iPad Is this workflow possible with an iPad (2020)?

[JustAnExpat]

Hello

I’m thinking about getting an iPad (2020), base model, with a third-party Apple Pencil. I’d like some feedback if this workflow is possible or efficient with an iPad (2020)?

I am a writer, and I use my MacBook Air (2017) to write various papers. What I would like to do is to save these papers as PDF, and make notes and edits on an iPad (2020) using an Apple Pencil before retyping them. My current workflow is to print out my papers, mark them up using a pen, and then make the edits.

The advantages of the iPad (2020) is:

- No more toner/ paper cost
- Lighter then my MacBook Air (2017) so when I travel I can use it to write in a pinch
- Inexpensive

However, there are disadvantages:

- It’s smaller then an A4 piece of paper
- Is an Apple Pencil (or a cheap knockoff) make corrections as small as a regular pen?
- Is writing on an iPad like writing on glass and is it bad?

What’s your opinions? I’m currently using an iPad Air 2, which doesn’t support Apple Pencil, and I don’t think will get another iPad OS update. If the size may be a problem, then what about a larger, older iPad Pro (like a 10.5” or a 12” from 2016?). I'm expecting my country to go back into a harder lockdown at the end of April, and used stores should have the older iPad Pros on a discount.

 

[LibbyLA]

I have only marked up PDFs using either an Apple pencil or a Logitech crayon on iPad Pro 11, iPad Pro 10.5, and iPad Mini 5, with files stored in OneDrive. I have matte screen protectors on all my iPads.

I use a pencil size that’s more like a fine point felt tip marker. OneDrive’s editor is decent but there is sometimes some “smearing” of the text. The marked up text doesn’t print at very high resolution but if all you are doing is editing (and presumably viewing the iPad screen while editing on your computer), it may work just fine for you.

I haven’t tried with Notability or any other PDF app.

I think that it would work for you. I mark up students’ programming homework with my setup and as much as I generally prefer paper, I’m sold on grading papers electronically now that I’ve tried it and worked out my workflow.

Is there any way that you can try an iPad and pencil in a store just to get a feel for how it actually feels?

 

[ian87w]

I probably wouldn't get a third party stylus other than the official ones like logitech's, as I'm sure none of them would be able to match the Apple pencil.

 

[mystery hill]

I also wouldn't go for a third-party stylus. Apple Pencil will provide a better writing experience.

 

[JustAnExpat]

I have only marked up PDFs using either an Apple pencil or a Logitech crayon on iPad Pro 11, iPad Pro 10.5, and iPad Mini 5, with files stored in OneDrive. I have matte screen protectors on all my iPads.

I use a pencil size that’s more like a fine point felt tip marker. OneDrive’s editor is decent but there is sometimes some “smearing” of the text. The marked up text doesn’t print at very high resolution but if all you are doing is editing (and presumably viewing the iPad screen while editing on your computer), it may work just fine for you.

I haven’t tried with Notability or any other PDF app.

I think that it would work for you. I mark up students’ programming homework with my setup and as much as I generally prefer paper, I’m sold on grading papers electronically now that I’ve tried it and worked out my workflow.

Is there any way that you can try an iPad and pencil in a store just to get a feel for how it actually feels?

Since you've used so many different size iPads, which size is best? The iPad (2020) has a 10.2" display (according to MacTracker). Do you think that might be a little bit too small?

 

[Abazigal]

Hello

I’m thinking about getting an iPad (2020), base model, with a third-party Apple Pencil. I’d like some feedback if this workflow is possible or efficient with an iPad (2020)?

I am a writer, and I use my MacBook Air (2017) to write various papers. What I would like to do is to save these papers as PDF, and make notes and edits on an iPad (2020) using an Apple Pencil before retyping them. My current workflow is to print out my papers, mark them up using a pen, and then make the edits.

The advantages of the iPad (2020) is:

- No more toner/ paper cost
- Lighter then my MacBook Air (2017) so when I travel I can use it to write in a pinch
- Inexpensive

However, there are disadvantages:

- It’s smaller then an A4 piece of paper
- Is an Apple Pencil (or a cheap knockoff) make corrections as small as a regular pen?
- Is writing on an iPad like writing on glass and is it bad?

What’s your opinions? I’m currently using an iPad Air 2, which doesn’t support Apple Pencil, and I don’t think will get another iPad OS update. If the size may be a problem, then what about a larger, older iPad Pro (like a 10.5” or a 12” from 2016?). I'm expecting my country to go back into a harder lockdown at the end of April, and used stores should have the older iPad Pros on a discount.

It’s certainly doable.

What you can do is to save your documents (both word and pdf) in Dropbox, synced to your ipad via Dropbox. On your ipad, you can access those files via a document manager app like PDF expert (sync to Dropbox so you can download those files to your iPad’s local storage).

You can then annotate on it with your Apple Pencil (I find it offers the best writing experience and don’t really recommend any other stylus)

I do edit pdf documents on my 11” iPad Pro in portrait mode this way, and find the process fairly doable. The context is that I am a teacher, and do need to vet my level teacher’s class comments twice a year. So this is the workflow I use to get feedback back to them:

1) They email to me (usually in excel or word). I export to pdf and save to Dropbox, then either import to pdf expert or notability (been trying the two, and each have their own pros and cons).

2) Annotate using Apple Pencil. When done, email back to them via the gmail app.

As to whether to get the 11” or 12” iPad Pro, I feel it depends on whether you see yourself using the ipad in landscape mode on your desk (in which case get the 12.9” ipad) or in portrait mode on the sofa (then go with the smaller ipad).

 

[tranceking26]

I think you'd be fine with that. Just make sure to buy a genuine Pencil. PDF markup was highlighted in a keynote once, iirc.

 

[rui no onna]

I probably wouldn't get a third party stylus other than the official ones like logitech's, as I'm sure none of them would be able to match the Apple pencil.

There are actually 3rd party Pencil clones that work the same as Logitech (well, no tilt, I think). For notes and PDF markup, they work just as well and are as accurate as the Apple Pencil and Logitech Crayon. Just make sure the description says for 2018 iPad and newer, not compatible with other iPads or tablets.

Personally, I got the Adonit Note because it has a clip and it looks just like a normal ballpoint pen.

Adonit Note (Gold) Stylus Pen for iPad Writing/Drawing with Palm Rejection, Active Pencil Compatible with iPad Air 4/3rd gen, iPad Mini 6/5th gen, iPad 9/8/7/6th gen, iPad Pro (2018-2021),11/12.9"

Compatible Models: iPad Pro 12. 9-inch (3rd gen), iPad Pro 11-inch, iPad Air (3rd gen), iPad mini (5th gen), iPad (6th gen), iPad (7th gen). Model Numbers: A1876, A2014, A1895, A1980, A1983, A1980, A2013, A1934, A1979, A2152, A2123, A2153, A2154, A2197, A2198, A2200, A2133, A2124, A2126, A2125, A...

www.amazon.com

Advantage of the clones is they work on all iPads (2018 or newer) that use Pencil technology. If you buy an Apple Pencil 1 for the 2020 iPad, the AP1 is not gonna work on the 3rd and 4th gen iPad Pros and Air 4. You'll need to buy the Apple Pencil 2 if you upgrade your iPad.

 

[ForkHandles]

Apple’s iBooks is perfect for annotating PDF documents, what is more is that iBooks syncs across all of your devices, drag it in on your laptop, annotate on the iPad, export it from your laptop. The pencil works just great too

 

[ForkHandles]

It’s certainly doable.

What you can do is to save your documents (both word and pdf) in Dropbox, synced to your ipad via Dropbox. On your ipad, you can access those files via a document manager app like PDF expert (sync to Dropbox so you can download those files to your iPad’s local storage).

You can then annotate on it with your Apple Pencil (I find it offers the best writing experience and don’t really recommend any other stylus)

I do edit pdf documents on my 11” iPad Pro in portrait mode this way, and find the process fairly doable. The context is that I am a teacher, and do need to vet my level teacher’s class comments twice a year. So this is the workflow I use to get feedback back to them:

1) They email to me (usually in excel or word). I export to pdf and save to Dropbox, then either import to pdf expert or notability (been trying the two, and each have their own pros and cons).

2) Annotate using Apple Pencil. When done, email back to them via the gmail app.

As to whether to get the 11” or 12” iPad Pro, I feel it depends on whether you see yourself using the ipad in landscape mode on your desk (in which case get the 12.9” ipad) or in portrait mode on the sofa (then go with the smaller ipad).

Have you tried using iBooks instead?

 

[rui no onna]

Apple’s iBooks is perfect for annotating PDF documents, what is more is that iBooks syncs across all of your devices, drag it in on your laptop, annotate on the iPad, export it from your laptop. The pencil works just great too

Automatic syncing seems to only work if you're on an all-Apple ecosystem. Otherwise, afaik there's no iBooks for Windows and Apple removed Books support from iTunes a long time ago.

Personally, I use Dropbox + GoodReader. No need to create multiple versions via export. I can just work on the same file from both iPad and PC.

 

[Abazigal]

Have you tried using iBooks instead?

Never liked the app. Found it a pain to both get files into and out of said app.

 

[zhenya]

Yes this will work. I have been taking notes and journaling on my iPad exclusively since the release of the first iPad Pro with Apple Pencil. I actually think it works better than pen and paper for the vast majority of uses - it’s just as accurate and more reliable.

I’d use PDF Expert as it’s the most reliable in my experience of simply allowing you to open a document stored in the cloud, marking it up and closing it with no importing or duplicating files.

 

[Isengardtom]

The Apple Pencil can definitely make corrections in different sizes, thicker or thinner plus it’s pressure sensitive

 

[ForkHandles]

Never liked the app. Found it a pain to both get files into and out of said app.

The iOS import export paradigm is less streamlined than it should be. However the desktop version makes it super simple. The syncing allows you to annotate till your heart is content.

That said, if you open a pdf with iBooks you can edit away. All changes are made to the original file without it ever being imported to the books app.

 

[LibbyLA]

Since you've used so many different size iPads, which size is best? The iPad (2020) has a 10.2" display (according to MacTracker). Do you think that might be a little bit too small?

You can zoom in. You can use the iiPad in landscape mode (which is how I use the Mini to mark 8.5 x 11 pages). I have no problems with 8.5 x 11 on the 10.5 and the 11. I don’t think the 10.2 would be too small.

 

[AutomaticApple]

- Is writing on an iPad like writing on glass and is it bad?

You could use a Paperlike screen protector to make it feel and sound like paper.

 

[Abazigal]

The iOS import export paradigm is less streamlined than it should be. However the desktop version makes it super simple. The syncing allows you to annotate till your heart is content.

That said, if you open a pdf with iBooks you can edit away. All changes are made to the original file without it ever being imported to the books app.

I was approaching this from an iPad-centric workflow. As a teacher, I simply found it easier to store my teaching material in Dropbox (in pdf format), then import then into notability directly. Granted, this was way back in 2012. Maybe iBooks is a lot better today than it was back then. I admit I haven't opened the app in ages. ?

 

[JustAnExpat]

You could use a Paperlike screen protector to make it feel and sound like paper.

Is there a specific brand name for a Paperlike Screen Protector?

 

[MevetS]

Is there a specific brand name for a Paperlike Screen Protector?

Paperlike is the brand.

Paperlike | Official Online Store

Paperlike is the first screen protector that makes writing and drawing on the iPad feel like on paper. Finally the plastic on glass slipping around has an easy fix: Your iPad, the Apple Pencil and the Paperlike - made for each other. Free shipping, 1000s of happy customers and a 4.5 star rating...

paperlike.com

 

[Premal212]

Yeah, similar to what everyone else is saying, 100pc get an original pencil.

For certain aspects of my work I have a similar workflow. I use Goodnotes myself, but I suppose Notability vs. Goodnotes is another conversation to be had, they both have merits.

I import them in, make the annotations and then either read them side by side on my MBP or have a stand open with the notes there. Pencils are quite expensive if you don't utilise them, but if you're using them once a day it's definitely warranted, some of my staff have pencils but their usage is about once a week, which kinda defeats the purpose - they could have done with third party instead.

I have a 2018 iPad Pro and it's still cruising fast, not sluggish in the slightest. And when it does lag it tends to be the app that's been badly designed as opposed to the speed of the iPad. I won't be upgrading for a few more years.

The main thing is saving and opening documents quickly, as this will detract you from using this method as opposed to a normal print/red pen. If you find yourself mangling around files and folders, you'll get annoyed quickly. So certainly look into this.

 

[Digitalguy]

As rui no onna said, you DON'T need an original pencil, unless you buy a 1st or 2nd gen iPad pro.
There is a lot of ignorance about pencil clones, since before 2018 they ALL sucked.
But since the Logitech crayon in 2018, pencil clones got the EXACT same functionality. Inferior for drawing but just as good for writing.
I have 3 original Pencil 1, a Pencil 2 and a clone. The clone is just as good for writing. Just make sure it uses the iPad protocol (if the manufacture says it doesn't work with iPads released before 2018 you are good to go, if it works with everything don't get it...)
I paid $15 for the clone on AliExpress, same shape as pencil 2, charges via USB C, feels better than pencil 1.

As for the iPad model, avoid anything that is 10.5 as some of them tend to get an ugly white spot.
Either get a 10.2 or a first gen 12.9 (in that case with original pencil) but mind you, the original 12.9 is quite a bit heavier... The 3rd gen 12.9 would be the best option, but it's not cheap....

As for software, personally I use PDF Expert for annotating PDFs, with dropbox, and Word plus dropbox for Word files.

As for screen protectors, you definitely need one, but you don't need to buy the expensive and heavily advertised Paperlike. Personally I use the AtFoliX brand and I find them perfect for pencil use with less degradation of the screen quality compared to Paperlike (actually virtually no degradation at all).

 

[A_Flying_Panda]

Is your PDF editable? Or just pictures.

 

[muzzy996]

Is your PDF editable? Or just pictures.

How would that factor into OP's intended workflow one way vs the other?

 

[A_Flying_Panda]

How would that factor into OP's intended workflow one way vs the other?

drawing a line to highlight on a picture is much less pleasant than highlighting texts.

same goes to annotating, searching, etc.