Why the Apple Pencil is not overpriced

One of the most popular accessories for the iPad is Apple's Pencil. It's a great companion, but can be a bit pricey. However, there are alternative active styluses available that cost much less, but do they perform just as well? I asked a Vancouver based artist Audrey Lemond to help me evaluate the options.

You can find Audrey on Instagram at @audreylemondart

Buy Apple Pencil (1st Generation)

Buy Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)

Buy Adonit Note+

Buy Logitech Crayon

Buy ZAGG Pro Stylus

Buy Stylus Pen Compatible with Apple iPad (2018 and Later)

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CHAPTERS
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0:00 Intro
0:42 Meet the Artist and the Alternatives
2:48 Thanks Zoho CRM!
3:29 Using the Apple Pencil
4:03 What's an Active Stylus and trying the Logitech Crayon
5:00 They don't support Pressure Sensitivity
6:12 Trying the Adonis Note+ and explaining Tilt Sensitivity
8:17 ZAGG Pro Stylus
9:04 The Amazon... one
9:48 Evaluating the Value
11:17 Conclusion

[localblackman]

"Expensive doesn't equal overpriced and cheaper doesn't mean better deal" is the most important thing a young adult can learn.

[gurraba]

Yeah when I was shopping for stylus, I saw the Logitech crayon for like 85 bucks, and the Apple Pencil (1st gen) on sale for 80. Not a very hard choice, even considering original pricing. Love the videos btw, the style really separates the channel from the rest of LMG. Keep up the good work!

[meowmochimeow]

I've never met an artist or writer who has said the Apple Pencil was overpriced. Somebody who takes art or writing seriously will happily spend a lot more on traditional pens or pencils.

[MRXY]

Engineering student here:
I use the 2nd gen apple pencil with the 2020 ipad air for note taking and calculations... actually one of my favourite features is the preasure sensitivity for changing the thickness of the pencil strokes - i really use that quite a lot for adding smaller annotations

[enduringtech]

It appeared to me that Audrey is traditionally trained in illustration and hence she adapted to the other pencils very quickly, proving that it's her talent and not the tools that carrys her work. Well, a good piece of tool is still very nice however.

[ShaakunthK]

I'll never get tired of the ELITE production quality on this channel

[Hoju]

As a professional artist myself, the Apple Pencil is the only one I would ever even consider. Pressure sensitivity is one of the most important features and anything lacking that makes it a non-starter. But yeah, if you're not doing art in Procreate or CSP or something? I guess just whichever one is most comfortable in your hand for regular writing. If jotting things down is more important then pressure sensitivity itself might be a negative! Having to press down to take notes quickly could be a hassle I would think.

[SarahKchannel]

I am an artist of similar level, just way older. I am a good 20 years on Wacom's, I own every iPad that does pencils too. I cant say the Wacom and iPad pencils compare in any way, other than they paint. But the truth is not just in the pencil. The glass makes a difference too. Wacom has a slightly 'frosted' feel, that adds resistance to the drawing. Plus Wacom has two buttons and eraser on the back - which totally sucks on the Apple pencil for not having either !!
Even after 2 odd years now on the iPad Pro and pencil, I will always go back to the Wacom when ever time and location permits ! (I even have on Cintiq 22HD in a flight case to travel)

[dedededamanam]

Pressure sensitivity is the thing that makes it feel like actually drawing on paper with pens and pencil. You could technically just scan your traditional art instead and get a better result but it’s so convenient to have this mixture of digital and traditional art.

[math]

As soon as you said that none of the cheaper alternatives had pressure sensitivity, I was shocked. As an illustrator (primarily digital), not having pressure sensitivity is a complete deal-breaker if I want to use it in any professional capacity and I think all the artists I know would feel the same. If you want to have variation in line weight and you don’t want to take forever going in and adding line weight variation in post, pressure sensitivity is essential.

[icetanker]

I own that "Amazon special" pencil from the video, and for what I use it for, that being note taking and maths, it's perfect. The magnetic attachment is actually super useful and I use it all the time, and the lack of pressure sensitivity doesn't bother me because I don't draw practically ever.

[roastedalmonds]

Got an iPad Air and pencil for Christmas. Been mostly using it for note taking in college and has been great for it. Also started dabbling in digital art since I’ve always wanted to but never had a drawing tablet.

[NuSpirit_]

Honestly even for notes taking I feel like Apple Pencil is better than alternatives. When writing down in notes it just feels more "real". My only gripe is I had to buy gen 1 so there's the cap and cable :/

[Ender]

The Apple Pencil 2 is just so good. I wasn’t even an art student, but I wound up learning how to draw in procreate because of my marine biology class that required us to do 5 drawings of marine life and it had to be anatomically accurate. I aced all 5 and I can’t imagine doing that without the pressure sensitivity.

[RustyWillis-vxdl]

Engineering Student here
I bought myself an iPad Air M1 and the second gen apple pencil recently and that is the best purchase I've ever made. All my notes in one place, being able to draw diagrams easily, texting my notes to friends, adding pictures to my notes, not having 6 notebooks. The iPad is a must for college students who do handwritten notes.

[isa-belva]

it's always so pleasant to come across a video about styluses with an artist involved in it! i groan everytime someone reviews a tablet/laptop with a stylus and doesn't even mention the pressure sensitivity or tilt. the majority may not be artists, but it's something quick and simple to demonstrate that would immensely help the artists amongst the viewers. i appreciate this kind of video so much.

[DrJohn]

The title should rather read: "Why the overpriced Apple pencil is the only option for professional artists" (with the simple answer: Because it is the only one supporting pressure sensitivity in Procreate)

[Ben-igbf]

It comes down to what you use it for, I'm super happy with my 20€ pencil with no pressure sensitivity. I dont draw on my ipad, I have my huion kamvas 24 for that, and for taking notes in class its pretty dang ok, no need for me to spend the extra money. Having wireless charging magnetically would be nice, but it wouldnt be 70€ more nice for me

[adityakhabiya]

Although the storyline for season 5 of Rick and Morty was not that good imo, the animation and bgfx were on point. Nice work Audrey!

[ChiefYoshi]

I use the Apple Pencil for drawing and note taking. It’s amazing, but I’m glad I got it for free because “Apple tax” makes it way more expensive than it should be