The biggest draw of the PenPad is that the drawing surface bends kind of like a thick piece of rubber, which makes it super easy to travel with. It comes in at about $50, making it much cheaper than other options, and the 1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity and 6.5-inch-by-4-inch drawing area make it adequate for most architectural purposes. It is only a drawing surface, not a visualization screen, so it has to be used with a computer. The VT PenPad is an affordable option if you’re looking for a starter tablet. The VT PenPad via Designmodo VT PenPad Best Starter Tablet for Architects If you already have an iPad Pro or are considering getting one for other uses, then the Pencil is a great investment to open up a world of drawing opportunities. Starting at $649 for the Pro and $99 for the Pencil, the set is considerably cheaper than the above options, and quality and support run high. On the other hand, the fact that the products are from Apple means that they are well-designed and reliable, and several apps have been specifically designed for them (see earlier articles here and here). The fact that the iPad and Pencil are from secretive and territorial Apple also brings a few cons like how it can only run Mac OS apps, a potentially big problem for architects, and there is no public data on the exact pressure sensitivity of the Pencil. Because it’s primarily designed for non-drawing use, it does have some unique quirks, like its glossy screen finish and extreme smoothness, that might be uncomfortably different from drawing on a piece of paper.

The iPad Pro isn’t a dedicated drawing tablet, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be used that way. Drawing on the iPad Pro via uMake Apple iPad Pro Best Apple Tablet for Architects

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