Having used Astropad’s Luna Display since Kickstarter, I’m a big fan of their products. So it was a no brainer to buy their latest product, Rock, Paper, Pencil. I expected a high quality product that would be a useful addition to my 12.9 iPad Pro, and was not disappointed.
Unboxing
Astropad clearly took cues from apple when designing the packaging, starting with the cover. Decked out in their signature red with graphics and lettering that catches your eye, says “This is a company that wants you to have fun with our product.” Opening it up reveals installation directions, the cover packaged in a slip case, and two special tips. Overall, a lot more interesting than a box with some printed directions stuffed inside.
Installation
The cover installs relatively easily and fits well, provided you:
Use
The cover has as lightly rough feel to mimic the sensation of writing with a pencil on paper. A special tip, with a metal point, is designed to further enhance the feel. I find it does that quite well, giving the impression you are writing with a good quality pencil or pen nib on bond paper. There is just enough tactile feedback and even that slight “scratchy” sound to complete the sensation of pencil on paper.
The original pencil tip works fine as well, with a slightly different feel than the Astropad tip. It also doesn’t interfere with the touch screen, although the rougher surface takes a bit of getting used to the different feel. I find myself leaving it on since the only time I really notice the different feel is when I drag scroll the screen rather than just swipe. Even then, it is not annoying, just different.
Also haven’t noticed much of a difference in teh display, if anything it looks like one of those matt finished nano-textured displays.
Bottom Line
Is it identical to a Faber Castell on high rag content bond paper? No; but it is close enough that someone who wants a different feel, closer to pencil and paper, than the iPad’s pencil on slick surface will find it fits the bill.
Unboxing
Astropad clearly took cues from apple when designing the packaging, starting with the cover. Decked out in their signature red with graphics and lettering that catches your eye, says “This is a company that wants you to have fun with our product.” Opening it up reveals installation directions, the cover packaged in a slip case, and two special tips. Overall, a lot more interesting than a box with some printed directions stuffed inside.
Installation
The cover installs relatively easily and fits well, provided you:
- Thoroughly clean the iPad screen to ensure there are no fingerprints or dust particles, much like installing a screen protector. Failure to do this results in noticeable particles under the cover and requires you to remove the cover and clean the screen, and
- Carefully align the top with the iPad screen to get a perfect fit.
Use
The cover has as lightly rough feel to mimic the sensation of writing with a pencil on paper. A special tip, with a metal point, is designed to further enhance the feel. I find it does that quite well, giving the impression you are writing with a good quality pencil or pen nib on bond paper. There is just enough tactile feedback and even that slight “scratchy” sound to complete the sensation of pencil on paper.
The original pencil tip works fine as well, with a slightly different feel than the Astropad tip. It also doesn’t interfere with the touch screen, although the rougher surface takes a bit of getting used to the different feel. I find myself leaving it on since the only time I really notice the different feel is when I drag scroll the screen rather than just swipe. Even then, it is not annoying, just different.
Also haven’t noticed much of a difference in teh display, if anything it looks like one of those matt finished nano-textured displays.
Bottom Line
Is it identical to a Faber Castell on high rag content bond paper? No; but it is close enough that someone who wants a different feel, closer to pencil and paper, than the iPad’s pencil on slick surface will find it fits the bill.
