Empowering Creators, Planners, and Professionals: Is the Apple Pencil 2 Still Worth It in 2023?
Apple Pencil 2nd Generation
A little History... The Apple Pencil 2nd Generation was released in 2018, however, I decided to go with its younger brother, the Apple Pencil 1st Generation because it was compatible with my then iPad 6th Generation. During medical school, I purchased an iPad 6th Generation as a way to increase my digital noting taking habits. I decided to invest in these two products because they were the cheapest way to break into the Apple ecosystem. I reasoned that, If I didn't enjoy the Apple ecosystem, it would be a relatively easy to escape and slip back into the Android world.
My first Apple Pencil ... Apple Pencil 1st Generation - I always loved taking physical notes during medical school, which eventually led to digital note-taking due to the obscene amount of information I had to consume. During this time, the Apple Pencil 1st Generation worked for its intended purpose, but it had so many cons that I really didn't enjoy the overall user experience.The main issues I faced with the Apple Pencil 1st Generation include: poor charging design, the slippery smooth texture, storage of the Pencil when not in use, the constant fear of losing the cap when the Pencil was charging and the biggest fear of the lightening port breaking off in the iPad when it was charging. No other stylus addressed the issues presented by the Apple Pencil 1st Generation, until the rise of the Apple Pencil 2 Generation.
Apple Pencil 1st Generation. Courtesy: Apple
My Current Situation... The Apple Pencil 2nd Generation - Ahhh, it works! I bought the Apple Pencil 2nd Generation when I purchased my iPad Mini 6th Generation in 2021. I previously reviewed of my iPad Mini 6, so you can check it out HERE. The Apple Pencil 2nd Generation addressed many of the issues I had with the 1st Generation Pencil, presenting an overall enjoyable user experience. I wouldn't say it replaces my Pen and Paper experience because I still love and enjoy using my Hobonichi Cousin Planner (yes I love Planners - especially Hobonichi Planners) and my Hi-Tecpoint V5 RT by Pilot, but it does feel amazing to write, draw, sketch and sign documents with the Apple Pencil 2 Generation.
My Apple Pencil 2nd Generation
Why I love it?
+ Writing - Making notes with the Apple Pencil 2nd Generation doesn't feel like a pencil and paper per se, but this is as close as it gets presently. My matte screen protector provides the necessary friction required for the experience to mimic a pencil and paper scenario. Additionally,as aforementioned signing documents are a breeze especially when out and about, and you need to send off an important, time sensitive document ASAP.
+ Latency - The low latency and precision experienced with the Apple Pencil 2nd Generation is a massive improvement, in my opinion, compared to the its 1st Generation brother. You can write on your iPad without the distraction of seeing your notes written shortly after you moved on to write another word.
+ Charging - Magnetic charging thank you Apple! The Apple Pencil 2nd Generation connects magnetically to my iPad mini 6 which is a massive improvement compared to the 1st Generation. With the previous generationI lived with the constant fear of the lightning connector port would break off in the iPad while charging or that I would lose the cap! With the APple 2nd Generation I simply allow it to snap onto my iPad and it charges instantly!
+ Texture - The matte finish of the Apple 2nd Generation provides the necessary grip required for a comfortable writing experience. With the previous generation the texture was too slippery to enjoy writing for long or short periods of time.
+ Compatibility - The Apple Pencil 2nd Generation works with the iPad Air and iPad Pro models so if I ever decide to upgrade to a larger screen size I already have one accessory that works!
+ Storage - The magnetic nature of the Apple Pencil 2nd Generation allows it to be stored in the charging port while the device is not in use! Amazing feature, as this almost guarantees your device will not get lost and/or you forget it in another location in transit to a new location.
What can be improved?
+Design - the Apple Pencil 2nd Generation’s body is mostly cylindrical with one flat surface for charging. This design does make the device feel ‘artificial’ and not like that of a ‘pencil’. Now this design does prevent the Apple Pencil from making a roll for it when placed on a hard surface however, I would love to see a design with grooves like those on a real pencil.
+ Tip - I would like to see changeable tips for those of us who sometimes like a 0.5 mm vs 0.7 mm vs 0.9 mm depending on the type of writing/drawing activity we are currently engaged in.
Now for forth and buy in confidence.
Until next time,
Josanne
*Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, **at no cost** to you.
