Apple Pencil Buyer's Guide: Which Model Should You Choose?

[Stiksi]

WTF, it doesn’t even have pressure sensitivity and they’re charging 80 bucks for it? Ok, that’s… an approach, I guess. Those 3rd party options must be looking way better now.

 

[highdefjunkie]

Why we need 3 different pencils is beyond me. Absolutely ridiculous

 

[erikkfi]

No, most users should, if they don’t need pressure sensitivity, choose a $20 clone which basically does the same while still also working on older iPads, like for example https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW8LQKL4/. You even get different colors!

Plus you get a product from a storied brand like DIGIROOT.

 

[TruthAboveAllElse]

To be "fair", Apple product categories back in the mid-1990s to somewhere in the early 2000s was a total mess. It first began with having too many LCs, Centris, Quadras, and Performas. Then, it became even more confusing with Mac clones though one could argue the clone issue is not an Apple thing. The iPad and Pencil lineup definitely feels we're back in those times.

No, that was the early to mid 90s. Apple’s product line was at its simplest late 90s and early 2000s

 

[citysnaps]

OMG, only an Ivy League MBA could dream up this product mess.

Looks pretty clear to me. MR made a nice table. Simply choose the pencil that meets your requirements for the iPad you own.

You are looking for an Apple Pencil, right?

 

[klasma]

Plus you get a product from a storied brand like DIGIROOT.

Which when reversed reads “too rigid”, so maybe not a good choice after all?

 

[citysnaps]

I have a feeling most here complaining about Apple Pencils don't even have or need one.

Shocked!

 

[karranz]

I have a feeling most here complaining about Apple Pencils don't even have or need one.

Shocked!

pressure sensitivity was released in 2015 and now 8 years later they release a new product without it, do you think that’s normal?

 

[H. Flower]

Collect and trade them all!

 

[jdb8167]

I have a feeling most here complaining about Apple Pencils don't even have or need one.

Shocked!

So... MacRumors

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Apologies to the writers and editors here, they’re just doing their job.

But the fact we’re having a debate about what the best stylus is instead of what the best new iPad is is to me a huge indictment on Tim Apple and his leadership of this company.

They’ve missed product deadlines, half-baked some products, poor software quality. But, if you don’t care about Apple’s customers and only care about shareholder $$$$, then I guess he’s a great CEO, right?

End rant.

Agreeing more and more every day.

Add to that how they all carry the same name and two of them look identical but one is a way worse value.

I used to laugh at all the little product releases and complicated product names that brands like Sony and Samsung do. Everything has some perpetual string of numbers and letters.

But when two products look identical you surely can't name them both "Apple Pencil" when they are vastly different?

The same goes for the two versions of AirPods Pro 2: We really needed one version with Lightning and then a later release that's identical but has USB-C and support for lossless audio?

Releasing new products that are a weird mix of downgrades and no significant upgrades is really disappointing.

Just more and more product segmentation, no upgrades.

 

[darngooddesign]

Apologies to the writers and editors here, they’re just doing their job.

But the fact we’re having a debate about what the best stylus is instead of what the best new iPad is is to me a huge indictment on Tim Apple and his leadership of this company.

They’ve missed product deadlines, half-baked some products, poor software quality. But, if you don’t care about Apple’s customers and only care about shareholder $$$$, then I guess he’s a great CEO, right?

End rant.

Why would you expect a discussion about the best iPad in an article specifically about the Pencils? Similarly, we wouldn't be discussing the best iPhone in an article about AirPods.

 

[zapmymac]

This new line is utterly stupid imo. 2 pencils at most. And adult and one for “kids” is plenty.

I’m hoping they clean up their iPad lineup as well.

 

[darngooddesign]

This new line is utterly stupid imo. 2 pencils at most. And adult and one for “kids” is plenty.

I’m hoping they clean up their iPad lineup as well.

There are two Pencils for USB-C iPads and one Pencil for Lightning iPads.

 

[zapmymac]

“Agreeing more and more…
The same goes for the two versions of AirPods Pro 2: We really needed one version with Lightning and then a later release that's identical but has USB-C and support for lossless audio?

Releasing new products that are a weird mix of downgrades and no significant upgrades is really disappointing.

Just more and more product segmentation, no upgrades.”

Added bonus the lossless is ONLY available on their $3500 headset 😂 …not even on their month-new flagship phones 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

 

[ThE.MeSsEnGeR]

What a mess. Might as well start giving them names.

I can't wait for these products to be sold at the same time:
Apple Pencil 4th Gen
Apple Pencil Air
Apple Pencil Plus
Apple Pencil 3rd Gen, 2nd revision
Apple Pencil Mini
Apple Pencil Mini+
Apple Pencil SE
Apple Pencil 5th Gen, beta version
Apple Pencil Pro
Apple Pencil Pro Max
and of course,
Apple Pencil Ultra Deluxe Elite Plus
🤡

 

[darngooddesign]

Added bonus the lossless is ONLY available on their $3500 headset 😂 …not even on their month-new flagship phones 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Imagine thinking you could actually hear lossless quality music on AirPods Pro. LOL

 

[mrr]

Wouldn’t it be cool if the Apple Pencil worked with the iPhone Pro Max ?

 

[mrr]

What a mess. Might as well start giving them names.

I can't wait for these products to be sold at the same time:
Apple Pencil 4th Gen
Apple Pencil Air
Apple Pencil Plus
Apple Pencil 3rd Gen, 2nd revision
Apple Pencil Mini
Apple Pencil Mini+
Apple Pencil SE
Apple Pencil 5th Gen, beta version
Apple Pencil Pro
Apple Pencil Pro Max
and of course,
Apple Pencil Ultra Deluxe Elite Plus
🤡

Try to buy a used iPad and figure out which model/configuration they are selling. Impossible.

 

[The Phazer]

I have a feeling most here complaining about Apple Pencils don't even have or need one.

Shocked!

I've had both models.

Pressure sensitivity is pretty neccessary for accurate handwriting even. This model is junk.

 

[jgreg728]

I can’t believe this is a f🤬ing article…..

 

[Arran]

pressure sensitivity was released in 2015 and now 8 years later they release a new product without it, do you think that’s normal?

No magnetic charging is a mistake too. We’ve all learned that magnets imply charging. MacBook, iPhone, watch, pencil 2, EarPods (individual), EarPod case, Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro. Magnets go “snap“ and the device charges, right?

Nope. This one goes snap and nothing happens. I wonder how many service calls that’ll generate?

 

[Nhwhazup]

I have the one that attaches to the iPad side to charge. Works great. Love it.

 

[kkee]

Apologies to the writers and editors here, they’re just doing their job.

But the fact we’re having a debate about what the best stylus is instead of what the best new iPad is is to me a huge indictment on Tim Apple and his leadership of this company.

They’ve missed product deadlines, half-baked some products, poor software quality. But, if you don’t care about Apple’s customers and only care about shareholder $$$$, then I guess he’s a great CEO, right?

End rant.

We see what we want to see.

But it doesn't make it true.

 

[red elma]

I really don't understand different tiers of pencil offerings. Makes it not only redundant but confusing as well.
Offer just one with all the bells and whistles... people who need it will not nickel and dime to save $20-$30