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In this article, I give you my Adonit Ink Pro Active pen review. It is not a ballpoint pen, this is a pen-touch-screen pen that works with laptops and tablets.

This pen uses N-trig pen technology that many devices use. Some of these devices are Microsoft Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 4 (the 2017 model), Surface Book, Surface Book 2, Surface Studio, etc…

Also, some HP Spectre x360 models use N-trig technology. This tech is now called MPP or Microsoft Pen Protocol.

Some Asus laptops that are convertibles, they’ve been using N-trig. But, not Lenovo Yoga or Thinkpads, they use something else called Wacom AES.

This pen is from the Adonit brand. They’re the people that made the Jot styluses for iPads for years. Those are the ones with the funny little clear plastic discs on top (on a contact surface) and they’re an attempt to give you a pen-like experience. That was useful when you didn’t have an active digitizer available.

Well, now, thankfully, many devices do have active digitizers. So, what you get here is pressure sensitivity and you get palm rejection, which means you can rest your hand on the screen.

I typically wear an art glove for using these pens because palm rejection is not perfect with these sorts of pens in general. nothing on Adonít particularly just in general.

This is the Adonit Ink Pro, they also have an Adonit Ink, not Pro. The difference is this one is prettier, it’s really classy, it looks sort like a cross pen or something like that. The rechargeable connector here is a nice little docking station that you get in the box instead of a little cable.

This pen has a laser pointer (otherwise known as a cat toy). When you press a button little red light lights up and you’ve got a laser pointer.

And an additional feature, you can talk to it, it has a microphone built-in. Now, why would you want to talk to your pen? Yeah, it’s not as weird as it might seem.

For example, you can use this for presentations if you’re doing slides and your laser pointing around and you want to tell your laptop to advance to the next slide, just tell Cortana to do that for you. Anyway, you can play with it any way you want.

The Adonit Ink Pro supports 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity which is pretty typical of the state-of-the-art pens that are available now. Some of which are the Wacom Bamboo ink, Microsoft’s own Surface Pro Pen that’s available with the newer version, and HP’s latest pen for their Spectres as well.

HP has a couple of pens and can be confusing but the latest generation one has the eraser-like button it and charges over USB instead of using removable batteries.

In favor of this product, it is good that you don’t have to worry about replacing batteries. I like the charging stand then it comes with. If you go for the non-Pro model you get a little cable that sticks into the end of it. That’s not so bad either but the stands are kind of classic. Again, it’s about looking and feeling like a fancy precision writing instrument.

The weight of the Adonit Ink Pro Active Pen is really nice and pleasing. When it comes to writing and drawing with any of these, you’re going to find the experience very similar to using the same technology.

There is a slight difference in the amount of pen jitter, drawing very slow diagonal lines where I found that the Surface Pro latest generation pen has a little bit less jitter.

But, in terms of pressure sensitivity and in terms of behavior, they’re all really closely the same. The hover distance is the same on them they’re all of the same generation.

Are you going to be buying these based on the aesthetics, the price point, whether you prefer a quadruple A battery, or whether you rather recharge your pen every so often? These are things that are personal preferences.

Of course, with the Pro model on here, they’re setting this pen apart. You’ve got the laser pointer, you have the remote microphone on the pen. These are interesting enough features to make this product so appealing on the market.

Also the pen tip on this it’s one millimeter so that’s a nice fine point tip in it. It’s sort of like the iPad Pro pencil, it’s got a pencil-like tip on, it’s a conical taper. I happen to like that, it feels more like the traditional writing instruments that we’ve grown accustomed to.

So, this pen feels nice. It would be great if it’s supported tilt but it doesn’t. Most N-trig pens still don’t.

Microsoft’s latest-generation surface pen is supposed to support tilt. I’ve never really had a whole lot of luck getting it to work in many applications anyway.

And then you need a brush that supports tilt and that’s some but not all. You know who you are if you use those. It’s art people who really care about that not note-taking.

For note-taking, the same level of pressure sensitivity, same palm rejection experience, you get the idea.

This is a really functionally single-button pen. It has a second button but that second button is for the laser pointer.

There is no eraser at the end because that’s where actually it charges. For taking notes the eraser is handy if you’re using it for art I never use the eraser on the ends of pens anyway because the tip is so much more precise for erasing.

When it comes to battery life, all of these pens recharge extremely quickly, for the ones that have rechargeable batteries, because they’re tiny batteries in there. So, it depends on how much you use the laser pointer, how much you’re using the microphone, all that sort of thing.

You should expect at least eighty hours of writing or drawing with it and that’s a pretty good long time.

Adonit Ink Pro Active pen summary

So, that’s the Adonit Inc Pro pen. Again, it’s ninety bucks or so which is similar in price to a lot of the other competing pens.

What stands in its favor is the fact is rechargeable. If you don’t like going out and sourcing quadruple A battery that you have to replace every year or every six months depending on how much you use the pen.

The weight on it feels really good, it feels like a nice writing instrument. It’s also nice for art too, it’s got a little bit more length and a little bit more balance than the Microsoft Surface Pro Pen has which’s nice.

The laser pointer, your cat toy, well that’s great if you have cats or if you do presentations and talk to it via BlueTooth and Cortana you decide if that’s worth it.

The Adonit Ink Pro Active Pen is a digital stylus designed for use with a variety of touchscreen devices, including tablets and smartphones. Let’s explore its pros and cons in detail:

Pros:

1. Compatibility: The Adonit Ink Pro Active Pen is compatible with a wide range of devices, including iPads, iPhones, and Android tablets and smartphones. This broad compatibility makes it versatile and suitable for use with various devices.
2. Pressure Sensitivity: It offers pressure sensitivity, allowing for more precise control and natural writing or drawing experiences. This feature is especially beneficial for artists, designers, and note-takers who require accuracy and responsiveness in their work.
3. Palm Rejection: The pen incorporates palm rejection technology, which prevents accidental touch inputs from interfering with the drawing or writing process. This feature ensures a seamless and uninterrupted user experience, particularly when using the pen for extended periods.
4. Customizable Buttons: The Adonit Ink Pro Active Pen includes customizable shortcut buttons that can be programmed to perform specific functions or commands. This customization capability enhances productivity and workflow efficiency by providing quick access to frequently used features or tools.
5. Precision Tip: It features a precision tip that offers fine point accuracy, allowing users to create detailed artwork or write with precision. The precise tip ensures smooth and consistent lines, making it suitable for intricate tasks that require attention to detail.
6. Bluetooth Connectivity: The pen utilizes Bluetooth connectivity to pair with compatible devices wirelessly. This wireless connection eliminates the need for cables or adapters, providing greater flexibility and convenience during use.
7. Long Battery Life: With its long-lasting battery life, the Adonit Ink Pro Active Pen offers extended usage times on a single charge. This ensures that users can work or create for extended periods without interruptions due to battery depletion.
8. Ergonomic Design: It features an ergonomic design that is comfortable to hold and use for prolonged periods. The pen’s balanced weight distribution and contoured grip reduce fatigue and strain, enhancing user comfort during extended use.
9. Versatility: Whether used for digital art, note-taking, or general navigation, the Adonit Ink Pro Active Pen offers versatility and functionality across various applications and tasks. Its compatibility with popular drawing and note-taking apps further expands its usability.
10. Responsive Performance: The pen delivers responsive and lag-free performance, providing users with a fluid and natural writing or drawing experience. This responsiveness is crucial for achieving accurate and consistent results, enhancing overall user satisfaction.

Cons:

1. Compatibility Limitations: While the Adonit Ink Pro Active Pen is compatible with many devices, it may not work optimally with all models or operating systems. Users may encounter compatibility issues or limitations depending on their device’s specifications.
2. Limited App Support: Although the pen is compatible with popular drawing and note-taking apps, not all apps may fully support its advanced features or customization options. Users may experience limitations in functionality when using certain apps.
3. Initial Setup: Some users may find the initial setup process, including pairing the pen with their device and configuring settings, to be slightly complex or time-consuming. Clear instructions and technical support resources can help mitigate this issue.
4. Price: The Adonit Ink Pro Active Pen may be relatively expensive compared to other digital stylus options available on the market. While its features and performance justify the price for many users, budget-conscious individuals may find it less accessible.
5. Maintenance Requirements: Like any electronic device, the pen requires regular maintenance and care to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Users may need to replace the battery periodically or clean the tip to prevent dirt or debris buildup, which can affect responsiveness.
6. Learning Curve: While the pen is intuitive to use for many users, some individuals may experience a learning curve when transitioning from traditional writing or drawing tools to digital stylus technology. Practice and experimentation may be necessary to fully utilize its capabilities.
7. Pen Lag: Despite its responsive performance, the pen may exhibit occasional lag or latency, especially when used with certain apps or devices. While this lag is minimal for most users, it can impact precision and responsiveness in some scenarios.
8. Lack of Tilt Support: The Adonit Ink Pro Active Pen may lack tilt support, limiting its compatibility with apps or tasks that require tilt-sensitive input. Users who rely on tilt functionality for shading or drawing techniques may find this limitation restrictive.
9. Durability Concerns: Some users may have durability concerns regarding the pen’s construction and build quality, particularly with prolonged or heavy use. While the pen is designed to withstand normal wear and tear, rough handling or accidental drops may result in damage.
10. Software Updates: Updates to device operating systems or app software may occasionally affect the compatibility or functionality of the pen. Users may need to ensure that their pen firmware is up to date to maintain optimal performance and compatibility with their devices and apps.

In summary, the Adonit Ink Pro Active Pen offers a range of benefits, including compatibility, pressure sensitivity, and customizable features, making it a versatile tool for digital art, note-taking, and navigation. However, potential drawbacks such as compatibility limitations and maintenance requirements should be considered when evaluating its suitability for individual needs and preferences.