano texture provide a "slippery" feeling for a drawing Pencil. The can feel like the the tip is "moving away" from where you want it to be. This can create some erratic strokes. To solve this iPad users can: (1) use an iPad with the Nano texture (2) add a 3rd party film to add more texture.
Weight
Many people feel the Apple Pencil is heavier than drawing tablet pens. Some people also find that the weight distribution is very different.
Sound
Some people are very annoyed by the sound the Apple Pencil makes when it makes contact with the iPad glass.
No nib
The Apple Pencil has no nib - so there is no slight nib retraction as you press down initially like an EMR pen would have. So, this contributes to a slightly different physical sensation as your draw. This bothers some people.
No eraser
Pressure-sensitive erasers are sometimes present on high-end EMR drawing tablet pens. But no Apple Pencil has an eraser.
Need to recharge
The Apple Pencil contains a battery. Occasionally, you will need to recharge the battery of the Apple Pencil. Depending on the specific model of the Apple Pencil, simply attaching it to the top of the iPad will recharge it or you have to attach compatible charging cable to the Apple Pencil.
Modern EMR drawing tablet pens do not use batteries. They get power just be being within about 10mm of the tablet surface.
Lifetime of battery
Some people report that the Apple Pencil battery wears out after a few years and may not hold a charge. This effectively makes the Apple Pencil unusable.
Modern EMR drawing tablets do not use batteries. They don't have this issue at all.
Blobs at beginning of stroke
Some people find that the Apple Pencil is prone to a single circular BLOB at the beginning of strokes. I have not encountered this but for some people it is a regular thing.
This is an effect that can happen with drawing tablet pens also. It is unclear if the Apple Pencil does this more often than EMR pens.
See Example 1
Hooked lines at the start of strokes
Some people notice that the Apple Pencil is very prone to hooked lines at the start of strokes.
This is an effect that can happen with drawing tablet pens also. It is unclear if the Apple Pencil does this more often than EMR pens.
No buttons
Apple Pencil does not have buttons like a normal drawing tablet pen
The vast majority of EMR have two buttons.
A few consumer grade EMR pens have only 1 button. Example: Samsung S pen.
A few professional EMR pens have 3 buttons.
Lots of EMR drawing tablet users have workflows that depend on those buttons and users may have customized what they do
Initial Activation Force
To learn more about IAF: Initial Activation Force .
A lower IAF is better
The best pens have an IAF of <1gf. This is considered EXCELLENT.
Wacom professional pens have an IAF of <1gf
Many people believe the Apple Pencil 2 and Apple Pencil Pro have a IAF of <1gf.
To fully understand the IAF: See the Simulated IAF section in this document
Simulated IAF
If you watch a high-speed recording of the Apple Pencil you will notice that drawing will start evern BEFORE the tip of the pen hits the glass. The iPad seems to predict contact and start drawing. This makes the apple pencil feel more responsive and seem like it has a lower IAF than the physical hardware really does.
You can see this demonstrated in this video at about 4:38.
This be behavior is not an accident of the Apple Pencil, but rather the Apple Pencil and iPad were deliberately designed to have this behavior.
Some people refer to this as "Negative IAF" but I use "Simulated IAF" because it is a more neutral term. In any case, some people do not like this behavior.
Pressure range and maximum pressure
It is useful for a pen to have a wide pressure range .. in other words a high maximum pressure.
A max of 350gf is GOOD
A max of 500gf+ is EXCELLENT.
Apple Pencil 2 and Apple Pencil Pro in my measurements have a max pressure of 500gf. In my testing, I'm found them to be consistently near 500gf.
For drawing tablet pens, it varies substantially by the specific pen model. For example the Wacom Pro Pen 2 has a max pressure in the range of 800gf - which honestly is probably more than is needed.
Number of Pressure levels
The number of pressure levels for a pen is a heavily marketing and discussed topic. However, in my opinion all modern drawing tablet pens and the Apple pencil have more than enough pressure levels for any use. I suggest that you do NOT make the number of pressure levels a factor in any decision making.
Replaceable Nibs / Tips
EMR pens use nibs. The typical cost is $1 per nib.
The nibs retract a little into the pen as you apply pressure.
The Apple Pencil uses a replaceable tip. Typical cost is $5 per nib.
The tip does not retract at all.
Pen squeeze
The Apple Pencil Pro has a squeeze feature. As of mid 2024, it isn't widely adopted by applications, but that is likely to change.
No EMR pens support a feature similar to pen squeeze.
Pen "find my"
The Apple Pencil Pro supports a “find my” feature. You can use your phone or iPad to detect its location.
EMR pens have no equivalent to this feature.
Watch how this feature works: Jimmy Lam Studio - Find My on Apple Pencil Pro Jun 26, 2024
Pen replacement cost
Don't lose your pen! They aren't cheap to replace. The Apple Pencil is among the most expensive pens in the market.
Apple Pencil Pro: $130
Apple Pencil 2: $130
Wacom Pro Pen 3: $130
Wacom Pro Pen 2: $90
Huion PW517: $50
Huion PW600: $70
XP Pen X3 Elite pen: $30
XP Pen X3 Pro pen: $40
Samsung S Pen for Galaxy Tab: $50
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