The Apple Pencil is a drawing pen intended for the iPad. Not all iPads support the Pencil. And that there are two different versions of the little pen, which are tied to specific models of iPads. So be careful when purchasing. In this article you will learn which Pencil fits which iPad and what you can do with it.
First, a small explanation of what the Apple Pencil is exactly. It is a highly accurate and pressure sensitive pen intended for iPads. You connect via bluetooth; in the case of the Apple Pencil 2 (we’ll get to that in a moment), it’s simply a matter of clicking the magnetic side of your Apple. In that case, not only is a connection established, but if you leave the pen in place, it is also charged wirelessly.
The Pencil 1 cannot be charged wirelessly. In both versions of the pen you will find a 32 bit microcontroller, operating at a clock speed of 32 MHz and equipped with 64 Kilobytes of flash memory. That pen actually contains a complete computer, but one with ultra-low energy consumption. It also means that both versions of the Pencil are updateable in terms of firmware.
Apple Pencil 1 and Apple Pencil 2
The major difference between the two versions of the Apple Pencil is that the first version has a Lightning connection hidden under a cap. You can plug the pen directly into your iPad to charge it on the go. This is also the method to update the pen every now and then. Plug it into your iPad and leave it plugged in for a few minutes. Updating is lightning fast and unnoticed; after all, we are talking about software of Kilobytes in size.
An adapter is also included with the Pencil 1. If you plug that into the pen connector, you can use your Apple Lightning smartphone or iPad charger to charge the pen. As far as we’re concerned, it’s better not to stick the pen in the iPad too often for a long time. It sticks out quite a bit, which means there is a risk of breaking. If your iPad falls on the pen, you also run the risk of damaging the Lightning connector in your iPad, so be careful.
It’s one of the reasons Apple released the Pencil 2. This pen has no connector whatsoever and charges wirelessly by simply clicking it onto the magnetic side of a compatible iPad.
Firmware updates are also handled in this way, so if you occasionally click the pen on your tablet and let it sit for a few minutes, you don’t have to worry about it anymore. You can also only charge this pen via the iPad. Goes fast and consumes hardly any energy; so feel free to take the pen with you on the go.
What can you do with an Apple Pencil?
Both pens have almost the same functionality. However, the Pencil 2 is tap-sensitive and supports a higher sample rate, which makes drawing even more accurate and more natural-feeling possible. Both pens are also pressure-sensitive and it also matters – depending on the drawing app used – whether you hold the pen straight or at an angle.
Many apps support the pen, including of course the default note-taking app. That way you can quickly take handwritten notes. Golden tip in between, regarding the Pencil 1: because it contains separate parts – including the lightning charging converter – it is wise to keep everything together in a case. That way the chance of losing a cap, plug or whatever is a lot smaller!
The ‘new’ Pencil has no parts that can (easily) come loose; only the tip is replaceable but is firmly attached.
Which Pencil for which iPad?
If you have an iPad that supports either pen, it’s definitely a recommendable accessory! And that brings us to the crux of this article: not every iPad can handle the Pencil. And with the iPads that do work with the Pencil, you have to pay attention to whether you need the first or second version.
In the case of the second generation Pencil, there is a simple rule of thumb: if your iPad is equipped with a USB-C connection, it will work with the Pencil 2. In concrete terms – on the publication date of this article – it concerns the iPad models. mini (6th generation), iPad Air (4th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) and later, and iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation) and later.
The Pencil 1 is compatible with some iPads with a Lightning connection. This concerns the models: iPad (9th generation), iPad (8th generation), iPad mini (5th generation), iPad (7th generation), iPad (6th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (first or second generation), iPad Pro 10.5-inch, and iPad Pro 9.7-inch.
Note that this is at the time of writing. For example, if you buy a new iPad model next year, check whether and which pen works with that type. Before purchase, especially ask clearly, especially at an official Apple dealer they should know what works with what. Furthermore, the pins are not interchangeable.
In other words: if you now have an iPad that is compatible with the Pencil 1, that version will no longer work on an iPad that is specifically compatible with the Pencil 2.
Alternative to Apple Pencil
If your iPad does not support Pencil, all hope is not lost yet. First, there are the ultra-cheap pens with a rubbery cap. Far from ideal, but they work in conjunction with any capacitive screen.
In fact, it is an electrically conductive whole, so an extension of your fingers. You can hardly draw more accurately with it than with a finger; it feels more like writing with a marker. But it certainly ‘feels’ different and can therefore be a solution.
Finally, there are other brands that offer alternative pens, but the possibilities are often less than those of Apple’s own pens, while the price is often not much of a difference.
You can of course use the Apple Pencil ‘locally’ on your iPad, arguably the most common scenario. But the nicest thing is certainly the option to use your iPad as a drawing tablet under macOS. In that case you draw directly in, for example, Photoshop or another photo editor or a drawing package.
Furthermore, there is now the advantage of the complete Photoshop app for the iPad. If you draw something beautiful with it while on the train, you transfer it at home in native Photoshop file format to the desktop version.
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