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Whether you're a professional artist looking to explore new mediums, or a student with time on your hands between classes, the Apple iPad has a range of apps you can use for sketching portraits, doodling or creating your own digital comics. As with any new medium, when you first start drawing on an iPad, don't.
iPad Buyers GuideWe're a virtual company made up of tech experts from across the globe. We live and breathe iPads for our daily use, and have tested nearly every one to find the best picks for you. With Apple's newest iPad offerings, which one should you pick up?Better features, bigger size
10.5-inch iPad Air (2019)
Great budget pick
9.7-inch iPad (2018)
The new iPad Air (2019) is a great choice if you're looking for an affordable iPad. The larger screen means you can see more at once, the A12 bionic chip gives you faster processing speeds than its predecessor, and the True Tone display equates to color accuracy in ambient light. The Smart Connector also lets you use accessories like the Smart Keyboard, and having larger storage capacity is always a plus. Unfortunately, it still doesn't have Face ID and can only use the first-generation Apple Pencil.
Pros
![Ipad For Drawing Ipad For Drawing](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125847641/129341450.jpg)
- Larger 10.5-inch screen
- A12 bionic chip
- Storage up to 256GB
- True Tone display
- Has Smart Connector
Cons
- Still uses Touch ID
- Only supports first-generation Apple Pencil
If you're on a budget, the 9.7-inch iPad (2018) is still a decent option. The screen is not too small or too large, it supports the first generation Apple Pencil, and the A10 Fusion chip is plenty capable of everyday tasks. But if you want the bells and whistles like True Tone, more storage, a more powerful processor for resource-intensive apps and games, then another iPad may be a better fit.
Pros
- Very affordable
- 9.7-inch screen is not too small or too big
- Supports first-generation Apple Pencil
- A10 Fusion chip is still fairly capable
Cons
- Still uses Touch ID
- Lack of True Tone
- Only up to 128GB storage
- Front camera is a measly 1.2MP
Both the 9.7-inch iPad (2018) and 10.5-inch iPad Air (2019) are affordable options if you can't go for the more expensive iPad Pro, but the new iPad Air is definitely the better pick of the two right now.
Let's break it down
Even though you may find the 9.7-inch iPad (2018) more enticing due to the lower price tag, the new 10.5-inch iPad Air (2019) is definitely the better buy. You're getting a ton more features, and the price difference between the two is not that big.
iPad Air (2019) | iPad (2018) | |
---|---|---|
Cost | From $499 and up | From $329 and up |
Wi-Fi only | Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi + Cellular | Yes | Yes |
Screen size | 10.5-inch | 9.7-inch |
Dimensions | 9.8-by-6.8-by-0.24 inches | 9.4-by-6.6-by-0.29 inches |
Weight | 1 pound | 1.03 pounds |
Storage | 64GB or 256GB | 32GB or 128GB |
Display | Retina | Retina |
Resolution | 2224-by-1668 | 2048-by-1536 |
Laminated display | Yes | No |
Antireflective coating | Yes | No |
True Tone | Yes | No |
Chip | A12 Bionic | A10 Fusion |
Apple Pencil | First-generation only | First-generation only |
Smart Connector | Yes | No |
Back camera | 8MP | 8MP |
Front camera | 7MP | 1.2MP |
Audio | Two speakers | Two speakers |
Face ID | No | No |
Touch ID | Yes | Yes |
As you can see, while they both look similar in some aspects, the iPad Air (2019) is far superior.
With the new iPad Air (2019), you're getting an upgraded 10.5-inch screen. That means you can see more on the tablet at once, which is always a plus when reading, writing, or drawing. That also means it's easier to watch video or edit photos on-the-go. It may not seem like a huge jump from the previous 9.7-inch screen, but it really helps when you need it to.
The A12 Bionic chip also means that the new iPad Air (2019) is much faster than the iPad (2018), and it should be able to handle more resource-intensive apps and games. And when you're multitasking with split screens, the iPad Air is far more capable of handling whatever you can throw at it.
iPad Air (2019) also has more storage capacity than the iPad (2018). This means that you get 64GB and 256GB options, instead of 32GB and 128GB with the iPad (2018). We believe that having more storage capacity on a device like the iPad is always a good thing, especially if you plan on putting a lot of media or files on it.
True Tone was first introduced on the iPad Pro in 2016, and it has made its way onto most iOS devices ever since. The iPad Air (2019) now has True Tone, and it provides users with color accuracy in ambient light. It's dynamic, and adjusts the temperature, intensity, and percentage of white light on the display depending on your current environment. The end result is a display that appears and feels more natural, and has less strain on your eyes. Having this feature on the iPad Air (2019) is a nice addition.
Apple also first introduced the Smart Connector in the iPad Pro. The Smart Connector is a port on the left side of an iPad that provides power and a data connection to certain accessories. With the iPad Air (2019), there is now a Smart Connector, making it the first non-Pro iPad to have it. This means you can use Apple's Smart Keyboard, which does not have a battery and can receive updates through the iPad.
And finally, while the iPad Air (2019) and iPad (2018) both have the same rear-camera specs, there's a big difference with the front-facing cameras. The iPad (2018) only has a measly 1.2MP front-facing camera and can only do HD video up to 720p. The iPad Air (2019), however, has an impressive 7MP front camera and can do 1080p HD video.
Who should buy the 10.5-inch iPad Air (2019)?
Anyone who is looking to get a powerful but lightweight iPad that isn't too big or too expensive should consider the iPad Air (2019). The 10.5-inch screen is smaller than the iPad Pro options, but it's still very capable in terms of features and should be good enough for most people. Plus, the price is still considerably less than the iPad Pro, even with a maxed out Wi-Fi + Cellular version.
Who should buy the 9.7-inch iPad (2018)?
If you're on a tight budget, don't care about having the fastest processor, think 9.7-inches is plenty of screen estate, don't do video calls often, don't need a lot of storage, and dislike True Tone (not everyone has to be a fan), then the iPad (2018) should be fine. You can also find it on sale for much lower than the regular price on sites like Amazon from time to time.
Our pick
10.5-inch iPad Air (2019)
A good option just got better
The new iPad Air (2019) is a nice improvement over the previous generations. The 10.5-inch screen means you can see and do more at once, True Tone is less harsh on the eyes, the Smart Connector means more options for accessories, and you get more higher storage capacities. And there is still support for the first-generation Apple Pencil, and a nice 7MP front-facing camera with 1080p HD video. Perhaps Face ID can come next year.
Budget pick
9.7-inch iPad (2018)
When you just want the basics
If you just want a basic iPad and don't need the fancy bells and whistles and don't need a ton of storage, the iPad (2018) is a good option. It also goes on sale from time to time at retailers like Amazon, so you can even pick it up for super cheap if you catch it at the right time.
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Apple Pencil set the standard for how drawing, note-taking, and marking up documents should feel — intuitive, precise, and magical. The second‑generation Apple Pencil takes that experience even further. Now you can pair and charge wirelessly and change tools, like a pencil to an eraser, with a simple double‑tap. Go ahead, make your mark.
The second‑generation Apple Pencil attaches magnetically with a satisfying snap onto the side of your iPad Pro. Once attached, it automatically pairs with your device and charges so you’re always ready to go. And there are new ways to interact with Apple Pencil. Simply double-tap to change tools without interrupting your flow.
Simply seamless design. The second‑generation Apple Pencil is designed to be an even more comfortable, natural tool to use. The seamless design — no connectors or moving parts — makes it easy to store. You can even have your Apple Pencil engraved to really make it your own.
Magically pair. Wirelessly charge.
The second‑generation Apple Pencil starts charging when you place the flat part on the right side of your iPad Pro. It also pairs automatically with your device. And you can charge your iPad Pro and Apple Pencil at the same time. Magic, right? It’s actually magnets, but we’ll take it.
The second‑generation Apple Pencil starts charging when you place the flat part on the right side of your iPad Pro. It also pairs automatically with your device. And you can charge your iPad Pro and Apple Pencil at the same time. Magic, right? It’s actually magnets, but we’ll take it.
Tap to unlock new capabilities. The second‑generation Apple Pencil lets you change modes with a double-tap right where your finger rests. And you can customize your taps to easily switch between the tools you use most.
Apple Pencil is perfect for whenever inspiration strikes. Use it to jot down notes, paint a watercolor, or design a building onsite. There are all kinds of apps in the App Store that let you do even more with Apple Pencil. Whatever you need to do, Apple Pencil is easy to use but impossible to put down.
Take notes. And make
them spectacular.
Take notes and sketch ideas in the Notes app as naturally as you do on paper. There are also great note-taking apps in the App Store for expressing yourself in some very colorful new ways.
them spectacular.
Take notes and sketch ideas in the Notes app as naturally as you do on paper. There are also great note-taking apps in the App Store for expressing yourself in some very colorful new ways.
Mark up email, screenshots, and more. You can write and sketch on email messages, and even draw directly in apps like Keynote. Take a screenshot, then mark up the shot you just took.
The ideal tool for artists of every kind. Apple Pencil helps you express your creative ideas. Whether you’re painting a watercolor, designing an interior, or retouching layers of a photo, Apple Pencil brings your visions to life.
![Drawing Drawing](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/9079/9079012_sd.jpg;maxHeight=250;maxWidth=380)
Apple Pencil is packed with technology designed to make using it completely intuitive. With imperceptible lag and pixel-perfect precision, it feels like a familiar writing and drawing tool you’ve always used.
Highly responsive. Perfectly precise. Apple Pencil is the best tool to reach for when you need pixel‑perfect precision. Draw anything down to a single pixel, from a technical illustration to a fine portrait — with wispy hairlines and all. Press harder for thicker lines, lighter for thinner ones. Create shading simply by tilting your Apple Pencil. All with virtually no lag between what you write and what you see.
Use it effortlessly. Tap your iPad Pro display with Apple Pencil to wake up your device and open the Notes app. You can even rest your palm on the display and it won’t register as a mark, so you can use it just like a pad of paper.
Apple Pencil (2nd generation) for
iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (3rd generation),
iPad Pro 11‑inch
- Automatic pairing, wireless charging,
and magnetic storage - Double tap to switch tools
- Tap to wake
- Free engraving
Apple Pencil for
iPad Air (3rd generation),
iPad mini (5th generation),
iPad (6th and 7th generations),
iPad Pro 12.9‑inch
(1st and 2nd generations),
iPad Pro 10.5‑inch,
and iPad Pro 9.7‑inch
- Lightning pairing and charging
iPad Pro
All screen. All powerful.
Learn more about iPad ProSmart Keyboard Folio
Full-size keyboard.
Front and back protection.
Learn more about Smart Keyboard FolioFront and back protection.