iPad Pro iPad Pro 12.9 - 2nd gen w/1st gen Pencil vs 3rd gen w/2nd gen Pencil?

[hipnetic]

I own an older iPad Pro 9.7" and a latest-gen iPad Mini, both with 1st-gen Pencil support. I'm trying to get my artist daughter interested in graphic/vector design, and I think she would prefer the largest possible screen (12.9"). Obviously, those are a bit pricey, and while I do like the look of the newest pencil, I already have two 1st-gen pencils, so it would be nice to be able to make use of one of those without having to spend an extra $100 on a new Pencil. There are also some refurb deals to be found occasionally on the 2nd gen iPad Pro 12.9 (e.g., about $590 for a 12.9" w/64GB vs $850 for a refurb 3rd gen).

As an artist, I also wonder if the wider margins on the sides of the older iPad Pro might actually be nice to have, but that's a minor point. I also worry that the 2nd gen Pencil's tap feature would be problematic and get triggered unintentionally a lot.

I know that the 3rd gen iPad Pro will have a faster processor, and the 2nd-gen Pencil has other improvements, such that latency should be improved, but having used my older iPad Pro and Pencil, it already feels pretty great now, so just how noticeable are those improvements?

I'm especially interested in hearing from anyone who has gone from using an older iPad Pro (or newer non-Pro iPad) w/1st-gen Pencil to using a newer iPad Pro w/2nd-gen Pencil. If you have experience using the 12.9" iPads and have other thoughts to share on these larger-sized models, that would be great to hear, too.

Thanks in advance!

 

[muzzy996]

You’ll be hard pressed to find someone on an enthusiast site who has shelled out that kind of money to upgrade express any regrets. There were improvements in many ways in the third generation, the value in upgrading though is completely subjective. I’m sure you’re considering this...

 

[Falhófnir]

As a first gen 12.9 user I can say don't worry about any performance difference between the two devices - mine still runs anything and everything with aplomb. While the newer model will obviously be technically faster, scenarios where that will become apparent are very limited. I would also say the writing/drawing experience with apps like procreate on the large screen is sublime - I can only imagine even better on one of the newer two generations with ProMotion.

As to whether it's worth it for the 3rd gen model - well, there could be a 4th gen out in a couple of months time so could you wait it out that long? Good deals on the 3rd gen thereafter should be quite easy to come by. Though with the substantial saving on both the (2nd gen) iPad itself and another $130 not having to buy the new pencil that does make that seem like a tempting option.

 

[EugW]

I am not an artist but I have 1st gen Pencil too. Truthfully, I find it annoying. Charging is stupid, it rolls off the table, and there is nowhere to keep it.

The coolest parts of 2nd gen Pencil for me is that you can keep it magnetically attached to the top of iPad Pro 3rd gen and it charges at the same time. And it doesn't roll off the table either if you put it down.

 

[Lightning Cable]

I am not an artist but I have 1st gen Pencil too. Truthfully, I find it annoying. Charging is stupid, it rolls off the table, and there is nowhere to keep it.

The coolest parts of 2nd gen Pencil for me is that you can keep it magnetically attached to the top of iPad Pro 3rd gen and it charges at the same time. And it doesn't roll off the table either if you put it down.

A $5 accessory keeps the pencil from rolling and helps you from losing the cap when you're charging.

Where do you usually keep your pens/pencils? A pencil cup, a pencil case for traveling? Same thing.

I do agree charging isn't the best.

 

[EugW]

View attachment 886763

A $5 accessory keeps the pencil from rolling and helps you from losing the cap when you're charging.

Where do you usually keep your pens/pencils? A pencil cup, a pencil case for traveling? Same thing.

I do agree charging isn't the best.

I put a grippy sleeve on the Pencil. I also have a Pencil case with the charging doohickey in it. But I'm just saying the Pencil 2 setup is better.

 

[xxray]

There’s really no performance difference iirc, it’s just the convenience of being able to magnetically charge and store the pencil on the side of the device.

I personally would buy the new iPad due to the way improved and smaller form factor and design, but if your sole consideration is the pencil, I’d save the $100.

I have the iPad Pro 10.5 with the original Apple Pencil and while I feel dumb sometimes in class charging it, it really doesn’t bother me on a daily basis and still performs super well, especially in native Apple apps like Notes.

 

[muzzy996]

I put a grippy sleeve on the Pencil. I also have a Pencil case with the charging doohickey in it. But I'm just saying the Pencil 2 setup is better.

Sure. It’s better, but is it “sell your gen 2 and accessories and purchase gen 3 with accessories at a premium over what you paid before" better? The answer is subjective obviously because there are other features to evaluate. For me the value just wasn’t there.

 

[ejin222]

I went from a 2nd to the 3rd gen 12.9 iPP. Performance wise, I doubt you will see any huge differences between the two. But it’s the little things that make day to day usage add up to a better experience on the 3rd gen. The smaller form factor is nice, as well as the newer Pencil. But my suggestion is that if she is starting on an iPad for the first time, the 2nd gen is more than enough for her current needs.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I am not an artist but I have 1st gen Pencil too. Truthfully, I find it annoying. Charging is stupid, it rolls off the table, and there is nowhere to keep it.

The coolest parts of 2nd gen Pencil for me is that you can keep it magnetically attached to the top of iPad Pro 3rd gen and it charges at the same time. And it doesn't roll off the table either if you put it down.

You can even shake the iPad Pro without it falling off!

 

[PBG4 Dude]

FYI, the second gen Apple Pencil is $129. I haven’t seen this mentioned yet.

 

[aevan]

I own an older iPad Pro 9.7" and a latest-gen iPad Mini, both with 1st-gen Pencil support. I'm trying to get my artist daughter interested in graphic/vector design, and I think she would prefer the largest possible screen (12.9"). Obviously, those are a bit pricey, and while I do like the look of the newest pencil, I already have two 1st-gen pencils, so it would be nice to be able to make use of one of those without having to spend an extra $100 on a new Pencil. There are also some refurb deals to be found occasionally on the 2nd gen iPad Pro 12.9 (e.g., about $590 for a 12.9" w/64GB vs $850 for a refurb 3rd gen).

As an artist, I also wonder if the wider margins on the sides of the older iPad Pro might actually be nice to have, but that's a minor point. I also worry that the 2nd gen Pencil's tap feature would be problematic and get triggered unintentionally a lot.

Oh, yes, I keep accidentally activating the gesture. Still, I like it a lot, even with all the false positives.

With that said, you won’t feel latency difference on the Pencil coming from a 2nd gen iPad Pro to a 3rd gen. 1st gen, there is a noticeable difference, nothing drastic, but performance + ProMotion do make a difference. I do like the matte finish more, and the side gesture, as I said.

The reason to get a 3rd gen is the design (it’s really great), Face ID, Pencil charging. That’s mostly it. I love the 3rd gen, it’s my favorite Apple device - but a 2nd gen is still great and not a huge leap between the two generations, not counting the design. The difference between a 1st and 3rd gen is more noticeable.