Wow, the new Apple Pencil feels a million times better than the first generation

[xxray]

When I got the Apple Pencil (gen 1), one of the first things I noticed was how much heavier it was than I was expecting. I got used to it though of course and used it everyday. However, I’m now using the second generation Apple Pencil for the first time and it feels so much better in every way. It’s significantly lighter, it’s smaller all around, and the matte finish feels so much nicer to hold and to grip. It sucks the price was increased, but I don’t think this new generation of the pencil has been recognized or praised enough.

 

[sunapple]

It's way nicer, I agree. Charging is the real game-changer. I do think though that it has been said a lot, just not everyone cares about the Pencil in general.

 

[Chacocliff]

I am getting the pencil today. I had the first one, but didn't find many use cases in my workflow. I hope to utilize this new pencil more.

 

[nburwell]

While I don't think there is a drastic difference between the first gen and second gen Pencil, I do agree that the charging is definitely fantastic.

 

[Moonjumper]

Interesting comment about the matte finish being better to hold. I hope they do the same for iPhones, and for all chargers (the small iPhone charger in particular can be difficult to get out of the plug socket as it is so slippery).

 

[newellj]

It's way nicer, I agree. Charging is the real game-changer. I do think though that it has been said a lot, just not everyone cares about the Pencil in general.

Totally agree, and don't forget the flat side that minimizes the chances of having the thing roll off tables and desks.

 

[yanksrock100]

Totally agree, and don't forget the flat side that minimizes the chances of having the thing roll off tables and desks.

As somebody who uses the Gen 1 Apple Pencil every day taking notes in class, this is the worst part of the pencil to me. My pencil always rolls off the desk, popping off the cap and making a loud noise. So embarrassing.

 

[muzzy996]

As somebody who uses the Gen 1 Apple Pencil every day taking notes in class, this is the worst part of the pencil to me. My pencil always rolls off the desk, popping off the cap and making a loud noise. So embarrassing.

I can imagine. Within a week of getting mine I wrapped it with some excess material I had from DBrand skins that I applied to my phone and iPad Pro, being sure to do a slight bit of overlap creating a bump that keeps it from rolling and gives me something tactile to hold onto on the barrel. Grip and rolling problems were solved instantly leaving only the silly charge issue remaining . . fine by me, i only charge it for a minute or so when I need it.

 

[newellj]

As somebody who uses the Gen 1 Apple Pencil every day taking notes in class, this is the worst part of the pencil to me. My pencil always rolls off the desk, popping off the cap and making a loud noise. So embarrassing.

Don't take this the wrong way, but the Gen 1 pencil seemed to me so fraught with "issues" that I got rid of a 10.5" Pro. Slick, rolls, problematic charging - went back to my Air. Totally loving the Gen 2. As always, YMMV.

 

[kazmac]

I've loved the pencil 2 when testing them at stores. Yes, the first gen lightning port charging is ridiculous, but outside of that, I am fine with it.

 

[sunapple]

Totally agree, and don't forget the flat side that minimizes the chances of having the thing roll off tables and desks.

I would've mentioned that, but it still rolls off the table if you don't put it down carefully. I usually attach it to the iPad.

 

[ssledoux]

As somebody who uses the Gen 1 Apple Pencil every day taking notes in class, this is the worst part of the pencil to me. My pencil always rolls off the desk, popping off the cap and making a loud noise. So embarrassing.

I had a grip from an ink pen on mine. I liked it because it made it a bit more comfortable to hold and write with, and it also kept it from rolling away quite as easily.

I also had the cap get lost not long after I bought it (grandkids were writing on my iPad and misplaced it). I bought a rubber cap replacement that opened up for charging, but stayed attached. I honestly liked it better because it stayed hooked to the pencil, and it also kept it from rolling.

I now have the 11” pro, and I got my 2nd gen pencil in Thursday. I do love it, and think I’ll be getting a lot of use out of it.

I wound up getting a new in box one from eBay for 119 with free shipping, so I feel like I saved about $20 or so by the time you factor in the new price with tax. Not awful.

 

[newellj]

I would've mentioned that, but it still rolls off the table if you don't put it down carefully. I usually attach it to the iPad.

That's true, but there's no option to put the Gen 1 pencil down carefully and have it stay put.

It turns out that very few physical objects in my life are perfectly level.

 

[ssledoux]

That's true, but there's no option to put the Gen 1 pencil down carefully and have it stay put.

It turns out that very few physical objects in my life are perfectly level.

You should try putting a pencil, or other grip on it. That really did seem to help mine. Or maybe my desks/tables are level. ;-p

 

[Kiimora]

The pencil was one of the appeal to upgrade from 10.5; feels lighter compared to the previous generation when in use for hours. I was sold on the charging concept , so yeah am a fan!

 

[alex00100]

What are you all talking about? Besides the obvious new features it’s identical to the old one. The weight is exactly the same, the tip is exactly the same. It’s just as uncomfortable and slippery with terrible weight distribution as the old one. And I also don’t get the magnatic attaching feature. The pencil always falls of when you put the iPad in any bag at all and gets lost there. Literally useless, except for charging.

 

[ctg7w6]

I love the new one. Charging is so much better and simpler. I have found it to be more slippery. Sometimes it just slides right out of my hands also, for some reason it rolls a lot more on my desk even though it has a flat side... don’t know what that’s about. Maybe I was just more careful with the last one because it was completely round lol

 

[The Game 161]

Agreed charging is far better and more comfortable to use

 

[Dave245]

Agreed charging is far better and more comfortable to use

A worthy upgrade from the first gen?

 

[The Game 161]

A worthy upgrade from the first gen?

Yeah for me for sure, easier in the hand where the first gen i thought was slippery at times

 

[ssledoux]

A worthy upgrade from the first gen?

I think it is also. Even if the weight is the same, and still not distributed evenly, because the pencil is a bit shorter, it feels like it is more evenly distributed to me. I do still find it somewhat slippery. It has a dull finish, but it’s not like there’s a texture or anything. One drawback is I can’t put my pencil gripper on it because of charging, and that made writing with my old one feel a lot better. I guess if I’m going to be using it a lot over the course of a day, I could put it on then take it off before charging.

I wonder if there is anything you could put on and leave on (like a skin or something) that would help with the slippery-ness (is that even a word - lol), but still allow the pencil to charge...

 

[Dave245]

Yeah for me for sure, easier in the hand where the first gen i thought was slippery at times

Dam it, making me want to upgrade my 2017 iPad Pro to the new 2018 iPad Pro

 

[ssledoux]

Dam it, making me want to upgrade my 2017 iPad Pro to the new 2018 iPad Pro

Lol the pencil might have been the tipping point for me. I was pretty torn, even though I had planned all along to go back to a pro (had 12.9s, but sold them with the intention of getting the smaller version when they were released). I wound up holding off because the 2018 iPad was really doing all I needed.

I have NOT regretted the change to the 11” pro. Since I’m using the pencil a lot more now, it’s been a welcome change!

 

[Dave245]

Lol the pencil might have been the tipping point for me. I was pretty torn, even though I had planned all along to go back to a pro (had 12.9s, but sold them with the intention of getting the smaller version when they were released). I wound up holding off because the 2018 iPad was really doing all I needed.

I have NOT regretted the change to the 11” pro. Since I’m using the pencil a lot more now, it’s been a welcome change!

I use my iPad Pro 2017 every day, my mother is using my old IPad Air 2 but she wants a bigger screen and the battery on the Air 2 is degrading (which is for enough considering how old it is). I had an issue with the original 2017 iPad Pro I brought and after sending an email to Phil Schiller about the service I was receiving (i was quoted £544.66 out of warranty), I got sent a brand new 2017 iPad Pro after talking with Apple Executive relations and sending my dead iPad back to them.

Anyway the dilemma I have is do I give this new 2017 iPad Pro to my mother and buy the new 2018 iPad Pro? after looking up the serial number I found that the new iPad they sent me was mace early 2018 in China, newer than my original 2017 iPad Pro that I brought on August 19th 2017. I really like the look of the new iPad Pro and Apple Pencil 2, but will Apple be updating the iPad Pro at some point this year.

 

[ssledoux]

I use my iPad Pro 2017 every day, my mother is using my old IPad Air 2 but she wants a bigger screen and the battery on the Air 2 is degrading (which is for enough considering how old it is). I had an issue with the original 2017 iPad Pro I brought and after sending an email to Phil Schiller about the service I was receiving (i was quoted £544.66 out of warranty), I got sent a brand new 2017 iPad Pro after talking with Apple Executive relations and sending my dead iPad back to them.

Anyway the dilemma I have is do I give this new 2017 iPad Pro to my mother and buy the new 2018 iPad Pro? after looking up the serial number I found that the new iPad they sent me was mace early 2018 in China, newer than my original 2017 iPad Pro that I brought on August 19th 2017. I really like the look of the new iPad Pro and Apple Pencil 2, but will Apple be updating the iPad Pro at some point this year.

I think based on past history, the iPPs get updated appx. every 18 months. The 2017 iPads came out early in the year (if I remember correctly), then the 2018s in the late fall. I think the 10.5 was released at a different time - I’m sure someone who knows more than me could correct my mistakes.

It makes sense for there to be different manufacture dates though, since they would be constantly making more iPads, even of the same generation, until new ones were released. I’m sure if you bought a 2018 at this point, you could potentially get one manufactured in early 2019 - it’s still the same iPad design though.

Obviously no one can tell you which way to go, and there are always pros and cons to both sides, but I’ve been happy with my purchase, and I know many others have as well.