Latest news with #PencilPro
Gizmodo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Gizmodo
From Apple Pencil 1st Gen to Pencil Pro, Amazon Is Clearing Out Stock at All-Time Low Prices
If you've ever written notes on an iPad, drawn, cropped photos, or just navigated with more precision, you're aware of how valuable the Apple Pencil is. It transforms your iPad into a productivity and creativity powerhouse that lets you interact with apps in ways that are simply not possible to you using your finger. However, Apple Pencils almost never go on sale which makes today's Amazon deals on all three current models-the Apple Pencil, Apple Pencil 2nd Generation, and Apple Pencil Pro especially noteworthy. Each is now available at a record low price, so if you've been waiting for the right moment to upgrade or buy your first stylus, this is your chance. The most affordable option in the lineup is the Apple Pencil (USB-C) and it now retails for just $69, down from $79. It's designed for people who want the bare essentials of Apple Pencil experience (pixel-perfect precision, low latency and tilt recognition) without the bells and whistles. It's perfect if you want to take notes, sketch, or annotate PDFs. The USB-C option charges and syncs using a USB-C cable which is convenient if you're newer iPads with their departure from the Lightning connector. See Apple Pencil at Amazon Higher up the series, the Apple Pencil 2nd Generation currently costs $99, down from its initial price of $129. This generation has been the gold standard for iPad users for years now with both design and functionality upgrades. The 2nd Gen Pencil attaches magnetically to the edge of supported iPads, wirelessly recharges, and stands ready at a moment's notice. It matches the USB-C model's pixel but also adds pressure sensing. Pressure sensitivity enables you to create lines of varying thickness and opacity depending on the pressure which is ideal for digital painting, sketching, and precise illustration work. See Apple Pencil 2nd Gen at Amazon Apple Pencil Pro is at the top of the product line and costs $99, down from $129 which is also an unusual price for Apple's latest and most advanced stylus. The Pencil Pro is designed for creatives and designers who want the best from their tools. It has all of the 2nd Generation features (magnetic attachment, wireless charging, pixel-precise accuracy, and pressure sensitivity) but pushes them further: The Pencil Pro introduces more subtle tilt and pressure sensitivity which means it can be even more accurate and sensitive to delicate drawing and shading. It also includes new gestures and haptic feedback which give you a more interactive and immersive experience while working. See Apple Pencil Pro at Amazon In the end, which one shall you go for? The USB-C is ideal for basic note-taking and sketching, the 2nd Generation is best for artists who need pressure sensitivity and more advanced features, and the Pencil Pro is ideal for those who need the most advanced stylus Apple offers.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
iPad Air M3 Review: Once Again, the Pro iPad for Most
We're midway through the 2020s now, and the iPad still feels like the same proposition as always: A really great tablet that can aspire to be your laptop replacement, if you're OK with a slight software adjustment. And once again, the "iPad Air" remains a misnomer: it's not the thinnest iPad. It is, however, the budget "Pro" for most people. The iPad Air and iPad Pro were updated a year ago; the iPad Air got an M2 processor, while the iPad Pro got an M4 and a total makeover, including a fancy new OLED display. The iPad Pro hasn't been refreshed yet this year and remains extremely expensive at $999 and up. The Air, meanwhile, received a chip bump to the M3 processor, and a revamped and slightly cheaper Magic Keyboard. And it starts at $599, the same as before. These updates are not exciting. In fact, it's hard to think of a time I was less excited about an iPad update. That doesn't mean the bumped-up performance with no added cost isn't welcome, but it's just not introducing anything new at all. A year ago, I called the iPad Air "the iPad Pro you should buy." So, obviously, my feelings remain unchanged. As nice as the fancier M4 iPad Pro might be, spending an extra $400 for it now that it's also a year old seems like a lot to ask. The iPad Air may be a bit thicker, and lack Face ID … and Lidar on the back … and an M4 chip … and an OLED display … but what the Air does have is very good performance, and still works with the Pencil Pro. Are you OK with those compromises? See at Apple Then again, for most people, there's another iPad to consider: the basic one. The new entry iPad, also arriving at the same time as this Air, sounds like more than enough. I haven't tested that one yet (Apple didn't send one for review at the same time as this Air), but with 128GB of storage and a better A16 processor (that can't run Apple Intelligence), it's a good option worth considering. If you'd like to use a Pencil Pro and plan to power-use either AI or graphics features on the iPad, then the Air is your budget pick. I reviewed a 13-inch iPad Air configuration Apple sent me to test, with 1TB of storage. That's an expensive iPad ($1299), and at that price I'd just consider an upgrade to a Pro. But the 11-inch model, with less onboard storage, would be the one I'd consider. (The 13-inch model's display aspect ratio heavily letterboxes films anyway, making it less ideal for video watching than you'd think). There are reasons to spend more on this Air than the entry-level $349 iPad, even if you're spending $250 more to get it. The two big ones are the M3 chip and Pencil Pro ($129, sold separately) compatibility. The M3 boost over the A16 chip remains to be seen (as I said, I haven't tested the new iPad yet), but the M3 is a big jump in graphics, AI capability and speed, and won't be outdated anytime soon. Most iPad owners don't need the horsepower, but since Apple once again cut off the standard iPad from Apple Intelligence compatibility, you might feel more peace of mind with the Air long-term. The same goes for working with Pencil Pro, Apple's better stylus. It's a more feature-packed tool than the regular Pencil that works with the iPad, and a reason for artists to make the Air a no-brainer. It feels like Apple deliberately cut Pencil Pro support and an Apple Intelligence-capable chip off the entry-level iPad just to make the temptation clearer, which is annoying, but that's the way it goes this year. It's harder to justify spending more for the iPad Pro right now. The M3 versus the M4 chip performance gap diminishes compared to last year's M2 versus M4 gap. The iPad Air also works with the same type of Magic Keyboard this year and with the Pencil Pro. The iPad Pro gets you a high-contrast HDR custom OLED display, a thinner design, a Face ID camera and Lidar on the back if you care about those things, but those features come at a price jump of $400. To me, it just doesn't make sense. Apple's M series chips are fantastic performers, but I'd argue that their achievements on iPad are harder to appreciate unless you're a power user diving into AI, graphics or video or photo work. The M3 bump seems to offer another good step up: On Geekbench 6, the multicore score was 11,643, compared to the M4 iPad Pro's score of 14,672, and the M2 iPad Air's score last year of 9,894. That makes the iPad Air M3 about 18% percent faster than last year's M2 iPad Air. And the M4 iPad Pro roughly 26% faster than the M3 iPad Air in multitasking, on paper. But even Apple doesn't compare M chip gains year over year. Versus the M2, it's incremental. It'll feel like a big leap if it's your first time using an M-series iPad. If you already happen to have an M2 iPad Air Magic Keyboard from last year, which works on the M3 model, you don't need a new Magic Keyboard. But the slightly lower cost ($269 and up) and added row of function keys on the new Magic Keyboard make it a better pick (even though it still doesn't flip back to work in a folio-style mode). That said, it's my favorite option for laptopifying your iPad. The Magic Keyboard is heavy, though, and adds thickness to your iPad, too. I've gotten used to it, but on the 13-inch iPad Air it makes the whole thing heavier than a MacBook Air. Just a warning. But also, there are slight differences between the iPad Air and iPad Pro Magic Keyboards. For some reason, the trackpad area is larger on the Pro's, and the keyboard is more shifted up while staying the same size. I prefer the iPad Pro's keyboard layout, and don't know why the Air's couldn't have done the same. But there are more differences, too: the Air's keyboard lacks backlighting that the Pro version has. Also, the inner material isn't aluminum like the Pro. And the smaller trackpad uses a physical click mechanism instead of the haptic click of the Pro version. It has the passthrough USB-C port like the Pro one does, but corners have been cut here in several ways. Apple Intelligence has been the big software focus for Apple over the last year, and just like last year, the iPad Air can run all of the generative AI features Apple has put into iPadOS. Right now, those features just aren't all too amazing… or useful. Summarizing messages and notifications can get annoying and even misleading. Image Playground and Genmoji image generation aren't as good as generative AI image tools you can get in other apps. And while ChatGPT is integrated into Siri, you can also just use ChatGPT in the ChatGPT app. And with reports that Apple's promised revamp of Siri has been delayed again, it seems that there's no rush to adopt Apple Intelligence into your life. It's still a set of features that feel like they're in beta. The iPad is, you know, versatile. It can run tons of apps. It can multitask (to a degree), something the M-series chips can do even with a connected monitor. It can feel like a laptop. It can be a full computer experience if you want it to be. It's not the same as a Mac, though, which drives me crazy. Once again, I'm writing this review on the iPad Air, but I'll be filing the review on my MacBook because working on our CMS isn't always easy on iPads. They're not the same as Macs. The split identity of Apple's computer lineup continues onward, and you once again have to decide if you're an iPad person or a Mac person, or both. You can be both, and I am. But in that case, you don't want to spend a lot on that iPad, do you? The entry iPad feels priced to be a casual accessory, while the iPad Air's price spans somewhat affordable ($599) to high-end laptop if you bump up storage (up to 1TB configs are on tap) or add accessories like the Apple Pencil Pro or Magic Keyboard. Apple removed the "iPad Air" from the back of this iPad Air. There's just an Apple logo now. Maybe it's a sign. Air doesn't mean anything right now in Apple's iPad universe. The Air is very good, and at the right config, this could very well be the futureproofed, more affordable iPad that's perfect for you -- especially if you're interested in pushing the iPad hard for tools that will need the M3 performance. Don't overspend, and you'll be happy. What do I really want here? Well, I've said it before, I'd like these lovely keyboarded, powerful iPads to become Macs at the touch of a button. That would help me. And, sure, an OLED display would be nice. But the Air covers all the rest of the bases I'd ever need. I just can't justify them being super expensive if they're not ready to make the leap into MacOS convertibles, too. Apple's focus on the low and midrange iPads this time around could mean, possibly, that they agree. Or, the M5 chip for the Pro just isn't ready yet.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Walmart Deals of the Day: Pick Up the Latest Apple Stylus for $30 Off
On the hunt for a good bargain? Well, CNET has got your back. Our dedicated deals writers spend hours each day combing through hundreds of deals at major retailers like Amazon and Walmart to bring you the best daily offers. For today, Feb. 26 at Walmart, you'll find a $30 discount on Apple's latest Pencil Pro stylus. You can also grab a 4K LG TV with a massive 86-inch display for $300 off and some luxurious Turkish cotton towels for just $22. Apple Pencil Pro: $99 (save $30) See at Walmart The Pencil Pro is the most advanced stylus available for Apple users and offers some unique new features for the latest iPad Air and Pro models. It supports haptic feedback, which helps "improve the feel of drawing and painting," and it adds new squeeze and roll gestures that make it easy to switch between brushes, sizes and colors. Just note that this stylus is only compatible with select iPad models. LG 86-inch UQ70 4K TV: $798 (save $300) See at Walmart When it comes to shopping for a new TV, our expert's advice is that you should get the largest screen you can afford -- and this deal is a great chance to go big without breaking the bank. This LG model boasts stunning 4K UHD resolution, and it's equipped with an fifth-gen A7 AI processor that automatically optimizes the picture settings. It's also great for gamers, with an impressive 120Hz refresh rate and a dashboard that allows you to adjust settings on the fly. Superior Aria 3-piece towel set: $22 (save $53) See at Walmart A plush, soft towel is a simple luxury, and right now you can grab these at a great price. This three-piece set includes a 28-by-52-inch bath towel, a hand towel and a face towel. They're made of 800 GSM Turkish cotton with terry loop stitching, making them highly absorbent. There's also an attached hanging loop for easy drying and storage. Just note that only the dusty aqua color is available at this price.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Apple Pencil Pro is back on sale for $99
Apple's fantastic stylus, the Pencil Pro, is on sale via Amazon for just $99. This is $30 off, which translates to a discount of 23 percent. This isn't the lowest price we've ever seen for this item, but it's close. The Apple Pencil Pro is the company's latest and greatest stylus. It allows for a number of squeeze-based gestures that can be adjusted via a drop-down menu during use. It also includes a gyroscope to detect when the stylus is rolled, which makes it easier to change the orientation of shaped pen and brush tools. Of course, it supports pressure sensitivity. There's even a haptic engine to deliver vibration-based feedback when the pen is being used. And, maybe most conveniently, it works with Apple's Find My network. After all, stylus pens are small and easy to lose. All of this new tech has been squeezed into a package that's actually lighter than the second-gen Apple Pencil. The primary downside here is the price, which has been mostly alleviated by this sale. Before making a purchase, double-check to ensure that your iPad supports the Pencil Pro. It's only compatible with some of the company's latest tablets, including the 11- and 13-inch iPad Air (M2), and the 11- and 13-inch iPad Pro (M4). It also works with the newest iPad Mini. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Apple's iPad 10 Is the Screen I Reach for the Most, and It's $70 Off for Presidents' Day
I've been reviewing wearable tech, tablets and other tech for years, so I have a house overflowing with useful gadgets. But the screen my family uses more than anything else is the Apple iPad 10. Now, it's $70 off on both Amazon and Best Buy for the Presidents' Day weekend, which drops the price down to $279. That's a pretty sweet deal on a device that's become the hardest-working gadget in our home. Since I've got kids, having a cheaper iPad on hand is a must. Apple's entry-level iPad gives us more than enough for basic game-playing, movie-watching, video chats and even some light work. The 10th-gen iPad is the least expensive and most versatile computer in our house, and whenever we need to do something quickly, like look at photos together, order groceries online, or do some quick research on a trip we're planning, it's usually the first thing we turn to. I can't justify the iPad as a true laptop replacement. However, on any trip my family goes on, it is the first device after a phone that any of us decide to pack. It doesn't support the higher-end Pencil Pro stylus, but it can work for art with a USB-C Pencil just fine and has a lot of keyboard case options that nearly turn it into a laptop. The iPad has fancier varieties that ramp up processing power, display quality and size, and add more storage. Still, in many ways, all iPads feel pretty much the same. That's the great success of the iPad in the first place, and it's also why cheaper iPads are still great gifts. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. I like the 11-inch iPad size the most. It's a perfect blend of screen size and portability, and it's a great fit for keyboard cases. It's easy to slip in a bag and big enough to multitask on with split-screen apps. I love doing quick writing and notetaking on iPads with keyboard cases, and the iPad is also my preferred quick and easy way to watch TV shows and movies by myself. I don't always play games on the iPad (I'm a game console person), but games like Catan, Balatro and Retro Bowl on the iPad are my personal obsessions. Read more: Best iPad for 2025 I play with plenty of gadgets in my house, and the iPad is one of many tools in my tech collection. It really hits me how much the iPad is an essential family tool when I see how my wife gravitates to it, or my kids. It's comforting, it's instant and most of the iPads in our home are years old, which doesn't even slightly affect how often we use them. That's why I suggest that buying low is the way to go, despite how nice and speedy higher-end iPads can seem. Discounts on Apple devices don't come around too often. So when a deal does become available, it's best not to wait as it can disappear at any time. While this isn't the lowest price we've seen, this drops it down to the same price we saw during the major holiday sales. In a world full of rapidly changing tech and gadgets, it's nice that each generation of the iPad can be so reliable and stable. Sure, the 10th-gen iPad might get updated next spring, but in the meantime it's the best affordable bet for basic uses, such as watching TV, creating art and playing select games. If you're searching for more affordable tech, here's our roundup of all the best deals for Presidents Day happening right now.
