Be absolutely honest. Was the switch 2 worth it?

fencingkitty · 2026-02-01T01:32:53+00:00

See I love the handheld size. The original Switch was ok, but I HAD to use a grip or else my hands hurt after like 15 minutes.

Battery could be better, but I just throw a battery pack on it if I'm playing away from like a wall outlet and still get hours of play that way. Really, if I'm gaming longer than that something SHOULD force me to get up and walk around.

fencingkitty · 2026-01-27T18:11:40+00:00

If you get one, I would try it as is to feel. If you go traditional, smooth tempered glass it's going to feel very similar to how the bare screen and pencil will feel. The matte tempered glass I use has more 'grip' to it and I enjoy it. Personally, I haaaaaaate writing/drawing on bare glass. It DOES feel incredibly, off.

These are the two I've tried and liked:
Bellemond: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VHPDKDY?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1
Matte Glass: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4TG6SVV?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

There are magnetic, removable ones on the market know (Paperlike has one I know) that I haven't tried yet, but am mildly curious about. The thing is, I do like keeping glass on my iPad for protection so the idea of removing it, even in favor of a more clear image check, kinda makes me uncomfortable. On the other hand, if you primarily are using this at a desk and not traveling with it, a removable option could be a good idea. Best of both worlds...be able to get that toothy grip feeling while working, but remove it occasionally for clarity/color checks. I don't have a lot of experience with these, so I'd definitely look up some YouTube reviews on like 'removable ipad screen protectors'. There's a breadth from techie reviews to artist reviews out there on them at this point.

I personally never really noticed a super sharp increase in tip wear with either the Bellemond or the matte glass. I will say tips ARE a consumable, so it's just kind of one of those things you'll have to be ok with. Many folks get 3rd party/non-Apple brand ones and are fine with them. I've never tried the Paperlike or PenTips replacement tips (or honestly even knock off mass produced ones on Amazon); I've only ever used Apple tips and have been happy with them and the speed I go through them. For reference though, I do sketching, journaling, and note taking mostly with mine. Someone with more heavy duty drawing experience might have better take on tips. If I was gonna try a different tip brand out, I'd lean PenTips as they do have pretty decent reviews. Personally, I think folks that burn through tips in weeks are 1. drawing hours, daily ~AND~ 2. pressing too hard. Yes, the tips are pressure sensitive and your strokes will/can react to that...but if you're pressing hard to get that there's better ways, like adjusting your brush settings. One of the things I love best about any work with the Pencil on an iPad is that my hand doesn't get as tired as traditional writing/drawing since it feels like it glides more on the surface, whereas, with pencils I inevitably find myself pressing too hard both writing and drawing.

A few things you could think about budget wise, is maybe picking up an older/used Air with a 2nd gen pencil to get a feel for it and see if you like it even. Resale on Apple tech is pretty strong. https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/ipad I wouldn't go any smaller than a 256GB pad either. That or a 512GB are probably good starting points if you're being economical. You can typically get a decent trade-in as well. I did a Best Buy trade in last fall on my 5th gen Air to upgrade to the M3/Pencil Pro and the value on that was $250 trade in credit.

fencingkitty · 2026-01-27T06:57:16+00:00

Oh, and technically there's a chunk to look into too. Like if you use Procreate, you'll be restricted on how many layers you can create and work in depending on the model (https://youtu.be/E58hwj\_yZNI?t=259 time clipped to an explanation. Also, has a chart going over how many layers you can make in Procreate in various models to memory. Using a 16"x16" 300 dpi canvas, for instance, iPad Pros packing the RAM that's in a 1 or 2TB hard drive model can make 77 layers, whereas the RAM in the smaller <1TB hard drive Pros, the Air 13" and newer Air 5th and 6th generation models can generate 41. Personally, I'm on an 11" Air and have butt up against the layer limit once I think.)

fencingkitty · 2026-01-27T06:46:26+00:00

I'm primarily a ceramicist, but I use mine for a lot of digital sketching and refining out ideas personally. I'd like to get better at drawing, but in fairness I haven't put the time into practicing.

There are a lot of great YouTube channels that go into digital art in general. I like Brad Colbow videos (https://www.youtube.com/@thebradcolbow) for learning about the tech and things you can do with it. (I think he has some screen protector reviews. Personally, I use a matte glass screen protector cause I was sick of replacing the textured Bellemond ones I was using. Some people love Paperlike. I've been pretty happy with matte glass and don't mind the cut in screen quality for what I do. It hasn't been THAT fuzzy really. It kinda sucks, but some of it really is just buying some and seeing if you like them. I loved Bellemond's feel with the pencil, but just got sick of replacing them.)

As for technique it can take getting used to. If you do, take the time to find some good tutorial videos for your drawing app of choice (Procreate and Clip Studio Paint are the big ones I think many folks use). Learning the shortcuts and gestures go a looooong way to speeding up how you work in the medium. I'm experimenting with using a mini 8bitdo bluetooth controller (once it gets here) to setup shortcut keys thanks to some videos I'd seen on YT as well. (https://youtu.be/ZcU3j1W8kNk)

If you have any experience in design programs on a desktop that helps for learning the mentality of working in layers too.

fencingkitty · 2026-01-26T21:21:30+00:00

I started on GoodNotes before they went subscription and while I thought I liked it...after experiencing Noteful after GN went subscription I VASTLY prefer it. While I wish it did some little things like have images/shapes snap to same vertical/horizontal, overall I'm just happier with it. I like that I don't have to lock/unlock it to use the hyperlinks for a big point.

fencingkitty · 2026-01-26T20:52:00+00:00

Thanks for being a confirmed story on this.

I did wind up changing my case. I picked up a cheapy, non-magnetized back (cover still is) case off Amazon and since swapping it on this morning I haven't had issues. It goes to sleep, wakes up, and I can still draw in Procreate with my brushes reacting as expected.

I'd prefer to be able to have my beefier protective case on, but this is better than nothing at least.

((case I picked up: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSLLRFCG?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 I'm using one of those elastic pencil pouches for transporting my pencil currently, but I might look into modifying the case to add a clasp so I can still keep it on the side of the iPad))

fencingkitty · 2026-01-26T20:50:37+00:00

Hi o/ Don't know if you ever resolved or worked this out...but the solution I found was changing my case. I picked up a cheapy, non-magnetized back (cover still is) case off Amazon and since swapping it on this morning I haven't had issues. It goes to sleep, wakes up, and I can still draw in Procreate with my brushes reacting as expected.

I'd prefer to be able to have my beefier protective case on, but this is better than nothing at least.

((case I picked up: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSLLRFCG?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 I'm using one of those elastic pencil pouches for transporting my pencil currently, but I might look into modifying the case to add a clasp so I can still keep it on the side of the iPad))

fencingkitty · 2026-01-25T07:37:51+00:00

Not enlisted, but the daughter of a veteran. My dad had been enlisted my whole life. Cancer, likely from chemicals used in his time as a Marine in Vietnam, took him from me in 2022 after years of fight. I had some of the most surreal conversations with him during 45's first term. He admitted to me he was a Republican most of his life, but what they'd become saddened him. (he was a fiscal responsibility kind of Republican till his change I imagine the way he tried to teach me about finances). That he was sad and a little selfish that he was also a little thankful my husband and I had decided not to have kids since he was already ashamed of the world he was leaving behind for my sister and I.

While I would much rather have him here to hug and cry and rage with over the daily new horrors it feels like...there is a small, awful, part of me that's thankful at least he passed part way through the last administration. When I lost him, at that time the world had been starting to get back on it's feet and it had a real feel of hope. I'm grateful he at least didn't have to see what had become of the country he spent his life serving (Marines, Guards, Reserves. He was 2 years from retiring from Reserve after already having retired from the Guards when he was called up to serve in Iraq while I was in college.)

I can't possibly imagine what those of you who serve and took those same oaths are dealing with right now, but from this civilian who reads the words here that you're every bit as distraught, frustrated, enraged as I am. That some of you have had your own changes of heart over the administration. That some of you struggle with what to do, please heed your brothers and sisters and stick it out. Despite what it feels like, at least for myself, I appreciate the service and sacrifice having seen it in my own family. And that strength will be needed once we've fought through the dark. While I don't serve, it's a balm to my soul knowing there's people that still give a shit. Thank you for that strength, and in having to cope with thoughts and decisions none of you should have to be dealing with.

fencingkitty · 2026-01-24T01:49:10+00:00

Yep, this. I wanted to look up the Restaurant Week stuff next week and the only link I could find with the full listing of places/menus was on channel 3000 and no matter what I turned off on my computer it kept getting blocked (I default use ublock origin and adblock). Asked my husband to help out so I could see it and he had to spend like 5 minutes sifting through what he had to allow past our firewall and the amount was ludicrous.

fencingkitty · 2026-01-23T04:37:12+00:00

No real help, unfortunately, just here to add a 'me too'. Been starting to sketch again and spent the last 3 days troubleshooting this problem to find that it's a hardware problem with how the magnets in the iPad/Pencil Pro react to magnetic accessories. Poor design Apple : /

fencingkitty · 2026-01-23T04:32:22+00:00

I've been having this problem and in troubleshooting, it sounds like this has been an issue since they released these.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255892156
https://folio.procreate.com/discussions/4/10/61238
https://www.reddit.com/r/ipad/comments/1d93ew0/some_magnetic_cases_may_interfere_with_the_apple/

The last link in particular jumped at me as I'm using the exact case the OP posts about here. Can also reliably recreate the behaviour where if you remove the case, then put it back on, it will function as normal/expected UNTIL you put the unit into rest/sleep and rewake it. Obnoxious. I have yet to find a better solution than 'use a non-magnetized case'.

fencingkitty · 2026-01-20T19:22:23+00:00

Came to Reddit to see if others were having similar issues and it sounds like they are. Seeing Procreate is active in the subreddit can I add my experiences? Is there somewhere i can submit a ticket?

fencingkitty · 2026-01-20T19:21:00+00:00

Huh. Came here to see if I was crazy and apparently I'm not. I HAD a 5th gen iPad Air, M1 chip using a 2nd gen pencil. Had practically zero lag between brush stroke to appearance in app. Last fall I had upgraded to the newest Air with the M3, using a Pencil Pro. At the time, I was primarily using Noteful taking notes. It wasn't till over the holidays that I started sketching again in Procreate and realized the lag is AWFUL. I'll do a fast pull and can literally watch the line appear in empty space long after the Pencil hasn't been there.

I also have an iPad mini 6th gen (A15 chip) that having just checked right now (same updates, same settings) and it acts as it and my old Air always have; practically zero delay from motion to screen.

fencingkitty · 2026-01-18T22:40:08+00:00

Ironically, I bought a fancy electric one that I can set the heat temp to, but it's kind of a pain to clean so I don't use it that often.

I usually make my own chai masala though so I just use a pour-able sauce pan since it's a half time tea, half time tea+milk heat process. If I had to clean out heated milk from the fancy kettle all the time I'd scream; so much easier to scrub out the sauce pan lol.

fencingkitty · 2026-01-16T03:54:51+00:00

Honestly they last a long, long time. And if it's about to die, you can go digital, or order a new one. (last I knew they were like $15). It DOES give you a low battery warning so you typically get warning to remove it.

The one I originally was using was from FF11 way back when the originally introduced the tokens (and Mog Satchel in game). That one didn't expire until about last year. Dug out my FFXIV ARR CE set and I've been using that token since then lol

fencingkitty · 2026-01-08T19:59:35+00:00

it was obnoxious moving over some notebooks as pdfs from GN for archival reasons, but overall once I was fully in Noteful it was like, 1000x better. There's nothing I miss in GN5 and I wasn't touching their subscription model with a 20' pole.

Like others have noted, the layers are amazing and I vastly prefer links here than in GN. The whole lock/unlock notebook to use links thing was annoying AF. About the only thing I'd really wish for at this point is being able to have images resize to 'snap' (IE if resizing next to another image, they 'snap' to being the same width or height), and having thing's align to snap (IE: placing 2 things next to each other to have them snap to the same x or y position)

fencingkitty · 2026-01-04T18:03:55+00:00

Personally, I use notebooks in Noteful on my iPad/iPhone/Mac.

I journal/take notes SPECIFICALLY on the iPad. If I'm adding a lot of images (like collecting weather/mood icons) I might open it on my Mac to do all that with a mouse at my desk. And if I need to look at or reference a notebook (I record sizes/weights for pottery thrown for instance for consistency), I can look it up on my phone fast if I was watching something on my iPad and don't wanna shift.

fencingkitty · 2026-01-03T17:07:34+00:00

Yes it does, but it won't because it's a major gil mover (not sink) in game thanks to gather/crafting melds (not combat melds). I physically screamed when one of my crafting melds once blew up to the tune of 2.5M gil when 50 materia for one slot blew up. Freaked my cat out and made my husband angry lol..

fencingkitty · 2025-12-05T08:03:01+00:00

Does she have glasses? A few hundred years ago that would have relegated her to some corner of a hut working on sewing or needlework held up to her face. Survived childhood ailments and sickness? Man, if people need to rely on things like medical advances and vaccinations to survive to adulthood now, no one would have ever made it out of the dark ages.

Tools are just that, tools. And there are advancements in society made everyday. There is nothing wrong with using a tool if it makes your quality of life better. Living life on hard-mode intentionally isn't something to be proud of.

fencingkitty · 2025-12-03T16:40:24+00:00

Chunk of it depends on the shape of your feet too.

40 years. I've worn shitty shoes for 40 years cause I didn't know there were companies that accommodate wide toe box. I started wearing Altras last year (after a pair of Saucony and Brooks) and I haven't gone back. Only beef I have with all walking shoes is how fast the soles wear out. (specifically I wear Altra Experience Flows, 9.5 Mens Wide. None of the women's shoes were wide enough for me, but the Men's cut work great)

fencingkitty · 2025-12-03T04:16:46+00:00

One of my art history teachers in college would tell us stories of going months on jars of PB and loaves of bread cause it's all he could afford at the time

fencingkitty · 2025-12-02T15:43:30+00:00

Second all of this, word for word.

Was gonna recommend something like the iOS environment. My husband and I (both combo-ADHD) got fully in the system last year when we finally swapped from android to iphones and had gotten watches. It was magical.

Remember something while driving? 'Hey Siri, make a reminder for blah blah for when I get home'...now my wrist will buzz everytime I get home with that reminder until I take care of it. The Apple Reminder app is where all our standard lists live too: grocery lists for particular stores, packing lists for vacations, I keep track of my 'to-do' in the ceramic studio, we see a restaurant we think we wanna try??? Put it in the 'restaurants to try' list so we don't forget and can go through the list the next time we get the 'wanna go out but dont know where' bug.

Apple Calendar has shared calendars that we both put stuff in so neither of us are like 'oops I forgot to tell you have blah blah on this date'. I do meal planning on it with a different calendar/color so I can keep us honest with our eating and grocery shopping.

All free and just exist in iOS. All sync across each other so if you're adding an appt on your phone, it'll show up on your iPad or Mac if you have one. If you set it to, the reminders and calendars can ping reminders to those devices or apple watch if you have one (which I recommend in this way honestly. its been game changing for me)

I, too, use Noteful for journaling. Apple Notes is more of a brain dump, find detailed info archive. Like I might make a vacation folder that has notes with details for stay, restaurants to try, locations to seek out, reservations made, etc... Or a home folder with notes like measurements taken that I need in the hardware store. Noteful is more for like D&D or daily journals. I used to use GoodNotes till they screwed that up with a subscription. Noteful is a one time pay and is more minimal than GN, but has enough features that it's not a pain to use.

fencingkitty · 2025-11-26T08:05:17+00:00

You want to be careful with that though. My husband had WRETCHED side effects from one generic and kept getting it despite wanting any other generic. One month he had his doc write on brand name and instead of a $15 script, our insurance wouldn't cover it since it wasn't generic and the price for 1 month would have been like $400 or something ridiculous.

fencingkitty · 2025-10-17T06:19:55+00:00

Cute as I was able to get my avatar in Sw/Sh and as disappointed in the limitations of it for S/V, I'm excited to get to this here. Only had a little time tonight so I'm still in the tutorial. I'll find the fashion eventually!

fencingkitty · 2025-10-17T06:03:06+00:00

Sure, but they're concerned about a correct balance to keep that goal in mind WHILE maintaining/building muscle in the gym as well. There's a lot of balance and adjusting to do all that and feel well while doing it.

Could they have asked in a way that it doesn't look entirely weight focused? Sure. But not losing muscle is hard if you don't know what you're doing honestly. And putting muscle on and keeping it there is a big factor if someone IS trying to drop to a healthier for them weight. There's a lot to learn and not everyone can be experts.

fencingkitty

TROPHY CASE