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7 Best Drawing Tablets for Mac (Full Guide)

7 Best Drawing Tablets for Mac (Full Guide)

If you’re looking for the best drawing tablet for Mac, then you’re likely a graphic designer, a business professional, digital artist, or a student that is both taking notes and also needs to write on their laptop. 

The drawing tablets for MacBooks in this post are tested by hand and have been chosen to meet the requirements for drawing, professional animation, writing, graphic design and even annotation. 

Note: If you are using the Procreate app, keep in mind you must use an iPad and not a MacBook Pro or Air. Procreate is not available on Mac.

Depending on the application, the MacBook drawing pad that you choose may also be used for interior design, College, classes 3D modeling and similar hobbies.

Also see: The 7 Best MacBooks for Photoshop & Photo Editing

This article will explore the benefits of the best drawing tablets for MacBooks as well as a disadvantage that each Drawing tablet provides. 

If you plan to use photoshop on mac, then see our post on the 7 Best Drawing Tablets For Photoshop & Illustrator, which is helpful for those who are primarily using photoshop or animation type software.

These have been tested by our team and compared to previous models in order to provide the most informed advice for your decision and projects. We’ll be covering both drawing tablets for mac and drawing pads in this post.

At a glance – Best Drawing Pads for Mac

Below are our top picks for the best drawing tablet for Mac:

  1. Wacom Cintiq: Most premium drawing pad for Mac
  2. XenceLabs: Best wireless Drawing Pad for Mac (for Artists & Teachers)
  3. XP Pen Artist 12 (2nd Gen): Most affordable Drawing tablet with a screen for Mac
  4. iPad Best Overall Drawing Pad for MacBooks (Use with AstroPad)
  5. Wacom One: Best Beginner Drawing Pad for Students, Teachers, and Graphic designers
  6. Huion KAMVAS Pro 13: Budget Drawing pad with a display built-in for Mac
  7. Gaomon PD: Powerful Wacom alternative drawing pad for MacBooks

Should you get an iPad or a Drawing Tablet for Mac?

Should you get an iPad or a Drawing Tablet for Mac

Artists are increasingly choosing iPads for drawing because of Procreate. However, there are many advanced functions a Wacom, Huion, or Xp-Pen tablet can handle for a graphic designer or someone handling pro-level design work.

Also, iPads don’t necessarily work the same way a drawing tablet does unless you connect it to your MacBook with an app like duet display or Astropad.

Important: Duet Display alternatives can turn your iPad into a professional drawing tablet.

IPads are general-purpose tablets that integrate seamlessly with Apple’s ecosystem and are perfect for specific apps like procreate or scribbling in the notes app. You can navigate the device easier, check your emails, use markup on the iPad, access apps, and much more on your Macbook while using the iPad.

Consequently, it is useful both for drawing and for other purposes besides art. Since an iPad does not include the Apple Pencil in the box, you must purchase it separately, which is a con.You’ll need to choose whether you want a stylus or apple pencil before moving forward. Knowing whether the apple pencil 2 is worth it or not is also important when choosing the best drawing tablet for mac.

Standard graphics tablets, which require a computer to function (unless you have a standalone computer tablet) have requirements. For example, drawing tablets need to be connected to a computer, while an iPad has wireless capabilities for screen mirroring to mac.

Related: Best stylus pens for Procreate

Drawing tablets typically include a pen with the purchase. These drawing tablets can also be used on windows based apps as well as general drawing apps such as Krita, Medibang, Adobe illustrator, and more.

How to choose the best Drawing Tablet for Mac

How to choose the best Drawing Tablet for Mac

To choose the best drawing tablet for MacBook, you’ll need to match the cost you expect to spend with the capabilities of your ideal drawing pad.

When choosing the best possible drawing pad for mac, you will want to evaluate pressure sensitivity, how large the active surface area is to work on, and which type of drawing tablet you’re using (pan tablet with a screen or does the graphics tablet without a screen).

Related: 12 Best Drawing Tablets for Smartphones

The drawing tablets in this post meet the requirements of most professional artists. In addition to performance, we tested for reliable tilt recognition, high pressure sensitivity, and strong compatibility with drawing apps on Mac.

You have a few options based on the type of drawing pads available for MacBook:

Related: Apple Pencil 1 vs 2 (Full Comparison)

Pressure Levels

Pressure Levels

The benefit of utilizing a greater number of pressure levels (8192) is that you may more clearly distinguish the lines’ thickness, which is crucial when working with high-resolution drawings. If you’re only taking notes on Mac then 4000 or less works just fine.

Related: Ways to Use Your Phone as a Drawing Tablet

Surface Area to draw on for Mac

Surface Area to draw on for Mac

The larger active surface area may help you work on larger drawings more simply without the need for zooming and panning. Consider the kind of art you want to create before purchasing a product with an active drawing area that meets your requirements. In the past, compact design and a wireless connection were features not available, but recent technology statistics show just how far we have advanced.

Software Drivers and App Compatibility

Software Drivers and App Compatibility

Before you buy a drawing tablet, determine what type of programs it is compatible with and what the software drivers are capable of. The more expensive drawing tablets seem to correlate with more frequent driver updates based on our team’s observations.

XenceLabs Drawing Tablets for Mac have some of the most advanced software drivers, but Wacom is the most reliable and thoroughly tested amongst studios. However, it all relies on the tablet’s drivers and the specifications of your MacBook or Laptop.

Best Drawing Pads for Mac

In this list below, the drawing tablets chosen are our top picks, but covered in greater depth since they are compatible with Mac. These have the recommended compatibility, pressure sensitivity, tilt recognition, nibs, and design to specifically run on mac for drawing, writing, and designing.

1. Wacom Cintiq: Most premium drawing pad for Mac

Wacom Cintiq Most premium drawing pad for Mac

The Wacom Cintiq is the ultimate drawing tablet for Mac. The Cintiq 16 is also one of the most premium Wacom tablets in general and includes everything an artist of any type needs. Although this is a relatively expensive solution, the features it has fully justify its price.

The Wacom One is the perfect drawing tablet for Macbook air as well as the Macbook Pro because they update their drivers frequently and this helps compatibility across devices.

It is also equipped with an impressive built-in screen for drawing and editing. Be aware (on average) it is more expensive than it’s competitors such as XP-Pen, GAOMON, and Xencelabs.

The Wacom Cintiq model offers the most powerful drawing experience with 16.7 million colors and 13.6 x 7.6 inch active area. A battery-free pen is included that has 8192 pressure levels and requires a low activation force upon touch.

If you aren’t familiar with Wacom, see our post: What is a Wacom Tablet and how do they work?

You can easily connect Cintiq to any Mac or Windows device with the included HDMI cable. This device is also available on eBay.

There are multiple models of the Cintiq which vary based on size. There are 16″ and 22″. Because of this large size, zooming in and out will be less necessary and this is a significant advantage when drawing on Mac applications like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator.

  • Option to create an efficient, controlled workspace by adding the Wacom Flex Arm.
  • 17 programmable buttons are easily accessible with the ExpressKeyTM Remote.
  • Additional shortcuts are available through the on-screen keypad and the radial menus.
  • There is HDMI/DisplayPort connectivity, which requires a USB port for data transfer.
  • The USB-C cable (included) can connect to any Mac or PC via a USB-C port for video and data.

Cons:

  • Price point is higher than other models on this list
  • Extra features may not be necessary for beginner artists

2. XenceLabs: Best Wireless Drawing Pad for Mac (for Artists & Teachers)

XenceLabs Best Wireless Drawing Pad for Mac for Artists Teachers

Xencelabs has quickly become a popular choice for digital artists looking for a drawing pad for their Mac. XP-Pen and Wacom are specific competitors. A unique, and modern design, along with wireless capabilities and LED colors, make the XenceLabs drawing tablet ideal for artists.

We hands-on tested this drawing tablet, see the full review: Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium [Artist Review] Wireless

The Tablet medium does not have a built-in screen when used for drawing, and must be connected to either a Mac or Windows based computer. 

320 x 232 x 8 mm is the device’s size, and 262 x 147 mm is the active area you can draw on.

Why it’s unique:

The tablet has many features tailored towards artists, like shortcut keys and customized LED colors (a very unique and cool feature). 

Some of the reasons why this device outperforms many others are listed below. With the tablet, you can adjust the sensitivity of the pen in real time by pressing the pen pressure control button.

What we liked:

  • There are also three customizable shortcut keys and an eraser on the pen.
  • It works for drawing on macOS (X10.2 or later)
  • With the Quick keys remote, you can control the creative process from anywhere.
  • The wheel dial can be customized and the buttons can be customized.
  • Has tilt control, palm rejection, and 8192 levels of pressure.

What we didn’t like:

  • Price point is high
  • New Brand compared to a seasoned brand like Wacom
  • Does not have a Built-in screen

In terms of accessories. The box includes everything from extra nibs to gloves and cables. As a final note, the drawing experience is good and the area is large enough for graphic design, students, and business professionals to work in.

Also see: GoodNotes for Mac – is it worth using?

3. XP Pen Artist 12 (2nd Gen): Most affordable Drawing tablet with a screen for Mac

XP Pen Artist 12 2nd Gen Most affordable Drawing tablet with a screen for Mac

If you are not familiar with XP-Pen yet, you should know that the brand is one of the most popular manufacturers of graphics tablets. The second generation XP Pen Artist 12 (2nd gen) is also a very popular choice among creatives who need a smooth drawing and editing experience.

I personally tested this Drawing Tablet on Mac (See the Full Review: Xp-Pen Artist 12)

A sleek design, palm rejection, 8192 pressure sensitivity (high), and intuitive functionality makes the XP-Pe suitable for photographers, designers, and artists because it works on Mac.

Unlike the XenceLabs drawing tablet for mac that we discussed earlier, this drawing tablet for Mac actually has a built-in screen when used for drawing. It is also compatible with Windows based laptops for drawing.

The device has a size of 11.9 inches and comes with a USB-C cable.

Why it’s unique:

The tablet has many features tailored towards artists because it is compatible with so many operating systems; Android, linux, windows, mac, as well as software like Sketchup, GIMP, Krita, Medibang, and FireAlpaca.

There are several reasons why this device outperforms many others

What we liked:

  • A 5080 LPI resolution full HD display is built-in
  • Shortcut keys can be customized.
  • It lets you draw on Mac (MacOS X 10.1 or later)
  • Has a 12-month warranty and comes from a well-known brand
  • It has tilt control, palm rejection, and 8192 pressure levels.
  • Buttons can be customized.

What we didn’t like:

  • While compatible with Chromebook, we found it wasn’t as smooth on this particular device.
  • Only for thunderport enabled devices, but there are other XP-Pen models
  • USB-C sometimes did not work for some users and needed to be replaced

In terms of accessories. The box includes everything from an elite stylus, to pen nibs, a nib extractor, and drawing gloves. I really liked that it had a warranty card in the box. 

4. iPad Pro: Best Overall Drawing Pad for MacBooks (Use with AstroPad)

iPad Pro Best Overall Drawing Pad for MacBooks Use with AstroPad

The iPad Pro is one of the best tablets for drawing on Mac in terms of compatibility when it comes to graphics tablets.

A razor-sharp visual experience is provided by the device’s cutting-edge M1 chip, recently introduced by Apple. The device also features software that has smooth integration with AstroPad and duet display, a Liquid Retina XDR display, True Tone, and P3 wide color. This makes rendering illustrations and switching between apps easy.

Personally, I tested this Drawing Tablet against the Surface Pro 7. See our post: Surface Pro 7 vs iPad Pro for drawing & Art.

In addition to its sleek design, palm rejection, and high pressure sensitivity (high), there are tons of benefits of using an iPad for drawing on Mac. Its lighter, more portable design makes it easier to use overall compared to other models on this list.

It has unique apps like Procreate, which is arguably the most popular app for creating digital art. When used with the Apple Pencil, the iPad Pro offers a better user interface, navigation, shortcut gestures, and many other features.

Related: Apple Pencil 2: Is it worth it?

A complete workstation with more RAM and graphics chips may be required for advanced 3D modeling and animation; neither the iPad Pro nor iPad Air would suffice; an alternative would be the Macbook Pro or the Asus Zephyr with a Xp-Pen drawing tablet attached.

Why it’s unique:

iPad Pro is large enough and has many benefits for artists drawing on Mac. Those who prefer Apple & iOS over Microsoft & Windows devices will find the iPad Pro to be more portable, lightweight, and best suited for graphic design/sketches.

There are several reasons why this device outperforms many others

What we liked:

  • M1 Chip makes drawing lag-free in most scenarios
  • It fits into the apple ecosystem, which is only amplified when connecting it to a Mac.
  • Apple Pencil uses gestures instead of shortcut keys, which is intuitive
  • It lets you draw on Mac (MacOS X 10.1 or later) with the use of AstroPad.
  • Built from a well-known brand
  • It has tilt control, palm rejection, and high pressure levels.

What we didn’t like:

  • Not ideal for Windows computers
  • Very unique because it doubles as a standard tablet, which some may not prefer
  • Battery life may drain quicker than a standard drawing tablet used for Mac

It lacks accessories and the Apple Pencil 2 is sold separately, but works with procreate, photoshop, adobe suite, and digital whiteboards/zoom.

5. Wacom One: Best Beginner Drawing Pad for Students, Teachers, and Graphic designers

Wacom One Best Beginner Drawing Pad for Students Teachers and Graphic designers

I tested this device hands on, see the Wacom One Tablet 13.3 (Artist review)

The Wacom One works well for drawing on Mac, but it also works on Windows (7 or later) as well as Android.

The Wacom One 13.3″ is a useful tool for students, photographers, video editors, designers, and digital artists.

The brand-new Wacom One graphics tablet is made by Wacom, one of the most trusted manufacturers of graphics tablets, so you can expect a very reliable drawing experience. In particular, the Wacom One is ideal for students who need a pen tablet without issues and unexpected device issues.

It also includes multiple licenses for popular creative software like Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint Pro and more. Beginners and professional illustrators could use this with Toon Boom and other animation apps on Mac. Compare this to the iPad, which we found some small bumps in the road here and there with advanced graphic design apps.

We reviewed the Wacom One vs iPad. While these work well for drawing on Mac, there are some major differences between the two devices.

During our test, the Wacom One proved to be a very reliable device, with the price point being the only true flaw compared to other less expensive devices.

With the display, Wacom provides an intuitive drawing experience with a 13.3-inch screen. The full HD resolution (1920 x 1980) is clear, smooth to draw on when connected to a Mac, with minimal issues related to lag or delay.

Moreover, it provided smooth responsiveness even when drawing on the corners & edges of the screen.

Although the One is not a standalone drawing tablet, it has an amazing display and functionality with a stylus pen on Apple Macbooks. You can draw or write with this like you would with a traditional pen.

What we Liked:

  • Pressure sensitivity of 4096 levels+
  • A pen that doesn’t require batteries
  • Recognition of tilts up to 60 degrees 
  • Software licenses such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and others are available

What we didn’t like:

  • Wacom is generally more expensive compared to other devices like Huion or XP-Pen
  • Replacement parts and acessories may cost more than comeptitors

Overall, the Wacom One is a fantastic choice for those looking to draw on Mac because it has compatibility with not only several operation systems, but most drawing apps. This is due to the name-brand reputation, credibility, and partnerships Wacom has built over the years.

6. Huion KAMVAS Pro 13: Budget Drawing pad with a display built-in for Mac

Huion KAMVAS Pro 13 Budget Drawing pad with a display built in for Mac

Huion’s KAMVAS Pro 13 has a 13-inch screen that is a suitable size for its 1080p resolution display; a larger screen would result in pixelated images.

There are a number of budget drawing tablets with a screen available, and this one has a 13-inch screen similar to that of the Wacom One drawing tablet.

Feel the smooth matte texture of the screen with your fingertips. You can draw on the screen with some resistance because of this. Your strokes are better controlled due to this friction.

In broad daylight, a matte screen also acts as an anti-glare texture to prevent light from reflecting off and causing your eyes to be blinded.

Digital artists can switch between their preferred style of art creation tools and setups without wasting time with the shortcut buttons.

The Huion is also available on ebay

What we like:

  • With its 60-degree tilt technology, the battery-free pen is easy to use.
  • You can assign shortcut keys to frequently used functions using four keys and a touch bar.
  • Huion KAMVAS Pro 13 is compatible with mainstream creative design software like Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio, Paint Tool Sai and more.
  • As well as running Android, the tablet will also support Windows and macOS.
  • High resolution display that you can draw directly on

Related: 10 Best Drawing Tablets for Cricut Design Space

What we didn’t like:

  • There were a few errors during testing this drawing tablet, but these were solved with a driver update
  • The LED button was extremely bright, which may not worry many
  • In some apps, even with software stabilization, wobbly lines appeared when drawing at medium to slow speeds. It worked fine on Mac. Stylus replacements did not solve the problem.

Suitable for beginners or creators on a budget, this pen display graphics drawing monitor offers great performance, even for drawing on Mac.

7. Gaomon PD: Powerful Wacom alternative drawing pad for MacBooks

Gaomon PD Powerful Wacom alternative drawing pad for MacBooks

This model is a strong choice for MacBook Air or Pro users looking to draw as a beginner or professional artist. It is a very affordable drawing tablet with both basic and advanced features. 

After using the previous model GAOMON S620 for years and recently testing this model (GAOMON PD), they both still work as good as new. The MacBook Pro drawing tablet has a comfortable feel to it and the stylus is comfortable to use for long durations.

I also reviewed a similar model in addition to the PD model. See our post on: Gaomon S620 Graphics Tablet Review

GAOMON S620 has advanced features. Despite the variety of features and specifications, nothing was overlooked in our testing, including pressure sensitivity, shortcuts, and OS compatibility.

The device recognizes the strokes of the active pen and automatically transfers them to your computer. It connects to any Mac computer via a USB cable (an extra USB adapter is required). New Macs with M1 & M2 chips may have ports that require a separate adapter.

What we liked:

  • The Gaomon PD comes with a pen that does not require batteries.
  • Moreover, it is nearly half the price of its competitors while accomplishing the same task
  • Drawing is made easier with 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity. 
  • A wide variety of accessories are included
  • Has customizable shortcut buttons

What we didn’t like:

  • Some users report patches of red and blue after heavy use of the display, but I did not experience this first hand.
  • Quality of the display felt average.

Overall, the pen glides across the screen well. It provides a high level of pressure sensitivity, has OS compatibility, multiple buttons, and keybinds. The drawing area was comfortable and won’t leave the artist drawing on a Mac feeling cluttered.

Can you use a Drawing Tablet for Mac?

Can you use a Drawing Tablet for Mac

Yes, the majority of drawing tablets, drawing pads, and graphic tablets connect to Mac via both wired and wireless options; HDMi, USB-C or bluetooth technology. Brand name Drawing tablets like XenceLabs, XP-Pen, and Wacom all have updated drivers for Mac OS. This makes using drawing applications on Mac run smooth with minimal compatibility issues.

Related: Best Wireless Drawing Tablets

The drawing stylus for Mac depends primarily on the Drawing Tablet you use since most of these devices include a preferred device that comes in the box.

Alternatively, you can use an iPad Air or iPad Pro as a drawing tablet by connecting it to your Macbook Air or Pro via Astropad or an app like Duet display. This makes drawing sessions seamless between the two apple based devices.

The only limitation to drawing on MAc is that there is no Procreate app, which is only compatible with iPad. You can use all the same apps that windows provides such as GIMP, medibang, Krita, toon boom, blender, maya, and more.

What is the difference between a Drawing Pad vs iPad for Mac?

What is the difference between a Drawing Pad vs iPad for Mac

For Mac, choosing between an iPad as a drawing tablet can be confusing because both can accomplish the same goals such as drawing and writing on a pad that is connected to your Mac laptop.

You’ll have to make sure iPads work as a drawing pad on the apps you use if you choose one over a graphics tablet.

Related: Is The MacBook Air Good For Programming? (The Truth) | 2022

However, iPads have Procreate, while a drawing tablet on a Macbook OS does not; which can be an issue for many artists. Sure you can use a duet display alternative to project your iPad display onto Mac, but you may as well just use an iPad Air in that case.

IPads can also be used for general purposes outside of art, which is a benefit considering the price points don’t vary too drastically in many cases.

What is the official Drawing Tablet from Apple?

What is the official Drawing Tablet from Apple

Does apple make a drawing tablet? Yes, the iPad, but not as an official device that operates like a Wacom or XP-Pen drawing tablet. There are two Apple iPads that are closest to being considered official MacBook Drawing Tablets, although iPads are not primarily used for drawing.

Apple iPad Pro models with M1 or M2 chips are currently the best models for drawing. Other models offer a smaller sketching area compared to this one. With MacOS Sidecar, duet display, or an alternative, you can use the iPad device as a second Macbook display.

Drawing with Apple Pencil 2 on iPad Pro is incredibly realistic when paired with the Procreate drawing app or Adobe Illustrator. These types of software are widely used by graphic designers that use Mac.

In addition to being an Apple product, it has the widest Mac compatibility

You can use the iPad Pro as a drawing pad if you want a professional level drawing experience on a tablet. Drawing pads for Mac can also be used to edit photos in Photoshop and Lightroom

How to use the a drawing pad for Mac

How to use the a drawing pad for Mac

Presenters, artists, graphically-oriented designers and avid Photoshop users may find drawing tablets that work on their MacBook especially valuable. You’ll need to ensure you get the additional features or proper models of the tablet based on your requirements.

MacBook owners who often use their computer for producing presentations, artistic visuals, and graphic designs in Photoshop may find drawing tablets that work with them especially valuable.

Wacom is the undeniable leader in drawing tablets for nearly all computer operating systems, including Mac. Wacom will work as a Drawing tablet for MacBook and is commonly used by both beginners and professionals to create digital drawings.

You can use a drawing tablet for mac by installing the drivers, connecting the device to your Macbook, and launching the drawing app of your choice. After this, you can fine-tune the stylus settings and finally you can draw on Mac using a drawing pad.

How we tested and rated our picks for the best MacBook Drawing Pad

How we tested and rated our picks for the best MacBook Drawing Pad

We picked the highest rated drawing tablets for Mac based on price point versus how well the displaying stylus performed on various levels. Our top picks were rated higher if the drawing tablet with a screen we tested had a pressure sensitivity of over 4096 levels. We also considered pressure detection.

This was in contrast to one with a lower level or that didn’t have palm rejection. The tilt functionality is also more useful than the basic graphics tablet controls, so we rated drawing tablets with tilt recognition higher as well.

With modern drawing technology behind the screen, we rated drawing tablets higher than those without. Compared to drawing tablets for Mac without customizable hotkeys and shortcut buttons, those with these features make drawing, painting, sketching, and photo editing easier, faster, and more efficient.

What Drawing Tablets are compatible with mac?

What Drawing Tablets are compatible with mac

Just because drawing tablets like the Wacom models are compatible with many different digital art apps for drawing does not mean that all the apps that they advertise will work for your MacBook. You want to be sure that these apps work on your MacBook

Ensure which drawing app you plan to use on Mac is actually compatible with the Mac OS, then you can choose based on this knowledge. If it’s compatible, then check if the drawing tablet will be able to work with it. 

Wacoms are one of the most compatible drawing tablets, Followed by XP-Pen and XenceLabs.

Some MacBook compatible Wacom tablets come with different Mac specific software bundles. The Intuos tablet below is bundled as Photo, Art, and Comic models. Mac compatible drawing pad apps may be bundled if you don’t already own your preferred pressure-sensitive drawing or editing software

Here are the drawing Tablet models we found were compatible and working on Mac:

Drawing TabletType of TabletCompatible with Mac?
XPPen DecoGraphics TabletYes
Huion H Graphics Drawing TabletGraphics TabletYes
Apple iPad ProTabletYes
Wacom Cintiq 22Pen TabletYes
Apple iPad ProTabletYes
Huion H610PRO V2Pen TabletYes
XP-PEN Artist12Pen TabletYes
Huion Kamvas Pro 13Pen TabletYes
Wacom Mobile Studio ProPen TabletYes
Wacom Intuos ProPen TabletYes
GAOMON PD1560Pen TabletYes

The Intuos tablets by Wacom are bundled as Photo, Art, and Comic models. Mac compatible drawing pad apps may be bundled if you don’t already own your preferred pressure-sensitive drawing or editing software

The Intuos tablet below is bundled as Photo, Art, and Comic models. There are a lot of drawing programs for computers that are compatible with a Mac. If choosing Wacom, these apps may be bundled if you don’t already have the drawing program you prefer. XenceLabs is also a strong choice when it comes to bundles.

Choosing a Drawing tablet with or without a screen for Mac does not change compatibility because either way you will be able to connect it to your computer via bluetooth or USB cables.

One advantage of choosing an iPad with a screen is that the new astropad app works with both mac and windows and now allows you to use your MacBook as a second external display for drawing along with Procreate.

See: Should you get an iPad or a drawing tablet?

Note: There are also computer tablets that can be used for design apps like Cricut, procreate, and more.

Most mainstream brands of drawing pads will work on windows, Mac and other operating systems. It’s this type of reliability that allows brands (like wacom) to remain the industry leaders in drawing tablets.

If you’re wondering whether Wacom tablets work with Macs then the good news is that they do. The Wacom Cintiq 22 is our top rated drawing tablet for Mac.

Wacom are still the industry leaders in drawing tablets. Wacom was the first company to come up with tablets that accurately represented drawing on paper such as the incredibly realistic Wacom Intuos Pro Paper Edition and the Wacom range easily remain the best drawing tablets on the market. 

In recent years, it has faced competition from Chinese brand Huion which offers many of the same features for half the price, although with more technical headaches and quality issues. Wacom tends to be some of the most expensive graphics tablets on the market but in our experience, they’re definitely worth it.

Stylus for MacBook Drawing Tablets

Stylus for MacBook Drawing Tablets

Choose a tablet with a comfortable stylus that fits nicely in your hand. A rechargeable or battery-powered stylus is likely to be the difference between you and the next person. You should be able to grip and hold it without having to worry about it slipping if you’re drawing.

More experienced artists will want a tablet with enhanced capabilities, such as a multi-touch screen. You may scroll and zoom on the device using your fingertips using this technology.

Another thing to think about is tilt sensitivity because you may use this to create a much more natural result.

Pen Tablet with a screen vs a graphics tablets for Mac

Pen Tablet with a screen vs a graphics tablets for Mac

Drawing Tablets with built-in touch displays are best for both seasoned digital artists and novices since they don’t have to switch back and forth between a computer display and a tablet screen. The only con is that you’ll be staring down at the screen instead of forward.

In addition to the screen, the finest drawing tablets for a Mac, will have the right balance of pressure levels, surface area, drivers, responsiveness, and app compatibility.

About the author:

Photo of Paul Michael, Founder of MediaPeanut

Paul Michael

Paul Michael is a media and technology expert whose research reveals how technology and media are being used in the world today. He has expertise on computers, the internet, streaming, Roku, electronics, and education. He also enjoys graphic design & digital art. Paul has his Bachelors of Arts and Science(s) from Rutgers University-New Brunswick, NJ