Assessment: Astropad Rock Paper Pencil v2, the pen-on-paper iPad improve will get even higher

Final yr Astropad launched its spectacular Rock Paper Pencil equipment for iPad that delivers a reusable/detachable matte display screen protector plus a ballpoint-style Apple Pencil tip for an actual pen-on-paper expertise. This yr the corporate delivered Rock Paper Pencil v2 with a NanoCling border, flat profile, improved Apple Pencil tip, and extra. Right here’s what I feel after testing out the improved model.

Replace 8/23/24: Astropad is providing 15% off Rock Paper Pencil by way of as we speak as a back-to-school promotion.

Rock Paper Pencil was one among my favourite Apple equipment of 2023 (full evaluation). At $39, it provided a matte display screen protector for iPad that gave an excellent lifelike pen-on-paper really feel with a number of different nice advantages like prompt utility and elimination, no bubbles, ballpoint-style Apple Pencil suggestions, and extra.

Regardless of making a improbable product with Rock Paper Pencil, Astropad took consumer suggestions and rapidly carried out two fundamental refinements with the second technology.

Rock Paper Pencil v2 upgrades

• NanoCling border attachment
  • Stronger than magnets
  • Simply detachable and reusable, non-adhesive, no residue
  • Absolutely flat profile – 40% thinner than the magnetic border in v1
• Stronger and finer Apple Pencil suggestions
  • Copper alloy core with palladium coating
  • Extensive inside anchor for durability
  • 0.7mm precision ballpoint tip – 30% finer than v1
  • 2 suggestions included
• Worth: $39.99

Like v1, v2 features a protecting sleeve to retailer your display screen protector and is appropriate with 12.9-inch iPad Professional third gen and later, 11-inch iPad Professional or fashionable iPad Air, iPad mini sixth gen, 10.9-inch iPad tenth gen, or iPad 10.2-inch seventh, eighth, or ninth gen.

In use

Like the primary Rock Paper Pencil display screen protector, v2 is tremendous straightforward to put in and take away. Whereas the unique’s magnetic attachment snapped into place a bit sooner, the NanoCling of v2 is a beneficial improve because it’s simpler to regulate, has extra endurance, and permits the display screen protector to be tremendous skinny and flat (the magnetic model had raised edges).

In my use, the Rock Paper Pencil v2 display screen protector with Rock Paper Pencil delivers the identical superb pen-on-paper really feel of v1 and it’s enhanced with a extra exact 0.7mm ball-point fashion Apple Pencil tip that’s 30% finer than v1.

Proven above, right here’s the v2 0.7mm tip on the left and the less-fine 1.0mm v1 tip on the proper.

Like Astropad’s earlier builds, the brand new Rock Paper Pencil protector doesn’t trigger points with the iPad’s touchscreen responsiveness. I checked out how responsive my iPad felt with the protector on when tapping, swiping, and so on. with my fingers and it carried out in addition to when it was off.

Rock Paper Pencil v2 conclusion

Kudos to Astropad for listening to consumer suggestions and transferring quick to launch v2 with the NanoCling attachment and 0.7mm Apple Pencil tip whereas preserving the value $5 cheaper.

As I felt after utilizing v1, in the event you’d like a pen-on-paper really feel together with your iPad and Apple Pencil, I extremely advocate Rock Paper Pencil v2. Heck, even simply the detachable matte display screen protector side alone is well worth the value.

As I skilled in my evaluation of the unique, this product delivers an exquisite tactile expertise, has a slick design that’s detachable anytime, delivers an anti-glare end, and upgrades the Apple Pencil (gen 2) with a extra sturdy and exact tip.

If you have already got Rock Paper Pencil v1, I’d say you’re getting nearly all of the identical expertise of v2. Until you’d actually just like the 0.7mm finer suggestions and the NanoCling attachment.

You will get Rock Paper Pencil v2 direct from Astropad for $39.99.

All pictures by Michael Potuck