If you have ever had to hand-draw or write something on your iPad, you know how annoying and inconvenient the task is if all you have for a stylus is your index finger. Thankfully Apple released the Apple Pencil in 2015 to improve accuracy and reduce fingerprints. Funny enough, Steve Jobs once said, “If your tablet needs a stylus, you’ve already failed.” And since its release, the popularity of Apple Pencil has elevated iPad sales, which seems like a win to us. With this being said, the iPad and Apple Pencil make a great pair when in the right hands. So what is so great about the stylus, who uses it, and is the Apple Pencil worth writing home about? Pros of the Apple Pencil The Apple Pencil is a great tool to pair with your iPad for many reasons. It makes a world of a difference with something as simple as making highlights in your notes or as complex as creating a masterpiece in an art app. It’s All In The Name One of the main reasons why you may want to buy this Apple accessory is obvious- it functions like a real pencil. Apple intentionally shaped the stylus like a pencil so it can have a familiar feel and be simple to use from the start. And even though it does not contain any led, it writes just like a pencil due to its tilt and pressure sensitivity. The lighter you press down on the tablet, the lighter the pencil stroke. The harder you press down on the tablet, the darker the pencil stroke. As a plus, you can also change the writing tool you want to use with just two taps. The Apple Pencil is not only a pencil but also a highlighter, marker, and crayon. The Apple Pencil Gen 2 is Easy To Charge There are two Apple Pencil models with slight differences between each other, including how they are charged. The First Gen model is charged by removing the rounded cap and plugging the connector directly into the lightning port of the iPad. So it may be awkward charging your pencil while you are trying to use your iPad. If your iPad is not close by, you can also connect it to an adapter and plug it into the lightning cable. Because the Second Gen is magnetic, all you need to do is attach the pencil to the side of the iPad. As a plus, the Apple Pencil charges quickly. It gets a full charge in about 15 minutes and has 12-hour battery life. But even with just a 15-second charge, you can get 30 minutes of use. The Apple Pencil is One Step Closer to a Paper-Free Environment Another pro of an Apple Pencil is the fact that you do not have to use paper. According to Waste Free Email, Americans use 700 pounds of paper products per person every year. But if you use an Apple Pencil, you can contribute greatly to reduce these statistics. Rather than use paper for writing, drawing, and note-taking, just use your iPad and Pencil. Just be sure to save each document and back up your work on a storage system. If you are not used to writing on a smooth glass surface and prefer textured paper, there is a solution. Paperlike is an Apple accessory brand that specializes in paper-like iPad screen protectors. The texture against the Pencil and screen protector feels just like you are writing on paper. Cons of the Apple Pencil Even though the Apple Pencil has a lot of perks and has improved each model, it still has its downfalls. The Apple Pencil is Easy to Lose One of the pencil’s flaws is the fact that it can easily roll away and get lost, the First Gen at least. Unlike the Second Gen, the First Gen is not magnetic and has no way of conveniently attaching to an iPad. The Second Gen also has flat surfaces like a typical pencil, whereas the First Gen is completely rounded. The Apple Pencil Has Limited Use Like mentioned before, the Apple Pencil and iPad makes a great pair. Unfortunately, this does not apply to every model or Apple product. The Apple Pencil First Gen Supports: iPad Pro 12.9”- 2015 iPad Pro 9.7”- 2016 iPad Pro 10.5” - 2017 iPad Pro 12.9” - 2017 iPad - 2018 iPad Air 3 - 2019 iPad mini 5 - 2019 iPad - 2019 iPad - 2020 The Apple Pencil Second Gen Supports: iPad Pro 11” - 2018 iPad Pro 12.9” - 2018 iPad Pro 11” - 2020 iPad Pro 12.9” - 2020 iPad Air 4 - 2020 Unfortunately, the Apple Pencil is not compatible with your iPhone either. So you should just stick to your third-party stylus if you plan on using it for your phone. Who is The Apple Pencil For? Anyone can find a reason to use an Apple Pencil, but it seems most fitting for students, artists, teachers, and business people. With the Apple Pencil’s tilt and pressure sensitivity, your handwritten notes, sketches, and annotations will be as accurate as if you were writing with an actual pencil. If you are any of the four people mentioned above, we believe the Apple Pencil is worth writing home about. But if you are just tired of getting fingerprints on your screen, just stick to the more affordable option.
