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Apple iPad notes

Using an iPad as a drawing tablet

Overview

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.

Terminology

I refer to the Apple Pencil as a pen to keep my documentation consistent.

Choosing between iPad models

There have been many iPad models released over the years, along with many models of Apple pens. I recommend getting any iPad that is compatible with the Apple Pencil 2nd generation or the Apple Pencil Pro.

They vary quite a bit in price. Below are three models I personally own. You will find many others that work as well.

  • Apple iPad Air (4th gen and later) ($600)

  • Apple iPad Pro 11 inch (4th gen and later) ($800+)

  • Apple iPad Pro 12.9 inch 6th gen ($1100+)

Teoh on Tech - 2025 Best iPad for Art: Pros and cons for each model 2025-07-24

Display experience

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

  • Does not require a computer to be attached.

Connectivity

  • All iPad models use Wi-Fi.

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

Drawing experience

  • 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.

Apps

Some popular and excellent drawing applications are available on the iPad.

See a larger list: Apps for iPad

Surface texture

There are two built-in glass textures for iPads: Smooth glass and Nano Texture

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

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

You can also change the texture with protective sheets for iPads. There are some options here: Surface protection. Some of these sheets can help provide more texture and improve traction with the Apple Pencil.

Diagonal wobble

Noticeable diagonal wobble when drawing slowly - this occurs in some scenarios but not others, and I need to investigate it more. But this does not seem to hinder people.

Apple Pencil

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 getting either the Apple Pencil 2nd generation or the Apple Pencil Pro. Keep in mind that you also need an iPad that is compatible with that Apple Pencil model.

Get the right Apple Pencil

Different Apple Pencils support different features. For a drawing experience, these are the two models of interest. If you get one of the other models, you will be missing out on a typical drawing experience.

  • Apple Pencil 2nd generation

  • Apple Pencil Pro

And remember: they work with specific iPad tablets, not all of them. So confirm compatibility.

These pens support these features:

  • Pressure sensitivity

  • Tilt

  • Hover

  • Barrel rotation only supported in Apple Pencil Pro

Pencil support in iPads

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

  • 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

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 very low pointer lag.

  • Some apps, like Procreate, seem heavily optimized and apparently use special techniques to produce extremely low pointer lag.

  • More here: Pointer lag

Anti-glare sparkle

  • 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: Apple iPad notes

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

There are many great apps for iPad: Apps for iPad.

How I use iPads

I use iPads for drawing - but mostly when I am not at 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) (4th gen) - Does support hover.

I primarily use these iPad apps:

I occasionally use these iPad apps:

Transferring files between iPads and Windows

One easy way to send files back and forth between an iPad and Windows is to use a file syncing service. For example, OneDrive 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.

Also see: Transferring files

Videos

Other resources

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