Any creative person or digital artist will tell you they have battled back and forth when trying to settle the Wacom Cintiq vs iPad Pro debate. It can be difficult to ascertain which of these is better. Fortunately, this article should help clarify things when picking your choice in the Wacom Cintiq vs iPad Pro debate.
When trying to ascertain which is best for creative work and digital illustration, we need to consider a couple of factors. Let’s begin!
Wacom Cintiq vs iPad Pro: Features to Consider
Compatibility
In terms of compatibility, the Apple iPad Pro has been designed to be compatible with various drawing app options used by creative artists. Additionally, the direct and easy access to Procreate can make the iPad a very attractive choice. This improvement in the latest iteration has boosted the iPad’s standing in the Wacom Cintiq vs iPad Pro debate.
Wacom no longer has the Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator monopoly anymore. More apps are coming into the App Store daily to push the iPad’s creative offerings over the edge.
Nevertheless, the Wacom tablet still takes the edge as it can run the full desktop version of every software an artist requires. Furthermore, you can also use a Wacom tablet with Mac and Windows apps and software.
Professional creatives looking to have many more options are bound to choose a Wacom tablet over an iPad. Nevertheless, the iPad Pro makes a very interesting proposition, as it can be used for much more than just drawing.
Affordability
The iPad Pro is much more affordable than any graphic tablet you get from Wacom—particularly when considering the Wacom Cintiq Pro and above. Perhaps the iPad Pro can be seen as a cheaper yet close enough alternative to a Wacom Cintiq for those on a budget.
However, it all really depends on what you are in the market for. The iPad Pro makes a great device for digital artists searching for something with a lot of efficiency and portability. This is because it costs a lot less, and you can still access serious digital art software such as Procreate.
Thinking about getting into the iOS ecosystem? Read this first.
Conversely, if you are a professional artist, you might want to consider going all out for a Wacom solely designed for the job at hand. The Wacom Cintiq 16, while not the Wacom Cintiq Pro, is still capable of doing a great job.
It gives you access to the full desktop versions of your drawing apps. The real kicker is that the Cintiq 16 has a larger working area and is a lot cheaper than the iPad Pro.
Accessories
It’s easy to believe that the more expensive creative tablet here will have many more accessories; you wouldn’t be wrong. As the tablet is designed for creative professionals, the Wacom tablet has better accessories than the Apple iPad Pro. You can get an Orangutan stand, a Wacom Expresskey remote and 3D Wacom pen, and a tablet holder.
The iPad Pro diverges a bit as you don’t get any of the accessories above; however, you can get a keyboard and the Apple Pencil—Apple’s attempt at a stylus.
Drivers And Software
On the new iPad Pro, you have software that works perhaps more efficiently than on any Wacom drawing tablet. The first iterations of the iPad Pro could not provide the full functionality necessary for a graphic tablet, especially software-wise.
Fortunately, this has been rectified with the new Apple iPad Pro, as it has exclusive digital art applications which artists can use to create amazing pieces just as they would on a Wacom.
For example, Procreate is available only on the iPad Pro. Furthermore, Adobe has created Adobe Photoshop and Adobe illustrator versions for the iPad Pro that seemingly work just as effectively as in any Wacom tablet.
Conversely, Wacom has never had any issues working with various drawing software. Most tablets have been designed for one use and one use only, drawing. All the applications on the graphic tablet are fully functional, enabling the digital artist to draw on the graphics tablet as they would on the computer.
Wacom Supports almost every model and drawing software. Compared to the iPad Pro, you can only get 3D sculpting and modeling software on a Wacom. While the Apple iPad Pro has a couple of applications, such as Forger, the usability is limited compared to what you get on a Wacom full desktop version.
Quality
When it comes to quality, it depends on the actual Wacom Cintiq product you are comparing to the iPad Pro. For instance, the Wacom Cintiq Pro has 4k resolution and larger drawing space, making it a worthy alternative to the iPad Pro.
However, one thing to note is that you will need to connect the Wacom Cintiq Pro to a computer before enjoying full functionality; nevertheless, it provides an improved drawing experience over the iPad Pro.
Another thing to note is that Wacom is generally used as a drawing tablet for creatives. The technology in the Wacom Cintiq is more focused and comes with improved functionality, especially for high-end products.
Discover how to transfer files between iPad and Android here.
The iPad Pro, on the hand, isn’t advertised as a drawing tablet by Apple. Nevertheless, It is a wonderful device to use if you intend to explore the App Store and the Mobile World. It offers itself as a cheaper and more portable option.
However, it isn’t completely optimized to work solely as a drawing tablet. Creative professionals would prefer using a Wacom Cintiq Instead of an iPad Pro.
Where To Next?
This blog is a blog dedicated to using modern computing devices to run and manage a business. If you’re interested in using an iPad for your business, either as an entrepreneur, a small business owner or for your employees to use I recommend reading the following articles: