Choosing the Right Drawing Tablet for Your Creative Journey
Finding the right drawing tablet can be the key to unlocking your full creative potential. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which tablet is the best option for you. Two popular choices on the market are the iPad and XP-Pen tablets.
If you’re looking for a digital device that can enhance your creative skills, you may be wondering whether to invest in either of these options. While both tablets offer their unique set of benefits, the iPad is known for its versatility and power, and it can cater to all your digital art requirements. XP-Pen tablets can be an excellent entry-level choice.
In this article, we’ll compare the benefits and drawbacks of using an iPad versus an XP-Pen tablet for digital art, so you can make a decision that’s right for you. Let’s dive in!
iPad as a drawing tablet
The iPad is the go-to choice for many art professionals as a replacement for traditional graphics tablets. With seamless integration with Astropad Studio, many artists, even those at Pixar and Disney, use iPads as part of their daily workflow.
If you’re already an iPad owner, Astropad Studio is the perfect addition to your digital art toolkit. Not only is it a budget-friendly option, but it also saves you the hassle of researching and investing in a specialized device.
advantages & strengths of iPad as a drawing tablet
So why is the iPad such a popular choice for digital art? Let’s take a closer look and see what all the fuss is about!
Powerful hardware: The iPad boasts powerful processors, onboard RAM, and a high-resolution Retina Display, all of which make it an excellent tool for creating digital art.
Multi-functional software: Use the iPad to sketch your ideas, edit photos, play games, or even manage your work on the go. The iPad can support a multitude of different applications, so you’re not limited to using it as only a canvas for your artwork. This sets it apart from other graphics tablets that may only serve a singular purpose.
Specialized drawing apps: In addition to using Astropad Studio to convert your iPad into a drawing interface while at home, you can also access a range of drawing apps that are specifically designed for mobile devices like Procreate, Adobe Fresco, and the Affinity Suite. And with Astropad Studio, you can even use professional-grade apps like Toon Boom Harmony, Storyboard Pro, and Fusion 360 on your iPad, giving you the flexibility to create your art anywhere, anytime.
Better color space and refresh rate: Apple’s iPads offer cutting-edge display technology. With its Display P3 color space, 120Hz refresh rate, and 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, the iPad delivers a visually stunning experience.
Pressure Sensitivity: The Apple Pencil achieves up to 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity with incredible responsiveness. The Apple Pencil feels natural in your hand, making your drawing experience more enjoyable.
Widespread compatibility: With its industry-standard status, the iPad is compatible with a wide range of apps and accessories. This gives you more options to customize your iPad experience to meet your specific needs. Whether you’re a professional or a casual user, the iPad is a perfect device for almost anyone.
disadvantages & shortfalls of iPad as a drawing tablet
The iPad is known for its power and versatility, however, like any technology, it’s important to be aware that it also has its limitations. If you’re contemplating whether the iPad is the perfect fit for you, here are a few factors worth considering:
Glass screen: The iPad screen is comprised of laminated glass, which can be troublesome to use when writing or drawing. A matte screen protector, like this magnetic screen protector for iPad, can help to improve this experience.
Requires a Stylus: The Apple Pencil, along with a few third-party styluses, offers pressure sensitivity for compatible iPad apps. However, you’ll need to purchase these separately. XP-Pen tablets include a stylus with your purchase.
Limited screen size: The largest iPad currently available is the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which may feel a bit snug to some artists. In comparison, XP-Pen offers larger screen sizes, such as the Artist 24 tablet measuring in at 23.8 inches, which offers almost double the screen size of the largest iPad.
Regardless of whether you use your iPad for personal or professional use, it can seamlessly evolve into an impressive tool that enhances your artistic workflow. By utilizing your iPad as a graphics tablet, you can ditch the worry of extra spending on a specialized graphics tablet, making your creative process smoother and more efficient without breaking the bank.
Mirror desktop creative software on your iPad with Astropad Studio
It doesn’t stop there, the iPad is just part of the equation. When you pair it with Astropad Studio, you can transform your iPad into a fully supported drawing tablet.
Astropad Studio seamlessly mirrors your Mac or PC to your iPad, giving you complete touch and gesture support to interact with your favorite desktop creative apps.
- Mirror any desktop app on your iPad
- Compatible with Mac and PC
- Build your own shortcut panels, custom gestures, and custom quick keys
- Customize your pressure curve and pressure sensitivity
- Connects wirelessly or over USB cable
XP-Pen drawing tablets
As a premier hardware supplier in the digital art industry, XP-Pen has researched and incorporated the demands of digital artists who are looking to bring their skills to the next level. Since its establishment in 2005, XP-Pen has grown its presence in the market, making an exceptional range of tablets and accessories that have increased in popularity among new and experienced artists alike.
Long-standing computing tablets like the iPad offer flexible alternatives to this collection of more specialized tools.
advantages & strengths of xp-pen
XP-Pen tablets present an array of choices that can be difficult to choose from. With a diverse selection of sizes, each tablet is enriched with cutting-edge features and tools that help to elevate the drawing experience to new heights.
Here’s a brief overview of the key features of this hardware:
Affordability: XP-Pen tablets are offered at a lower price point than other graphics tablets, such as Wacom. With comparable or even superior features at a more affordable price point, XP-Pen provides an affordable opportunity for artists to invest in a high-quality graphics tablet without compromising on functionality or performance.
Wide range of sizes: XP-Pen provides a diverse range of tablet sizes to cater to different artistic preferences and working styles. Artists can choose a tablet size that suits their specific needs, whether it’s for on-the-go sketching or working on large-scale projects. Choose from anywhere between the 11.6” Artist 12 Pro or the larger, 23.8” Artist 24 Pro models.
Customizable Shortcut Keys and Functions: XP-Pen tablets come with customizable express keys and shortcut functions, allowing artists to streamline their workflow and access frequently used tools with ease. This is comparable to the custom quick keys and shortcuts that Astropad Studio offers, but the keys are built into some XP-Pen tablet models.
Resolution and Display Quality: Most XP-Pen tablets typically offer between 192 to 508 PPI, which is on par or higher than most iPad models. XP-Pen also utilizes advanced display technologies, such as IPS (In-Plane Switching) or laminated displays. These display technologies provide enhanced color accuracy, wider viewing angles, and improved contrast ratios, which allow your art to appear more vibrant.
disadvantages & shortfalls of xp-pen
Although XP-Pen tablets have gained popularity among graphic artists, it’s important to weigh the drawbacks.
Here are some factors to consider when deciding if XP-Pen tablets are the right choice for you:
Weight and size: Some XP-Pen customers complain about the weight and size of their tablets, stating that it makes them a poor option for comfortability. Having a larger surface area can help with producing top-of-the-line artwork, but the iPad is lightweight and when paired with Astropad’s Darkboard, offers premium support and an ergonomic drawing surface for all artist’s needs.
Limited portability: XP-Pen tablets are not stand-alone devices, like iPads. XP-Pen tablets require the use of a computer, which doesn’t make it a portable device. These tablets rely on the software of the computer, whereas iPads utilize their own operating systems.
Shorter lifespan: While some XP-Pen tablets can last years, there have been multiple reports that the lifespan of these devices can last less than 3 years. Customers may have to pay to have the tablet repaired or purchase a brand-new tablet if they ever find their device defective.
Limited color gamut: XP-Pen tablets typically offer a standard sRGB color gamut, which covers a significant portion of the colors visible to the human eye but may fall short when compared to the wider color gamut of iPads. iPads, on the other hand, often utilize technologies like P3 wide color gamut and True Tone display, which result in vibrant and accurate color representation.
The verdict: ipad vs xp-pen drawing tablets
Your personal preference plays a crucial role in determining the best fit for your workflow. If you’re conscious of your budget, XP-Pen could be the optimal selection. However, if you prioritize flexibility and performance, exploring the combination of an iPad with Astropad Studio may be worth considering.
From our eyes, the iPad offers a robust computing platform equipped with dedicated processors, ample onboard RAM, and a high-resolution Retina Display that presents visuals with striking clarity and vibrancy. When you combine the capabilities of Astropad Studio with the iPad, you’ll gain access to creative workflows you didn’t even know were possible.
Ready to dive into your creative world? Sign up for a free 14-day trial of Astropad Studio to use your iPad as a drawing tablet.
