Some musings on the new iPads

On 7th May, Apple announced the new line-up of iPads, and it’s really obvious that they’re aimed squarely at creatives. New iPads, new Apple pencil. New prices. Other people will, and are, debating the technical details of these, but I’m an artist, so my interest is in using them as part of my creative practice. I’ll try not to get too technical (there are plenty of other tech review channels already doing that), but I guess some tech chatter is inevitable. It is also worth noting that this is a relatively simple review of the basics, so if you are a professional graphic designer, you probably already know much of what I’m about to say – although your opinions and additions would be welcome, and I’d be interested to hear from you.

Given the price of these gadgets it’s a significant outlay, and the accessories can bump the cost up quickly. It’s an investment from which any creative will expect several years of service. My current iPad Pro was bought in 2021. It’s the 11-inch model with the M1 processor and has a ‘Pro Motion’ screen (which just means it’s got a faster refresh rate).

Notably, at the time of purchase I was considering an ’iPad Air’. The reason I went for the pricier model is down to storage. At the time, the ‘Air’ had 64 GB or 256 GB of storage. 64GB wasn’t enough, and 256 GB was more than I needed. So, rather than pay for storage I didn’t need, I went for the ‘Pro’ model, with 128GB storage and the slightly higher spec.

Fast forward to 2024, and the new iPad range is finally properly separated. The iPad mini, the iPad 10th generation, the iPad Air, and the iPad Pro. The Air now starts with 128GB of storage and is available in a 13” model, as well as the previously available 11” Version. The Pro comes in the same sizes, with more storage, a superb OLED screen, and the same two sizes. The Pro is also a significant financial outlay, starting at £999. The Pro range is also heavily marketed as being incredibly thin. I don’t think that’s an issue – the existing iPads are already very thin devices, so that sounds like a gimmick.

Which iPad?

First of all, I should point out that I have little experience of Android devices. These are usually cheaper than the Apple equivalent, and offer excellent specifications often at lower prices, but I’m not in a position to comment. If you prefer Android, that’s perfectly fine, but I can only discuss what I’m familiar with.

As I see it, there are questions that every artist should ask in regard to this range of iPads. Firstly – do I need one? If you already have a laptop and don’t need the touch screen, then no – probably not. If you have a recent iPad (in the last three years), then again – probably not, especially when you consider that your old Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard aren’t compatible with the new devices, so you’ll need to replace the lot – that’s about £1500 for the 11” Pro+pencil+keyboard. Eek! However, if you do digital art and do not have an iPad, this range is aimed squarely at you. So the next question is, which one?

The cheapest iPad, at £349, should be discounted unless you’re on a tight budget. That’s for a good reason. The entry-level iPad has a screen with a layer of glass on top, whereas the others in the range have a laminated screen. If you are doing illustration, there is a gap between your pencil and the screen on the cheapest iPad. This is not the case with the others, so they are far better suited to drawing.

For illustration, you will need an Apple Pencil. The new range comes with ‘Apple Pencil Pro’, which has a multitude of features designed to make it as realistic and experience as possible, including ‘haptic feedback’ and (usefully) the ‘barrel roll’ function, where rolling the pencil in your fingers does the same on the screen, which is very useful when using specific angled brushes. This device will set you back an additional £129. Ouch. Even more, the Magic Keyboard is an additional £300-£350. This isn’t essential, but it is nice to have. Of course, there are third-party devices out there that cost less money, but the pencil is vital.

So your decision is now as follows.

  • Air or Pro
  • 11” or 13”
  • How much storage?

Storage first – my iPad has 128 GB, and I’ve never come close to filling it. It still has 50 GB left. So unless you plan on video editing, 128 GB is plenty. If you are doing the video work, the Pro is the one to get, simply for the screen refresh rate. For everyday illustration, though – the Air is a fine choice, and £400 cheaper.

Software and apps

So, you’ve got an iPad, pencil, and maybe a keyboard if you’re feeling wealthy or won the lottery! Your shiny new iPad, though, is useless without software. What do you need?

First up, and absolutely essential for any digital artist, is the quite brilliant ‘ProCreate’. It’s truly a fantastic piece of software with different brushes, textures, and colours—it takes some learning, but it’s just a fantastic tool to use.

Adobe also offers a full range of apps, including a very usable version of Photoshop. If you don’t want the subscription, Affinity Photo and Designer are excellent tools that every digital artist should own.

Your iPad comes with office software and a load of apps for social media, business administration, and all the basics. Be warned—it’s not quite as good as the MacOS versions. But that’s the thing—the iPad is not a Mac, and it’s designed to be part of your Apple ecosystem with your iPhone and Mac. Coupled with a Mac Mini, it’s a great device.

TL:DR

To summarise, then,

If you don’t do graphic design or digital art and want a device for YouTube, email, the occasional letter, web browsing, and similar activities, then the £349 iPad 10 is perfectly fine.

  • the laminated screen on the Air and Pro are better suited for drawing with the Apple Pencil, which you should definitely get
  • the Air is probably fine for most users; the Pro has a much better screen, which would suit professionals
  • if you have an iPad Air/Pro bought in the last three years, you probably don’t need to upgrade
  • You definitely need Procreate, and I would also recommend Affinity Photo/Designer. Adobe apps are excellent if you have a subscription and are available for iPadOS.

And, of course, these are just my views. But it’d be great to hear what you think!

Links (UK links because I’m from the UK – check if you live elsewhere):

Apple iPad page: https://www.apple.com/uk/ipad/

ProCreate: https://procreate.com/

Adobe: https://www.adobe.com/uk/

Affinity: https://affinity.serif.com/en-gb/