Are you a professional comic artist working on your new project? Or, do you plan on creating excitable raster graphics for an upcoming TV show? It actually doesn’t matter as long as you have a Procreate compatible iPad by your side, as this intuitive graphics editor offers a natural, paper-like drawing feel on an iPad.
Whether you are a professional graphic designer, illustrator, drawing enthusiast, you’ll be able to find a reliable iPad that smoothly works with Procreate by end of this article. However, if you are concerned about the features, it is better to look for a sharp and vivid display, a faster processor or at least an A12 Bionic, a sizable chunk of RAM for managing multiple brushes presets, massive storage support, and a large battery.
You must also know that not every tablet is capable of handling Procreate, owing to the lack of a compatible OS i.e., iPadOS or even iOS, subpar display that kills the visual experience, middling RAM allotment, restricted storage space with zero upgradability, unresponsive stylus, and several other factors.
Also, no Android, Windows, or Chrome OS tablets can run Procreate, which kind of restricts choices for illustrators and even professional artists. However, considering the pain points, corresponding to the lack of relevant features and restricted product availability, I have enlisted a few best devices that can handle Procreate.
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Best iPads for Procreate in 2023
If you are more inclined towards Procreate as your digital graphics editor of choice, it is obvious that you would need to focus on the best iPads available in the retail space. All thanks to Apple, the iPad retail space is already brimming with several options, provided the launch timeline isn’t an issue.
Therefore, in the subsequent sections, I shall enlist 5 of the best tablets for Procreate in the market in 2023, by appraising them as per display configuration, processing strength, connectivity, memory allocation, battery life, color gamut, budget, and other factors.
Also, as a reader, you must know that I tested close to 11 tablets to bring the 5 most dependable ones, for Procreate and even some of the other platform-agnostic graphic apps.
1. Best Overall: Apple iPad Pro
The latest Apple iPad Pro readily features atop the list, courtesy of several premium attributes, including an XDR display for the best possible color reproduction. Needless to say, the brilliant screen stands out and makes Procreate designs and illustrations come to life.
Also, this latest variant outwits the 2020-variant, courtesy of an additional chunk of RAM, sharper screen quality, and a new M1 chipset as opposed to the A12Z Bionic.
Display and Stylus Compatibility
Procreate’s 4K resolution, multiple blend modes, and masks look great when viewed on the 12.9-inch Liquid Retina screen. The extensive P3 color gamut translates into 1600-nits of peak brightness level, which furthers the quality of the associated digital resources. Other display-specific traits include 120Hz of refresh rate for overlaying the videos with specific raster designs.
The Dolby Vision support adds to the color accuracy of the screen, which is bolstered further by a scratch-resistant panel. Coming to the aspect ratio, the 4:3 display is perfect for viewing the comics and manga after they have been designed using Procreate.
This large screen tablet works brilliantly with the 2nd gen Apple Pencil, which allows you to edit texts and even the smaller elements of a design with precision. Plus, you can pair the same with other third-party active stylus pens but the responsiveness might suffer.
Hardware & Design
As far as the processing setup is concerned, the iPad Pro stomps any competition with its proprietary M1 chipset. The octa-core processor exudes perfect performance and is at least 40 percent faster than the one housed by the iPad Pro 2020. Complementing the SoC is the 8-core GPU from Apple, 8GB RAM, and 128GB of non-upgradable storage space.
The design feels premium and I am sure that users wouldn’t have it any other way. As far as the dimensions go, the iPad Pro measures 11.05 x 8.46 x 0.25 inches, thereby qualifying it as a sleek structure. At 1.50 pounds, it is still quite heavy but might cater rather well to users with bigger hands.
Battery Life & Other Features
If you are an indulgent professional who prefers overworking, the 10-hour battery life associated with this tablet has you covered. In addition to a dependable battery module, you get access to the Face ID security enhancement followed by the Type-C port with Thunderbolt 4, which allows you to pair the iPad with external displays.
Connectivity is hardly an issue with Wi-Fi 6 support being one of the more sought-after features. Plus, this tablet offers a full stack when attributes are concerned, including a triple rear camera setup, brilliant front shooter, 4 powerful speakers, and fast charging support.
Conclusion
Overall, the Apple iPad Pro, paired with the 2nd gen Apple Pencil, is your best iPad for drawing and creating impactful raster graphics and designs on Procreate. However, the product comes at a fortune and is recommended for professional artists who make their living designing graphics-intensive scenes for TV shows and comic books.
- Stellar Liquid Retina display
- Super responsive stylus
- Sizeable RAM for working with multiple modes and effects
- Excellent storage support
- Acceptable battery life
- Non-upgradable storage
- Stylus to be purchased separately
- Pricey
2. Best Runner Up: Apple iPad Pro (11-inch)
Although the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is a force to reckon with, the 11-inch Apple iPad Pro is one of the more portable tablets on the list, best known for the customizability it offers, by accommodating a Smart Folio, magic keyboard, and other accessories.
Much like how the 12.9-inch outpaces its predecessor, even the 11-inch iPad Pro fares better than the 202-variant, courtesy of a 40 percent faster SoC, improved screen, and 2GB of additional system memory.
Display and Stylus Compatibility
This iPad makes way for an 11-inch screen, with the Liquid Retina technology paving the way for color-accurate visuals. In case you are a mobile designer, the 600-nits brightness level ensures excellent sunlight visibility. Coming to the resolution, the screen exhibits 1668 x 2388 pixels, working in tandem with the P3 wide color gamut and 123 percent of the sRGB palette. The 2nd gen Apple Pencil works perfectly with this iPad Pro, allowing the designer in you to perfect the illustrations, in no time.
Hardware & Design
The M1 chipset reappears, riding on the laurels of the octa-core architecture and a maximum clock speed of up to 3.2GHz. Working alongside the proprietary processor is the integrated Apple-backed GPU.
Also, there is 8GB of RAM to work with, allowing you to handle presets, masks, and modes with seamless ease. Plus, you also get access to 128GB of storage space for housing the created designs.
The 11-inch iPad Pro is considerably lighter as compared to the 12.9-inch variant, at 1.03 pounds. The metal-clad form factor measures 9.75 x 7.03 x 0.23 inches, which furthers the slimness quotient.
Battery Life & Other Features
The 10-hour battery life is an excellent feature to sport, which is bolstered further by the fast charging support. Plus, the iPad Pro also makes way for an excellent camera setup, high-speed internet connectivity, and Face ID support.
Conclusion
Finally, if you are into designing posters and bumpers for popular TV shows and comics, the Apple iPad Pro 11 is the best iPad for artists and professionals alike. However, it is the weight-to-screen ratio that makes it a better bet as compared to other products on the list.
- Massive storage space
- Fast processor
- Excellent memory allocation
- Thunderbolt 4 access
- Long-lasting battery
- Pricey
- iPadOS restricts Android-like customizability
3. Best Compact Size: Apple iPad Mini
If you are into ultraportable iPad for Procreate, I would suggest going for the new Apple iPad Mini. Despite being considered a smallish tablet, the iPad Mini packs enough power to give the iPad a run for its money. Not to mention the feathery yet premium chassis that feels exquisite in hand.
Most importantly, I replaced my existing 2019 iPad Mini with the latest iPad Mini, only to identify them later as better display, powerful processing hardware courtesy of an upgraded A15 processor as opposed to A12.
Display and Stylus Compatibility
The 8.3-inch screen assumes a standard aspect ratio of 3:2. In terms of resolution, the True Tone display exhibits 2048 x 1536 pixels, which adds to the color accuracy of the IPS panel. Overlaying the panel is an oleophobic coating and a scratch-resistant enhancement. As far as the stylus compatibility is concerned, you get support for the 2nd gen Apple Pencil.
Hardware & Design
The A15 Bionic chipset sports the 5nm architecture, best known for the maximum clock speed of up to 3.2GHz. Next in line is the 5-core GPU for achieving design-specific accuracy. There is 4GB of allotted RAM to work with followed by 64GB of storage space.
As far as the structure is concerned, this tablet weighs 0.65 pounds and measures 7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 inches. Not to mention the aluminium-clad chassis that is adequately slim and durable, at the same.
Battery Life & Other Features
In terms of battery backup, you get 10 hours of steady support. Plus this time, Apple has provided the Type-C port for charging. To complement the setup, there are Stereo speakers, a fingerprint scanner, Bluetooth 5.0, and Wi-Fi 6 support.
Conclusion
To sum it up, if you are a basic Procreate user who prefers the iOS interface over the iPadOS for designing, the latest iPad Mini is a commendable resource. Finally, as compared to other products on the list, this is appropriately the compact and lightest one around.
- Latest 6-Core A15 Bionic chipset
- Refreshed panel with small bezels
- Compatible with 2nd gen Apple Pencil
- Type-C port for charging
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- Nifty fingerprint scanner
- Not meant for pro-level artists
4. Best Storage Allocation: Apple iPad Air (4th gen)
The 4th generation Apple iPad Air is a powerful tablet to run Procreate on, provided you are more of a mid-level user or rather a devout graphic enthusiast. Compared to the 3rd gen variant of the iPad Air, the 4th gen tablet seems like a better upgrade, courtesy of the bigger screen real-estate and an advanced chipset.
Display and Stylus Compatibility
The 10.9-inch screen is with par the 11-inch iPad Pro. As far as the resolution is concerned, the Liquid Retina screen exudes 2360 x 1640 pixels, which also adds to the color accuracy of the panel. Plus, the extended P3 color gamut ensures better quality visuals and lets you view the designs in 4K, without a snag.
You can even pair the 2nd gen Apple Pencil with this tablet, for accessing modes, masks, and presets better, without having to expose the screen to fingerprints.
Hardware & Design
The A14 Bionic processor is faster as compared to the A12, by at least 30 percent. Working alongside the 5nm chipset is a 4-core GPU and 4GB RAM. As far as storage support is concerned, 256GB of space doesn’t make you dependent on a non-existent upgradable slot.
Much like any other iPad, the 4th gen iPad Air is manufactured with crafty precision. The tablet measures 9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 inches and weighs 1.01 pounds. This qualifies the iPad Air as one of the more portable units in the retail space.
Battery Life & Other Features
The iPad Air houses a 7600mAh battery, which is more than capable of lasting for close to 10 hours, despite extensive Procreate usage. Also, the Wi-Fi 6 support makes room for faster internet connectivity followed by a top-of-the-shelf camera setup.
Conclusion
To sum it up, the Apple iPad Air 4th gen might not be as powerful as the iPad Pros but it still does a great job when it comes to helping raster graphic designers envisage and create heart-warming and innovative illustrations, for personal and professional usage. Also, as compared to other iPads on the list, the 4th gen Air offers the best possible storage space, making it better for storing the Procreate files, to the brim.
- Class-leading display
- Secure and nifty fingerprint scanner
- Excellent storage support
- Responsive Apple Pencil
- Fast processor
- Pricey
- The pencil needs to be procured separately
5. Best Value for Money: Apple iPad (9th Gen)
The 9th generation Apple iPad is one of the more dependable iPad for digital art, despite being significantly underpowered as compared to the likes of iPad Pro and even the iPad Air. I would personally recommend this tablet to Procreate novices who are trying to find their way around the life-like designs.
The 9th gen iPad fares well in comparison to the 2018-variant that only features a 9.7-inch screen, making it a much better choice for graphics designing apps and tasks.
Display and Stylus Compatibility
The 10.2-inch IPS screen assumes 500-nits of brightness level, therefore contributing to the sunlight visibility. Plus, the overall resolution at 2160 x 1620 pixels adds to the color accuracy and contrast levels of the screen.
To be honest, much like any other iPad, even the 9th Gen iPad sports an excellent, graphic-intensive display, fortified further with a 4:3 aspect ratio, extended color gamut, and scratch-resistant glass. As far as the stylus compatibility is concerned, it only works with the 1st gen Apple Pencil.
Hardware & Design
A majority of creative workload can be shouldered by the A13 processor, based on the 7nm architecture. The hexa-core SoC works in tandem with the 4-core, proprietary GPU, 3GB RAM, and 64GB of fast storage space. The iPadOS 14 is loaded with assistive features and makes life easier for the raster designers.
The design continues to be enthralling with this iPad measuring 9.8 x 6.8 x 0.29 inches. Despite being a tad thicker as compared to other products, the 9th Gen iPad still manages to feature a premium aluminium-clad chassis whilst weighing a mere 1.09 pounds.
Battery Life & Other Features
The 10-hour battery backup is on the expected lines. Following this attribute is a lightning connector for charging, a 12MP front, and a standard 8MP rear shooter, stereo speakers, and a Touch ID for secured authentication.
Conclusion
Overall, the Apple iPad 9th gen is a resourceful tablet for the entry-level Procreate users, who prefer standard raster designs followed by layer adjustment and compositing. Also, as compared to other iPads on the list, the cost-to-ownership ratio exhibited by this iPad is the standout trait.
- Bright Retina True Tone display
- Responsive screen
- Fast and reliable processor
- Value for money
- Premium aesthetic
- Decent battery life
- Only supports the 1st gen Apple Pencil
- Lightening connector
Frequently Asked Questions
Every iPad is compatible with Procreate at any given capacity. However, the quality of designs, speed of renders, and multitasking abilities depend on the processing setup, system memory, and display.
Not really! Procreate can still work well even without an Apple Pencil. However, having the Apple Pencil ensures that you can be more accurate with the designs.
The best iPad to use with Procreate would be the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. It’s the most powerful iPad on the list that handles Procreate with relative ease. The 8GB RAM works like charm for handling smudge tools, brushes, and other resources.
Only iPads can run Procreate and therefore you must purchase one immediately if you have a penchant for Raster designs. Also, if high-end digital art interests you, any iPad running the iPadOS version 13.2 and above can be a good fit.
No, at present Procreate isn’t supposed to run on Android. However, you can try getting a laggy version of the same by using an Emulator to flash-use the iPadOS or any replica onto the Android tablet. But then, the results are far from acceptable and not recommended.
No. Procreate cannot be installed on a MacBook as it’s exclusively available for iPad OS and not MacOS. You will need to find an alternative software in order to
Verdict
Choices for Procreate aren’t in plenty. However, if you can get your hands on any of the mentioned tablets for Procreate, you are more than placed perfectly for getting the best designs in, without having to worry about multitasking. Still, here are some of the use cases that beckon curated selections:
- If pricing isn’t an issue, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro seems like the best decision to make for running Procreate, Photoshop, and other graphic designing apps. It just provide the best experience of Procreate on iPad.
- In case your priorities include massive on-device storage, the 4th Gen iPad Air with 256GB of space, seems like the investment to make.
- Finally, if you seek a portable tablet that is light and small, the iPad Mini is worth considering.
Apart from these handpicked Procreate tablets, you can even select the 11-inch iPad Pro or the 9th Gen iPad depending on the budget, specifications, functional enhancements, and other parameters.
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