PenTips iPad Easel Review: Creativity On The Go

A portable creative sidekick for your iPad.

In recent years, the iPad has steadily solidified its position as the go-to canvas for digital artists and designers worldwide. There’s no doubt it is a fantastic device for creatives, and there are number of tools and accessories out there designed to take the overall experience even further.

In previous articles, we have covered a variety of these accessories, such as textured screen protectors, replacement tips for the Apple Pencil, and an iPad case that feels like a premium notebook. Joining this expanding collection is the recently launched iPad Easel, a new product designed specifically for artists.

The PenTips iPad Easel is a portable, lightweight and foldable easel that aims to make the drawing and note-taking experience on the iPad comfortable and effortless.

In this review, we’re going to take a look at the product’s design, see how it performs, and find out if it lives up to the hype for all you artists out there who’ve made the iPad your trusty canvas. Is this the game-changer you’ve been waiting for or just another gadget in the ever-growing tech jungle?

What’s in the Package?

Inside the yellow and black box from PenTips you’ll find the easel itself, as well as a handy carrying pouch that allows you to store the product and take it with you on the go.

Design and Build Quality

The PenTips iPad Easel is constructed from aluminum, featuring rubber components on its feet to firmly anchor it in place and prevent it from slipping while drawing. The top part of this foldable design is also equipped with rubberized strips that protect the back of the iPad from scratches.

At the back of the stand you will find adjustable legs that allow you to adjust the angle of the easel.

Overall, this compact easel has exceptional build quality. It feels very sturdy and stable as a stand, and the cross-shaped design offers a nice bit of resistance as you unfold it, making the product feel quite solid. The dark gray aluminum color on this stand is quite similar to Apple’s “Space Gray” (only slightly darker), and its sleek and minimalist design ensures it will feel right at home alongside other Apple products.

The carrying case included with the product has a soft and velvety exterior that feels quite nice in the hand. However, I feel like PenTips missed an opportunity to showcase their logo here. Considering that this product is meant to be portable and carried everywhere, it would have been a clever move to have their branding printed on this pouch.

Having said that, when it comes to the actual product itself, the PenTips logo can be found engraved on the metal disc at the center of the easel, adding a nice touch to the overall design.

How does it perform?

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how good a product looks or feels if it doesn’t deliver on its promises, and I’m happy to say that the iPad Easel works remarkably well. During my testing I’ve used the stand on wooden desks and stone countertops, and it felt very stable while drawing. However, it’s worth nothing that if you work on a glass desk, there’s a chance you may experience some slippage, so I would consider using a desk mat for added stability in that particular scenario.

The adjustable legs at the back of the stand offer 5 height settings, with angles that range from 15° at its lowest position, to roughly 43° at its highest point. These legs work really well and are fun to use, with a spring mechanism combined with slots that effortlessly lock them into place. This clever system allows you to easily find the perfect position for your workflow or change angles for different tasks such as drawing, shading or taking notes.

I love the fact that this easel is super compact and lightweight, so I can just slip it into my bag and take it with me anywhere, whether I’m in the mood for sketching at the local park or jotting down thoughts and ideas at my favorite coffee shop. And when I’m taking a break from creative tasks, the adjustable height of the stand also makes it incredibly versatile for various other purposes, such as watching videos or following recipes while cooking.

One aspect that is also worth pointing out is the fact that even though PenTips mainly promotes this product as an iPad easel, it can also be used with a range of other devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab, Lenovo IdeaPad and Microsoft Surface laptops, making it a suitable option for non-Apple users as well.

Pricing

At launch, the PenTips iPad Easel is priced at $34, making it slightly more expensive than its main competitor, the Astropad Compact Easel Stand, currently sold for $29.99. However, as of writing this article, PenTips is running a “Back to School” sale on their website, so you can use the code backtoschool to get a 15% discount, bringing the price down to $28.90. This discount code is valid until September 30, 2023, and applies to your entire order, so in case you’re interested in any other PenTips products, this is a really good time to get them.

It’s also worth mentioning that the iPad Easel is more affordable than many other stands on the market, and since it is a high quality product which is built for specifically for digital artists, I’d say it’s well worth the asking price.

Pros & Cons

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the PenTips iPad Easel:

Pros

• Great design and build quality
• Portable and lightweight
• Comfortable drawing experience thanks to its adjustable height
• Sturdy and stable while in use
• The included carrying pouch is a nice addition

Cons

• May not be too stable on glass and other slippery surfaces

Verdict

In conclusion, the PenTips iPad Easel stands out as a handy portable tool for those who value mobility and flexibility in their creative process. Its solid build quality, compact size and lightweight design make it a nice companion for artists on the move, enabling them to create anywhere and everywhere.

Despite some minor concerns around using this easel on slippery surfaces such as glass, the product is very stable when in use, due to its grippy rubberized feet. Plus, having the option to adjust the angle/height of the stand makes the drawing experience a lot more comfortable, practical, and enjoyable. Whether you’re an artist, a note-taker or an all-around power user, the PenTips iPad Easel could be the missing piece in your digital art toolkit.

If you’re interested in grabbing one, you can use the code backtoschool until September 30, 2023, to get a 15% discount on your entire order over at Pentips.

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