What Kind of Ipad Can You Draw on
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Procreate has quickly become the go-to drawing app for serious artists. It gives a lot of flexibility and powerful drawing tools in the hands of iPad Artists.
It was not that long ago when these advanced drawing features were only limited to desktop applications.
iPad with the power of Procreate and capabilities of Apple Pencil becomes a powerful drawing tool.
It gives you a lot of flexibility and a whole new workflow, resulting in a drawing experience that traditional desktop-based digital drawing solutions can never match.
As you know Apple iPads are available in multiple models and variants with each having different display sizes, resolution, processor, screen refresh rate, RAM, and storage.
Due to these variables, the experience of using Procreate on different models of iPad is not the same.
This article will help you understand how different components of the iPad affect your drawing experience on Procreate.
We will also help you identify your needs and select the perfect iPad for drawing in Procreate.
Procreate iPad compatibility – Which models of iPad do Procreate support?
Procreate is supported on the following models of the iPad…
- iPad Pro (all generations)
- iPad Air (2nd generation and later)
- iPad (5th generation and later)
- iPad Mini (4th generation and later)
check out – how to find your iPad model name (new tab)
iPads and Apple Pencil Support
As some of you may be aware, the Apple Pencil is available in two variants, the first-generation Apple Pencil and the second-generation Apple Pencil.
Here is the list of iPads and their compatible apple pencil.
Apple Pencil 2nd Generation
- iPad mini 2021 (6th generation)
- iPad Air (4th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9 inch (3rd generation and later)
- iPad Pro 11 inch (1st generation and later)
Apple Pencil 1st generation
- iPad (6th, 7th, 8th and 9th generation)
- iPad Pro 10.5 inch
- iPad Pro 9.7 inch
- iPad Pro 12.9 inch (1st and 2nd generation)
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad Mini (5th generation)
Cross compatibility – Apple Pencils are not cross-compatible. Meaning, iPads that work with second-generation Apple Pencil won't work with the first-generation Apple pencil, and vice versa.
iPad (All models): Introduction
Apple tablets come in four main models… Here is a quick introduction.
- iPad (10.2 in) – Entry-level iPad with everything you need to get started, minus the fancy stuff
- iPad Mini (8.3 in) – Mini but Mighty. Compact size, powerful internals, narrow bezel
- iPad Air (10.9 in) – Everything your need, plus some premium features in a modern form factor
- iPad Pro (11 in, 12.9 in) – The best of the bunch with all the Pro features
iPad (All models): Features comparison
(Note for mobile users: Pan left/right to see the full table)
*Prices constantly change, click the "Amazon" link to know the latest prices
Which iPad should I buy for Procreate?
Everyone's needs are different and there is no one size fits all.
Selecting the right iPad for Procreate includes considering things like… your skill level, your workflow, the features you need, portability, screen size, and most importantly – your budget.
Here is a detailed overview of all the different iPad models and for whom they are best suited for.
Apple iPad: Cheapest iPad for Procreate
Apple iPad (9th Generation)
The entry-level tablet with everything you need to get started. Great value for money. Powerful processor. Apple Pencil experience on a budget.
Check on Amazon
If you compare iPads to other portable drawing devices in the market, you would notice that iPad are generally a bit expensive.
But considering how far ahead of the competition they are in terms of the power they deliver and accuracy of their styluses – their aggressive pricing is kind of justified.
As good as the above statement sounds, it can still be a little difficult for beginners and casual hobbyists to digest the aggressive pricing.
That is where the iPad comes to the rescue.
The 9th generation iPad is the cheapest model of the iPad you can get.
From the perspective of a digital artist, it comes with all the essential functionalities you need – to draw excellent artwork.
It comes with an upgraded Apple's A13 Bionic processor which is based on 7 nm architecture and delivers performance that is way ahead of any other tablet in this price bracket.
If you are a beginner or a casual artist who wants a pocket-friendly drawing device with great stylus support, the iPad is the right choice for you.
With this iPad, what you do compromise on is the looks (as it has bezels at the top and bottom of the screen).
But the good this is the bottom bezel space is used for something useful and houses a fingerprint sensor.
Having a fingerprint sensor at this location is very convenient, unlike iPad Pros face ID where you have to literally bow down and ask permission to enter your iPad.
Also, the small bezels provide a great spot to hold the iPad in your hands without covering your screen.
For beginner artists, it is a great choice as it supports the First generation Apple Pencil that gives it an unmatched drawing and writing capability that no other tablet can offer in this price range.
Overall, for the price you are paying, you are actually getting a lot of value, whether we talk about its high-resolution screen, battery life, or its drawing capabilities. And that is why we highly recommend the iPad.
Get iPad (9th generation) on Amazon →
iPad Mini: Compact and portable Procreate machine for artists
iPad Mini (6th generation)
The compact, portable, and lightweight iPad with support for Apple Pencil 2. Modern design and powerful processor to handle procreate.
Perfect gift for your loved ones.
Check on Amazon
iPad Mini is the big step up from the base model of the iPad that we mentioned above.
If you want all the goodness of the iPad in a compact and portable form factor, then the iPad mini should be your tablet of choice.
It comes with an 8.3-inch screen and weighs just 0.65 pounds (297 grams). Having a smaller form factor compared to other iPads is a big advantage.
It is very comfortable to use one-handed for prolonged periods. And once you are done using – it kind of disappears in your backpack and does not weigh you down.
iPad mini is ain't no slouch either – In spite of its small size, it still got some kick.
The latest 6th gen iPad mini comes with Apple's A15 Bionic chip, which is an ARM-based system on a chip (SOC) processor using the latest 5nm architecture.
The power you get out of this cute-looking tiny iPad mini is comparable to what you get out of top-end Android tablets.
So no matter what you throw at it, it is capable enough to handle intensive Procreate projects or any other task.
That is what makes it so attractive. You get the advantages that come with smaller sizes without losing the punch.
The 5nm CPU architecture is very power efficient resulting in longer battery life.
What's more, you ask.
With the latest update, the iPad mini adopts the same modern design language that you see in iPad Air and Pro.
It got minimal bezels around the screen and has an industrial squarish look.
Another big news for artists and Procreate users is – the new iPad Mini now supports the 2nd generation Apple Pencil. We as an artist ourselves were delighted to hear this news for the first time.
The iPad Mini's 8.3-inch screen has a resolution of 2266 x 1488 pixels and a pixel-per-inch (PPI) count of 326 compared to 264 PPI on other iPads.
Making it one of the sharpest displays on any iPad (even better than iPad Pro).
As far as drawing on the smaller screens goes, the user interface (layout of menus and working area) on Procreate is such that you will have no problem working on smaller screens.
Overall we can say that the iPad mini is a complete package. It got the power, it got the looks, supports Apple Pencil 2, has a great screen, and comes at a reasonable price.
Some artists also prefer to have iPad Mini as their secondary drawing tablet especially for times when they are on the move.
People also often buy it as a gift for their artistic/creative friend or child.
Get iPad mini on Amazon →
iPad Air: Value for money iPad for Beginners and Hobbyists
iPad Air (4th generation)
Modern minimalist design with edge-to-edge screen and support for Apple Pencil 2, all at a reasonable price.
Check on Amazon
If you are looking for an iPad as a digital artist, you essentially have two choices. Either you get the entry-level iPad or the top-of-the-line iPad Pro.
The entry-level iPad does not have all the advanced drawing features that you may want, on the other side, the iPad Pro is way too expensive.
What if there was a tablet that exists somewhere in between, which had all the premium drawing features without that premium price tag. That is exactly what you get with the Apple iPad Air.
iPad Air is a mid-range drawing tablet that brings the best of both worlds.
Starting with the design, you can see the iPad Air comes with the same modern all-screen design with minimum bezels around the screen, that you see in the iPad Pro.
Other than that, it also supports Apple Pencil 2 (which is the most advanced stylus in the market), making it the only tablet other than iPad Pro that works with this stylus.
On the processor and performance side of things, iPad Air comes with the latest A14 Bionic processor. It can easily glide through your intensive drawing workflow no matter you are working with a simple low-resolution canvas or a super high-resolution project with large canvas sizes.
But that is not it, perhaps the best thing about the iPad Air is the price. In spite of coming with these incredibly similar features, it costs substantially lower than the iPad Pro, making the iPad Air the best value for money iPad for Procreate.
This is a device that we can universally recommend to both beginner-intermediate artists to experts and professionals.
Get iPad Air on Amazon →
Difference between iPad Air vs iPad Pro (latency in Procreate)
One of the main differences between iPad Pro and iPad Air is that iPad Pro comes with a 120Hz refresh rate screen whereas iPad Air comes with a 60Hz refresh rate.
This difference in the refresh rate of the screen affects stylus latency. Faster the refresh rate (of the screen), lower the latency (of the stylus).
Here is how drawing on iPad Air (left) and iPad Pro (right) looks in real-time.
Here is the same footage in slow motion.
If looking at the above footage, if you think there is not that big of a difference in stylus latency, get the iPad Air (Amazon).
But if you feel like that small latency may bother you, get the iPad Pro (Amazon).
The best iPad Pro for Procreate – Feature packed and powerful
Premium
iPad Pro (King of the Hill)
The undisputed king with the most powerful processor and best in class drawing performance, all in a compact form factor. Available in two sizes.
Amazon (11 inches)
Amazon (12.9 inches)
The Apple iPad Pro is the tablet that established iPads as a go-to drawing tablet for artists. iPad Pro combined with Procreate gives you the best drawing experience in the market, which no other tablet can match.
There are a number of reasons why it so popular amongst artists. Starting with the Apple Pencil itself.
As we mentioned earlier, Apple Pencil 2 is the most advanced stylus in the market with best-in-class stylus tracking, plus a well-balanced pressure and tilt sensitivity, giving you the ultimate stylus experience.
In addition to the stylus, the display also plays a key role in the whole digital stylus experience. The iPad Pro comes with a 120Hz ProMotion display. This is twice as fast as a generic tablet display.
The fast response rate of the stylus along with iPad Pro's ProMotion display helps the Apple Pencil reach a latency of just 9ms.
So when you draw with Apple Pencil on the iPad Pro display, the strokes from the stylus does not lag behind the pen tip. This makes drawing with the Apple Pencil feels as natural as drawing with an actual pencil.
With that said, when this 9ms latency was introduced, not many apps could take advantage of this feature at that time, but slowly more and more apps support this feature. The Procreate natively supports all these advanced features and chance provides you the best drawing experience on the iPads.
iPad Pro Processor
When it comes to iPads, even entry-level iPads come with powerful processors.
But the iPad Pro set the benchmark for how powerful an ultralight tablet can be.
Ever since Apple introduced Apple Silicon, we saw an exponential increase in the processing power of these compact devices.
The current iPad Pro comes with Apple's M1 processor along with 8 GB of RAM. This is the exact processor that comes in the Apple Macbooks, giving you a laptop-level performance on an ultrathin portable device.
Running procreate can be quite demanding. When you are working with large resolutions and using heavy laying and textured brushes on Procreate, you need that raw power.
Even the procreate itself is fine-tuned to handle high-resolution files, thanks to the smart on-the-fly optimizations that it makes.
The M1 processor is also very power efficient giving you a longer battery life than most other tablets in the market.
All these features combines makes the iPad Pro the best iPad for Procreate.
Available sizes
The iPad Pro is available in two sizes, 11 inches, and 12.9 inches.
The 11 inch iPad Pro is the perfect size for those who want a portable yet powerful drawing device, whereas the 12.9 inch iPad Pro is more suited for those who appreciate a larger drawing area.
Who should get the iPad Pro?
If you are fairly new to digital art and learning the basics, you don't really need an iPad Pro. In case you want to get a modern-looking tablet that supports Apple Pencil 2, it is better to go with the new iPad Air.
iPad Pro is a premium tablet with Pro-grade features and that reflects in its price. We recommend iPad Pro to hobbyists and professional artists who are sure that they need the power and performance that iPad Pro offers. If that is you, you will love drawing on it and for that reason, you should definitely buy it.
iPad Pro (11 inch) vs iPad Pro (12.9 inch) for Procreate
Other than the obvious difference in the screen size, there is also a difference in screen technology between 11 inches and 12.9 inches iPad Pro.
While both the devices come with a LED screen, the difference is in their backlight technology.
The iPad Pro 11 inch uses a traditional backlight whereas the iPad Pro 12.9 uses a mini LED technology for backlight, where you have thousands of small LEDs making up the backlight instead of a uniform backlight.
These mini LEDs can be individually turned on or off creating local dimming zones resulting in better contrasts and enhanced color reproduction.
It also results in a higher brightness of 1000 nits on 12.9 inches, compared to 600 nits in 11 inch iPad Pro.
With that said, on paper, it seems like a big deal. But in reality, the difference in display quality is less obvious. You have to really observe carefully to see the difference.
So our suggestion would be to not pick iPad based on their screen technology. Rather choose on the basis of their screen sizes.
The 11-inch variant is great if you want a compact and lightweight device to take anywhere with you.
On the flip side, the 12.9 inch iPad gives you a larger screen and a more immersive drawing experience but compromises on its portability – as it is larger as well as heavier.
Get iPad Pro (11 in) on Amazon →
Get iPad Pro (12.9 in) on Amazon →
Why choose Procreate?
While there are plenty of other drawing apps to choose from, some of which are simply iPad versions of their desktop application. Procreate stands out as it is specifically made for the iPad from the ground up.
Compared to traditional drawing devices, iPads have much smaller screen space. Procreate uses a smart user interface that maximizes screen area while still positioning all the frequently used menus and buttons in the easy-to-access area.
Its hand-based gestures and apple pencil-based shortcuts such as quick shape, color-drop integrates well with your workflow and makes drawing on iPad a pleasing experience.
The brush engine and the ability to change the brush behaviors through brush settings, plus how well it handles heavily textured brushes is truly impressive.
Other than the user experience, one of the main reasons why Procreate is very popular is it comes with a very powerful set of features. You will find almost everything that you get in traditional drawing software.
Plus the ability to import-export project files, texture brushes as well as the huge amount of resources and tutorials available online, plus the community – it is all part of what makes Procreate the best drawing app for digital artists.
How to learn Procreate
This can mean two things
- You are coming from another drawing application and already know how to draw. You just want to learn – how to use procreate.
- Or you are a beginner who wants to learn drawing and learn it using Procreate.
For the first case: The layout and user interface of the Procreate is very simple, you have the brush, color, and layer settings on the top right and the menus/ select options on the top left.
Other than that Procreate also offers many other handy touch-based shortcuts as well as drag and drop options.
Watching some youtube videos on "Procreate basics" and practicing is the best way to go.
For second case: There are a lot of paid as well as free resources to learn to draw.
We have made a dedicated post about this topic that explains How to learn digital art (new tab) in great detail. We would recommend you to have a look.
Is procreate free? how much does it cost?
Procreate does not offer any freemium or trial period. The App costs a little less than 10 bucks on the App store.
But the good thing is, unlike many other drawing/creative applications, you don't have to pay the price on a monthly basis. Once you buy Procreate, it is yours.
The Price of the app for what it has to offer is very fair.
Apple Pencil: First gen. vs Second gen.
Apple Pencil is available in two variants, the first-generation Apple Pencil and the second-gen Apple Pencil.
There are two main differences between these two styluses. One is the overall shape and size of the stylus and the second difference is in how they charge.
Shape and size – The first-gen Apple Pencil is a cylindrical stylus with a glossy surface finish. It is made of plastic and is slightly wider and longer than the 2nd gen. Apple Pencil.
The Second-gen Apple Pencil is also cylindrical in shape but it has a flat face.
The flat face contains a touch button that you can tap to switch between pen and eraser. The flat face also helps with stopping the stylus from rolling off the desk.
It is also made of plastic but has a matte surface with a soft texture on it which feels better to touch and provides a better hold.
On the charging side, the first-gen. Apple Pencil has a lightning connector at the back which is used for charging the pencil.
On the second-gen. Apple Pencil you have a magnetic wireless connector and charger. It magnetically attaches to the side of the tablet and charges wirelessly.
On the actual drawing side of things, when using both these styluses with Procreate, you won't find much difference in the performance and overall drawing feel between first and second-gen. Apple pencil which is a good thing.
FAQs (Frequently asked questions)
Here are some of the FAQs, that we constantly get asked on a regular basis by artists looking for a new iPad for Procreate.
Is procreate worth getting an iPad?
Many people, especially those who are coming from desktop and desktop-based drawing applications wonder if Procreate is worth getting an iPad.
And that is actually a very valid concern, what if the app is not that good and you spent all that money on an iPad.
You should know that Adobe may be a dominant force on desktop, but when it comes to drawing on a tablet, there is no match for Procreate.
Procreate has been in the app store for a very long time and over time they have become a serious player in the digital art space.
They are so focused on the iPad experience that they have not distracted themselves by spreading out to other platforms such as Android, Windows, and Mac.
For those who are coming from desktop drawing software, you will find all the advanced tools and options here in Procreate.
So if you are an artist and looking for a portable drawing setup, the Procreate and iPad are absolutely worth the investment.
Should you buy an iPad for Procreate as a hobbyist?
It depends, if all you want is a simple digital drawing tool with basic features, you should first look at options such as Wacom Intuos. You can also look at cheaper display-based tablets such as Huion Kamvas 13 which connects to your existing laptop or computer in order to work.
Only after considering these alternatives, you should put in big bucks for iPads.
How much storage is enough for a drawing tablet?
As of current standards and considering how large of a space a single project file can take, we recommend a minimum of 64GB of onboard storage.
Since the iPads do not have an expandable memory card, you should be selecting the right storage capacity when buying the iPad keeping future needs in mind.
There are some iPad available with only 32 Gb of storage, which is kind of workable but you may have to actively manage the space, transferring files to and from your Macbook/ hard drive.
Since iPads allow you to connect external storage accessories, transferring files should not be difficult.
Can you use Procreate without Apple Pencil?
Apple Pencil is expensive and that is why people often search for cheaper Apple Pencil alternatives.
In fact, there are some cheaper options out there in the market such as Logitech crayon, Wacom Bamboo sketch, and many more which are both compatible with iPad as well as Procreate.
But these cheaper styluses are limited in a number of ways and mostly used by people who use iPads for writing notes. For example – one of the limitations of Logitech Crayon is – it does not support pressure sensitivity, a features essential for digital art.
For the best results, we only recommend you get the original Apple Pencil (Amazon).
How much RAM does procreate use?
In general – the higher the resolution and larger the canvas size, the more RAM Procreate needs to keep up. In addition to that, the more layers you add on top, the additional RAM memory it takes.
The good thing is that even the entry-level iPad comes with a higher 3 GB of RAM compared to older models with only 2 RAM.
Entry-level iPads can work fine on anything less 4k resolution, but if you work on high-resolution files we would recommend you to at least get the iPad Air with 4 GB of Ram or the iPad Pro with a larger 16 GB of RAM.
iPad Mini vs iPad for drawing
We see both these tablets in the same category. They both come at comparable price ranges and packs a similar horsepower.
iPad mini is recommended for those who are constantly on the move and want a small and compact drawing tablet, where the normal iPad has a larger screen and is better for day-to-day usages.
The iPad mini is also a good option for teens and children who like to draw.
Related:
iPad Pro vs iPad Air comparison
Best iPad accessory for artists
What Kind of Ipad Can You Draw on
Source: https://essentialpicks.com/best-ipad-for-procreate/
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