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alternative to Apple Pencil 2nd gen?

coolbreeze2

coolbreeze2

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Sep 24, 2009
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I have 2018 iPad Pro 12.9. I just spent a $349 on the new magic keyboard. Therefore I'm not thrilled that I've lost my Apple Pencil and another pencil costs $129.

Are there more affordable pencils that do everything the Apple Pencil does? Or should I not waste money on more affordable pencil?
 
I think the only alternative is the Logitech crayon, but it doesn’t have pressure sensitivity, no magnetic charging, and it has a rectangular shape. its less than half the price though, and some may prefer the differences.

Can you buy used? I bought my pencil and it was brand new sealed from CL late last year, and saved about 25%
 
I second @Moyapilot. Amazon sometimes sells "Like New" condition Apple Pencil 2 at a discount (I paid $73.55 before tax). Use CamelCamelCamel to setup a price alert.
 
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Moyapilot said:
I think the only alternative is the Logitech crayon, but it doesn’t have pressure sensitivity, no magnetic charging, and it has a rectangular shape. its less than half the price though, and some may prefer the differences.

Can you buy used? I bought my pencil and it was brand new sealed from CL late last year, and saved about 25%
Click to expand...

Yes I would buy. Where did you buy it?
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salamanderjuice said:
There is some cheap chinese knockoffs of the Apple Pencil. I think they are probably more properly Logitech Crayon knockoffs but they look more like the pencil. I don't think they have pressure sensitivity.

Here is an example on Amazon. There's lots all over aliexpress etc. with slight variations and brand names.

There's nothing that's a 1:1 copy of the Apple Pencil, but if you need something to just jot down notes for cheap there is options.
Click to expand...

Thanks!!
 
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I bought it off of Craigslist. The other posters recommendation of amazon warehouse is also good. i think it was $90 usd when I got it, still sealed and everything. even if it was used I would prefer to buy accessories that way, although I prefer to buy brand new iPads from a retail store.
 
Moyapilot said:
I bought it off of Craigslist. The other posters recommendation of amazon warehouse is also good. i think it was $90 usd when I got it, still sealed and everything. even if it was used I would prefer to buy accessories that way, although I prefer to buy brand new iPads from a retail store.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
Based on the pictures that's a first gen Apple Pencil and won't work on your Pro. It only works on the iPads with lightning connectors.
 
After I watched the video linked below I bought a non-pressure sensitive pencil from Aliexpress for about £17 (U.S. $20?). I guess it's the equivalent to a Logitech Crayon, seems to work well enough, good for the casual user like myself.

 
salamanderjuice said:
Based on the pictures that's a first gen Apple Pencil and won't work on your Pro. It only works on the iPads with lightning connectors.
Click to expand...

Yea you are right. It looks like first gen although the seller is stating second gen.
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raymanster said:
After I watched the video linked below I bought a non-pressure sensitive pencil from Aliexpress for about £17 (U.S. $20?). I guess it's the equivalent to a Logitech Crayon, seems to work well enough, good for the casual user like myself.

Click to expand...

Does this magnetically adhere to the iPad?
 
Last edited:
I settled on this one because it had good reviews on YouTube, only $29.99 and the delivery time is not weeks.

www.amazon.com

Magnetic Stylus Pen for Apple iPad with Palm Rejection.Digital Pencil for IPad 2018-2020,for iPad 6/7/8th,Air/4th, Mini 5th,iPad Pro 3rd/4th (11"&12.9"),Precise Drawing and Writing,2nd Gen

Magnetic Stylus Pen for Apple iPad with Palm Rejection.Digital Pencil for IPad 2018-2020,for iPad 6/7/8th,Air/4th, Mini 5th,iPad Pro 3rd/4th (11"&12.9"),Precise Drawing and Writing,2nd Gen
www.amazon.com
 
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coolbreeze2 said:
I settled on this one because it had good reviews on YouTube, only $29.99 and the delivery time is not weeks.

www.amazon.com

Magnetic Stylus Pen for Apple iPad with Palm Rejection.Digital Pencil for IPad 2018-2020,for iPad 6/7/8th,Air/4th, Mini 5th,iPad Pro 3rd/4th (11"&12.9"),Precise Drawing and Writing,2nd Gen

Magnetic Stylus Pen for Apple iPad with Palm Rejection.Digital Pencil for IPad 2018-2020,for iPad 6/7/8th,Air/4th, Mini 5th,iPad Pro 3rd/4th (11"&12.9"),Precise Drawing and Writing,2nd Gen
www.amazon.com
Click to expand...

Have you gotten it? I’d be curious to see what you think of it.

I have the Logitech crayon, mainly because all my grandkids can use it with their iPads as well if they are over here, and it seems more sturdy overall, especially if I’m sharing.

I do prefer holding something that feels a bit more like an actual pencil or pen though, so that might be a good idea for me. I just don’t use the pencil enough to justify the cost of an Apple one.
 
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ssledoux said:
Have you gotten it? I’d be curious to see what you think of it.

I have the Logitech crayon, mainly because all my grandkids can use it with their iPads as well if they are over here, and it seems more sturdy overall, especially if I’m sharing.

I do prefer holding something that feels a bit more like an actual pencil or pen though, so that might be a good idea for me. I just don’t use the pencil enough to justify the cost of an Apple one.
Click to expand...

No I just ordered it and it takes about a week to arrive.
 
Interesting. I use my Apple Pencil constantly for work, as I tutor LSAT students online. I thought it wouldn’t hurt to have this as a backup in case I misplace my Apple Pencil, since that is pretty disastrous for me.
 
I monitored the Macrumors market place and got a second Apple Pencil 2 (like new) for super cheap. I use my Apple Pencil all the time... Now I can leave one at home, one at work, etc. Nice to have a backup too if I need it.

I've used several alternatives and ... my personal opinion but ... yeah no, they didn't work for me. Nothing comes close to the Apple Pencil for me.
 
BigMcGuire said:
I monitored the Macrumors market place and got a second Apple Pencil 2 (like new) for super cheap. I use my Apple Pencil all the time... Now I can leave one at home, one at work, etc. Nice to have a backup too if I need it.

I've used several alternatives and ... my personal opinion but ... yeah no, they didn't work for me. Nothing comes close to the Apple Pencil for me.
Click to expand...

Where is Macrumors market place?
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coolbreeze2 said:
Where is Macrumors market place?
Click to expand...

Never mind. I found it. Thanks for the tip. I didn't realize the marketplace existed!
 
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