How we pick our products
When shopping for accessories for your devices, whether for work or personal use, it’s not uncommon to fear buying the wrong one, especially when it comes to Apple devices, which tend to be fussy. And it’s a real possibility, considering the variety available is often overwhelming.
Read on and we’ll teach you everything you need to know to learn how to buy the perfect Apple Pencil for you.
Contents
- 1 Summary
- 2 The Best Apple Pencil: Our Picks
- 3 Buying Guide
- 3.1 What is the difference between Apple pencils and pencils from other brands?
- 3.2 What are the advantages and disadvantages of Apple pencils?
- 3.3 Fun facts: what you didn’t know about Apple Pencils
- 3.4 Where are Apple Pencils made?
- 3.5 What is the warranty on Apple pencils, and how can I claim it?
- 4 Buying criteria: factors that allow you to compare and rate different Apple pencil models
- 5 Conclusion
Summary
- Apple Pencils are electronic devices used to manipulate Apple-branded touchscreen devices, primarily designed for different iPad models. They have become a widely used tool, because they provide the opportunity to use tablets to take notes or draw freehand.
- Touch screens often have profiles that are not always compatible with any Pencil, and this is generally amplified when talking about Apple products. That’s why the compatibility of Apple Pencils is their unique and unsurpassed feature, as they are the only ones that connect seamlessly with Apple devices.
- How hard is it to choose the perfect Apple Pencil? If you go into the purchase without knowing the product in detail it can get complicated, but if you pay attention to criteria such as compatibility, pencil generation and the shortcuts it offers…. We’ll tell you about them.
The Best Apple Pencil: Our Picks
Buying Guide
Before you set off on a shopping spree, it’s important to equip yourself with the weapons you need to hunt down the perfect model. For that, check out our buying guide, where we give you the details on budget, where to buy and Apple Pencil features to help you get the lay of the land.
What is the difference between Apple pencils and pencils from other brands?
The most important aspect when buying a pencil is compatibility, because if compatibility is mediocre you won’t be able to work freely and comfortably. In this respect there is no one better than Apple at making accessories that connect seamlessly with their own iPads. So they are a step ahead of other brands.
| Apple pencil | Pencil from other brands | |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | High | Can be damaged in a short time |
| Compatibility | Limited by generation | Variety of models and brands |
| Versatility | Almost exclusive to Apple | Use with a variety of devices |
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Apple pencils?
The durability of these pencils is high, so your purchase will be a long-term investment. You can also sync an Apple Pencil with different devices – as long as they are compatible – and some models give you shortcuts so you can be more effective in your work. But one drawback is that they are quite expensive.
Fun facts: what you didn’t know about Apple Pencils
Where are Apple Pencils made?
What is the warranty on Apple pencils, and how can I claim it?
Buying criteria: factors that allow you to compare and rate different Apple pencil models
Apple pencils are high quality products that offer several facets that you should pay attention to in detail in order to get the perfect accessory for your device. We tell you about these factors, so that you have a clear understanding of what to look for in an apple pencil model.
- Compatibility
- Generation
- Extra functions
Compatibility
The way your pencil and device connect will define your user experience, simply because a poor connection means your device won’t execute commands as intended. If you want your work to be accurate and avoid lagginess, use an Apple Pencil that’s compatible with your device.
Compatibility with Apple devices. Apple pencils are at their most compatible when used with iPads, as they use the same “language”. But there are iPads that are not compatible with pencils, such as some iPad Mini models, so check the label to make sure your device is on the compatibility list.
Compatibility with other devices. There are generic branded tablets and touch devices that can sync with Apple Pencil. But this is not recommended, as there are also generic and much lower-priced Pencils that can connect more effectively to tablets with this profile.
Generation
Before choosing an Apple Pencil model you need to check which generation it belongs to. Two generations have been released so far, and in many ways the second generation is considered to be an upgraded and updated version of the first.
1st generation. This includes the first Apple Pencils, which respond with good precision and are charged and linked to the device via direct connection. The big advantage is that this generation is compatible with up to 7 different models, so if you are looking for a versatile pencil this is our recommendation.
2nd generation. This is the newest generation with innovations in design and engineering. It has wireless charging and magnetic docking. The downside is that, so far, it is only compatible with 2 iPad models. If you are looking for a tool to speed up your work, don’t hesitate to opt for this generation.
Extra features
Apple is always on the cutting edge, so they have included innovative features in their pencils that represent a breakthrough as a work tool. Here are some of these features for you to consider when buying.
Shortcuts. This is offered by both generations of Apple Pencil, and with it you can program certain buttons or taps on the pencil to perform functions on the device. So you can have, for example, a control key at the touch of your thumb without releasing the pencil. Great for speeding up illustration work.
Bluetooth connectivity. You may often need to run functions, save documents or minimise windows without having access to your iPad, and that’s what the Bluetooth connectivity feature, offered by the second generation pencil, is for. You can even charge the battery remotely, which is great for business or personal use.
Conclusion
It’s important to equip yourself with the weapons you need to hunt down the perfect model and you need to check which generation it belongs to. The way your pencil and device connect will define your user experience, that’s why you need to know if it is compatibility with your device, cause if it is not you won’t be able to work freely and comfortably.
(Featured image photo: kantver / 123rf.com)
Why you can trust me?
Most popular
Related posts
