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

The brand new USB-C Apple Pencil is now out there on the market by means of Apple’s web site, with the primary shipments arriving on November 3. It seems like will probably be out there 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 completely different? Effectively, you’ll be able to have a look at the big desk above from Apple’s web site to see the options as they evaluate to different fashions—or you’ll be able to learn what we wrote a few weeks in the past when it was first introduced:

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

The one 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 primary factor you are dropping, and its absence is presumably the primary factor that makes it a lot cheaper than the options. It is possible a more sensible choice for people who need to write on their iPads than those that need 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 perhaps an train in frustration. That mentioned, the iPad lineup is equally convoluted at this level, so there’s that.

Itemizing picture by Apple