The very best iPads for Procreate can take your digital artwork to the following stage. Procreate is a digital graphics editor, and in contrast to some functions which can be designed primarily for PCs and laptops and provide a scaled-back cellular app, Procreate is designed at first for use with an iPad.
This implies this feature-packed app is ideally fitted to artists who need to use an iPad for engaged on, so it is little shock that in 2018, it turned one of the best promoting iPad app. However which iPad is finest for Procreate? There’s now a wide range of iPads on the market, and whereas any fashionable iPad can run Procreate, totally different iPads are higher suited to totally different wants and use circumstances.
When shopping for an iPad for Procreate, you need to keep in mind that the most recent model requires iPad OS 15.4.1 or newer, so that you want an iPad that is ready to run that software program. In case you’re not sure, don’t be concerned, as each iPad on this information will be capable of run Procreate.
It is also price mentioning that some options in Procreate, similar to FacePaint, require sure further specs to work. On this case it is the A12 chip or a TrueDepth digital camera. Whereas most appropriate iPads could have this, the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 are unable to make use of FacePaint.
It doesn’t matter what iPad you employ for Procreate, the expertise is lots higher should you use an Apple Pencil or Apple Pencil 2 stylus, as Procreate has been designed to completely help the stylus, and it may possibly make creating digital artwork with the app really feel far more pure and intuitive. It is also price noting that different iPad styluses should not supported.
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The all-new 12.9-inch M2 iPad Professional is by far one of the best iPad for utilizing Procreate should you’re in search of the easiest efficiency and a big display screen to work on. It is powered by Apple’s quick M2 chip, the identical discovered within the {powerful} MacBook Professional 13-inch (M2, 2022), and meaning Procreate is quick and fluid, and with its mini-LED XDR show your work will look incredible because of excessive brightness in addition to native dimming to ship astonishing distinction.
The big display screen additionally means you might have a number of workspace to make use of, and meaning it may be an unimaginable digital canvas that can also be comfy to make use of. Nonetheless, keep in mind that this implies the general measurement of the iPad Professional may be very giant in comparison with different iPads and tablets, so you might discover it much less transportable.
Paired with the Apple Pencil 2 and you’ve got one heck of a pill for Procreate. Nonetheless, this can be a very costly iPad, and should you do not want the pure energy on provide right here, then there are far more reasonably priced iPads that can run Procreate simply effective, however will not injury your funds fairly so severely. See our iPad Professional (M2, 2022) overview (opens in new tab) for extra info.
Essentially the most reasonably priced iPad in Apple’s newest lineup is the iPad (2022), and it is a good iPad for Procreate if you cannot afford (or just do not want) the iPad Professional. This iPad options sufficient energy to run Procreate, and comes with options present in costlier fashionable iPads, however with out the excessive value level.
So, you get a pleasant giant 10.9-inch display screen, which is brighter than ever, and comes with a USB-C port and glorious battery life. The digital camera has additionally been improved for video calls, which is useful if you wish to chat with clients (or family and friends) remotely.
There are some compromises, nevertheless, It makes use of the A14 chip, moderately than the extra {powerful} M1 or M2 chips now present in higher-end iPads, so whereas Procreate runs effective, you do not get fairly as slick an expertise.
It is also solely appropriate with the primary Apple Pencil, not the second era. Whereas that is nonetheless a effective stylus, you do miss out on just a few further options. Nonetheless, for the worth, the most recent iPad is one of the best worth Procreate pill you should buy proper now. Learn extra in our iPad 2022 overview.
In case you’re after one of the best skinny and lightweight iPad for Procreate, the most recent fifth era iPad Air would be the one for you. Apple has given this new mannequin an enormous specs bump, and it now comes with the mighty M1 processor, granting it the sort of efficiency you used to must pay much more for with the iPad Professional.
The 1640 x 2360 Liquid Retina IPS LCD display screen makes something you make in Procreate look incredible, however its actual promoting level is its portability. Weighing simply 462g, with dimensions of 247.6×178.5×6.1mm, that is an iPad which you could take just about wherever with you, permitting you to fireplace up Procreate regardless of the place you might be.
The most recent iPad Air additionally is available in 5 color choices, so there’s extra personalisation, and it really works with the Apple Pencil 2, so that you get all of these nice further options. The one factor that does disappoint us, nevertheless, is that it solely comes with two storage sizes: a 64GB model, which is absolutely too small lately, and a 256GB one, which can be too huge for some individuals. In the meantime, for actual energy customers, we’re dissatisfied that there is no 512GB and even 1TB storage sizes on provide. See our full iPad Air (fifth Gen, 2022) overview for extra particulars.
In contrast to many of the different fashions of iPad, the iPad mini did not get an replace final 12 months, so the 2021 mannequin continues to be the newest one you will get. The excellent news is that it stays an excellent pill, and Procreate runs properly on it.
With an 8.3-inch display screen (which is a rise on the 7.9-inches of earlier fashions), the iPad mini does not provide you with an enormous quantity of house to work on, however it does lead to an iPad that’s extraordinarily simple to hold round with you. Certain, you might not need to work on large and complicated initiatives in Procreate on this iPad, however it’s excellent for sketching concepts and fast doodles when out and about.
That is to not say that the display screen is unhealthy, because it boasts a Liquid Retina show with 2266×1488 decision at 326 pixels per inch, so it is impressively crisp and vibrant, regardless of its measurement.
It additionally packs loads of energy because of the A15 Bionic chip, USB-C help and 5G connectivity. It additionally helps the Apple Pencil 2, so you possibly can once more make use of this glorious stylus and its superior options. Learn extra in our full iPad mini (sixth gen) overview.
Apple does not actually do ‘funds’ units, however should you do not thoughts settling for older fashions, you possibly can choose up some nice Apple merchandise for lots lower than the newest variations. The truth that Apple’s product can final an excellent few years earlier than displaying their age means you should not worry going for an older mannequin, both.
The essential iPad from 2021 is a good instance of this. Whereas it does not boast the improved internals or newer look of more moderen iPads, it’s nonetheless completely good for Procreate, and the lower cost makes it an amazing alternative if you wish to avoid wasting cash. The 2021 mannequin has a ten.2in 1620 x 2160 LCD display screen, which is giant and cozy sufficient to work on, and but nonetheless completely transportable.
It is price mentioning, nevertheless, that it solely helps the primary era of Apple Pencil. That is nonetheless a effective stylus for engaged on Procreate with, however you do miss out on a number of the newer options. For extra info, learn our extra detailed iPad 10.2 (2021) overview.
Which iPads help Procreate?
To run the most recent model of Procreate you want to have an iPad with iPadOS 15.4.1 or newer put in. The next iPads help Procreate:
iPad Professional 12.9-inch (1st, 2nd, third, 4th, fifth and sixth era)
iPad Professional 11-inch (1st, 2nd, third and 4th era)
iPad Professional 10.5-inch
iPad Professional 9.7-inch
iPad (fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth era)
iPad mini (fifth and sixth era)
iPad mini 4
iPad Air (third, 4th and fifth era)
iPad Air 2
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