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Steve Jobs famously said, about tablets, “If you need a stylus, you’ve already failed.” But he was talking about using a stylus as the main input device for a tablet. When the company released the Apple Pencil in 2015, this quote was revived to remind people that a) things have changed, and b) Steve Jobs wasn’t always right.<\/p>\n
In 2018, Apple released a second version of its Pencil, with more advanced features designed for the then-new iPad Pro models. Logitech, meanwhile, sells the Crayon: a less expensive version of the pencil that’s compatible with certain iPads.<\/p>\n
In late 2023, Apple released a third version of the Pencil. This one is said to be the “most affordable,” but cuts back on many of the features that make the device useful.<\/p>\n
And in March 2024, Apple released the Apple Pencil Pro, a new stylus with more features, at a higher price.<\/p>\n
In this article I’m going to tell you everything you can do with the Apple Pencil, and I’ll also look at the less expensive Logitech Crayon.<\/p>\n
There are four different Apple Pencils, and each one has a different set of iPads it works with.<\/p>\n
The Apple Pencil 1st generation costs $99 and works with a wide range of iPad models, some of which date back to 2015:<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.intego.com\/mac-security-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/apple-pencil1.png\")
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It’s worth noting that the first-generation Pencil requires a USB\u2011C to Apple Pencil Adapter to work with the iPad (10th generation). This Pencil has a lightning connector to charge, and the iPad (10th generation) has a USB-C jack.<\/p>\n
The 2nd generation Apple Pencil costs $129 works with the follow iPad models:<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.intego.com\/mac-security-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/apple-pencil2.png\")
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The 3rd generation device, officially named Apple Pencil (USB-C), is \u00a0the cheapest Pencil at $79, and is compatible with the following iPads:<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.intego.com\/mac-security-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/apple-pencil-33.png\")
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As you can see above, the 3rd generation Apple Pencil is compatible with most devices that the 2nd generation model supports, and adds the basic iPad (10th generation), along with newer models. This third-generation Apple Pencil is meant to be a lower-cost device, selling for $79, and the company is targeting the education market with a $69 price tag for schools.<\/p>\n
The $129 Apple Pencil Pro, released in May 2024, is only compatible with new iPads released at the same time:<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.intego.com\/mac-security-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/apple-pencil-pro-2.jpeg\")
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You can use an older Apple Pencil with newer iPads; for example, the Apple Pencil (USB-C) lists compatibility for the 2024 model iPads, and the other older models may offer limited compatibility, but they likely can only tap and do basic drawing.<\/p>\n
The Logitech Crayon is compatible all iPad models from 2018 or later. Logitech sells two versions of the device, which charge either with a USB-C connector or Lightning connector. Both versions of the Crayon are still available, but if you’re buying one now, it’s probably best to go for USB-C, since it’s going to be the standard going forward.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.intego.com\/mac-security-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/logitech-crayon.jpeg\")
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The original Apple Pencil has an odd way of charging: you remove the easy-to-lose cap and stick it into a Lightning port (on an iPad or iPhone). That’s right, the Pencil just sticks straight out from the iPad\u2014risking damage to both devices if you aren’t careful.<\/p>\n
The 2nd-generation Pencil connects magnetically to one side of the iPad Pro and powers up using induction charging. This also gives you a practical way to carry the Pencil with your iPad. The magnet is strong, but I’d still be careful if you’re carrying the iPad with its Pencil out in the open (i.e. not placed together in a case).<\/p>\n
And the 3rd generation Pencil has a USB-C port that you reveal by pulling back the end of the device. It attaches magnetically to iPads, but doesn’t charge that way.<\/p>\n
And the Apple Pencil Pro charges magnetically, like the 2nd-generation model.<\/p>\n
To charge the Logitech Crayon, pull back the silicone cap at the end and connect a Lightning cable or USB-C cable, depending on the model.<\/p>\n
Current prices for these devices are $99 for the 1st-generation Apple Pencil, $129 for the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil, $79 for the 3rd-generation Apple Pencil, $129 for the Apple Pencil Pro, and $70 for the Logitech Crayon.<\/p>\n
The feature matrix for the Apple Pencil has gotten quite complicated over the years. If you scroll down to this section of the Apple Pencil web page<\/a>, you’ll see a long list of features and indications of which model supports them.<\/p>\n All four models have “pixel-perfect accuracy,” low latency, and tilt sensitivity. Every model except for the USB-C model have pressure sensitivity.<\/p>\n All models expect the first generation Apple Pencil attach magnetically to an iPad, but the 2nd generation and Apple Pencil Pro pair and charge when attached that way. The other models pair when you insert them into the lightning or USB port on an iPad.<\/p>\n Apple Pencil hover, which previews your mark before you make it, is available on all models except the 1st generation, but only with the iPad Pro 13\u2011inch (M4), iPad Pro 12.9\u2011inch (6th generation), iPad Pro 11\u2011inch (M4), iPad Pro 11\u2011inch (4th generation), iPad Air 13\u2011inch (M2), and iPad Air 11\u2011inch (M2).<\/p>\n Double-tapping the 2nd generation and Apple Pencil Pro changes tools. And both these models offer free engraving.<\/p>\n Finally, the Apple Pencil Pro brings a number of new features:<\/p>\n The Logitech devices are very limited, and don’t have pressure sensitivity\u2014which is important if you’re creating detailed drawings on your iPad\u2014nor do they have any of the more advanced features that Apple added to the Pro model Pencil.<\/p>\n However, if you tilt the Logitech Crayon, it does make thicker lines. This means that for basic note-taking and other general uses, the Crayon may meet your needs. But if you’re an artist who wants a tool for drawing digital artwork, you’ll almost certainly want an Apple Pencil.<\/p>\n The original Apple Pencil was round all around, meaning that it would roll on a desk or table that wasn’t perfectly level.<\/p>\n All subsequent models have one flat side, preventing unwanted movement, but also allowing them to attach magnetically to an iPad. This change is a no-brainer; the round pencil was perhaps attractive from a purely aesthetic perspective, but it was impractical. The newer Pencils also have a matte finish, which is easier to hold and less slippery than the first model.<\/p>\n The Logitech Crayon is quite different, with an oval-shaped body; it’s quite wide, which may not feel comfortable to everyone, but it does stay flat on a table.<\/p>\n Setup for all of these devices is simple. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. With the first-generation Apple Pencil, remove the cap, then plug its lighting connector into your iPad, then tap the Pair button. For the 2nd generation model or the Apple Pencil Pro, place the Pencil on the magnetic side of the iPad. The iPad will immediately recognize the Pencil and pair with it. And for the 3rd-generation Apple Pencil, you must connect it to an iPad via a USB-C cable to pair it. When you connect the Pencil, the iPad briefly displays how much charge the device has.<\/p>\n For the Logitech Crayon, press and hold its power button for a second or two, until the tiny LED next to the button lights up, then start writing. It pairs automatically.<\/p>\n There are a few settings for the Apple Pencil, including settings specifically for the 2nd-generation model and the Apple Pencil Pro. You can double-tap the bottom third of the device to effect a change. In Settings > Apple Pencil, you can choose whether this “gesture” switches between the current tool and the eraser, between the current tool and the last one you used, or shows the color palette. Other settings will be available for the Apple Pencil Pro when it ships.<\/p>\n Other settings let you tell your iPad to only use your Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon to draw. There’s a setting to activate Scribble, which we’ll discuss in the next section.<\/p>\n The 2nd and 3rd-generation Pencil, and the Apple Pencil Pro, has a nifty “hover” feature, which shows a preview of brushes as you approach the Pencil to the screen of an iPad Pro. Unfortunately, this is limited to iPad Pro models with M2 and M4 processors (see above for compatibility of this feature). This is useful when drawing to see what your lines or brushes will look like before touching the iPad screen.<\/p>\n With the introduction of iPadOS 14 came Scribble, an innovative feature that takes advantage of the Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon. Scribble lets you write on your iPad in any text area. While at first this might remind long-time aficionados of the Apple Newton MessagePad’s handwriting recognition of the mid-1990s (famously lampooned<\/a> on The Simpsons) it’s actually much more advanced than that.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.intego.com\/mac-security-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/apple-pencil-feature-header.png\")
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Apple Pencil form factor<\/h3>\n
Setting up an Apple Pencil<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nApple Pencil Settings<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nHover<\/h3>\n
Scribble<\/h3>\n