The iPad Pro has received lukewarm reviews, but one thing no reviewer’s failed to be amazed by is the Apple Pencil stylus — which Cupertino has advertised as a “highly responsive” input method with “virtually no lag.”
But exactly how responsive is the Pencil compared to rival products like the stylus for Microsoft’s new Surface Pro 4? Journalist and photographer Angel Jimenez de Luis decided to test out both with a head-to-head comparison, recorded in close-up at 120fps slow-motion.
Check it out below.
Angel Jimenez used the “Notes” app for the iPad Pro, and the “One Note” app for the Surface Pro 4. While there’s not necessarily a whole lot in it, when slowed down to 120 frames-per-second the iPad Pro has noticeably less lag time than Microsoft’s rival.
Given that it’s different software being used on both tablets, it’s not an entirely fair competition, but it certainly serves as a victory for the iPad Pro on this occasion — even if this perhaps isn’t the definitive benchmark test.
Via: GforGames
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
15 responses to “Apple Pencil is faster on the draw than Microsoft’s rival stylus”
Yeah, I read other articles about latency and the Apple Pencil is supposed to have less latency than the Microsoft Pen, Samsung S-Pen and the Wacom Cintiq system which uses their most expensive high end stylus. I guess for those that will be using a stylus, the Apple is the better product for latency and angle sensing as well. :-)
I hear some stores have a few in stock. Just like 2 per store which is frustrating.
Unfortunatelly for Apple, note taking will not play to its strenghts when the extra speed will not really yield any benefits. For graphics, the lack of full blown apps in iOS like photoshop and illustrator, put the surface over the top. And off course, being a full desktop OS with full USB and peripheral capabilities, you can attach any 3rd party device of your choice if you say, go wacom.
So John Doe is a better sprinter because at the start of the 100mts run he have 1 meter of advantage over Usain Bolt. mmm, yeah.
Latency, although very important, is just one of the factors that make a digitizer good. Yes the A-pencil have a good one, you need a 120fps footage to notice the difference, in the real world usage is not perceptible at naked eye.
In the long run the SP4 digitizer is better. here a small list.
Dedicated button to open one note, take screenshots.
Interchangeable tips, A-pencil plastic tip is slippery and noisy SP4 is “rubberized” and is more quiet and less slippery.
Aluminum body, pen lovers appreciate the quality feel of the anodized aluminum body over the cheap feel plastic.
Clip, if you can take care of your pen, then the SP4 digitizer is like carry your montblanc or lamy pen in your pocket.
Magnetic attachment to the tablet.
Year round battery (one journalist was impressed because the A-pencil last 8 days without recharge, not to mention the stupid way to recharge)
Eraser in the top end of the pen.
Cost $40 less
So yeah the A-pencil is better.
S**t storm in 3, 2…
You can see right in the video that Surface has a vastly inferior digitizer. It’s not just because of latency. Just look at the quality of the curves to see the difference. Corners? Are you fucking kidding me, MS?You don’t need 120fps to see that, either. It’s just as obvious in real-world usage. The sample rate is just inexcusably bad. As an artist, I would gladly sacrifice features for accuracy. Apple wins in that category, hands-down.
The test is done is One note, this program is not a design application and the curve rendering is awful, at least in the windows version.
A more accurate test should be done in autodesk Sketchbook, the curve rendering is better, even with the SP3 pen the curve rendering and latency in awesome.
I don’t care either way because I won’t be purchasing either product, but I wanted to point out that he used Apples Notes app, which is also not a design application. So that excuse has zero merit.
Is a app issue, One note curve rendering is bad, Notes curve rendering are better, however to have more accurate test a common app should be used, Sketchbook exist in both platforms, but this test is sort of deluded.
I agree that an app should have been used that is available and optimized for sketching, but to say that OneNote and Notes are not comparable is not accurate. Both are note taking apps, both are not focused on this type of use, but if OneNote is supposed to get a pass because they can’t render curves as well as Notes than it should not have the writing feature at all.
Nope, my point is that an app that is available on both platforms should be used, in any case he should use One note on iOs for the test, but he said that does not support well the pencil. is kind of test a camaro and mustang and I one use regular fuel and in other racing fuel.
However you are right about the writing feature of one note, but ultimate is an app issue.
He didn’t use OneNote on the iPad because the app itself was not optimized for the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil like it is on the Surface and its stylus.
The stylus for the Surface has a dedicated button to launch OneNote. That means a great deal to me, like it is specifically blessed by Microsoft.
Don’t know anything about the virtues of the Apple Pencil, yet, as it is not available in NYC stores yet. I got my Pro yesterday in SoHo but found out that no stores in NYC have them in stock, and won’t have any for another few weeks. I ordered one but it won’t ship for another 3-4 weeks. Yet another HUGE supply chain debacle for Apple. How could they launch a product geared towards artists and design professionals without having the most important accesory available? I’ll probably have to return my current Pro before I get a Pencil to try it out, as my 2-week return period will end. I’ll then have to buy a new Pro to try the Pencil. Because if I don’t like the Pencil, it ALL goes back to the store. The thing is just too damn big for casual, non-professional use. Despite what other’s say, it is NOT very portable!
Yesterday, the salesperson told me that for the holidays, they increase the 2 week return period to January, since many people don’t test theirs out until after Christmas. So you have a lot more time.
can’t nobody give an objective article on these devices
how bout testing in some software where most people
will be using them ….say artrage, photoshop, painter , ect…..????!!!??…
….a note taking app??…gimme a break!