JONWAYSTAN

A quick summary of the Apple 2024 May Event:

iPad Pro 2024

• M4 chips
• NEW tandem oled screen with 1600 nits peak HDR brightness
• Thin
• Base model starts at 256GB
• Special Nano-texture Glass for 1TB onwards storage
• Expensive

iPad Air 6th Gen

• M2 chips
• NEW 13-inch model
• Base model starts at 128GB

Apple Pencil Pro

• Added new feature: squeeze, barrel roll and haptic feedback
• Added Find Me feature
• Support 2024 iPad Pro and iPad Air (6th Gen) only
• No backwards compatibility 😔

Since my 2017 iPad Pro had been out of service, I have been actively seeking a replacement ever since the M1 iPad Pro. I do have a Samsung Galaxy S7 Fe with me, but the the drawing experience (especially the thin S pen) never compete with Apple Pencil.

With the release of the new iPad, I find myself navigating between the enticing array of fresh choices. Here’s my though from a hobbyist artist view:

M4 iPad Pro is a beast, but can be too overpower for Art. The price is too expensive that one can already buy a standalone PC with a decent power.

M2 iPad Pro even though is a two years machine, it becomes a pretty good price point if you want pro feature (promotion, lidar scanner) but don’t want to break your wallet. Down side is, it doesn’t support the new Apple Pencil Pro.

M2 iPad Air 11 inch, equipping with the same processor as M2 iPad Pro, becomes a real competitive player. The screen still runs at 10.9 inch. Though, you can get 128gb storage which is the same price of M1 iPad Air 64gb at released.

M2 iPad Air 13-inch, is something I personally adore. 12.9/13 inch iPad was previously locked to the Pro series. With the new release 13 inch iPad Air, the Air series becomes something interesting from an Artist POV. The down side is that the lack of ProMotion may affect the drawing experience. I am not sure though, if the extra 30% screen assets, Apple Pencil Pro and extra RM340 will pay for the ProMotion experience.

Currently I am drawing on Huion Kamvas 13, which also a 13 inch and 60Hz monitor. So far the drawing experience is pretty good and I like the bigger screen. For iPad Air 13inch, will have to get it tested once the product hit the local store.