IPad Pro VS IPad Air VS Samsung s8 Ultra. Can you help me decide?

[KiabIce]

Is there other tablet brands that are worth mentioning comparable to Ipad Pro or AIr? I'm not sure I want to shell out 1300 dollars for a Pro

[gabriellabalagna]

Hi again, Kiab!

So, here's my thoughts. First off, why do Apple products have to be so expensive?! Personally, I have the first generation of the iPad Pro. It's big enough that I can use the split screen mode and have some reference images off to the side.

If you plan to use the split screen feature while drawing it takes up a lot of space. So, in that case, the iPad Air would be too small. But if you don't use a lot of references or you look up reference photos on a phone/computer, then the iPad Air screen would be plenty big.

However, if an iPad just seems way too overpriced there is a much cheaper option to consider. If you already own a laptop or computer, just buy a cheap Wacom tablet with no display. It may not be quite as nice to use as an iPad, but it's a lot cheaper.

Hope this helps!

[KiabIce]

Hey hey Gab,

I do have a Wacom Cintiq 16 however.... its not portable!

The Ipad Pro 5th generation is 1230 with the apple pencil.

I might save up to buy the Ipad Pro for 1230. I think that would make it easier to draw and not carry so much tradtionally.

OR another option is....

Buy another drawing tablet that is portable. I can buy another drawing tablet for 50 dollars.?

[gabriellabalagna]

Yeah, portability is an important factor. Hopefully you'll earn/be gifted some extra cash for the iPad Pro.

Otherwise, a second, cheap, small, portable drawing tablet is another great option.

[migxmeg]

Hey, hope you've been doing well! I never tried the iPad Air but drew pretty much daily for hours and hours on an iPad Pro - if you're planning to draw a lot on it I'd say you should certainly go with the Pro - it's not good for your wrist/tendons to be drawing on something too tiny for too many hours a week and spending the extra will be worth it not to mess up your hand.

If it's an occasional back-up option for drawing on the go... I don't know that's a lot extra and the Air should really cover you for reading and podcasts.

Either way, agree with Jenny that those paper-feel screen protectors are a huge help and I had a stand as well to keep it propped at a more comfortable angle.

Edit: gotta add that it's still in great shape after 3-4 years, so if you do decide to spend the extra at least you should be able to enjoy the device for a really long time!

[KiabIce]

I've seen others use other kinds of cheaper tablets like Samsung Galaxy Tablets. What is your views on that?

[KiabIce]

HM are you suggesting I buy the Air instead?

BTW, hello! Long time no see!

[migxmeg]

I've never drawn on one, so I can't usefully recommend it! My advice is probably only useful if your iPad is going to be a primary drawing tool. Seems like a lot more of a judgment call depending how many drawing hours/week you're planning to put on it.

Yeah! Been a while nice to see you.

[gabriellabalagna]

Haven't tried Samsung tablets. I tried a Microsoft Surface though and it was terrible. If you could test one out in a store or borrow someone's to try that would be good.

Also, there's this Youtuber, Brad Colbow. He does a lot of nice drawing tablet reviews.

[KiabIce]

Hey there!

The Samsung Galaxy Tablet S8 Ultra seems like a great deal! Has great reviews on it too... the screen is 14 " big! Thats great! You can also install Clip Studio on there too (probably an app).

It costs 999. I might buy it instead of an apple ipad pro.

[Kogami]

I don't have any of the tablets you suggested but I do draw on a Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. Imo, I would recommend the Galaxy Tab only if you don't prioritize Procreate and prefer Android's ecosystem and advantages (like customizations, emulations, and file managements, etc). There are apps like Ibis Paint and Medibang which are free but to me CSP is the few "professional" option that Android have, haha. But nothing's stopping you from using other apps to draw with, ofc!

I think the ipads overall seems to be more preferred by artists and Procreate is part of the reason why, and ofc ipads def have a better variety in app ecosystem. I just personally went with a Galaxy Tab because I'm too used to Android devices and didn't want to learn iOS just for something I merely want to draw on haha. AlsobecauseI'macheapskateanddontwannaspendextrafortheApplePencil*cough*

That said, I personally use CSP with my Tab S6 Lite on a daily basis, and it works great with it! Unless I'm using it while split screen or open a large files with 3D assets, I barely notice any latency with the S-pen even with such small tablet, and I'm sure the S8 Ultra wouldn't have much issues with its higher specs :>

But if you don't have preference for OS or apps, my only recommendation is to pick from screen size I guess? I saw the S8 Ultra in person once and its def huge, almost the size of my own laptop screen xD

[KiabIce]

Ok so with Samsung Galaxy Tablet s series did you have any lagging issues with Clip Studio?

[Kogami]

As I stated earlier, if I was using bigger 3D files or having a split screen with Chrome, yeah! But I feel like that's prob because mine has only 4GB of RAM, the S8 Ultra have 8GB of them which is the same as the base ipad Pro iirc, which will likely solve the lagging issue haha

I also heard having higher stabilization for your brushes will have some sort of latency, I personally just set mine at 0 since I never had an issue with line wobble etc with the pen myself!

Though not sure if you've known this but do note that CSP on both ipad and Android are subscription based, and you cant carry your license on PC through the app ver

[CloudyMagpie]

I can only give you my experience with the IPad Air and photoshop. I bought it mid April and I’ve used it to ink the entirety of my call to action comic and I really like it so far. I was in the market for a new thing since my poor little Wacom intuos finally went kaput. The pro just seemed too big and more expensive for me so I went smaller. It’s about the size of an A5 notebook and I’ve always sketched and drawn in similar sized sketchbooks so that doesn’t bother me (it’s even bigger than my old Wacom actually).

I was a little uncertain when I first started using it. The pencil felt much heavier than I was used to, but now my old Wacom stylus feels too light. I was awkward and clunky on it and it took a while to get used to the touch commands, but I’m pretty happy with right now.

The battery life is pretty good as well. I use it on and off throughout the day with photoshop,YouTube, and spoofy and it still has some juice by the time I go to bed.

Also, make sure to check Amazon for price cuts. Sometimes they sell the gray ones for way cheaper than the other colors (this goes for the pro too). And if you’re gonna buy a case for it, it won’t matter much what color it is anyway. I also saved a bit by buying a renewed pencil. (So far no issues but let’s hope I won’t regret it later)

I don’t know when space will become an issue since the air only has up to 256gb, but so far I only have a few basic apps. I use photoshop just because I already have all my cloud stuff synced and that’s been SUPER nice. I still haven’t really given procreate a fair try, since I’ve been so focused on my comic stuff. But so far it looks like it eats up more space and battery so I probably would not use it for my larger comic projects. But it’s been great for one off illustrations so the hype around it is real.

I still go back and forth between my computer and the tablet. primarily for typesetting and exporting purposes as well as other tools mobile PS still hasn’t implemented.

Hope this helps somehow?

[bootsii]

I second going for the Pro (2nd gen and above). It doesn't need to be the 5th gen. I use the 2nd gen Pro, and it works like a charm. From personal anecdotes and watching some reviews on YT (primarily from Brad Colbow), those alternatives are either too small and/or a little bit too slow to sketch quickly. That last bit was what really made me only consider Pros in the end. This is reliant upon the amount of RAM. 4 GB of RAM is generally going to be quicker than one with 3 (Pro gen 1, or the Air 3, to give you some examples).

Also, idk where you live, but sites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, Mercari, Ebay, etc are all super useful for finding the cheapest possible option: used!

[KiabIce]

When you buy used you don't get the warranty for 1 year though!

Im leaning towards Samsung S8 In Ultra or iPad pro.

-UPDATE-

An online friend of mine mentioned I should buy the s8+ Samsung Galaxy tablet... It's cheaper and the same size at the Ipad Pro.

I will be testing out the Ipad Pro, Microsoft Surface pro 8, and Samsung tablet s8+ when I have time.

[bootsii]

True! But you don't have to break the bank. I got mine for $300 WITH an apple pencil. That's a steal!!! Just gotta be extra careful you don't break it lol...

I actually looked up the S8 Ultra and Plus you're talking about, and I totally overlooked them. Looks like they have amazing specs! Definitely solid contenders

[Lady_T_Musings]

I used to have a Samsung tablet that I used for drawing back in the day and my issue was the number of times it got bricked. Like religiously every two years my Samsung devices would get bricked and I got sick of it. That and I was used to the superior pen pressure tech of my wacom tablets and Yiynova tablet screen monitor, but I needed a mobile solution.

I switched to the 2018 iPad which was the first base iPad that let you use the pencil and I could use it, but drawing on a small surface for extended periods of time is hot garbage for the wrist and the hand cramps were real. I then looked into buying a second-hand Ipad Pro after going to BestBuy and demoing the larger ipads in person and then searched to see how much money I could shave off by buying an older generation iPad that had the features I needed (Apple pencil capable and able to run Clipstudio and Procreate) found the iPad pro 2017 with a ton of memory to be worth the $650 investment (I bought this in 2019 used).

If you plan to have your tablet as your main art station, go on ahead and invest in a bigger one. I have the 12.9 inches and it's just right. Yes, tablets are pricy, but second-hand is also an option. So is buying one that's a bit older. I've been using my second-hand 2017 iPad pro 12.9 since 2019 and it's still running smoothly for my art purposes.

The site I trust when I look for second-hand tech is Swappa. I've used them for tablets and phones before and they are legit if you are looking for alternative buying methods.

[KiabIce]

Hi there thanks for your opnion and feedback!

I have concluded I will buy the 11" Ipad Pro. I am saving up enough to buy it. I will also try out the Samsung s8+ too at Best Buy so I can make an informed decision.

[system]

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