Much as I'm loath to admit it, having finally gotten the chance to work with one of these - I can understand why iPad users swear by them.
Worth the money....? Probably.
If you tot up the cost of a Drawing Monitor , you're looking at around £200.00+ for something you can't really move around with, take anywhere with you or just work away while longing on the sofa where as the Apple Pencil and a compatible iPad - this works on an iPad Pro 9.7-inch straight out the box - and it really does actually live up to the hype when you get a suitably paperlike feeling screen protector.
In the interests of full disclosure I had a bit of a problem getting the pencil to work with my iPad and Amazon were good enough to arrange a replacement that same night - a really helpful customer services person was still working away at gone 10 o'clock at night and the replacement process was initiated without any quibble...
What I didn't realise was, I actually hadn't bought an iPad Pro 9.7-inch like I thought I had, I'd mistakenly bought an iPad 9.7-imch (5th generation) thinking it was the iPad Pro and so, every time I tried pairing the thing the tablet kept telling me it was incompatible.
Which turned out to be the reason. Once I realised the mistake I was able to arrange a return for the iPad and ordered an actual IPad Pro 9.7-ich and - the second I got it out the box - the supposedly faulty Apple Pencil worked perfectly first try.
Much chasen over making such an elementary mistake, in the end I kept the original and returned the replacement Apple Pencil Amazon sent unopened, that way it's in a perfectly sellable condition, still sealed in its original packaging, so nobody looses out.
The actual pen itself - flawless.
As the question of value, you have to descide what it is you intend to use your iPad for: if its just regular stuff, surfing the net, waching videos, arguing with complete strangers on social media - no, though excellent the purchase price is ludicrous for just scrolling around an iPad with.
If however you draw, paint or are a student taking lots of notes, though - yes - expensive, with the write sort of matte finish screen protector the Apple Pencil is a formidable tool in any working artists tool box.
This 1st Generation model is only compatible with older ipads but, that being said that makes the iPads in question affordable yet still extreamly responsive and good to work on.
Like I say, you have to be very clear about what you want to use your iPad for: work or doom-scrolling.
If its the latter, its not worth the money but - if its for artwork either learning or profesonal level - yes, its probably well woth the outlay: theseare great to work with and really do feel like a natural extention of your hand like a pen, a pencil or a paintbrush.
Paired with the right software, you can do a lot with one of these.
Batter life - great, charges in about 15 minutes on your iPads charger, theres ahany adaptor for turning the lightening end of your charger into a socket your Penci l can just plug into or just connect it direct with your iPad. 30 seconds should give you 30 minutes worth of use and charging from the iPad direct takes a similar time and doesn't seem to drain your pads battery too excessively.
Drawing ability: superbe, like I say - you'll need a suitable matt-finish/paper feel screen protector (not necessarily that specific brand, I've made do perfectly well with a much cheaper alternative for under £10.00 - with the right amount of "grit" its much, much more like working on real media and shows straight away in your line work.
On a native iPad screen the Apple Pencil is good, but on something matte its actual paintbrush.
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| Not sure which iPad model you have? | If you are using iPadOS or iOS 12.2 or later, go to Settings > General > About > Model Name | If you are using iPadOS or iOS 12.2 or later, go to Settings > General > About > Model Name | If you are using iPadOS or iOS 12.2 or later, go to Settings > General > About > Model Name | If you are using iPadOS or iOS 12.2 or later, go to Settings > General > About > Model Name |
| Compatible with | iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st and 2nd generation) | iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) | iPad Pro 12.9-in (3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th generation) | iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) |
| iPad Pro 10.5-inch | iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) | iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation) | iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) | |
| iPad Pro 9.7-inch | iPad Pro 12.9-in (3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th generation) | iPad Air (4th and 5th generation) | iPad Air 13-inch (M2) | |
| iPad Air (3rd generation) | iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation) | iPad mini (6th generation) | iPad Air 11-inch (M2) | |
| iPad A16 | iPad Air 13-inch (M3) | iPad mini (A17 Pro) | ||
| iPad (6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th generation) | iPad Air 11-inch (M3) | |||
| iPad mini (5th generation) | iPad Air 13-inch (M2) | |||
| iPad Air 11-inch (M2) | ||||
| iPad Air (4th and 5th generation) | ||||
| iPad mini (A17 Pro) | ||||
| iPad mini (6th generation) | ||||
| iPad (A16) | ||||
| iPad (10th generation) | ||||
| What's in the Box | Apple Pencil (1st generation), Lightning adapter, extra tip and USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter (required to pair and charge with 10th-generation iPad) | Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Apple Pencil (2nd generation) | Apple Pencil Pro |
Nice pencil
Great writing experience without any abrupt stopping or scratching. Sometimes may be affected by the charging conditions. But basically very nice.
Top reviews from United Kingdom
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 August 2020
Top reviews from other countries
- Megan NelReviewed in South Africa on 17 March 2025
It does its job well
Style Name: USB-C AdapterVerified Purchase - KemReviewed in the Netherlands on 16 October 2024
Perfect
Style Name: USB-C AdapterVerified Purchase - BatzoliReviewed in Canada on 29 July 2018
The pencil is perfect to write notes or to do advanced drawing
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Emilie B.Reviewed in France on 25 December 2024
Impeccable
Style Name: USB-C AdapterVerified Purchase
