What are the must-have accessories for a new tablet?

Question

i finally saved up for an ipad air for my digital illustration class and i'm super stressed about getting the right extras. i spent forever researching and everyone says the apple pencil is non-negotiable but then i see these $30 knockoffs on amazon that have decent reviews so im torn. also the screen protector thing is a nightmare... some say glass is better for protection but then art people say it feels like writing on ice and ruins the precision. my budget is strictly $100 for everything and i need to get this sorted before classes start next week.

something for drawing that isnt $130

a case that actually protects the corners

screen cover that doesnt kill the display quality

should i just bite the bullet on the official stuff or is the cheap gear actually okay?...

Alexandertum · Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, those cheap Amazon pencils lack pressure sensitivity, which is a huge failure for illustration. They are just not as good as expected for line work. I had issues with generic glass protectors too; they cause bad parallax. Pick up the Logitech Crayon for iPad Digital Pencil and the ESR iPad Air Case Military-Grade Protection. Any matte film will unfortunately ruin your display clarity tho, tbh.

sytuiipjxx · Answer

I've been drawing on tablets for a decade and you can definitely make $100 work if you're smart about it. For an illustration class, pressure sensitivity is non-negotiable or you'll just be frustrated with your line work. I'm super satisfied with my current budget setup and it stays right in your price range. Grab these:

A refurbished Apple Pencil 2nd Generation from a reputable reseller... usually about $80 and it's the only way to get proper pressure response.

<a href=" https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ProCase+ iPad+Air+Protective+Case+with+Pencil+Holder&linkCode=osi&t=t=5422-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">ProCase iPad Air Protective Case with Pencil Holder has solid corner bumpers and doesn't feel bulky.

<a href=" https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mothca+Matte+Glass+Screen+Protector+for+ iPad+Air&linkCode=osi&t=t=5422-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">Mothca Matte Glass Screen Protector for iPad Air gives you the protection of glass but with a frosted finish so it isn't slippery like ice. That matte glass is a total game changer tho. It doesn't wear down your pencil tips like the plastic film ones do. It's the best middle ground for art students on a budget... no complaints here, it just works well.

IvoryWen · Answer

Re: "Unfortunately, those cheap Amazon pencils lack pressure sensitivity,..."I disagree on glass; I'm satisfied with the Spigen Rugged Armor Pro iPad Air Case and Paperlike iPad Air Screen Protector for better haptic precision.