While the ways we use our iPads are unique (a college student jotting down notes in a classroom, an illustrator painstakingly creating a new drawing, a grandparent trying to sign up for Netflix, a kid buying a few extra lives for a mobile game while their parents aren’t paying attention), we do all share one need: a case. (We’ve all been there, picking up our precious tablet with careful, concerned movements as if we’re investigating a crime scene, only to be flooded with relief when we don’t see any cracks.) To find the best case or sleeve for all sorts of people, we talked to 11 different tech experts, art directors, illustrators, artists, and other folks with great taste. Rugged hard-shell cases can give your iPad a coat of armor that absorbs the impact of bumps and drops and shield it from scratches and abrasions.
Pay attention to whether the case covers the edges, corners, and buttons too, so they don’t get damaged if your iPad sees a lot of jostling, whether in your bag while you’re on a train or from a kid who demands to play games on it all the time. If you intend to bring it on daily commutes, a cumbersome or too-heavy case can quickly get annoying — plus, who wants to cover their sleek Apple gadget with an eyesore? Other design features to consider are a keyboard, which is great for note-taking students or anyone who sends a lot of emails or frequently types up documents. Some cases have dedicated Apple Pencil holders to keep the tool handy while traveling or commuting, and to offer extra security to folks who don’t want to lose a $130 stylus.
The latest Apple Pencil can magnetically attach to the side of your iPad, but if you are using an older model you may want your case to have a dedicated spot for it. You may also want to look for a specific type of closure, from a magnetic or Velcro fastener to an elastic band that goes around the whole case, again depending on how you personally use your iPad. “The Folio case is a little pricey, but it’s lightweight and easy to fit into your bag or on your lap while you are irresponsibly drawing in bed.” Harry Hembley, the illustrator behind the popular “lil bean” Instagram account, likes that the Folio “folds to the perfect angle for daily drawing.” He also likes the case’s simple-but-nice sueded interior finish. I’ve been using the Combo Touch for about a year, and the case is a study in thoughtful design, from its grippy and protective outer shell to its conveniently detachable trackpad and keyboard (which draws power from the iPad, so there’s nothing to plug in or recharge).
There are also no shortcut keys on the Folio keyboard to adjust screen brightness, volume, and other settings, and the case is a little less protective around the edges and corners than the Logitech. Targus VersaVu iPad Case $55 now 27% off $40 Canvas and plastic with front and back covers and edge protection | Cover folds into a stand | Includes a stylus holder | Magnetic flap closure Illustrator Maggie Stephenson recommends the Targus VersaVu iPad case for its security and reliability. “The exterior is non-slip and has a comfortable and cool feel that you’ll appreciate if you have to hold your iPad for a long period of time,” she says.
She also likes that the case accommodates the Apple Pencil really well, helping it to stay attached to the iPad’s magnetic smart connector. “It has a cool magnetic smart cover that automatically wakes and puts my iPad to sleep when I open and close it, which helps save battery life,” she says. Pack & Smooch TabStrap $111 Leather and wool with minimal back cover | Handle doubles as a stand | Includes a stylus holder | No front cover or closure Instead of a case, illustrator and YouTube creator Stefan De Groot prefers the TabStrap, which is kind of like a phone loop on steroids. It rotates 360 degrees, so you can spin your screen without taking your hand out of the strap — a feature De Groot finds very useful for illustration. The TabStrap ultimately functions like a painter’s easel combined with a palette, letting you view your work at different angles while keeping a grip on your iPad at all times. It also serves as a low-profile stand, in case you want to prop up your iPad to watch a video or position it at a gentler angle for drawing.
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Best iPad Accessories for Artists in 2022
Yes, the iPad Pro is an extraordinary tablet, and a brilliant tool for any artist, but what add-ons can really take it to the next level? I took a look at my own kit, trying to figure out what is really important to me and what I use the most often, and also talked to other artists and associates, and put together this guide for the best iPad accessories available today – not just fluff or fancy gadgets, but actual tools and enhancements to make the best of all artist tablets even better. I know tons of my students have purchased iPad Pros already, and absolutely love them, but in case you haven’t taken the plunge yet let’s talk about the basic configurations.
There are two different sizes of the stunning Apple Liquid Retina screen available – 12.9 inch and 11 inch – and while I always recommend the larger iPad screen, which makes everything easier to see and work on, gives your work more impact (quite important if showing pieces to potential clients!)
and allows for more detailed and accurate work, really both sizes are pretty large and quite useful, and budget may be the final determiner. These links will lead to the best prices currently available, and will also let you choose between the different amounts of storage memory – really, I do recommend that you get as much storage space as you can afford, and 512GB or more is really ideal, but don’t stress or spend too much – absolutely any configuration will be wonderfully usable.
My Pick NEW Apple iPad Pro (12.9″, WiFi, 512GB) The best iPad for drawing and Procreate Apple M1 Processor for Next-Level Performance :: 12.9-inch Liquid Retina Display for Superior Color, Contrast, Brightness :: Light and Extremely Strong :: Premium Fit and Finish :: Up to 10 Hours Battery Life NEW Model NEW Apple 11-inch iPad Pro (2021) Apple M1 chip for next-level performance 11 inch Liquid Retina Display – ProMotion; True Tone; P3 Wide Color Gamut; 600 Nits Brightness 128 GB – 1 TB Internal SSD Memory
There are a lot of accessories for iPad Pros that are really nice to have, but there are a few that you really have to have – basic tools which are essentially indispensable if you are going to use your Pro for creating or editing artwork, photographs, animation, video or other creative projects. As you can imagine, drawing and painting without a pencil isn’t really on, but the good news is that there are quite a few really great styluses available for the iPad Pro, with excellent feeling in your hand and on the iPad screen and offering very precise and accurate control. Logitech Crayon Digital Pencil – a fun stylus that works perfectly and just seems to inspire creativity, but without pressure sensitivity If you want to consider a different brand, the Zagg Pro Stylus below is a worthy contender, too!
This to me is a crucial accessory, and not just because I can, at times, tend to be a wee bit clumsy… Even if you’re made of money, and I’m guessing you’re not, it is still ultra-important to protect your little baby and keep her (or, if you prefer, him) in perfect condition. And if that case has a built-in keyboard it can help transform your iPad Pro into a much more useful portable administrative tool – ideal for working commercial artists. Apple Smart Folio – it’s really not that smart… As far as I can tell, the only real functionality is that it puts your tablet to sleep and wakes it up. But for quality, durability, protection and appearance this is definitely the best smart cover case you can get for an iPad Pro. ZryXal iPad Pro 12.9 Case With Pencil Holder (4th Generation), Premium Protective Case Cover with Soft TPU Back and Auto Sleep/Wake Feature for 2020/2018 iPad Pro 12.9 Different colors At the risk of this becoming the longest section of my whole buyer’s guide for best accessories for your iPad Pro, I want to include one more incredibly useful smart cover case. BERSEM Paperfeel Screen Protector 12.9-inch 2 Pack Compatible with iPad Pro 12.9 Inch without Home Button,iPad pro 12.9 5th Generation Matte PET Film for Drawing Anti-Glare, Face ID Compatible, Paperfeel Film Here we’re not talking about a simple stand for viewing the screen – your new case will have that built in anyway – but a good, solid and well engineered stand optimized for drawing, painting and editing, with the right angle and plenty of stability which puts it among the most useful drawing accessories. Really there probably isn’t a great deal of difference between one drawing glove and another, and any is really nice to have for flowing, friction-free work on the iPad Pro’s screen and to maintain palm rejection. Here are a couple of my personal favorites, which will work on either hand, are flexible and comfortable, won’t harm your precious tablet’s screen and glide perfectly across the surface:
And I have to say that for displaying your work – in a gallery or show, for a client or just in your own studio – or for multi-media work, tracing and copying, creating murals and all other kinds of things, a projector is an incredibly useful thing to have, and I am amazed at how much I use mine (the cool, tiny ViewSonic below). If you use your iPad Pro outdoors and on the go, at some point you will be really glad to have a good, large power bank, and the Anker PowerCore Essential is the best one I’ve seen, with enough stored juice to nearly triple your Pro’s usable battery life and exceptional material quality and durability.
Apple AirPods with Wireless Charging Case The original and one of the most popular and critically acclaimed wireless Bluetooth earbuds ever made – affordable, but with superb premium sound and material quality Buy Now on Amazon Apple AirPods Pro In-ear wireless Bluetooth buds which have a remarkably rich and clear high fidelity sound, good with all kinds of music Buy Now on Amazon
New Apple AirPods Max On-ear wireless Bluetooth headphones that can be used wired as well – sweet, musical and quite powerful, for a true audiophile experience Buy Now on Amazon
I think people might not take me seriously when I recommend a streaming music service as an important accessory for artists, but I got to tell you that when I’m really working there is nothing better than to have great, energizing music playing, especially if I don’t have to be interrupted or distracted by selecting songs, restarting playlists or being jarred out of my space by suddenly too loud or too soft tracks.
So it may be a good idea to consider, in closing, what a perfect iPad Pro kit would look like, with the tablet itself and four of the most important accessories. You’ll notice that I’ve resisted adding headphones – to me a pretty essential bit of the kit, but not, I suppose, to everybody?
Anyway, these packages, with an iPad and four important add-ons, will provide an amazingly useful and high quality working setup for any fine or commercial artist, illustrator, animator or student — providing protection and making the Pro a much more useful and productive tool than it already is. I hope you’ve enjoyed this article – The Best iPad Pro Accessories for Artists: A Detailed Buyer’s Guide – and I also would love for you to visit my blog – Art Side of Life – for other buyer’s guides, online courses, articles and lots of other resources.
17 Top iPad Pro Accessories for Artists (2022) – Procreate/ Affinity/ Adobe
It is the most powerful and compact drawing device out there and is used by thousands of artists on a daily basis. Unlike traditional drawing tablets that are specifically made for creating digital art, iPads are more of an all-in-one device that are designed to appeal to multiple use cases. The good news is – there are a number of third-party accessories that enhance the capabilities of the iPad and make it a better device for artists. Well, there is no problem rocking with just the bare-bone iPad and the Apple Pencil without using any external accessory.
But if you are a practical person you kind of wanna protect your device from scuffs, scratches, and accidental drops. If you are someone who spends a lot of time working on iPad – You definitely want to prop up your device at a proper angle that is most comfortable to draw on. For making this list, we have done thorough testing and featured only the most deserving accessories that will simplify your creative process. Matte screen protector (with the textured surface) – best iPad accessory for artists
Every time when you use the Apple Pencil, the tip of the stylus constantly rubs against the surface of the iPad. Over a prolonged period, this constant rubbing leaves permanent scratches and marks on the screen. The soft blunt tip of the Apple Pencil helps a bit by delaying this wear down of the screen. Most people who use Apple Pencil on a regular basis recommend getting a screen protector.
Writing on a smooth glass screen with a plastic stylus does not give you enough of a bite. The textured surface has microscopic irregularities which replicate that satisfying scratchy sensation (sound and feel) that you get while drawing with paper and pencil. Textured screen protectors provide very light friction to the stylus tip making it grippy, which improves the overall handling of the Apple Pencil. In addition to improving the handling, it also changes the surface finish of the screen from shiny to matte.
A quality artist’s glove absorbs the sweat from your hands and keeps them dry. Using the iPad in such a position for prolonged periods is an open invitation to nack strain and muscle cramps. Often when you place the iPad on the stand, you make finer adjustments to properly position the tablet. The fabric top also folds down and provides an additional 35 degrees of tilt angle, which is great. Once you are done using this tablet stand, you can simply fold it down into a thin sheet of metal and slide it into your backpack. Foldable Collapsable metallic stand Compact (folds down to a portable form factor)
The metal build quality provides more than adequate strength to sustain weight. It has got soft rubbery material at all the contact points to better protect your devices against scratches.
When you get tired of working on your fixed desk setup how about laying on your bed for some change. It comes with soft cushions at the base that allows you to comfortably place it on your legs while laying down. This is Apple’s default solution that protects your device without making it look bulkier or compromising with its premium look. The cover-cum-stand magnetically attaches to your iPad and protects its back as well as the screen from scratches. The inside layer of the cover is made of soft fibrous material that protects it from scratches. Apple Smart folio is available in multiple color options and you can check them out by clicking here (Amazon).
Keyboard-touchpad stand Logitech iPad Pro keyboard case Multipurpose But the Logitech iPad Pro Keyboard case stands out for its practicality as well as its build quality.
The typing experience on this keyboard case is good, the button and clicky and backlit to work in the dark. Allowing you to perform all the in-app shortcuts that your drawing app of choice provides you with no compromises. When you have a portable device with a large screen that often encounters touches from your fingers and palms as well as environmental dust – it quickly gets dirty. Well, you can clean the screen with a normal cloth but it requires a lot of rubbing and sometimes force which is not good for long terms usage.
Now there are a lot of microfibre cleaning cloths for screens in the market but you should strictly stay away from low-quality synthetic fabrics since they are not that effective. After using and comparing a lot of screen cleaners, this is the “best Microfibre cleaning cloth (Amazon)” that we can confidently recommend. As handy as the touch-based shortcuts on the iPads are, there are still a number of repetitive settings and options in drawing apps – that require you to dig through menus and sub-menus quite frequently. Keyboard shortcuts are a handy way of making quick changes with a click of a button. If you are someone spending a considerable time drawing on an iPad, getting a wireless Bluetooth keyboard is a wise choice. Almost all the popular drawing and creative applications whether be it Procreate, Affinity, Vectornator, or Adobe – they all come with support for keyboard shortcuts.
These keyboard shortcuts and key combinations simplify your workflow and speed up your projects. On top of using these keyboards within drawing apps, you can also use them for messaging or normal day-to-day usage.
The Logitech k380 (Amazon) is a good choice as it is compact and portable and can be connected to three devices. It was not that long ago when the iPad did not allow you to connect an external mouse or a touchpad. If you are a graphic designer or work on vector projects on a frequent basis you should get a mouse for the iPad. A mouse makes using the iPad very convenient as it allows you to perform hands-free navigation.
For iPads, we recommend a wireless Bluetooth-powered mouse that does not need a USB connector for connection. One great option is to get a mouse that can simultaneously connect with both your computer as well as the iPad and allows you to easily switch between them.
As iPads are very thin devices, there is real probability of them bending from the pressure – which is obviously not good.
The Tomtoc Soft and Hard cases are two of our favorite choices for keeping your iPad safe.
There is a small storage space at the front for smaller items such as chargers or earphones. If you want to ensure the proper protection of your iPad when you are on the move – the Tomtoc hard case is the right choice for you.
The build quality and the fit and finish of this iPad storage case is outstanding. Many artists report that using Apple Pencil as it can be uncomfortable as it plastic body combined with its narrow form factor does not give you a firm grip on sweaty hands.
In the iPad accessory section we told you about the textured screen protector that helps provide better control over the stylus.
When the soft silicon interacts with the glass screen it squishes and produces resistance to the stylus.
In the previous section, we have talked so much about protecting the iPad with a case or a travel bag. Considering how expensive the Apple Pencil is and how there is no way to repair them once they get damaged, spending a few extra bucks for their proper protection doesn’t seem like a bad idea.
The best part is – it also has a built-in pen stand with soft interiors to safely hold the stylus when not in use. You may have a number of peripheral devices that may still come with older USB-A or other similar connectors.
Not only you get a USB-A connector and headphone jack but also an HDMI with 4K output and SD Card slots. Generally speaking, iPads come with fairly good battery life and can last a whole day of casual usage.
But when you are working on large processor-intensive projects and using Apple Pencil alongside (which ramps up its refresh rate to 120Hz), you will notice your battery drains out by the afternoon or evening. We recommend getting the Anker Powercore Essential (Amazon) power bank with 20000mAh of battery capacity.
It is one of the coolest apps out there which massively boosts the capabilities of the iPad and makes it as powerful as a desktop computer. All you need to do is wirelessly connect your iPad to your computer through the Astropad App and you are ready to use any software of your choice.
No matter which software you use and how advanced of a drawing device you have – if you don’t have your basics of digital art clear – you are not ready to create those jaw-dropping artwork that you often see online. When you are involved in activities that require you to sit for a long time every single day, it becomes essential to get your ergonomics right. Overlooking the ergonomics might result in nasty pain and strain that won’t be fun. The best option, in this case, is to invest in a sit-stand desk that can be set to different height levels.
Sketchboard Pro for iPad Artists
We then spent over a year developing and testing the Sketchboard Pro with professional artists in an effort to refine its ergonomics.
Why Start using a Drawing Board with Your iPad?
If you’re an artist, illustrator, crafter or scrapbooker we are going to show you the benefits of using a drawing board with your iPad. Made of natural wood with Stand, Desk function for Apple iPad pro (2016) What Is a Drawing Board? Additionally, a drawing board can also give you consistency and make you a proficient artist. You’ll have a lot of elbow room, and with some drawing boards, you can even charge your iPad.
It will also have a separate stand for your apple pencil and give you plenty of room for your wrists. Most illustrators consider a drawing board a necessary accessory for your iPad if you’re doing a great deal of digital art.
It will also protect your iPad from scratches and dents while giving you enough room to create your best works. But if you’re not using one, it will be more difficult for you to get around the edges, smooth out the drawing there and produce more details because of the uneven surface.
Tilting and Rotating: A drawing board used with an iPad is made explicitly with artists in mind.
These boards have multiple adjustable angles, which you can use to get maximum comfort while you draw. Also, if you weren’t using a drawing board, you’d have difficulties with tilting and rotating your iPad. So if you use an iPad to draw without a board for hours without interruptions, you might be doing damage to your posture in the long run.
With a drawing board, you might prevent this to a great extent because they’re designed to provide you with more comfort and arm support. Some models of drawing desks are aimed for providing you with enough wrist and arm space so that you don’t face this problem.
Every professional artist, architect, and engineer uses these boards to make drafts of sketches and plans. If you’re still confused about using a drawing board with your iPad, then consider these reasons before you make up your mind. It’ll strengthen your back and won’t make your neck muscles sore. So you can take these with you in your backpack and bring them out to use your iPad anywhere from a coffee shop to your own bed. It’s Just like Drawing on Paper: Some artists may prefer old-school techniques despite being a digital art illustrator. The use of a real pencil will honestly always feel much more superior to an electric stylus pen.
Apple has manufactured the movements of its pencil to mimic that of the real one and be fluid.
It will also feel like a real canvas, which will give you an excellent drawing experience. You’ll get more details in your sketches and color the images more vividly because of this comfortable experience. Spacious Construction and Arm Support: A drawing table used with an iPad has enough room for your elbows and wrist.
Additionally, if you get a drawing board, you’ll keep your palms off from the screen, which will make your experience even more convenient. You will also feel like your arm is nearly weightless as drawing boards aim to provide you with optimum comfort. The multiple adjustable angles on the drawing board and roomy construction will allow more effortless strokes and intricate detailing of your sketches. Owning a drawing board will eventually improve your existing techniques and skills because you’ll be more comfortable. Besides, you’ll also be spending more time being creative because it will improve your posture and you will feel more comfortable. An added benefit is it resists scratches on your iPad because of the premium aluminum alloy construction. It also features a unique cooling system that improves the efficiency and time of your iPad. An artist has to sit in the same position, which can result in a bad posture and fatigue. This lap desk is a fantastic choice for artists who have to work for several hours at a stretch. The cushions distribute the weight around and feel light while also giving you extra height.
Like our previous choice, you can also use this for your laptop and MacBook as it’s designed to carry a heavy load. It includes an ArmRest that allows you to draw all day without producing a strain on your hands.
It folds flat and is very portable while keeping your Apple Pencil handy on its PencilStand. You can get more adjustable angles and better arm support with an iPad stand that’s a bit more expensive than the more affordable ones. Among these products, in my opinion, you’ll get the best experience of a drawing board from the Elevation Lab DraftTable Kit. It’s undoubtedly a futuristic device opening up doors to the possibility of several new products in this line. We have a Sketchboard Pro on order and will do an in-depth review very soon to see if all these bold claims are indeed true. You’ll find a lot of options in the market that will serve ideally as a drawing desk.
The best iPad for drawing in 2022
01. iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M1, 2021) The best iPad for drawing overall Specifications Stylus support: Apple Pencil 2 Screen size: 12.9-inch Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels Weight: 682g Dimensions: 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4mm OS: iPadOS 14 CPU: Apple M1 chip Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB Rear cameras: 12MP, 10 MP, TOF 3D LiDAR Front camera: 12MP Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at very.co.uk (opens in new tab) View at John Lewis (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Premium screen + Superfast processor + Generous storage options Reasons to avoid – Big outlay Unless you’re going to be doing a lot of professional drawing work, it is probably more computing and display power than you need, and in that case, a cheaper tablet on this list will likely prove to be the better choice.
02. iPad Pro 11-inch (M1, 2021) The best 11-inch iPad for drawing Specifications Stylus support: Apple Pencil 2 Screen size: 11-inch Resolution: 1668 x 2388 pixels Weight: 466g Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9mm OS: iPadOS 14 CPU: Apple M1 chip Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB Rear cameras: 12MP, 10 MP, TOF 3D LiDAR Front camera: 12MP Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at John Lewis (opens in new tab) View at very.co.uk (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Superfast processor + Generous storage + More portable than 12.9 version Reasons to avoid – Inferior screen to 12.9 version There are a few compromises made as well as the size of the screen – it’s not the fancy mini-LED version – though let’s not get carried away, it’s still excellent, with P3 wide colour gamut, an anti-reflective coating, True Tone and ProMotion.
In our full review, we found that it struck a good balance between being a useful surface area while also keeping the tablet lightweight and portable enough to be used on the go. The combination of a featherlight touch and top-end sensitivity means that drawing on the tablet just feels incredibly natural and smooth.
If you want the speed of an iPad Pro and don’t need the luxurious screen spread of the biggest version, this is an outstanding choice. 03. iPad Mini (2021) The best iPad for drawing on the move Specifications Stylus support: Apple Pencil 2 Screen size: 8.3 inch Resolution: 1488 x 2266 pixels Weight: 293-297g Dimensions: 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm OS: iPadOS 15 CPU: A15 Bionic Storage: 64/256GB Rear camera: 12MP Front camera: 12MP Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Currys (opens in new tab) View at AO.com (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Very portable + Lovely screen + Good battery life Reasons to avoid – Smaller screen not for everyone
04. iPad Air 5 (2022) Pro-like features for less Specifications Stylus support: Apple Pencil 2 Screen size: 10.9-inch Resolution: 2350 x 1640 Weight: 461g Dimensions: 247.6×178.5×6.1mm OS: iPadOS 15.4 CPU: M1 Storage: 64GB/256GB Rear camera: 12 MP Front camera: 12 MP Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at John Lewis (opens in new tab) View at very.co.uk (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Same M1 chip as the 2021 Pros + Good-sized display + Supports Apple Pencil 2 Reasons to avoid – Some may prefer iPad Pro That said it can’t compete with the levels of brightness of the Pro 12.9, and the 60Hz refresh rate (rather than 120Hz with the Pros) does mean it takes slightly longer for your drawing to appear on the screen. 05. iPad Pro 12.9 (2020) Save money on a 12.9 iPad with the previous generation Specifications Stylus support: Apple Pencil 2 Screen size: 12.9-inch Resolution: 2732 x 2048 Weight: 639g Dimensions: 280.4 x 214.8 x 5.8 mm OS: iOS 13.4 CPU: A12Z Bionic Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB Rear cameras: 12 MP, 10 MP, TOF 3D LiDAR scanner Front camera: 8 MP Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + High-res screen + Large display + Supports Apple Pencil 2 Reasons to avoid – Lacks M1 chip The 2020 model lacks the Mini LED screen and the M1 chip of the current version, but it’s still a very powerful and capable device, and it doesn’t cost as much.
So for example, if you’re looking to use some heavy-duty 3D software, and need the fastest processor possible; or are doing work where a high degree of colour accuracy is super-important, it might be worth investing the 2021 model. For everybody else, though, the 2020 iteration is a great choice for digital drawing, with the exact same screen dimensions and high resolution (2732 x 2048) as its pricier successor, and support for the Apple Pencil 2. 06. iPad Air 4 (2020) The best value iPad for drawing Specifications Stylus support: Apple Pencil 2 Screen size: 10.9-inch Resolution: 1640 x 2360 pixels Weight: 458g Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm OS: iPadOS 14 CPU: A14 Bionic Storage: 64GB/256GB Rear cameras: 12MP Front camera: 7MP Today’s Best Deals View at Currys (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Excellent value + Good battery life + Supports Apple Pencil 2 Reasons to avoid – 60Hz screen response rate That variation in sensitivity means that if you draw very rapidly, you might notice a difference, but we’ve not personally heard of any complaints from artists.
And with strong levels of battery life, screen resolution and processor performance, and a couple of good cameras, this is the best value iPad for general use, too. 07. iPad 10.2-inch (9th Gen) The best cheap iPad for drawing Specifications Stylus support: Apple Pencil 1 Screen size: 10.2-inch Resolution: 1620 x 2160 pixels Weight: 487g (Wi-Fi only); 498g (Wi-Fi+cellular) Dimensions: 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5mm OS: iPadOS 15 CPU: Apple A13 Bionic Storage: 64/256GB Rear camera: 8MP Front camera: 12MP Today’s Best Deals Preorder at Laptops Direct (opens in new tab) Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Good battery life + Excellent value Reasons to avoid – Basic tablet – Doesn’t support Apple Pencil 2
Apple gave its basic 10.2-inch iPad a refresh in 2021, upgrading the chipset for better performance and adding an improved selfie camera. This is also the first model in the 10.2-inch range to offer True Tone support, which is Apple’s technology that adjusts colour balance depending on the quality of light in the room.
The initial Apple Pencil is a fine stylus and does the job well enough, but the lack of built-in controls is a pain, as is the clumsy charging system. 08. iPad Mini (2019) The best iPad for drawing if you want a smaller screen on the cheap Specifications Stylus support: Apple Pencil 1 Screen size: 7.9-inch Resolution: 1536 x 2048 pixels Weight: 304g Dimensions: 203.2 x 134.8 x 6.1 mm OS: iPadOS 14 CPU: A12 Bionic Storage: 64GB/256GB Rear cameras: 8MP Front camera: 7MP Today’s Best Deals View at argos.co.uk (opens in new tab) View at argos.co.uk (opens in new tab) Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Very portable + Excellent value Reasons to avoid – Doesn’t support Apple Pencil 2 – Less power than later models Processing power: Newer (and more expensive) iPads have faster processors, and are capable of handling more complex tasks without stutter or slowdown. Drawing is not the most intensive task that an iPad can perform, so this may well not be a factor – however, if you are working with super-high resolution files, then it’s going to be very important that your tablet can load and display them correctly.
The Apple Drawing Tablet: iPad vs Drawing Tablets
The iPad has always been a tablet first and foremost but the introduction of the Apple Pencil has turned it into a serious drawing tool for amateur and professional digital artists. Drawing tablets aim to recreate the accuracy and feeling of putting pen or brush to paper in a way that iPads do not. iPads can do much more than draw and allow you to do pretty much anything you can do on a Mac or PC including using the internet, apps, gaming, work and more. iPads have some amazing free drawing apps available such as the excellent Apple Procreate and Adobe Fresco. In fact you’ll find many professional artists that actually prefer drawing in Procreate than Adobe Photoshop. Most of the best graphic design software can also be used on iPads such as Adobe Illustrator and other professional drawing products in the Creative Cloud suite.
Sidecar is a clever feature of the latest versions of macOS that enables you to use an iPad as an extra monitor for your Mac. With a drawing pad on the other hand, you need to switch it on then connect it to your Mac via cable if it doesn’t have a screen, change the nibs if necessary and it all just takes a lot longer.
Drawing tablets are aimed more at artistry and apps like Procreate help get the fine details of calligraphy right. It does however respond very well to changes to pressure for thickness of lines and supports Tilt Sensitivity when you hold it an angle. Drawing tablet pens usually include a range of nibs to help control stroke variation. If you’re prone to checking Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and other apps frequently, there’s more temptation on an iPad compared to a drawing tablet.
Brilliant 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color If we had to summarize the biggest advantage of an iPad over traditional drawing tablets, it’s convenience.
You can start sketching so much quicker on an iPad compared to a drawing tablet not to mention the huge range of both graphic design and other apps available for it. The added advantage of a touch screen and all that enables also makes it a very versatile drawing tool.
The 24 Best iPad Accessories (2022): Cases, Keyboards, Chargers, and Hubs
You can stick it into your iPad Mini, Air, or Pro’s USB-C port and have it sit flush and firm with the edge or swap to a flappy, short cable. That means access to an external SSD, along with two USB-A jacks, one 100-watt USB-C pass-through charging port, and a 4K HDMI at the same time. This simple, aluminum USB-C to Ethernet dongle delivered around 630 Mbps download speeds, which is what my desktop usually hits, on the iPad Pro.
Hand Drawing Case With Pencil Holder Ipad Pro 12.9
👌🏻 This iPad case is made of PU leather and soft TPU for best protection. Please enter that number in proper field before placing the order.
👌🏻 Smart iPad lid wakes or puts your device to sleep automatically. 👌🏻 The flip cover uses a Multi-angle support design, which is more stable and more comfortable for work and entertainment.
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