Apple has claimed that the Apple Pencil enables input on the new iPad Pro with “virtually no lag” – but, in this respect, does it better the similar tool for the Microsoft Surface Pro 4? Journalist and photographer Angel Jimenez de Luis has just conducted tests to find out.
For these tests, de Luis filmed himself using the tools to draw in a circular motion on the default note-taking apps – Notes and OneNote – preinstalled respectively on the iPad Pro and the Surface Pro 4. He then slowed the videos to 120 frames per second to allow viewers to better discern the degree of lag.
The videos side-by-side ultimately seem to indicate slightly better responsiveness with the Apple Pencil. However, the difference at standard speeds could be imperceptible to the average user, while GforGames has suggested that the OneNote app itself could be refreshing less regularly than Notes.
This, the site adds, could be why, with the former, “the line seems to “catch up” on the position of stylus tip at fewer intervals”. More thorough testing of the new stylus-like accessories, using the same app on both tablets, could therefore provide more reliable insight.