Can an ipad connect to pc as a wacom drawing tablet?

If you want to draw on the move, the ipad with apple pencil is a wonderfully light and portable option with more than enough power for sketching and painting.

But as good as it is for creating digital art, the iPad is a mobile device that only runs software designed for it.

Some users miss the dedicated windows pc programs like photoshop, illustrator, blender, zbrush, and more. Generally speaking, A drawing tablet like wacom works well with the desktop version of art software.

However, can an ipad connect to pc as wacom? In this way, it can be perfect for those who already have an iPad, and using it as a drawing tablet for pc can be a cost efficient way to bypass a pricey Wacom Cintiq.

Fortunately! It’s possible. Actually there are dedicated apps for that.

In this article, we’ll explore how to use an iPad as a wacom or a drawing tablet for windows PC. Ready to find out how? Let’s dig in.

Can an ipad connect to windows pc as a wacom drawing tablet?

Yes, you can use your iPad as a wacom drawing tablet on your PC by using a third-party app — Astropad Studio, Duet Display, EasyCanvas or Spacedesk.

In this way, you can get the best of both worlds. You can save money by use your iPad as a drawing tablet without buy an extra wacom cintiq, while also incorporating the advantages of your PC-specific programs.

1. Astropad Studio

Astropad Studio is a popular software designed to mirror any desktop app onto an iPad’s screen over WiFi or USB, turning it into a professional drawing tablet for your PC and Mac.

A one-year Astropad license is available for $60, while a lifetime license is priced at $120. It has a 14-day free trial.

Although Astropad Studio is one of the more expensive options on this list, it’s packed with features.

Customizable sidebar shortcuts make working on the iPad super convenient—no need to stay close to your computer keyboard to maintain your workflow.

You can also adjust your pressure curve, which will affect the pressure sensitivity when you’re drawing.

But note that your pc’s os should be Windows 10 64-bit, build 1809 or later.

2. Duet Display

If you want the smoothest experience possible, Duet Display is the best app I’ve tested for turning an iPad into an extended monitor for you Windows and Mac computer.

It is Optimized for Windows 11 with support for features like Snap Layouts and Snap Groups.

Duet Display is very stable, reliable, smooth, and very good display screen resolution quality.

You can connect via wireless, but i recommend use a wired USB-c connection for best performance and image quality.

It offers $79.99 per year subscription for Duet Pro with advanced features – pressure sensitivity, tilt sensitivity, multi-touch gestures, etc. 1 week free trail.

3. EasyCanvas

EasyCanvas is a handy, easy-to-use Mirror Program for your pc and mac at a very affordable price.

Plug and play, Wireless lags a bit, wired is pretty fluid. The desktop display is rendered vividly, But it’s has black bars on the display and you have to change monitor resolutions for it to fill.

The app supports pressure sensitivity on the Apple Pencil, though as is generally the case, it may not work with your chosen drawing app – such as blender and photoshop,.

The manufacturers recommend diving into the settings and changing the pen input from WinTab to tablet PC as a way to get pressure sensitivity working.

As for price, You can either pay $11.99 up front, or subscribe for $4.99 annually – which is a good deal cheaper than Duet Display Pro, although get the same functionality.

4. Spacedesk

There is also a free app called “Spacedesk”, and lets you just plug in a USB-C cable between the windows pc and iPad to get a nice extra display. WiFi works, but it stuttes a lot.

Spacedesk can both make your ipad a additional screen and mirrored screen. If you mirror the screen you can also draw on it.

The setup is rather simple; just install the spacedesk driver software on your Windows 11 or 10 PC and a companion app on your tablet from the Apple Store.

I use it everyday for work, but in terms of latency and color profile so much is still to be desired TBH. Since it’s free so there’s nothing to complain about.

Conclusion

As you can see, There are many different third-party apps you can use to turn your iPad into a wacom drawing tablet for windows PC.

They all have free trials, so perhaps it would be best to give each a test and find out which you prefer!

However, What you’re asking for is really not a best practice within iPads and Windows, especially the wireless connection – usually have a significant delay.

I think Your best choices are to get the iPad and use drawing programs on it (ie Procreate or Affinity apps) or get a Wacom Cintiq / Huion Kamvas / Xppen Artist screen tablet for pc.

Can an ipad connect to pc as a wacom drawing tablet?