Hi everyone,
I’m thinking of getting an iPad for studying and drawing, but I’m not sure which model to choose. I’ll be using it with the Apple Pencil. Which iPad model would you recommend for these purposes?
Thanks in advance!
iPhone 13, iOS 17
All current models of iPad support Apple Pencil - but you need to select the correct Apple Pencil for your chosen iPad. As such, your primary focus should be on your needs and expectations of your iPad...
All iPad models have broadly the same core capabilities. Models essentially differ in their ultimate performance and physical attributes. iPad Pro models use FaceID for biometric user-authentication, while others use TouchID.
You can compare iPad models here:
The iPad10 is the current entry-level iPad. The iPads Pro M4 are the opposite end of the scale - top of the range, with cutting edge capabilities and hardware. Between these two extremes are the iPads Air M2, these models offering a mid-range high performance option. Both iPads Pro and iPads Air are available in two different screen sizes. The iPad mini6 is perhaps an entirely different proposition - offering a smaller form factor and other differences in hardware and ultimate capability.
All current models of iPad support one or perhaps two models of Apple Pencil or Apple Pencil Pro. Ensure that you choose the correct Apple Pencil for your chosen iPad - as they are not interchangeable. Here is the definitive compatibility list:
Apple Pencil compatibility - Apple Support
iPad models that support the second generation Apple Pencil or Apple Pencil Pro are paired and charged using the magnetic charging dock on the edge of the iPad. This greatly simplifies charging of the Pencil - as the Pencil is kept optimally charged whenever it is not being actively used. The second generation Pencil and Apple Pencil Pro have some additional features - aiding drawing capabilities. The USB-C Pencil does not feature pressure sensitivity.
Also perhaps consider that the iPads Air M2 use the miniLED backlit XDR display, whereas the iPads Pro M4 have the new UltraXDR OLED displays. iPads Pro M4 also include reference modes for professional colour grading. Also note that the iPad Pro M4 models with 1TB/2TB storage options have 16GB RAM and an additional GPU core, whereas the others models of iPad Pro M4 and iPads Air M2 have 8GB RAM.
Whichever iPad model you choose, you would be well advised to purchase as much internal storage as your budget might reasonably allow - as internal storage (and other hardware) cannot be changed, upgraded or extended. The available internal storage is fixed for the entire life of the device. If you run out of internal storage for your documents, photos and other data, you will forever struggle and become a source of frustration. It is far better to have more storage than you need, than to need more storage than you have.
A good rule of thumb is to quantify how much data storage you will need - add a healthy margin - then double it. If you are unable to quantify your data storage needs, it becomes more difficult. Whilst I and others cannot make definitive recommendations for your personal needs, objectively I would council against purchase of any iPad with any less than 256GB storage, 512GB and higher having a greater margin for growth.
Within the Apple Support Communities we see regular tales of woe and disappointment when storage requirements are exceeded, necessitating replacement of the device; by contrast, we never see complaint of having too much available storage. It is relatively easy to fill limited internal storage space; perhaps consider higher tiers of storage as providing room for growth as your needs develop or mature - potentially extending the useful usable life of the device.
Also consider the functional differences between WiFi Only and WiFi+Cellular models of iPad. Aside from the obvious Cellular functionality, only WiFi+Cellular models include GNSS/GPS location capabilities - which may impact any Apps or features that require accurate and consistent location data, such as Mapping.
Purchase of a WiFi+Cellular model provides access to precise location services, but does not commit you to using Cellular connections. WiFi Only models of iPad have no Cellular or GNSS/GPS functions at all.
All current models of iPad support Apple Pencil - but you need to select the correct Apple Pencil for your chosen iPad. As such, your primary focus should be on your needs and expectations of your iPad...
All iPad models have broadly the same core capabilities. Models essentially differ in their ultimate performance and physical attributes. iPad Pro models use FaceID for biometric user-authentication, while others use TouchID.
You can compare iPad models here:
The iPad10 is the current entry-level iPad. The iPads Pro M4 are the opposite end of the scale - top of the range, with cutting edge capabilities and hardware. Between these two extremes are the iPads Air M2, these models offering a mid-range high performance option. Both iPads Pro and iPads Air are available in two different screen sizes. The iPad mini6 is perhaps an entirely different proposition - offering a smaller form factor and other differences in hardware and ultimate capability.
All current models of iPad support one or perhaps two models of Apple Pencil or Apple Pencil Pro. Ensure that you choose the correct Apple Pencil for your chosen iPad - as they are not interchangeable. Here is the definitive compatibility list:
Apple Pencil compatibility - Apple Support
iPad models that support the second generation Apple Pencil or Apple Pencil Pro are paired and charged using the magnetic charging dock on the edge of the iPad. This greatly simplifies charging of the Pencil - as the Pencil is kept optimally charged whenever it is not being actively used. The second generation Pencil and Apple Pencil Pro have some additional features - aiding drawing capabilities. The USB-C Pencil does not feature pressure sensitivity.
Also perhaps consider that the iPads Air M2 use the miniLED backlit XDR display, whereas the iPads Pro M4 have the new UltraXDR OLED displays. iPads Pro M4 also include reference modes for professional colour grading. Also note that the iPad Pro M4 models with 1TB/2TB storage options have 16GB RAM and an additional GPU core, whereas the others models of iPad Pro M4 and iPads Air M2 have 8GB RAM.
Whichever iPad model you choose, you would be well advised to purchase as much internal storage as your budget might reasonably allow - as internal storage (and other hardware) cannot be changed, upgraded or extended. The available internal storage is fixed for the entire life of the device. If you run out of internal storage for your documents, photos and other data, you will forever struggle and become a source of frustration. It is far better to have more storage than you need, than to need more storage than you have.
A good rule of thumb is to quantify how much data storage you will need - add a healthy margin - then double it. If you are unable to quantify your data storage needs, it becomes more difficult. Whilst I and others cannot make definitive recommendations for your personal needs, objectively I would council against purchase of any iPad with any less than 256GB storage, 512GB and higher having a greater margin for growth.
Within the Apple Support Communities we see regular tales of woe and disappointment when storage requirements are exceeded, necessitating replacement of the device; by contrast, we never see complaint of having too much available storage. It is relatively easy to fill limited internal storage space; perhaps consider higher tiers of storage as providing room for growth as your needs develop or mature - potentially extending the useful usable life of the device.
Also consider the functional differences between WiFi Only and WiFi+Cellular models of iPad. Aside from the obvious Cellular functionality, only WiFi+Cellular models include GNSS/GPS location capabilities - which may impact any Apps or features that require accurate and consistent location data, such as Mapping.
Purchase of a WiFi+Cellular model provides access to precise location services, but does not commit you to using Cellular connections. WiFi Only models of iPad have no Cellular or GNSS/GPS functions at all.
Need Advice: Best iPad for Studying and Drawing with Apple Pencil?
