User Review of Apple iPad Pro with Apple Pencil
I have used several graphics tablets over the years, unsuccessfully. There was always something impractical about them. First, writing on a black plastic surface off to the side of the screen displaying the actual content is not intuitive and takes some hand-eye coordination. Second I’ve found that often the black plastic surface is a scaled down version of the display on which I was trying to write. The combination of the two traits often gives traditional graphics tablets a high learning curve for integration into a workflow and hinders adoption.
Why the iPad Pro with Apple Pencil?
Apple’s iOS ecosystem and iPad are significant players in the educational technology field. It therefore makes sense to start with a device that integrates with a large share of the educational technology market and established workflows to improve instructors integration and adoption. Specifically the iPad Pro 12.9″ (measured diagonally) provides a writable surface similar to a standard 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of paper. The Apple Pencil 2 is a precise and well designed stylus made to compliment the iPad. The stylus magnetically sticks to the side of the iPad and charges wirelessly. The tip of the stylus is durable and does not scratch the iPad’s screen. Writing on the iPad glass does take a little bit of practice. If that is of concern films are sold online to stick on the iPad screen to provide the resistance of writing on paper.
Advantages of Digital Note-taking?
I tested this package with the free Notability app which provides an intuitive way to leverage the benefits of iPad, iOS and Apple Pencil. Specifically there are numerous combinations of pen styles, stroke widths, and ink colors available. Notability allows for inserting pictures (new or from your photos), can concurrently record audio while note-taking, as well as export notes in multiple file types, email or Google Drive.
I’ve found the combination of iPad Pro and Apple Pencil to be stable and very usable, which increases the chance of it being used as a replacement to paper and pencil.
Pros:
- iPad/ iOS ecosystem
- iPad Pro 12.9″ (diagonal) writable surface is about 8.5″ x 11″
- Aim stylus directly at the image being displayed
- Precision stylus
- Ability to take and insert images into notes
- Share out notes to multiple file types and services
Cons:
- Cost
- Weight
Leeward Community College instructors interested in learning more can contact edtech@hawaii.edu to arrange a demo and schedule a trial today!
Thoughts, questions, or feedback, please comment below. – Mahalo