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Using an iPad as a drawing tablet
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
You can find a more complete list here: applications.
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.
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
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
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
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.
iPads that support the Apple Pencil have EXCELLENT (i.e. LOW) parallax. More here: Parallax
iPads have incredibly little pointer lag.
More here: 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
Pen displays have AG sparkle to various degrees. More here: anti-glare sparkle
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.
There are many great apps for iPad: Apps for iPad.
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.
Studio Fudelio - Why You Don't Need a Wacom Pen Display Nov 26, 2023
r/ArtistLounge Reasons why you use an Ipad over Graphic tablet/pen display + pc and viceversa? 5/17/2021
r/ArtistLounge Graphics Tablet, Display, or iPad? 4/29/2022
r/productivity Should I buy an ipad or a graphic tablet for note taking? 5/7/2022
r/ArtistLounge Interested in getting an iPad for drawing, has it improved your life? 10/23/2023\
Has move here:
I've used both iPads and a Samsung Galaxy Tab extensively. And here are my thoughts about one versus the other in terms of using them as a drawing tablet.
Below or my detailed notes about using each one individually
I think the Galaxy Tab S series wins in the drawing experience category. Having said that I do want to recognize that the Apple pencil as a device is actually very good.
But here are the reasons why I think the drawing experience is actually better on the Galaxy Tab S series
The Galaxy Tab series uses Wacom EMR technology. This is the same technology that powers all of Wacom's products. And especially if you're coming from a background of using drawing tablets then this will feel more natural to you than using an apple pencil.
Hover support has always been available with the Samsung Galaxy Tab series. But it is a relatively new feature for apple iPads and only works with certain pens and with certain iPads.
Depending on which apple pencil you have and which iPad you have.
Pens that work with the Galaxy Tab series also have a single button. But the Apple iPad pencil does not have such a button
I've owned an Apple iPad since they first came out in about 2011. And they've always been highly reliable devices.
I've had Samsung Galaxy Tab S devices for about the last year and a half. And they also seem highly reliable.
Apple iPad - very low (which is good)
Samsung Galaxy S tab - very low but not quite as good as an iPad
In practice both are excellent in terms of pointer lag.
There is a good set of applications across both types of devices. Though you will encounter some applications that only work with the specific device.
My favorite apps to use are clip studio paint and infinite painter which work on both kinds of devices
Here's a list of some of the more popular apps
iPads are around a 4X3 aspect ratio. And Samsung Galaxy S tablets have a 16 by 9 aspect ratio.
I think the 4X3 aspect ratio of the Apple iPad is in general a better choice. The size of the Galaxy S tablets makes sense for watching things like videos which are often in 16 by 9 aspect ratio but it can feel awkward to hold especially for the larger sizes.
Apple iPad: There are multiple pen versions. The one I recommend is the Apple Pencil 2 or the Apple Pencil Pro because they support pressure, tilt, and hover.
Do NOT buy the Apple Pencil USB-C version - it does not support pressure sensitivity
Samsung: There are several versions of the S pen and they aren't clearly labelled. The one I am discussing is the one compatible with the Galaxy Tab S series of tablets.
The apple pencil has a fixed tip.
Like any EMR drawing tablet, the Samsung S pen features a nib that retracts
Apple iPad - you have to buy the Apple Pencil separately. It does NOT come with an iPad.
Samsung Galaxy S series - the Samsung S pen comes with the tablet.
Don't lose your pen! They aren't cheap to replace. The Apple Pencil is very expensive compared to the Samsung S Pen.
Apple Pencil 2: $130 USD
Samsung S Pen for Galaxy Tab: $50
Both pens can experience wear at their drawing end, and you may need to buy replacement tips/nibs.
For the Apple pencil, the tip can be replaced. Apple sells a pack of 4 for $19 - or $4.75 per tip.
For the Samsung S Pen, the nib can be replaced. You can find various nibs on Amazon at price of around $1 per nib.
Apple Pencil uses a proprietary protocol that is similar to AES
Samsung S Pen uses EMR (Electromagnetic Resonance) which is what drawing tablets from brands such as Wacom, Huion, XP-Pen use.
Apple pencil has no buttons
Samsung S pen has a single button
Apple has several models of the Apple Pencil series. These models differ a bit by the features they support. And only certain IPads are compatible with certain models of the apple pencil. So if you're looking to use the apple pencil with an iPad make sure you check the compatibility and the feature set of that pencil before you purchase anything.
The apple pencil uses a different technology from a drawing tablet pen. It can be polarizing for some people how the apple pencil works. But overall in terms of its ability to draw things I think it is an excellent pen - especially the Apple Pencil 2nd gen and the Apple Pencil Pro.
(includes feature comparison and iPad compatibility)
2022/11/01
iPad vs Apple pencil compatibility list -
Pen Tech: Apple pencil uses a proprietary protocol that is similar to Wacom AES. It does NOT use EMR.
Power: Apple pencil contains an internal rechargeable battery that is not removable.
Special features of the Apple Pencil Pro. It supports the "find my" feature. Here's a video someone using it: - but it seems a bit limited.
Released: 2015
Released: 2018
Released: 2023
Released: 2024
more here:
2024/09/16
(artist comparison) 2024/05/23
Sep 9, 2020
Nov 3, 2023
2024/05/18
2024/05/20
2024/05/31
Procreate
YES
NO
Procreate Dreams
YES
NO
Clip Studio Paint
YES
YES
Krita
NO
YES
Infinite Painter
YES
YES
Concepts
YES
YES
Apple Pencil GEN1
NO
YES
YES
NO
Apple Pencil GEN2
YES
YES
YES
NO
Apple Pencil USB-C
YES
NO
YES
NO
Apple Pencil Pro
YES
YES
YES
YES
I have an extensive series of notes on how my thoughts about using the iPad and comparing it to other devices for drawing.
Information on Apple Pencil
Brad Colbow review of 2024 Apple iPad Mini 2024/10/22
Teoh on Tech review of 2024 Apple iPad Mini 2024/10/27
Dave2D - My 2024 iPad Pro Review - 2024/05/13
MobileTechReview - Apple M4 iPad Pro (2024) Review - 2024/05/18
Teoh on Tech -PWM from M4 iPad Pro OLED vs LCD - 2024/05/25
NANO texture
Brad Colbow 2024 iPad Air Review 2024/05/21
MobileTechReview - 2022 Apple iPad Pro M2 11" Review - 2022/10/22
Brad Colbow - - 2022 iPad Pro 3 months later 2023/01/17
For more general information about using iPads, go here: 7P notes: Apple iPad
In this document, I compare iPads to these two kinds of drawing tablets:
pen displays (drawing tablets that have a screen)
pen tablets (drawing tablets that do NOT have a screen)
iPads are standalone devices. You can use them without being attached (wired or wireless) to a computer.
Pen tablets - Cannot be used standalone. They require being connected to a computer. Some require a wired connection. Some require a wireless connection.
Pen displays - Cannot be used standalone. All pen displays require a wired connection to a computer.
Apple Pencil does not have buttons like a normal drawing tablet pen
EMR pens have at least 1 button. The vast majority have two buttons. A few have 3 buttons.
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 drawing tablets support a feature like pen squeeze.
The Apple Pencil does not have an eraser unlike some EMR pens.
EMR pens most often do NOT have an eraser but some EMR pens such as the Wacom Pro Pen 2 to have an eraser. And the eraser itself is also pressure-sensitive.
Pen hover support is the ability for the pen to move the pointer without touching the surface of a device. For some people this is a convenient but not critical feature. For some artists this is very very important more here: Pen hover.
Hover support for an iPad is dependent on the specific combination of iPad model and Apple Pencil model
Older iPad Pro models models do not support pen hover regardless of which Apple Pencil us used.
Some newer iPad Pro models do support pen hover
All drawing tablets support hover with their pens.
Pointer lag is how far behind the operating system pointer is behind the physical tip of the pen. It is always better to have less pointer lag.
Apple iPads with the Apple pencil 2 have incredibly little pointer lag
Apple iPad pointer lag is comparable to a pen tablet
Apple iPad pointer lag is noticeably less than pen displays
iPads and pen displays are subject to parallax. An apparent visual inaccuracy due to the display panel being a small distance away from the surface the pen touches. The smaller this distance the smaller the parallax effect. Less parallax is better. More here: parallax
In 2023, most pen displays have good or very good (meaning low) parallax. But the iPads have even less parallax than even the most expensive pen displays.
In my opinion, even the the iPad is better at having less parallax, the improvement is not so great compared to most modern pen displays that I would make a purchase decision on. You'll only see the difference for older less premium pen displays.
Anti-glare sparkle (AG sparkle) is a kind of colorful rainbow noise that occurs due to an AG treatment. More here: anti-glare sparkle.
iPads have very little / undetectable amount of AG sparkle.
Pen displays have AG sparkle to various degrees. But none have as little as Apple iPad.
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
IAF is the smallest amount of physical force that the pen can detect. Low IAF = good.
The best IAF we know of for drawing tablets is with the Wacom Pro Pens that have a <1gf IAF.
Many people believe the Apple Pencil 2 and Apple Pencil pro have low IAF that is <1gf.
It is useful for a pen to have a high maximum pressure (and thus wide pressure range).
A 500gf max pressure is very good.
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.
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.
The active area of drawing tablet is the region on the tablet that detects the pen. For a pen tablet, the active area is identified by markings on the surface. For a pen displays and iPads the active area is exactly the same size as the screen.
Measuring diagonally, the difference devices vary in sizes
Pen tablets - from 7" (small) to 11" (medium) to 15" (large).
Pen displays - from 13" (small) to 16" (medium) to 24" (large). And there are many other sizes such as 22" and 27" and some are even 32".
iPads are only available in smaller sizes: usually only 11" to 13"
Some people really prefer drawing on a big screen on their desk so they use pen displays for this reason. For example at my desk I prefer drawing on a 22" pen display.
When drawing on-the-go, the ipad size is quite convenient.
If it is in your budget, consider using BOTH an Apple iPad and a drawing tablet. Many people love using an iPad when it is convenient to do some initial sketching, but switch to a drawing tablet when they want finish their work.
The application ecosystem is quite different between drawing tablets and Ipads. With a drawing tablet do you use applications that run on desktop operating system such as windows or MacOS. But with an iPad you'll only be using applications that can run on iOS.
So if you're trying to pick between an iPad and a drawing tablet you should first identify which applications are critical for you.
Some apps are available on iOS and desktop OS's (MacOS, Windows)
Examples:
Clip Studio Paint: Windows, MacOS, iOS
Infinite Painter: Windows, iOS
Some applications are either not available on the iPad at all
Example: Rebelle, Firealpaca
Some applications only have a "lite" version on iPad
Example: Photoshop only has a "lite" version available on iOS
Some applications are of course only available on the iPad.
Example: Procreate
Not all iPads support the use of the Apple Pencil. See: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211029
Tim Mcburnie - iPad vs. Wacom Feb 19, 2022
I don't have any personal experience with this. Below are some links I have found.