7P: Apple iPad
Using an iPad as a drawing tablet
Last updated
Using an iPad as a drawing tablet
Last updated
iPads - specifically those that are compatible with the Apple Pencil 2nd gen or the Apple Pencil Pro - are compelling alternatives to a typical EMR standalone drawing tablet. iPads are lightweight, portable, have a great display, have a lot of apps, and a good pen-based drawing experience.
I refer to the Apple Pencil as a pen to keep my documentations consistent.
The display is fantastic - great color and bright for a pen display.
Does not require a computer to be attached.
All iPad models use WiFi.
Some models can also use a mobile data plan like a phone.
It has great battery life.
The Apple pencil 2nd gen and Apple Pencil Pro
Supports pressure, tilt, and hover.
Has an excellent pressure range with a low IAF and high maximum pressure - about 500gf in my testing - which is very good.
iPad apps are optimized to make the most of the screen real estate available and to be responsive to touch.
Very little pointer lag. Apple iPads have much less lag than pen displays or pen computers. The pointer is comparable to a pen tablet.
Some popular and excellent drawing applications are available on the iPad
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.
Noticeable diagonal wobble when drawing slowly. But this doesn't seem to hinder people.
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.
Since around 2015, iPads have supported an Apple pencil. So ensure that the iPad you are purchasing supports the use of a pencil
There are two multiple models of the pencil. Only some have all the features needed for drawing (pressuyre, tilt, and, hover). \
These are the Apple Pencil 2nd gen and Apple Pencil Pro
So, it is better to get a iPad model that supports the Apple Pencil 2 or the Apple Pencil Pro
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.
iPads have incredibly little pointer lag.
You may or may not be sensitive to the anti-glare sparkle 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
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.
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
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.
You can find a more complete list here: .
For protective sheets for iPads there are some options here: . Some of these sheets can help provide more texture for the improved traction with the Apple pencil.
Not all iPads support the use of the Apple Pencil. List of iPad Models that support the Apple pencil:
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:
iPads that support the Apple Pencil have EXCELLENT (i.e. LOW) parallax. More here:
More here:
Pen displays have AG sparkle to various degrees. More here:
There are many great apps for iPad: .
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