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

Question

I finally saved up enough from my part-time job at the campus cafe and bought the new iPad Air 11 inch for my design classes starting next month. Im honestly so hyped to finally have something portable to draw on while sitting in the quad but now Im looking at all these extra things I might need and my head is spinning. I spent most of my money on the tablet itself so I only have about 130 or 150 bucks left for accessories. I saw online that the official Apple Pencil is the way to go but then some artists on YouTube say the Logitech Crayon is just as good for half the price and I dont know if the pressure sensitivity difference is actually a dealbreaker for a beginner like me. Also really torn on screen protectors because everyone says the Paperlike ones are great for drawing but I read a bunch of reviews saying they wear down the stylus tip super fast and make the screen look grainy when youre just trying to watch Netflix at night. Plus do I really need a keyboard case if I already have a laptop? I keep seeing those Magic Keyboards but they cost more than my entire food budget for the month lol. If you guys had to pick just the absolute essentials for an art student on a budget what should I get first?

sqrszmopjh · Accepted Answer

Congrats on the new iPad! Honestly, getting that first pro-level tablet is such a vibe. I've been doing digital art for about five years now and I've tried every combo under the sun. Since you're a design student, dont even look at the Crayon. Seriously. The lack of pressure sensitivity is a total dealbreaker for shading and line weight. Youll be fighting the tool instead of making art, which is just frustrating... Heres what I would prioritize with that $150 budget:

Apple Pencil Pro

This is your most important tool. The haptic feedback and barrel roll are game changers for design work. Its worth every penny.

ESR Rebound Magnetic Case for iPad Air 11-inch

Keeps the tablet slim and protects the screen while it's in your bag without costing a fortune.

JETech Paper-Feel Screen Protector 2-Pack

Cheaper than Name-brand Paperlike and gives you that grit without killing your screen clarity too badly. Skip the keyboard case for now. Since you already have a laptop, you dont need to turn your iPad into a clunky mini-laptop yet. I use my iPad for 90% of my sketching and I've never felt like I needed a $300 keyboard attached to it. Plus, the Paperlike grain issue is real but you kinda get used to it after a week... though the JETech one I mentioned is a bit more chill on the eyes. If you find the nib wearing down, you can buy a pack of replacement tips for like ten bucks later on. You’re gonna have a blast with this setup!

Russellrow · Answer

Re: "Congrats on the new iPad!" Agreed! Grab the Moft Snap-on Tablet Stand for iPad; its slim profile is amazing for drawing anywhere without needing a bulky desk setup!