Will This iPad Help You Make Better Art?

You will get some simple advice on how to get more detail and polish in your work. How to think about composition. And my thoughts on how to prepare for professional work.

Let's take a first look at the 13" M4 iPad Pro with it's accompanying "Pencil Pro"

This is an initial impression video. I got this on day one of release and have had a chance to play around with it. The purpose of this video is to help you figure out if it fits into your life.

...and talk about drawing tech for artists.

A proper review might follow once we know more about how the new tech is going to be utilised by new software features.

Below is an Automagically generated summary to help understand the video and aid search optimisation: (I think it does a pretty good job of summing things up, despite sounding a bit generic)

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VIDEO DESCRIPTION

The new iPad Pro with the M4 chip and OLED screen is here. As a professional 2D artist, I evaluate how this device stands up to its marketing claims and whether it's worth the investment. This video covers the initial impressions and review from a digital artist's perspective, focusing on drawing comics, illustrations, and concept art for video games.

I explore the device's build quality, its thinner and lighter design, and the new Pencil Pro. The key question is whether these enhancements justify the price. The OLED screen provides amazing visuals, crucial for both viewing and creating art. The M4 chip promises faster performance, enabling smoother drawing experiences and larger brush usage. However, compatibility issues with previous models and the high cost raise concerns about value for money.

I also touch on using the iPad Pro for video editing and how its speed impacts this task. Additionally, I delve into the significance of the OLED screen, particularly its ability to display deep blacks and bright highlights, enhancing the overall art experience.

Despite its impressive features, the new Pencil Pro feels similar to the old one, with added haptics and rotation that might not significantly impact the drawing process. The tablet’s thinness and rigidity are notable, but the high price might deter some artists. I compare this new model with previous versions and other tablets, considering their utility and value.

Ultimately, this video aims to help you decide whether the new iPad Pro is worth the investment for your artistic needs.

MAIN KEY POINTS

DEVICE OVERVIEW
The new iPad Pro with M4 chip and OLED screen.
Thinner, lighter design made for digital artists.
The importance of build quality and design.

OLED SCREEN ADVANTAGES
Superior visuals with deep blacks and bright highlights.
Crucial for both viewing and creating art.
Enhanced art experience with better color and contrast.

M4 CHIP PERFORMANCE
Faster performance for smoother drawing and larger brushes.
Impact on video editing and overall usability.

PENCIL PRO FEATURES
Similar to the old model with added haptics and rotation.
Limited impact on the drawing process.

THINNESS AND RIGIDITY
Noticeable design improvements.
Competition-driven thinness and its practical implications.

VALUE AND COMPARISON
High cost and value for money concerns.
Comparison with previous models and other tablets.
Utility and practical considerations for artists.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Is it worth the investment for your artistic needs?
The significance of the OLED screen and M4 chip.
Considerations for purchasing new vs. second-hand models.
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00:00 Intro
02:52 Welcome!
03:35 Review Context!
05:06 What's Actually New... That Artists Should Care About
05:16 It's Thinner...
05:44 It's Faster..?
06:37 The Screen!!!
09:44 The New "Pencil"
10:13 The Value vs Price Proposition
12:35 Let's Start The Actual Review
13:06 Is The Oled Screen Any Good?
16:48 The M4 Processor... Is it Appreciably Faster In the Real World???
19:00 The Pencil... Pro...Thing...
23:24 How Does It Live Up To Expectations...
23:36 Expectation #1 - The Screen Would Be A Major Upgrade
24:42 Expectation #2 - It's Going To Be Suuuper Fast
28:16 Expectation #3 - The Pen(cil Pro) Is Going To... Be Better???
29:02 Expectation #4 - Thinner And Lighter Will Help In Some Way
31:55 Overview And General Thoughts (In this Worth Buying Right NOW? April 2024)
33:49 As An Object
34:36 Is This Good Progress For Digital Art Tech?
35:52 The Utility... Will This Make You A Better Artist/Creative
39:03 Final Value Proposition Is it Worth It?
40:54 Bottom Line
41:56 Outro

Happy Drawing!

Tim Mcburnie

[TheDrawingCodex]

Have apple returned to their roots of supporting creative professionals... Or is "pro" just another marketing term for overpriced tech? Are you thinking of getting one of these?

[Original_Blagsta]

I got the same M1 iPad that you have as my primary art tool, and it does the job for me. I've got young kids running around so I can hide it out the way, then when things quieten down I can just pick it up turn it on and draw.

[joelmayerprods]

I have a Cintiq 22 and bought the new iPad Pro (had a 2017 Pro). And yet, i keep going back to my trusty Intuos L simply for the fact that i can sit however i want in my chair :D In the end the tool that makes you want to draw is the one you should use.

[TheDrawingCodex]

To get ahead of some of the keyboard warriors in the comments. I used the word "amazing" precisely 20 times in this video... Maybe the Steve Jobs reality distortion field is still in effect!

[AdamDuffArt]

I am hugely grateful that you shared your thoughts on the new iPad - you really nailed every important point in my opinion - thank you so much :)

[byronrhodes]

I have a 9th gen iPad first gen pencil. Cheapest option. It has been a game changer for me being able to finish digital art projects on my breaks and lunchtime at my full time job.

[cextheartist]

IPAD PRO is my dream equipment! one day my money gonna reach there!

[rikuaq]

In my opinion this is best m4 ipad review on youtube, even if you are not tech review channel.

[FractalPrism.]

If you're considering the 2024 m4 ipad pro get the 1TB/2TB version, it increases RAM to 16GB enabling more layers in your art programs.

[thekeysman]

22:17 "Three dimensional rotation" is 'barrel roll' for brush tools or calligraphy, etc. It's nothing to do with 'AI' or "VR goggles." Procreate adopted it within a month of release. It existed in Cintiqs for years already. And hover allows you to see which direction the brush, pen, or pencil is facing. The new barell roll feature, or "three dimensional rotation" as you call it, allows for shading with the side of a pencil point as well as harder lines. 🕊️

[emmadj]

I’ve had the 13” m4 iPad for a few weeks now. I used to have the 10, 9” 10th gen. I LOVE it! It’s so smooth! And the colour is phenomenal! The new apple pen is also revolutionary! Since I use a silicone sleeve to make it bigger, having the squeeze option is fantastic! I absolutely HATE the double tab, ands this alone made the upgrade worth it for me.

Now I’m not a professional, and I just draw as a hobby/school. So I got the 256GB and it’s perfect, and will probably last me years. I got it for around 1, 3 K $ for both pen and iPad. Though it was “used”. Originally I wanted the 13” air but it was actually almost 100$ more expensive.

If you don’t have the money to buy it as new or almost new- don’t get it. Get a new older pro or just the new air. It wouldn’t have been worth it for me if I had bought it at full price.

[asimian]

Great review and thoughts.
Better technology won't necessarily make you a better artist.
At this point, technology is more than good enough for most standalone, drawing and display tablets. And I still have to say that nothing beats analog drawing and you don't have to spend much. Cheap copy paper and a #2 pencil or Bic ballpoint pen still gives a better drawing experience.

[helicopter_traffic]

loved this review, most tech channels totally miss the point of this device! that said, it feels like you made the same point 5 times before moving on to the next point

this format feels conversational and casual, which is great in a landscape of hyper-edited, attention-span-shredding media, but i still feel like you could have chopped 15 minutes off the video length and driven these points home better, while preserving that organic flow. just some audience feedback ❤

also LOVE your art style, will check it out, and the forward thinking about how this tech is pushing the range of expression, i wish more people were talking about this. cheers!

[thekeysman]

26:54 If you had bought the 1 or 2 TB storage versions, you get double the ram of your model with more cores and the ram runs faster, so the 1GB PS document will open. And the screens on those versions are matte for drawing too. 🕊️

[nylation]

i recently got the m2 iPad so I'm glad to hear its not all that more fancy then the m2 otherwise it would've made my purchase redundant... and I cant afford that lol.

[MoeMalik]

Coming from the 2017 10.5” pro, the upgrade has been a BIG difference as it started to show it’s age for sure

[minseokwon]

I didn't mind the ad, just the price

[jackdelarosa]

Thanks for that interesting perspective on the new M4 iPad Pro and Apple Pencil Pro. I get the impression that to you, aside from discernible improvements brought by the new OLED display (which is true of any OLED display), the M4 iPad Pro doesn’t deliver for you. And of all the reviews I’ve seen from the professional artists segment in YouTube about the Apple Pencil pro, yours stands out as the least enthusiastic of all by far. I was very surprised to hear opinions so diametrically opposed about that device. It just goes to show how important it is for an individual looking to make an informed purchasing decision to try and test these devices in person and for most people that will mean purchasing it, trying it out, keeping it or exchanging for another version or returning all-together within the return window set by the seller if there is one.

[zombachu]

Hey, thanks for the review.

You made a point to say how disappointed you were with the new pencil but I think you glossed over what I think is a total game changer and in my opinion, one of the primary motivations to upgrade this year: the squeeze gesture.

The double tap gesture was finicky at best and RSI-inducing at worst, so being able to use the new pencil as if it had a button is very welcome.

[Buddhabellie]

It'll be a while before I would ever get this. My French version of Pinocchio comes today! Yeah! I'm like a kid in a candy shop.