Ipad pro 12.9 w/ pencil.. Screen protector or not?

[kofman13]

Just got a 12.9 ipad pro and pencil yesterday and loving it. I am really afraid to constantly tap and draw with the pencil, sometimes rest my arm/wrist on the screen to write, maybe while doing so my metal watch band will scratch the screen. all kinds of reasons to be afraid of scratching this beauty. i have a tempered glass screen protector coming today and will test, but i know it will always be sharper and more vibrant without one.

Any of yall use 12.9 ipad pro without a screen protector and use the pencil daily?

 

[FineFuturity]

I use the screen protector not just for protection from everyday-use scratches, but also for the exact reasons you mention regarding the Pencil. Plus, I feel that heavy use of the Pencil will inevitably wear down the nib and scratch the screen as a result. If you want to keep the screen pristine and not risk scratching from Pencil wear, a screen protector is, imo, *absolutely* necessary.

 

[kofman13]

I use the screen protector not just for protection from everyday-use scratches, but also for the exact reasons you mention regarding the Pencil. Plus, I feel that heavy use of the Pencil will inevitably wear down the nib and scratch the screen as a result. If you want to keep the screen pristine and not risk scratching from Pencil wear, a screen protector is, imo, *absolutely* necessary.

What protector do you use and recommend?

 

[FineFuturity]

What protector do you use and recommend?

There's no particular brand I recommend, honestly. I bought this one and it seems to do the job just fine. If you can find one on Amazon which comes in a pack of 2 or more and has decent reviews, those are the ones you ought to consider.

 

[charlituna]

Just got a 12.9 ipad pro and pencil yesterday and loving it. I am really afraid to constantly tap and draw with the pencil, sometimes rest my arm/wrist on the screen to write, maybe while doing so my metal watch band will scratch the screen. all kinds of reasons to be afraid of scratching this beauty. i have a tempered glass screen protector coming today and will test, but i know it will always be sharper and more vibrant without one.

Any of yall use 12.9 ipad pro without a screen protector and use the pencil daily?

i have just this scenario and i'm not worried about the tapping. however the fingerprints etc make me insane. I just ordered a thin film cover cause I've done the same with my phones for the same reason and it works very well.

 

[kofman13]

i have just this scenario and i'm not worried about the tapping. however the fingerprints etc make me insane. I just ordered a thin film cover cause I've done the same with my phones for the same reason and it works very well.

i got a Sparin tempered glass and it works really well. Which film did u get?

 

[A.R.E.A.M.]

NO protector—unless you’re absent minded and clumsy with your gear.

Ive had both versions of the iPad Pro 12.9 — both purchased on their respective launch days.

I use the iPad Pro daily (well 5 days a week) with the pencil and ZERO ZERO ZERO scratches. I keep the ipad in a logitech keyboard case that everybody hates.

I vote NO unless you are, as i typed, clumsy with your gadgets. I also dont buy apple warranties or extended warranties for cars.

 

[JagdTiger]

Just got a 12.9 ipad pro and pencil yesterday and loving it. I am really afraid to constantly tap and draw with the pencil, sometimes rest my arm/wrist on the screen to write, maybe while doing so my metal watch band will scratch the screen. all kinds of reasons to be afraid of scratching this beauty. i have a tempered glass screen protector coming today and will test, but i know it will always be sharper and more vibrant without one.

Any of yall use 12.9 ipad pro without a screen protector and use the pencil daily?

The glass screen protectors will allow a nice picture quality.

It would also be shielded better with a case around it.

 

[laurasaur25]

What about the matte screen protectors? I plan on getting a pro in the fall and have read that the matte ones allow for an experience more similar to writing on paper.

 

[RevTEG]

Bought my Gen one 12.9 pro on launch day 2015. Bought the pencil as soon as I could find it. I use it for taking lots of notes and working with PDF's almost daily. Never had a screen protector and I haven't seen any scratches at all. Only cover I use is the ASK. It didn't take me but a few days to adjust to the feeling of "writing" on glass.

 

[DaniJoy]

ive had one since launch. i would only bother to get screen protector if you want better drawing performance. otherwise the screen is tough. i abuse the heck out of mine no case no anything , i take it everywhere and it only has a couple scratches. A nice case with cover provides good enough protection unless you have kids or something.

 

[TiggrToo]

NO protector—unless you’re absent minded and clumsy with your gear.

Ive had both versions of the iPad Pro 12.9 — both purchased on their respective launch days.

I use the iPad Pro daily (well 5 days a week) with the pencil and ZERO ZERO ZERO scratches. I keep the ipad in a logitech keyboard case that everybody hates.

I vote NO unless you are, as i typed, clumsy with your gadgets. I also dont buy apple warranties or extended warranties for cars.

I've lost track the number of folk who've told me the same thing and then...

Here's the thing - life happens. It's not down to being clumsy, quite often it's down to sheer luck (or lack thereof).

 

[wib]

I've lost track the number of folk who've told me the same thing and then...

Here's the thing - life happens. It's not down to being clumsy, quite often it's down to sheer luck (or lack thereof).

When I got my first iPad, I didn't get AC, but someone persuaded me to go back and get it by saying 'It's not about how careful you are, it's the people around you.' And animals, cars, stray bikes, people on skates...

Touching wood, I haven't had an accident with mine, but you never know...

 

[Nhwhazup]

What about the matte screen protectors? I plan on getting a pro in the fall and have read that the matte ones allow for an experience more similar to writing on paper.

I always put screen protectors on my phones and iPad. I prefer glass for my phone and Power Support film for my iPad. Otherwise, I always get scratches. Especially with the pencil, you are more prone to scratches. When I first got my iPad Pro in 2016, I had a Power Support anti glare matte screen protector - loved the feel of the pencil on it but hated the clarity reduction. I actually got a big scratch in that protector from the pencil - felt a pull/snag and sure enough the protector was damaged. It must have had a speck of dust/dirt on the tip that I didn’t notice. I replaced it with the Power Support crystal clear - would rather have the great clarity rather than the good feel of the anti glare. That protector is still great after 2 years.

I wish they could make a great anti glare protector that didn’t affect the clarity. I bought a super expensive one from Japan which is supposed to have decent clarity but I haven’t used it as the Power Support is still excellent.

 

[aevan]

Just got a 12.9 ipad pro and pencil yesterday and loving it. I am really afraid to constantly tap and draw with the pencil, sometimes rest my arm/wrist on the screen to write, maybe while doing so my metal watch band will scratch the screen. all kinds of reasons to be afraid of scratching this beauty. i have a tempered glass screen protector coming today and will test, but i know it will always be sharper and more vibrant without one.

Any of yall use 12.9 ipad pro without a screen protector and use the pencil daily?

1. It won’t scratch the screen as long as you keep the screen and tip relatively clean. I wouldn’t use a screen protector if protection from the Pencil is your only reason.

2. Matte screen protectors add a nice paper like texture that is nicer to draw and write on. If you don’t like the glass feel of the regular screen - I’d use a screen protector for that reason.

 

[BraeburntPie]

Unless you work with metal or take it outside a lot, chances are the dust on your screen is likely fabric and I doubt that would scratch even if trapped between the Pencil and glass and dragged all over it. However, I've just ordered a screen protector because after only 3 days, my poor iPad is covered in streaks and seems to attract every little thing in my very dusty household. I know the protector would get equally streaky but I feel better about wiping a damp cloth against that than the bare surface of a device.

 

[Hansl]

I actually intend to use mine without any screen protector and here to seek advise if that's okay. Does these Liquid Retina Display scratch over time? I have the keyboard folio with it though. I am just wondering if its necessary to get one considering how the device is best use without any screen protectors.

 

[aevan]

Unless you work with metal or take it outside a lot, chances are the dust on your screen is likely fabric and I doubt that would scratch even if trapped between the Pencil and glass and dragged all over it. However, I've just ordered a screen protector because after only 3 days, my poor iPad is covered in streaks and seems to attract every little thing in my very dusty household. I know the protector would get equally streaky but I feel better about wiping a damp cloth against that than the bare surface of a device.

Why is a damp cloth problematic over the bare surface?

 

[andyw715]

Why is a damp cloth problematic over the bare surface?

Depends on what you dampen it with, some think (and it might be fact I dunno) that screen cleaner sprays tend to wear down the oleophobic coating on the screens.


Personally I would consider a screen protector for a phone (but I don't use one) as it has more opportunity to get scratched.

iPad not so much, even using the Pencil.

 

[rowspaxe]

I think if pencil use were injurious to the ipad there would be a million threads about it here.
Also benefits of screen protectors for art are-imo-massively oversold. The pencil is a skatefest
relative to Surface pen and wacom stylus with or without a protector, but I have adjusted for sketching
and art. Still don't love it for writing, but its good enough.

 

[BraeburntPie]

Also benefits of screen protectors for art are-imo-massively oversold

It does seem like a way to sell more protectors. I'm used to drawing on paper and Wacom tablets, the glass of the iPad is more slippery but by no means am I having trouble adjusting to it. In fact I'd say it's more difficult for me adjusting from a monitor + tablet to drawing directly on a screen with a small delay/less precise nib vs the sharp tip of a real pencil.

 

[aevan]

I think if pencil use were injurious to the ipad there would be a million threads about it here.
Also benefits of screen protectors for art are-imo-massively oversold.

Not really, no. It’s a personal preference thing, there are people who don’t care, there are people who actually prefer the glass feeling and there are people who love the feel of a matte protector. Can I draw without one? Sure, but I prefer how it feels with one on. With that said I don’t like putting them on, it’s usually stressful for me, and the picture becomes slightly grainy. But I still use them.

It’s not a major thing, but it’s not an expensive one either. And they are easy to remove if you change your mind. Also, it’s just for the feel of gliding the Pencil around, not for protection, as you said - but that feeling is simply very nice with a good protector. I’m yet to see Pencil-induced screen damage on the several artist-owned iPad Pros (without screen protectors) around me, even after several years of usage.

 

[rowspaxe]

Not really, no. It’s a personal preference thing, there are people who don’t care, there are people who actually prefer the glass feeling and there are people who love the feel of a matte protector. Can I draw without one? Sure, but I prefer how it feels with one on.

I was surprised how little it helped. I think it's because the pencil tip is much harder than
surface or wacom pens. There was a little chatter that pencil 2018 had more drag, but it seems
like just a rumor.

 

[Tom G.]

On my previous iPad Pro (1st gen) I had a “Black Diamond” screen protector. I could not tell that it was on there. On my new unit (12.9” 3rd gen) I’m going to use one from a company called “Paper Like” that is supposed to give a feeling like you’re writing on paper. I’m awaiting its arrival.

 

[Codeseven]

Don’t know about this screen protector stuff, at least when it comes to the iPad.

I have always put one on my iPhone because it naturally takes allot of abuse, allot more than my iPad. It’s my understanding that Apple does not recommend or condone the use of screen protectors on they’re new iPads. Why would that be other than the engineers that designed it know it doesn’t ‘need’ it. Wouldn’t Apple make allot of money by offering an iPad screen protector if it was ‘needed’ (what a rip off that would have been). Maybe that’s why there is a long thread about owners of new IPP’s having so many difficulties after applying a screen protector.

I bought a new iPhone X and had them apply a screen protector before I left the store. I also bought a new 12.9”/w Pencil, Smart Keyboard Case and after investing that much money, Apple Care too. Initially I planned on putting a screen protector on it, just like I did with my old iPad Air 1. But, this time I think I’m going leave it bare, just as it was engineered and built to be used. If it does get messed up (*stuff can happen) thats where Apple Care kicks in.