iPad Pro Ipad Pro pencil buy or not?

[kevjen888]

First of all, I don't plan to do any drawing or note taking with the pencil. I'm considering the pencil because it's one of the iPad Pro's exclusive accessories. Also often I get lazy to use my finger to touch the screen, especially when I'm laying down, during those moments I kind of wish to have the long reaching pencil handy to do the touch screen maneuvering. Is it worth it to buy the pencil just for the reasons I stated above?
[doublepost=1502059492][/doublepost]I have a $100 Best Buy reward certificate that's due to expire end of this month, it'd be perfect to use on the pencil.

 

[neutrino23]

If it is not a matter of money, then definitely get the Pencil. I'm not an artist, but I love it and use it all the time. You'd be surprised how useful it is for making simple sketches, or otherwise annotating things to show people what you think. I also use it just for navigating.

 

[44267547]

First of all, I don't plan to do any drawing or note taking with the pencil. I'm considering the pencil because it's one of the iPad Pro's exclusive accessories. Also often I get lazy to use my finger to touch the screen, especially when I'm laying down, during those moments I kind of wish to have the long reaching pencil handy to do the touch screen maneuvering. Is it worth it to buy the pencil just for the reasons I stated above?
[doublepost=1502059492][/doublepost]I have a $100 Best Buy reward certificate that's due to expire end of this month, it'd be perfect to use on the pencil.

Worth is strictly up to you. If you feel you can justify the uses based on your preferences with the Apple Pencil, then that's all that matters.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I kind of wish to have the long reaching pencil handy to do the touch screen maneuvering. Is it worth it to buy the pencil just for the reasons I stated above?

No. You don't need a $100 Apple Pencil to do just that. You can do that with a $7 stylus. Now if you are interested in any of the Pencil aware iPad apps then that would be a reason to get a Pencil.

 

[Greenmeenie]

If you don't plan to draw or take notes, i really think you'd be throwing away your money to get the apple pencil. I dont really understand your reasoning about being too lazy to use your finger...but using a stylus would be easier? Huh?! And even if that did make sense, as someone else pointed out, you can by a cheap $7 stylus off amazon.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Unless you are using an app that uses the pencil, it is a waste of money.

 

[kasakka]

If you are not going to do any drawing, don't buy it. For what you intend to do you could just use a cheap stylus from eBay.

 

[max2]

Unless you are using an app that uses the pencil, it is a waste of money.

How to figure out what apps use the pencil please before hand?

 

[Newtons Apple]

How to figure out what apps use the pencil please before hand?

What?

Get the iPad. If you find you need an app that will use the pencil, buy the pencil.

That is it.

 

[Precursor]

If you are not going to do any drawing, don't buy it. For what you intend to do you could just use a cheap stylus from eBay.

Huh? I don’t draw either, but I use the pencil everyday. Of course I could take notes with a cheap stylus as well, but with that logic you can use your fingers to draw too.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Huh? I don’t draw either, but I use the pencil everyday. Of course I could take notes with a cheap stylus as well, but with that logic you can use your fingers to draw too.

Well, the original poster said they weren't going to use the apple pencil to draw OR to take notes. He said he was thinking of buying it just because he may be too lazy to use his finger. It really made little to no sense. So most people rightly told him it'd be pointless and a total waste of $$. At least for his reasoning.

 

[Act3]

First of all, I don't plan to do any drawing or note taking with the pencil. I'm considering the pencil because it's one of the iPad Pro's exclusive accessories. Also often I get lazy to use my finger to touch the screen, especially when I'm laying down, during those moments I kind of wish to have the long reaching pencil handy to do the touch screen maneuvering. Is it worth it to buy the pencil just for the reasons I stated above?
[doublepost=1502059492][/doublepost]I have a $100 Best Buy reward certificate that's due to expire end of this month, it'd be perfect to use on the pencil.

Sounds like you'd get more mileage out of an iTunes gift card with that 100 bucks.

 

[The Game 161]

It's good to nav if nothing else.

 

[ericwn]

Getting the pencil because it's an accessory and because it's easier to reach the far corners of an iPad are not enough for me to justify the purchase. Any capacitive stylus will do the same.

 

[subjonas]

I have to echo others who are telling you to get a cheap stylus instead. If you only want the pencil for navigation, a cheap stylus will do the EXACT same thing plus give you $90. In fact, a stylus can do things an Apple Pencil cannot. Apple Pencil was not intended for navigation which is why you cannot swipe from the edge of the screen with it (NC, CC, etc). With a cheap stylus, you can.

Huh? I don’t draw either, but I use the pencil everyday. Of course I could take notes with a cheap stylus as well, but with that logic you can use your fingers to draw too.

See above. The pencil is worse for navigation than a cheap stylus. If that's all you're using it for, it's not worth it in any sense.

 

[chriscl]

Can I just add my experience here (iPad Pro, 10.5")

I too, debated whether the Pencil was a useful addition, or - frankly - an overpriced gimmick. But for me, I have found a use-case that has opened my eyes to what the combination can do, and I with an (almost) epiphany-like "where have you been all my life" and am loving the setup.

I work as a Security Consultant for a large corporate IT department. This often entails project-based workshops to flesh-out requirements on a whiteboard, where customer-departments sketch out their needs, and then I somehow have to make that work within the guidelines of IT security.

This - usually - used to involve collaborating over a whiteboard, drawing something up, then taking that drawing away and transcribing it by hand in to Visio, then going back to the customer with an "will this work for you?" answer (often: "no, because XXXX"), so, rinse and repeat.

My solution - absurdly simple. Draw up requirement on Whiteboard. Photograph Whiteboard with iPad Pro camera. Go away, review and come up with speculative design, having loaded photograph into "Paper" app (other apps may well be available) and annotated photograph with Apple Pencil, including any notes, questions, "blocking" issues. Send annotated picture via email to customer. Get feedback, review and repeat. Quick, easy, simple.

Once changes are agreed, I then draw up a "formal" Visio diagram.

Using the iPad is frankly saving me about two hours per project-request. And that's brilliant.

(just my use case, and I'm sure someone will pop up and say "ah, but, why didn't you do .. XXXX" but this workflow works for me, it is portable and most of all it is fast. And customers like fast).

 

[spiderman0616]

I have found great value in the Apple Pencil for note taking and signing/marking documents. I am not a good artist, so I only occasionally use it for sketching, but I do find it an essential accessory for my iPad Pro usage.

If I were not using it for those things though, I would NOT spend the $100 for something I just plan on using for navigation. I understand the urge to buy it though. I actually bought my Apple Pencil with gift cards too--at the time there was nothing else I really wanted at the Apple Store and I had exactly $100 in gift cards burning a hole in my pocket. I knew there was a chance I might not use it for much, but I threw caution to the wind.

These days, the Apple Pencil sits on my desk alongside my iPad Pro all day long. When I need to use my iPad as a legal pad or sign a document, I fold it up and lay it flat on the desk and grab my Apple Pencil. No paper necessary.

 

[jiiikoo]

I love taking notes with the pen and although it is not necessary, I do find it makes navigating much nicer. If you have the money, get it.

 

[Cashmonee]

In my opinion, the Pencil is best for those that have a specific, well though out use case. I do not see that here.

 

[azpekt]

If you have some bucks to spend - definatelly get one. I`m not an artist (althouth learning how to draw) - but I find it extremely useful for illustrating my presenations/slides.

 

[spiderman0616]

If you have some bucks to spend - definatelly get one. I`m not an artist (althouth learning how to draw) - but I find it extremely useful for illustrating my presenations/slides.

I was surprised at how much it has inspired me to try out drawing/painting/sketching again. I hadn't done so in a really long time, and have ended up creating some pretty cool stuff using Paper by 53 and Linea. I still mostly use it for notes, but the other stuff is a great bonus.

 

[digitalexplr]

I got the pencil when I got my iPP 9.7. I now rarely take paper notes. I also do most photo editing on the Pro with the pencil. I would not be with out it.

However, if all you want to do is extend your reach to the iPad, get a cheapie stylus.

 

[alecgold]

First of all, I don't plan to do any drawing or note taking with the pencil. I'm considering the pencil because it's one of the iPad Pro's exclusive accessories. Also often I get lazy to use my finger to touch the screen, especially when I'm laying down, during those moments I kind of wish to have the long reaching pencil handy to do the touch screen maneuvering. Is it worth it to buy the pencil just for the reasons I stated above?
[doublepost=1502059492][/doublepost]I have a $100 Best Buy reward certificate that's due to expire end of this month, it'd be perfect to use on the pencil.

You know you want it, resistance is futile.
you have the $100, so get on with it and have it

More serious, I do a lot of writing, but at times I also like to use it for just browsing and having it in my hand when reading. It's the best stylus/pencil there is and it's a joy to use it.

 

[iono11200]

My Fiance and I upgraded to 9.7" iPad Pro's last fall. Although she has always used a stylus we certainly had NO intention of ever buying the Apple pencil. That all changed after a recent trip or 2 to the Apple Store. Although she uses it only for navigation and/or web browsing it STILL is an awesome accessory. As others have said, it IS the BEST stylus/pencil on the market and it is an fantastic compliment to the iPad Pro. Although it is a ridiculous price, I would buy it again in a second.

 

[subjonas]

You know you want it, resistance is futile.
you have the $100, so get on with it and have it

More serious, I do a lot of writing, but at times I also like to use it for just browsing and having it in my hand when reading. It's the best stylus/pencil there is and it's a joy to use it.

My Fiance and I upgraded to 9.7" iPad Pro's last fall. Although she has always used a stylus we certainly had NO intention of ever buying the Apple pencil. That all changed after a recent trip or 2 to the Apple Store. Although she uses it only for navigation and/or web browsing it STILL is an awesome accessory. As others have said, it IS the BEST stylus/pencil on the market and it is an fantastic compliment to the iPad Pro. Although it is a ridiculous price, I would buy it again in a second.

The Pencil is a bad stylus. In fact, it may be the WORST stylus because it's the ONLY stylus that can't swipe from the edge of the screen, making it unable to bring out Notification Center or Control Center, nor open slide over (iOS 10), nor go backward in Safari.

This is because the Pencil was never designed to be a stylus for navigation. It was designed to be the best drawing and writing tool for the iPad, which it is, hands down. But as we know, the OP wants a stylus to extend his reach for navigation, not to draw or write. So why pay $100 for an accessory that is great at what he doesn't want to do, and poor at what he does want to do, when a $10 stylus would be MORE capable for his uses, PLUS save him $90 on his gift card which could go toward something useful?