Pen-enabled mobile device recommendations

Overview

If you're primarily interested in drawing or notetaking I think pen-enabled mobile computers are your best options.

Top picks for drawing

These are for when you want a GREAT drawing experience. Especially if you are already used to drawing tablets or Wacom professional tablets and pens.

Top picks for general usage

This is when you want a general-purpose mobile device, but also want decent pen support for things like sketching, notetaking, whiteboarding, etc.

  • Apple iPads + the Apple Pencil - My notes on using Apple iPads

    • Apple iPads can play the role of a drawing tablet very well. Do keep in mind, the Apple Pencil does not come with an iPad so you will have to purchase the pencil separately.

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S devices - My notes on Samsung Galaxy Tab S Series

    • As an alternative to the Apple ecosystem, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S series of tablets is compelling. One great advantage of the Galaxy Tab S series is that they come with the Samsung S pen. So that keeps the cost down.

    • There are lots of models. Here are the

Some compromises

  • XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad 2024 - I don't have any experience with this tablet.

  • XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad 2025 (MDP1221) - my notes on this tablet

Tablets to avoid

Samsung Galaxy Tab A Series

I do not recommend this series of tablets. More here: Samsung Galaxy Tab A

Huion Slate

Resources

Videos

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