10 Best iPad For Artists 2023 – Top Choices for Drawing

Having personally tried and tested most iPad models available on the market, I’ve witnessed their evolution, and I have an understanding about how they function. Among many groups that find these useful, artists hold a special place.

From sketching to digital painting, graphic design to animation, iPads have revolutionized the way artists work, offering portability without compromising on functionality. In this guide, I’ll be sharing my insights on the top 10 iPads that I believe are the best for artists.

Doesn’t matter what your level of skill is, there’s an iPad out there that’s tailor-made for your artistic journey.

1. Apple iPad Pro 12.9 With 1 TB

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12.9-inch iPad Pro quickly became my personal choice. The M1 chip takes performance to a whole new level, making multitasking smoother than ever. The Liquid Retina XDR display is nothing short of brilliant, offering vibrant colors and sharp details.

And the camera system? It’s top-notch, especially with the Ultra Wide camera feature and the LiDAR Scanner which brings AR to life.

But let’s not forget the ultrafast Wi-Fi and the all-day battery life. These features ensured that I was always connected and never had to constantly reach for the charger. The Thunderbolt port was a pleasant addition, allowing me to connect to external storage, displays, and docks with ease.

Feature	Specification
Chip	Apple M1
Display	12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR
Camera System	TrueDepth with Ultra Wide camera
Main Camera	12MP Wide, 10MP Ultra Wide
Connectivity	Ultrafast Wi-Fi
Port	Thunderbolt

 

2. Apple iPad Pro 2023 (11-inch)

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Apple iPad Pro 2023 (11-inch) is not my personal choice for daily use, but there’s no denying its prowess.

The device boasts an M2 chip, which, from my experience, offers a seamless and lag-free operation, even when multitasking. The Liquid Retina display is nothing short of stunning, making every visual pop with clarity and vibrancy.

The Wi-Fi 6E ensures fast wireless connections, which is a boon for those who are always on the move or working remotely.

One feature that particularly caught my attention was the next-generation Pencil experience. It transforms the tablet into an immersive drawing canvas, making it a favorite among artists and designers. The Face ID feature is also a noteworthy addition, offering a secure and quick way to unlock the device.

For those who prioritize performance, display quality, and a robust set of features, this tablet is hard to overlook.

Feature	Specification
Chip	M2
Display	11-inch Liquid Retina
Storage Capacity	128 GB
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6E
Front/Back Cameras	12MP front/12MP and 10MP Back
Authentication	Face ID

 

3. New Apple iPad Air (10.5 Inch 3 generation)

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New Apple iPad Air (10.5 Inch 3 generation) is a solid solution when youre looking for a new device. From its sleek design to its impeccable performance, this tablet has consistently met and exceeded my expectations.

The 10.5-inch display offers vibrant colors and sharp details, making it a pleasure to use for both work and entertainment. With a storage capacity of 256GB, I never found myself running out of space, even with my extensive app collection and media files.

The Wi-Fi connectivity is seamless, ensuring I’m always connected, whether I’m at home or on the go. While I’ve tested many tablets over the years, this particular model stands out as one of my favorites.

Feature	Specification
Display Size	10.5-inch
Connectivity	Wi-Fi
Storage Capacity	256GB
Product Dimensions	9.8 x 6.8 x 0.24 inches
Item Weight	1 pound
ASIN	B07VN96QB7

 

4. Apple iPad Mini (Wi-Fi + Cellular, 256GB)

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While I’ve always been a fan of compact devices, this one truly stands out. The display is vibrant, offering a clarity that makes reading, browsing, and even professional tasks a breeze.

The A12 Bionic chip ensures that everything runs smoothly, and I was particularly taken with the True Tone feature, which adjusts the display’s color temperature based on ambient lighting. It’s subtle but makes a significant difference when using the device for extended periods.

The cameras, both front and back, deliver crisp images, and the stereo speakers are a nice touch for those who enjoy multimedia content. The connectivity options, including the Gigabit-class LTE cellular data, ensure you’re always connected.

Having tested this device extensively, I can confidently say it’s a top-tier choice for those in the market for a compact yet powerful tablet.

Feature	Specification
Display	7.9-inch Retina Display with True Tone and wide Color
Processor	A12 Bionic chip
Camera	8MP back camera, 7MP FaceTime HD front camera
Connectivity	802.11ac Wi-Fi with Gigabit-class LTE cellular data
Battery Life	Up to 10 hours
Storage Capacity	256 GB

 

Buying Guide

Buying the best iPad for drawing is one of the most difficult tasks. When I decided to buy a tablet, I have to follow these features which I must share with you especially when you have a limited budget. These features will guide you to the best iPad for artists.

Display size

One of the most important features, before you want to buy the cheapest iPad for drawing, is to search for screen size. Where the resolution gives the best result.

6″,7″,8″, and 10.1″ in my opinion is the best display size for any tablet.

A big HD display and high resolution provide better results in making the best iPad setup for drawing.

RAM

RAM, a key to high performance when you are searching for which is the best iPad for the artist. If you are a freelancer and you have to complete your project within a time, almost you need 4GB RAM, where your projects and artwork will be saved and you will serve as a portfolio. We’ll have to rely on this source for comprehensive special details because Apple doesn’t provide accurate RAM specifications on their outputs.

• 6 GB in Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2023
• Apple iPad Pro 11-inch 2023 having 6GB
• Apple iPad Air 20234 having 8GB
• 3GB in Apple iPad 8th Gen 2023
• Apple iPad Mini 2019 having 3GB

Storage

One another factor that we shouldn’t ignore is the internal storage of the device. More space on the iPad will help you serve the best performance to your clients.

Even the most commonly used app can typically only consume about 20GB a year for daily users. 128GB of storage should be enough to carry all of your favorite drawing apps as well as your work for many years. A heavy consumer may need about 256GB.

Battery

When it comes to selecting a drawing iPad for the artist, battery life is one of the most essential points to consider. You don’t want your ‘canvas’ to run out of juice after just a few hours of use. The good news is that iPads’ battery life is usually excellent. If you’re just scanning the network, a single full charge should last around 10 hours.

Drawing on an iPad, on the other hand, is a more challenging process that requires more time and strength. On a fully charged iPad Pro, however, you’ll get more than 6-7 hours of drawing time.

Connectivity

LTE is one of those features that aren’t necessary for digital art but are still useful if it is available. It’s only necessary if you’re drawing outside or in a location without access to the internet.

However, this is a simple issue that can be resolved by attaching the iPad to the hotspot on your computer. If you have an iPhone, the new iOS updates have made setting up a personal hotspot for your iPhone or iPad incredible. In that situation, choosing an iPad without built-in LTE could potentially save you money.

Apps Compatibility

Nowadays, there is an excess of excellent drawing apps available. And you may be wondering which of them are iPad-compatible. You’ll be comforted to learn that they all operate with your computer/laptops. On iPads, it appears that both large and small apps run smoothly.

Procreate and Adobe Fresco can be used with ArtRage and Graphic.

How Much GB Is Best For Drawing?

If you are anxious about your budget and are still confused about which iPad to purchase. For example, a 32 GB or 128 GB Standard iPad, Both will work equally well, with the only difference being the number of data you can save on them.

In my analysis of the various Apple iPads currently available, there are a few different drawing and digital art application, including:

• Procreate
• Adobe Fresco
• Adobe Illustrator Draw
• Inspire Pro
• Affinity Designer
• Affinity Photo
• MediBang

Apple Pencil

All of this is made possible by the Apple Pencil. It’s a simple, straightforward stylograph that feels like a real pencil in your hand.

The iPad and Apple Pencil combination is an ideal match for fleshing out the most creative ideas. There are two generations of Apple Pencil. Both features are the same but a practical generation has more advantages as compared to generation 1 when you want the best iPad for Procreate for 2023.

Guidelines for Latest Apple iPad Devices

During the pandemic, I have found a strong internet connection and powerful home network devices, my true companions to stay connected with friends and family, to carry on my job, and kill boring hours with my creativity.

You can also check fiber internet devices for fast speed connection.

Comparison Chart Between All Four Sets Of iPads

The iPad Pro, iPad Standard, and iPad Air – have the same relative resolution, which is incredibly high – about 265 pixels per inch, as far as I can tell. With approximately 325 pixels per inch, the smaller iPad Mini has the best average resolution.

This is borne out in usage as well: Mini’s display is quite great for such a tiny screen.

All are smaller, but I had the illusion that I was seeing nearly as much detail as I was on the greater iPads.

At least on the Standard and Air; the iPad Pro is a different story. The iPad Pro has a better display in every way – a bold statement given how amazing the screens on the other components are!

As an iPad artist, this provides me with a sense of effectiveness and belief. This will help me to consider and stress less about the artwork and concentrate more on the design, recognizing that what I’m performing is also what I’m feeling.

In a few clicks, with no overthinking or repetitive attempts, and my mind sounds happier and more focused on my artwork.

The Mini and Air might have sharper images than the Standard, but the statistics don’t explain why, and the Air has brighter shades, which are often more energetic and powerful,

As well as better contrast and shading between colors, less visible color filter interaction, and a more real distinction between shades and patterns.

The iPad Pro has greater brightness than the other three, according to the statistics, and this is also my experience, but it’s not just that; there’s something about the Liquid Retina display that, aside from the most costly professional tablets, is the best I’ve never seen yet.

The display on the iPad Pro allows all photos not only vivid but also energetic and alive. There are complexity and a kind of mathematical consistency and righteousness that I can’t quite begin to explain,

But that I still feel while using the iPad Pro – it’s there with the others, too, but not quite on the same level.

FAQ’s

Is the Apple iPad a good drawing tablet?

Yes, the Apple iPad is a great drawing tablet, especially when paired with the Apple Pencil. Many professional artists use iPads for digital drawing and painting.

How much RAM do I need for drawing on an iPad?

For optimal performance, it’s recommended to have at least 4GB of RAM. However, the more RAM your iPad has, the better it will perform with larger, more complex art projects.

How much storage do I need for drawing on an iPad?

It depends on how many drawing apps and files you plan to store on your iPad. 128GB of storage is a good starting point, but heavy users may need 256GB or more.

How long does the battery last on an iPad for drawing?

The battery life of an iPad varies depending on the model and usage. Typically, a fully charged iPad can last around 10 hours of general use, but drawing and painting may require more power.

Do I need LTE connectivity for drawing on an iPad?

LTE connectivity is not necessary for drawing on an iPad, but it can be useful if you need to work outside or in an area without Wi-Fi. You can also connect your iPad to a personal hotspot on your phone or computer.

What drawing apps are compatible with iPads?

There are many drawing apps that are compatible with iPads, including Procreate, Adobe Fresco, Adobe Illustrator Draw, Inspire Pro, Affinity Designer, Affinity Photo, and MediBang.

The Verdict

Drawing upon my extensive experience with digital art tools, I can confidently say that the iPad has revolutionized the world of digital artistry.

Each model brings its unique strengths to the table, catering to both budding artists and seasoned professionals. The iPad’s versatility, combined with its high-resolution Retina display and the precision of the Apple Pencil, offers an unparalleled digital drawing experience.

While every artist’s needs and preferences may differ, there’s undoubtedly an iPad model on this list that’s a perfect fit. Whether you prioritize portability, display size, or processing power, Apple’s range of iPads ensures that there’s something for every artist.