Stylus pens have become an indispensable tool when it comes to taking notes, drawing and illustrating both on digital or graphic tablets and on those devices that have a touch screen input. In fact, one of its main uses is precisely to draw or write on a screen , certainly similar to how we would do it on a sheet of paper.
For this reason, it is extremely common for them to present a characteristic shape and appearance, which, incidentally, tends to be quite reminiscent of the shape of a pencil or pen (hence its name precisely).
However, unlike these, the optimal pencils have a felt or plastic tip, depending on the purpose for which it was designed, and what its main functionality is.
Although it is common to think that all optical pencils are identical or similar, varying only in brand, design, shape and functionalities, the truth is that we must differentiate between passive and active optical pencils .
The passive stylus, also known as the capacitive stylus , is no different than, for example, using a finger when it comes to the device or the touch screen itself. While, an active stylus, contains an electronic component specially designed to interact with the touch screen controller that we find in the device on which we use it.
It even has a series of clearly differentiated added advantages, since it has the ability to ignore the weight of our hand when we rest it on the screen while we are using the pencil (which is known as palm rejection ). , has finer and more precise lines, and also offers different levels of pressure sensitivity.
Although there are different options on the market, there is no doubt that there are two devices that stand out above the rest: the Apple Pencil and the Surface Pen (developed by Microsoft).
What is the Apple Pencil?
If for some time you have been using a stylus on the iPad, or any other graphics tablet, then chances are you will find some familiar aspects to the Apple Pencil , the stylus developed by Apple.
Until now we can find ourselves in the market with a total of two generations. So, since mid-March 2019, all iPads available in stores are one hundred percent compatible with some of these two models (in the case of previous versions, it is necessary to make sure that it is compatible).
In addition, both pencils have a fairly well differentiated appearance, which makes it extremely easy to know which one we are using. For example, while the first generation Apple Pencil has a silver band on the top, the second generation has a design that is very reminiscent of a pencil, in addition to having the word “Apple Pencil” on its flat side. .
On the other hand, while the first generation has a removable cap that reveals a Lightning connector (necessary both to pair and charge the Pencil), the second generation charges and pairs magnetically.
And the Surface Pen?
Originally launched in 2012, the Surface Pen is a stylus designed by Microsoft for the Surface family of devices. In fact, it is included in the Surface Pro, Surface Go, Surface Book, Surface Studio or Surface Laptop, among others.
It incorporates an active digitizer that has a degree of sensitivity to pressure certainly impressive, in addition to having the function of rejection of the palm of the hand (as it happens with the Apple Pencil 2, by the way).
In this case we find a total of four generations, the last available so far being the one presented together with the Surface Pro 2017, with 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity, 1024 levels of sensitivity to tilt and a fairly low latency.
Main differences of the Apple Pencil and the Surface Pen
Pressure sensitivity and latency
Curiously, one of the main differences between the two devices is found in their sensitivity to pressure . And it is that while in the case of the Apple Pencil this information is unknown, in the case of the Surface Pen it does have 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity.
The latency in the case of the Pencil is slightly lower, since it is 20 ms, unlike the latency of the Surface Pen, which reaches 21 ms. On the other hand, while the Pencil has tilt support, the device developed by Microsoft also has rotation support (yes, only on some devices).
Battery duration
We also found glaring differences in battery life. And it is that if the battery of the Apple Pencil, rechargeable, reaches 12 hours of duration, in the case of the Surface Pen it lasts 1 year, being replaceable. Regarding the latter, it consists of a single AAAA battery, which should last about a year, and which can be changed.
Design, appearance, size and weight
As you probably know, the Apple Pencil comes in a unique and characteristic white color, while the Surface Pen is available in cobalt blue, burgundy, black and platinum.
Regarding its size and weight, it is true that, in general, both are similar, although the Pencil has a longer size and tends to weigh a little more, while the diameter of the Surface Pen is a little larger.
