Apple’s cheaper Pencil is in the stores now, but it surely has some limitations

The new USB-C Apple Pencil is now available on the market via Apple’s web site, with the primary shipments arriving on November 3. It appears to be like like will probably be obtainable in bodily shops beginning round November 8, too.

The $79 peripheral is the third Apple Pencil mannequin, however do not let that idiot you into pondering it is your best option; it is the brand new cheaper, entry-level possibility. The second-generation Pencil is the highest-end one, at $129.

What makes this Pencil totally different? Well, you may take a look at the big desk above from Apple’s web site to see the options as they examine to different fashions—or you may learn what we wrote a few weeks in the past when it was first introduced:

It would not help stress sensitivity, a key function of the opposite two fashions. It can connect magnetically on its flat edge and helps hover previews just like the second-generation Pencil. However, it could actually’t cost or pair wirelessly by way of that magnetic attachment like that mannequin can, and it would not help the double-tap gesture.

The solely benefits the first-generation Pencil has over this newer, cheaper mannequin are stress sensitivity help and a Lightning port for plugging into older iPads.

The stress sensitivity is the principle factor you are dropping, and its absence is presumably the principle factor that makes it a lot cheaper than the alternate options. It’s probably a more sensible choice for folk who wish to write on their iPads than those that wish to enterprise into the visible arts. In any case, it is appropriate with any iPad that has a USB-C port.

It makes for a complicated Pencil lineup; strive explaining to somebody who’s not following Apple or tech intently which Pencil to purchase, and it is likely to be an train in frustration. That mentioned, the iPad lineup is equally convoluted at this level, so there’s that.

Listing picture by Apple