7P Drawing tablets

7P notes: Apple iPad

Using an iPad as a drawing tablet

Overview

iPads - specifically those that use the Apple Pencil 2 - are very compelling alternative to a typical EMR standalone drawing tablet. They are lightweight, mobile, have a great display, a rich app ecosystem, and the drawing experience, while different is very similar to that of a drawing tablet.

See also:

Terminology

Apple calls their pen the Apple Pencil. I often just call it a pen to keep consistent with rest of my documentation.

iPad benefits

Basics

  • The display is fantastic - great color and bright for a pen display

  • Does not require a computer to be attached

Mobility

  • All iPad models use WiFi.

  • Some models can also use a mobile data plan like a phone.

  • It has great battery life

Drawing

  • The Apple pencil is very responsive and supports pressure and tilt

  • iPad apps are optimized to make the most of the screen real estate available and to be responsive to touch.

  • Newer Apple iPad Pro models use the Apple Pencil 2 - which support pen hover

  • Very little pointer lag. Apple iPads have much less lag than pen displays or pen computers. The pointer is comparable to a pen tablet.

Apps

Some popular and excellent drawing applications are available on the iPad

You can find a more complete list here: applications.

Surface texture

  • There are two kinds of texture of iPads

    • Almost all iPads have their standard smooth glass. When using the Apple Pencil with the iPad, most people will find that touching the glass feels "slippery". Some people a do not like this slipperiness and purchase a protective sheet to put over top of it that provides texture for the pen.

    • Starting in 2024, some Apple iPad models can be ordered with a "Nano texture". I don't have any direct experience with this texture.

For protective sheets for iPads there are some options here: Protective sheets. Some of these sheets can help provide more texture for the improved traction with the Apple pencil.

Diagonal wobble

Noticeable diagonal wobble when drawing slowly. But this doesn't seem to hinder people.

Apple Pencil

Key points about the current lineup of apple pencils.

Features

  • None of the Apple Pencils have buttons

  • None of the Apple Pencils have an eraser

  • Only some of the Apple Pencils support hover (and only in combination with some iPads)

Recommendation

If you are going to draw with an Apple Pencil I recommend you get either the Apple Pencil GEN2, or the Apple Pencil Pro. Keep in mind you also have to have an iPad which is compatible with that Apple Pencil model.

Pencil support

  • Since around 2015, iPads have supported an Apple pencil. So ensure that the iPad you are purchasing supports the use of a pencil

  • Not all iPads support the use of the Apple Pencil. List of iPad Models that support the Apple pencil: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211029

Pencil versions

  • There are two models of pencil: Apple Pencil, and Apple Pencil 2

  • Apple Pencil 2 is superior

  • So, it is better to get a model that supports the Apple Pencil 2

Pen hover

Pen hover is the ability of a tablet to detect and show the position of the pen without the pen touching the screen. Some people - especially artists - really depend on this feature. For others it is not so important. Read this doc to learn more about it and why it could be important for you: Pen hover

Hover support in iPads:

  • iPad Pro models that use the M2 chip with Apple Pencil 2 do support pen hover

  • Other models of iPads do NOT support pen hover.

Parallax

iPads that support the Apple Pencil have EXCELLENT (i.e. LOW) parallax. More here: Parallax

Pointer lag

  • iPads have incredibly little pointer lag.

  • More here: lag

Anti-glare sparkle

  • You may or may not be sensitive to this effect. Some people hate it. Some are much less sensitive to it.

  • iPads don't show much AG sparkle at all - I would say it is undetectable in the iPads I have examined

  • Pen displays have AG sparkle to various degrees. More here: anti-glare sparkle

Size

I prefer to draw on larger devices (16" and above - and strongly prefer 22" to 24") when I am at my desk. That is an advantage of pen displays because they vary in size from 12" to 30".

But for mobile use, the size of the iPad (11" & 12.9") is much more convenient than any pen display.

Accessories

iPad apps for creative work

How I use iPads

I use iPads for drawing - but mostly when I am at not my desk or when I am mobile. Otherwise when sitting at my desk I prefer to use a pen tablet or pen display.

I use these iPad models with an Apple Pencil 2:

  • Apple iPad Pro (12.9 inch) (3rd gen) - Does NOT support hover

  • Apple iPad Pro (11 inch) (4rd gen) - Does support hover.

I primarily these use iPad apps

I occasionally use these iPad apps

Transferring files between iPads and Windows

One easy way to send files easily back and forth between an iPad and Windows is to use a file syncing service. For example OneDrive - which is what I use.

I put my Clip Studio Paint files in a OneDrive folder and sync them to multiple PCs and my iPad. This allows me to edit them with whatever device I want. And changes are automatically synced to all the devices.

Videos

Other resources

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