Do I really need... a tablet with a stylus?

What does it do?

Unlike cheap rubber-tipped styluses, an active stylus runs on a battery and communicates with a touchscreen device wirelessly, enabling finer control. Most can respond to pressure, which will affect the width or opacity of lines according to the software used, and they may also detect tilt.

Why would I want it?

It’s great that today’s multi-touch screens respond to fingers, but writing and drawing need a bit more precision. Art programs cater for everyone from dabbling kids to professional illustrators, and taking notes in meetings or lectures is more effective when you can arrange words on the page and draw little diagrams rather than just type.

What’s the catch?

Many companies that make tablets or touchscreen laptops offer compatible styluses, and third-party styluses such as Adonit’s Pixel are also available for ipads. But there are noticeable differences between basic models and the likes of Apple’s Pencil, which works with ipad Pro screens to support very fine control. This makes handwriting and fine drawing comfortable, while rival systems are often slightly too clumsy.

So can I do without it?

Yeyes, but you’re missing ouout on a tablet’s full popotential. Apple’s lalatest sixth-generation ipad (£319 from Apple www.snipca. com/m/274527454) now supports the Pencil (£89, both pictured above left), which works well, even if charging it is annoying. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S3 comes with the comparable S Pen included (pictured above), but is pricier at £529. We hope more top-quality styluses will become affordable so everyone can take advantage.