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That includes the second-generation iPad mini, the original iPad Air, the fifth-generation iPad, and any model of iPad Pro. All you need is a 2013 Mac model with OS X El Capitan (10.11) or later, with support for iPads with iOS 9.1 or later. Unlike Sidecar, Astropad has much broader hardware support. Astropad now has two tiers: a $30 one-time purchase with core functionality and a $12/month (or $80/year) subscription with many more features. It first appeared in 2015, long before Sidecar existed, bringing graphics tablet-like functionality to anyone with a compatible Mac and an iPad. Perfect for: Mac users who do not meet the requirements for Sidecar and Windows users.Īstropad is the original iPad drawing tablet app. Astropad Standard / Studio ($30 or $12 per month) Astropad If you have a compatible iPad and Mac, you can now set up Sidecar under System Preferences > Sidecar.

A lack of customization can be frustrating for some users who prefer to have more control over the user interface or pen pressure settings. There are shortcuts on the outside of the screen that allow you to quickly undo, use modifier keys like Command and Option, and open app-specific shortcuts. Sidecar is well optimized, reliable and compatible with supported Macs at the system level. Drawing is possible with Apple Pencil in Mac apps that already support stylus input, including Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. One of the best things about Sidecar is that you can use it as an actual second screen, rather than just mirroring what’s on the screen. Certain apps may work better than others with your particular hardware or favorite creative apps, so testing here is essential to avoid disappointment. Things like nearby wireless interference or a lot of network activity can slow down wireless performance, so a stress test may be in order.įinally, all of these apps are designed to work primarily with the Mac, which means Windows support isn’t quite as mature. Make sure to fully test the wireless performance if you want to rely on it.

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Make sure your solution works with your favorite creative apps, be it free tools like Inkscape and GIMP or professional apps from Adobe or Affinity.

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Before signing up for a subscription or paying a one-time fee, make sure you test the full set of features thoroughly. With the exception of Sidecar (Apple’s own free solution), all of the products below have some sort of free trial. There are a few different options for achieving this, so we’ll weigh the pros and cons of each approach. That’s where iPad’s graphics tablet capabilities come in handy, so you can use your tablet to draw with your favorite apps on macOS or Windows.

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The iPad is great for drawing with a stylus like the Apple Pencil, but the best artist software is usually found on the desktop.

Astropad notes