Wacom's New Bamboo Sketch is the Perfect Stylus for iPhones and Non-Pro iPads

[MacRumors]

Introduced earlier this year, the Bamboo Sketch is Wacom's latest precision stylus designed to work with the iPhone and the iPad over Bluetooth. It's meant to mimic the feel of traditional pen-and-paper writing and drawing with interchangeable pen nibs and customizable shortcut buttons.

Priced at $80, Wacom's new stylus isn't a better option than the Apple Pencil for iPad Pro users, but for the iPhone and other iPad models, it's worth checking out.

Design

The all-black Bamboo Sketch looks sleek and stylish. It's made from a textured plastic that's super grippy, so it's easy to hold and feels comfortable when writing.

It's both thicker and heavier than a regular pen, and while it is well-balanced in the hand, my hand did get tired while writing after about 15 to 20 minutes because of its weight and diameter. Size wise, it measures in at 142mm long (about the size of your average pen) and it is 10mm in diameter. Its official weight is 18 grams, which is actually lighter than the Apple Pencil.


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Article Link: Wacom's New Bamboo Sketch is the Perfect Stylus for iPhones and Non-Pro iPads

 

[Pakaku]

What is with Wacom's obsession with oversized markers for pens?

 

[macduke]

I'm kind of surprised that no third parties have come out with replacement nibs for the Apple Pencil that feel more paper-like. Is Apple's tip design patented or something? I really wish Apple had some tips available that have more friction to them. It's pretty good on my 10.5" Pro but still isn't as good as paper.

What is with Wacom's obsession with oversized markers for pens?

I think it has less to do with an obsession of thickness on their part and more to do with Apple's obsession with thinness. People like to berate Apple for continually making products thinner, but the experience gained from things like that has enabled them to make things like the AirPods and Apple Pencil which pack a lot of wireless tech into a thin and light package.

As for me, I'm just glad Apple finally came out with a drawing tool for the iPad. I had tried Adonit's Adobe Ink device and it was garbage. I'm reminded of the difference between my Motorola ROKR with "iTunes" in 2005 and my iPhone in 2007.

 

[justperry]

The Bamboo Sketch attaches magnetically to an included USB charger, which then can be plugged into a computer or a standard USB outlet. The charging dongle is tiny (about the size of a small flash drive) and feels like something I'm bound to lose at some point, so that's a negative, but at least it can be stored in the carrying case when not in use.

Tip buy a short 30 cm (1 foot) USB A Male to female extension cord and attach it to the dongle.

 

[kasakka]

I'm kind of surprised that no third parties have come out with replacement nibs for the Apple Pencil that feel more paper-like. Is Apple's tip design patented or something? I really wish Apple had some tips available that have more friction to them. It's pretty good on my 10.5" Pro but still isn't as good as paper.

That would be a good idea and significantly better than applying a matter screen protector to simulate a paper-like surface.

I think it has less to do with an obsession of thickness on their part and more to do with Apple's obsession with thinness. People like to berate Apple for continually making products thinner, but the experience gained from things like that has enabled them to make things like the AirPods and Apple Pencil which pack a lot of wireless tech into a thin and light package.

Apple and other manufacturers deserve all the flack for building phones that are so thin they have small batteries and camera bumps for no good reason. After a certain point thinness does not improve the experience.

What baffles me is that almost every pen stylus device, even the old Wacom tablet ones, are a bit too thick even in the best cases and that makes them more tiring to use for extended time. I don't see why they could not be designed to be slimmer at the areas where you would normally grip a pen.

 

[yoonsookang]

I owned and used both Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus 1 and 2. I bought this hoping that it would have made significant improvements, especially when I looked at the overwhelming price tag. I've used for a month and returned it as it didn't solve all the major issues that existed in previous iOS active styluses, notably inaccurate registration of the tip depending on different writing postures and zigzagged diagonal lines when drawing straight diagonal lines. I've recorded and posted these issues on YouTube. Simply search for "Wacom Bamboo Sketch Issue."

In sum, if you own any other active styluses with two buttons, save your cash for a truly worthy stylus. This latest stylus marginally improved upon previous generations and Wacom's marketing is simply deceptive. I lost my faith in this company as far as iOS active styluses go.

 

[satchmo]

In sum, if you own any other active styluses with two buttons, save your cash for a truly worthy stylus. This latest stylus marginally improved upon previous generations and Wacom's marketing is simply deceptive. I lost my faith in this company as far as iOS active styluses go.

I think Apple's Pencil/iPad Pro effectively killed some stylus companies. Perhaps not those with deep pockets like Wacom, but smaller ones such as Adonit, or 53 Pencil.

Sure there's a base of non-pro iPad owners, but I'm not sure the demand for a stylus is that great to begin with. And those who do need/want one, will gravitate to the Apple Pencil/Pro solution.

 

[macs4nw]

I'm kind of surprised that no third parties have come out with replacement nibs for the Apple Pencil that feel more paper-like. Is Apple's tip design patented or something? I really wish Apple had some tips available that have more friction to them. It's pretty good on my 10.5" Pro but still isn't as good as paper.....

I agree with what you're saying, but I imagine increased friction for a more paper-like feel would most likely eventually lead to a marred glass surface, which increases the chances of a cracked display.

 

[macduke]

I agree with what you're saying, but I imagine increased friction for a more paper-like feel would most likely eventually lead to a marred glass surface, which increases the chances of a cracked display.

Not if you use materials that have a lower hardnesss than gorilla glass.

 

[Onexy]

All these Bluetooth pens are a waste if money.

 

[Shanghaichica]

The adonit pixel is not bad. I have one to mess about with but I'm not an artist. I just wanted a stylus without a fat tip and without one of those silly plastic discs on the end. It serves my purposes. It has pressure sensitivity.

 

[Markoth]

Not if you use materials that have a lower hardnesss than gorilla glass.

Yep. Basic geology. If you don't want a surface to get scratched by something, make that something softer. I'd assume that's a basic tenet of stylus design, though. I wouldn't worry about anyone at Apple not passing basic geology.