All iPads Ipad+3rd party pencil Vs Ipad Pro+Apple Pencil

[ankgoel]

Hi all,

I am planning to buy an ipad, mainly to take notes (like use Evernote or OneNote) and read PDFs (research papers, not books). I dont intend to use it for gaming or watching videos or creating art.

Here are my options:
Ipad 9.7 $329 + Adonit Pixel $70 ~ $400
Ipad Pro 10.5 $649 + Apple Pencil $99 ~ $750

I think I will get ~$100 discount near black friday.

Pricewise, clearly Ipad 9.7 makes sense.

But my main objective is to use the ipad for taking notes, and I am not sure how good is Adonit pixel (or some other 3rd party pencil) on an Ipad. I have tried Apple pencil on the Pro, and it is definitely very good.

So my question is, how much worse would the Ipad+Adonit note-taking experience be, compared to Ipad Pro+Apple pencil?

Like, if you say writing on Ipad Pro with Apple pencil is 100, does the writing on Ipad with Adonit pixel feel like an 80, or 50, or 30?

I guess, if Ipad+Adonit is 70+ relative to Ipad Pro+Apple pencil, I would go for Ipad+Adonit. Otherwise, I would get Ipad Pro.

Thanks for your help!!

 

[ericwn]

I tried a couple cheaper pens out but not the andonit one. Nothing I tried before comes close to the Apple Pencil in my opinion. It’s a much better tool. Consider buying from a place with a good return policy, in case you want to send it back if you don’t like it. Ultimately, pens like all interface tools (mice, keyboards etc) are cases of user preference, so buy what works best for you.

 

[ipaqowner]

Buy the Pro for a bit of future proofing.

 

[rui no onna]

Have you checked for clearance sales on the Pro 9.7? Failing that, Apple Store has refurbs starting at $469.

That said, if I were buying now and needed good stylus support, I'd rather spend the extra $200 for the Pro 10.5 + Apple Pencil.

 

[spac3duck]

Can't speak about Adonit but have used other cheaper styluses and the Apple Pencil blows them out of the water. YMMV

 

[subjonas]

This may be minor to you but the Pencil offers another advantage if you use the Notes app. Tapping on the locked iPP screen will automatically open a new note or your last note, depending on your settings.

 

[ericwn]

Buy the Pro for a bit of future proofing.

But why? Aren’t both devices made this year? That’s like saying buy a MacBook Pro instead of a MacBook if you want it to work longer - but that isn’t necessarily a given anymore based on what devices are capable of today.

 

[bensisko]

But why? Aren’t both devices made this year? That’s like saying buy a MacBook Pro instead of a MacBook if you want it to work longer - but that isn’t necessarily a given anymore based on what devices are capable of today.

Ignore anybody who uses the phrase “future-proofing”.

But my main objective is to use the ipad for taking notes, and I am not sure how good is Adonit pixel (or some other 3rd party pencil) on an Ipad. I have tried Apple pencil on the Pro, and it is definitely very good.

If you can’t afford a Pro, I would go with the Wacom Fineline - much better than anything Adonit makes.

HOWEVER... if looking to make a purchase, go with the Pro (in some flavor... seek out a discounted/refurb 9.7” Pro if necessary).

As others have said, there is NO comparison. None of these 3rd party styli are “close” to the Pro, they are only good if you already have an iPad and can’t spend money on a new one. Don’t consider them a viable option to the Apple Pencil and the Pro.

 

[shyam09]

But why? Aren’t both devices made this year? That’s like saying buy a MacBook Pro instead of a MacBook if you want it to work longer - but that isn’t necessarily a given anymore based on what devices are capable of today.

The iPad (2017) was marketed as a low-tier device and just based off the specs, it comes with an A9 chip, found on 2015 models of the iPhone (6s, 6s+, SE). So it's a two-year old technology to begin with.

The iPad Pro (2017) comes with an A10X chip (the "X" is part of the iPad chipset line, ie. the 2016 iPad Pro had the A9X) and is an absolute beast. The Pro-motion display is fantastic especially when you're experiencing it with the Apple Pencil, which is what OP's main use will be for.

 

[zipur]

Get the 10-5 and in six months you will not have regrets. Not so with other choices.

 

[spooklog]

I've used five or six different styli with my Air 2, and Adonit was one of them. I'm sorry to report that none of them was satisfactory, and comparing them to the Apple Pencil is like comparing apples to oranges. Please bear in mind that I was using the styli for drawing not for note-taking. That being the case I found the best alternative to the Apple Pencil to be a no-name simple dumb stylus; I ended up holding it like a paintbrush when doing most drawing (this was before the iPad Pro or the Pencil were on the market).

The Pencil is a truly capable substitute for a real pencil or pen. Palm rejection is nearly perfect. Pressure sensitivity is just right. Perhaps most importantly, the pencil's tip (which is replaceable) is made of some magic rubber-like material and it moves across the iPad's screen with just the right amount of friction--there is a genuine "pencil" feel to it. Other styli are a completely different proposition; they're not necessarily horrible but the writing experience is different and for my taste, unsatisfactory.

Bear in mind the Pencil isn't perfect. Charging the pencil is odd and awkward, and it only holds a charge for a short while. And I believe the Pencil is over-priced, but if you need or highly value an excellent writing/drawing experience on the iPad, it is the only way to go.

Best of luck.

 

[subjonas]

Perhaps most importantly, the pencil's tip (which is replaceable) is made of some magic rubber-like material and it moves across the iPad's screen with just the right amount of friction--there is a genuine "pencil" feel to it.

Not bad but not quite as good as pencil on paper feel, imo. I think it might also depend on how clean the screen is. Some days it’s more slippery than others, maybe because of oil. I used to have an anti-glare/smudge film on the screen. The “tooth” helped a little more with drag, but still not good enough. I think ideal would be the film in combination with a hard felt tip option on the pencil.