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BestiPad for Graphic DesignersiMore2020

  1. Feb 05, 2019  Apps For Graphic Design. If there is one industry in particular that continues to benefit from ongoing software refinement its graphic design. Progress in this industry tends to well up from the user base as much as it trickles down from the programmers with the result being a continuous chain of upgrades, add-ons and entirely new graphic design apps for Android and iOS hitting the market on.
  2. Top HTML & CSS Editing Apps For Mac Designers When it comes to web design, every designer tends to have their own favorite coding application. Luckily for Mac users, there are plenty of options to choose from, this roundup of HTML and CSS editors pulls together the most popular editing apps with a brief overview of their features.

Apr 23, 2020  Apple is renowned for making excellent products for creative professionals, and the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar is the best laptop for graphic design. Best laptops, desktops and tablets for designers and creatives in 2020. Here's a place to start when companies like Apple, HP, Dell and Microsoft overwhelm you with choices.

Graphic designers have a few choices when it comes to purchasing an Apple iPad. Our No. 1 choice is the fourth-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which offers the largest display you can buy with the best internals. We've gathered other noteworthy models to help you choose the one that fits your needs best.

Best Overall: 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2020)

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Now in its fourth-generation, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2020) is Apple's largest and most feature-packed tablet to date. Featuring an all-screen design that's also shared with the 11-inch iPad Pro, this model supports the second-generation Apple Pencil and comes with an A12Z Bionic chip with 64-bit architecture and embedded M12 coprocessor.

The Liquid Retina display features industry-leading color accuracy that generates smooth, distortion-free edges. Throw in True Tone, which automatically adjusts the white balance to make the screen look more natural, and it's clear this is the best choice for creatives.

The 2020 iPad Pro models are the first to include a LiDAR Scanner. Though not necessarily for graphic designers, the feature works with the device's pro cameras, motion sensors, and frameworks to measure depth. This combination makes iPad Pro great for augmented reality.

Do you need more reasons to select this tablet? The latest iPad Pro includes ProMotion technology that adjusts the display's refresh rate based on what you're doing. In doing so, it offers the most responsive performance possible, which is easy to recognize when illustrating or playing a game.

Two reasons not to consider this tablet: The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is the most expensive Apple tablet to date, with prices ranging from $999 to $1,899, depending on your configuration. Also: A third-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro is nearly the same and now at a discounted price (see below).

Pros:

  • Largest iPad available
  • Works with second-generation Apple Pencil

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Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Bulky
  • Not much different than the 2018 model

Best Overall

12.9-inch iPad Pro (2020)

The largest and best you can buy

When you want a lot of space and the best internals, this is the tablet to buy.

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Source: Rene Ritchie / iMore

If you love everything about the 12.9-inch iPad Pro but its large size, there's the second-generation 11-inch iPad Pro. This tablet has the same internals as our top pick but within a smaller footprint. Inside, you'll find a blazing-fast A12Z Bionic chip with 64-bit architecture and Neural Engine.

Like the larger iPad, the 11-inch iPad Pro is expensive, ranging in price from $799 to $1,699. And like the larger model, the 11-inch iPad Pro (2020) isn't that much different than the previous model, which is now being offered at a discount (see below)

Pros:

  • Easy to travel
  • Same internals as the larger model
  • Includes Face ID, Apple Pencil support

Cons:

  • Still expensive
  • Again, not much different than the earlier model

Runner Up

11-inch iPad Pro (2020)

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More portable choice

If you feel overwhelmed by the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, but want the same specs, this is the iPad you should consider.

Source: iMore

Offering an A12 Bionic chip with 64-bit architecture and Neural Engine, and embedded M12 coprocessor, the third-generation iPad Air packs a punch for much less than the iPad Pro lineup. Featuring a 10.5-inch display, the tablet is a terrific choice for creatives looking for a new tablet on a budget. The iPad Air supports the first-generation Apple Pencil, which makes it possible to sketch, draw, and design with ease.

On the downsize, the iPad Air maxes out at 256GB versus 1TB for the iPad Pro models. If you plan on saving lots of design work on your tablet. Plus, a 2020 model could arrive soon. These are crucial points to keep in mind.

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Pros:

Mac
  • Good price
  • Screen with anti-reflective coating

Cons:

  • Limited internals versus Pro models
  • Only supports 1st generation Apple Pencil
  • Could soon be replaced

Best Value

iPad Air (2019)

Do you feel the Air?

Apple's newest iPad Air is packed full of features and enhancements and comes highly recommended.

Source: iMore

On the day Apple revealed the third-generation iPad Air, it also introduced the first new iPad mini since 2015. Weighing just 0.68 pounds, the iPad mini, includes nearly everything you can find on the latest iPad Air, but in a smaller body.

The 7.9-inch tablet has the same A12 chip for better performance, a True Tone display, first-generation Apple Pencil support, and also comes in 64GB and 256GB storage capacities.

Pros:

  • Much like the current iPad Air, but with a smaller display
  • Easier to carry than other models
  • Storage up to 256GB

Cons:

  • Pricey for its size
  • No Smart Connector support

Best for Portability

iPad mini (2019)

The small one

When convenience and portability matter, consider the 7.9-inch iPad mini.

Best Alternatives: 11-inch iPad Pro (2018) and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)

The third-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro and first-generation 11-inch iPad are very similar to the newer models. Both, however, ship without a LiDAR Scanner and come with an A12X Bionic chip. Watch for discounts for this 2-year-old models.

Pros:

  • Nearly the same as 2020 models
  • Works with second-generation Apple Pencil

Best Alternatives

11-inch iPad Pro (2018) and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)

Nearly the best you can buy

Look for an impressive deal on either of these 2018 iPad Pro models. You'll save a lot of money and still get a terrific high-end tablet

Bottom line

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2020) is Apple's largest and most feature-rich tablet to date. Because of this, it's our choice for best iPad for graphic designers. The all-display tablet includes an A12Z Bionic chip with 64-bit architecture and Neural Engine and embedded M12 coprocessor. It supports the second-generation Apple Pencil and includes a USB-C port.

Keep in mind, however, this tablet is going to cost you. However, because it's a 2020 model, it's going to stick around for a while. Regardless, happy drawing!

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Bryan M. Wolfe is a dad who loves technology, especially anything new from Apple. Penn State (go Nittany Lions) graduate here, also a huge fan of the New England Patriots. Thanks for reading. @bryanmwolfe

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