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Are you an illustrator looking to get the iPad Pro or consider a Wacom Cintiq for digital art? They looks very similar and allows you to draw directly on the screen.

What is the difference between them? which one is better? what is the best one for you? This should be identified if your goal is to find the best fit for your digital art projects.

It can be tricky to choose between two really good options for beginners who started out in digital art. There are def pros and cons to each mode.

To help you avoid that, Pctechtest.com are covering the main differences so you can make an informed decision when picking between an iPad Pro or Wacom cintiq tablet.

iPad Pro vs Wacom Cintiq comparison: What are the main differences

They are two vastly different devices, the Wacom Cintiq is tied to a computer, and looks like a highly professional display device with lots of features, but that is all it is.

The Apple iPad Pro however, is a tablet and is therefore completely portable, and can run its own apps and software, the Wacom Cintiq cannot.

Wacom Cintiq vs iPad Pro: Features to Consider

When trying to ascertain which is best for creative work and digital illustration, we need to consider a couple of factors. Let’s begin!

Brands

Wacom has been around a lot longer, since the early 1980s. It was the first company to produce high-quality tablets for artists.

Over the decades, Wacom has Leading the industry and is known for its line of Cintiq pen displays. Designers have trusted the brand for years.

On the other hand, Since 2015, the iPads with Apple Pencil, have given creative professionals a range of affordable and portable options to consider.

Still, many artists consider dedicated wacom cintiq tablets the gold standard for illustration and design.

Design

When it comes to design, the iPad Pro absolutely crushes the Wacom Cintiq.

And this is evident when you line up both devices side by side because the Wacom Cintiq looks clunky and purely functional, whereas the iPad is a visual treat.

Apple has used metal and glass to put together the iPad, whereas the Wacom Cintiq are made of glass and plastic, especially the back.

Portability

With iPad you don’t need any laptop or computer to be able to draw, just an Apple pencil and installed drawing application. It’s a great all-in-one device.

Even the biggest iPad Pro with 12,9” screen is truly portable. You can easily put it in a backpack and go to a park or café, and keep drawing while enjoying your favorite coffee.

Wacom Cintiq tablets need to be connected to your computer or laptop and a power, so you can’t move around much with them. so say goodbye to drawing on the go

Screen Size

The iPad Pro is currently available in two sizes — 11-inches and 12.9 inches.

Wacom Cintiqs can get really massive in size, which include 13.3 inch, 15.6 inch, 21.5 inch, 23.8 inch, 27inch and even 32 inch.

A 12.9-inch iPad Pro isn’t so bad for drawing and actually makes for improved portability.

However, professional artists will still need a lot more space to deal with real serious work. The Wacom Cintiq provides that space in abundance.

Based on experience, Having a larger screen makes a difference when consulting references while painting. So it’s really useful if you like using a giant screen.

Screen Quality

The iPad Pro features a Liquid Retina XDR display with impressive 2K high-resolution, 1000 nits of brightness, 1000000:1 contrast ratio, and a 100% DCI-P3 color accuracy.

Its gorgeous screen delivers stunning visuals, bringing out the finest details in your work. Its wide color gamut further ensures vibrant and true-to-life colors, making your artwork come alive on the screen.

In comparison, the regular Wacom Cintiq (Cintiq 16 or Cintiq 22) has an IPS screen with 1080p resolution, 210 nits of brightness, 1000:1 contrast, and 96% sRGB color gamut. so they have a lower clarity and color quality than what you get with ipad devices.

However, the Cintiq Pro boasts a 4K resolution display, providing an exceptional level of detail and clarity. Furthermore, its support for 98% of the Adobe RGB color gamut ensures accurate and rich color reproduction.

So, if you have high requirements about both precision and using an effective workflow, the ipad pro and Cintiq Pro line may be the best match for your needs.

Wacom Cintiq screens only refresh at 60Hz, while the iPad Pro have 120Hz display using Apple’s ProMotion variable refresh rate tech.

The improved refresh rate of the ipad pro display will help your line-drawing appear even smoother than it did before.

There’s also the hover feature but that’s exclusive to the 2022 iPad Pros. If you mostly sketch and draw, it’s not a huge game changer, but if you paint a lot it’s very useful.

Screen Technology

Both Cintiq Pros and iPad Pros have fully laminated screens with no noticeable parallax.

However, The regular Wacom Cintiq does not have a fully laminated screen, although Wacom’s manufacturing process effectively eliminates parallax.

Drawing Surface

iPad Pro features a glossy, smooth screen which can be a problem for drawing, as it can be slippery and make it difficult to maintain control over the stylus.

To address this issue, some users choose to apply a matte textured film to the screen protector.

On the other hand, Wacom Cintiqs has a matte finish so it doesn’t have that glossiness and you get more of that paper feel than you will on the iPad Pro.

So if you like drawing on that more–with that paper feel, or that textured feel–you’re going to be wanting to lean more towards the Wacom Cintiq.

Hardware

Wacom Cintiqs solely act as another monitor that doubles as a drawing canvas, they don’t have any of their own processing power. All the computing power you need to operate the Cintiq will come from the Windows PC or Mac that you connect the device to.

The iPad Pro, on the other hand, comes with the same M2 chipset as the apple MacBook Pro. You also get 8GB of RAM in the entry models and 16GB of RAM on the top models.

The powerful specs of ipad pro means that you will be able to do several things at once without having to worry about it slowing down. You can play music in the background, work on your drawing without any problems.

Compatibility and Software

The iPad Pro runs iPadOS, The most popular drawing app on the iPad currently is Procreate, which is not available for other operating systems.

While the iPad Pro has a couple of applications, such as Adobe Photoshp, Sketchbook and Clip Studio Paint, the usability is limited compared to what you get on a full desktop version.

The Wacom Cintiq is versatile in terms of operating system compatibility since it can run both Windows and Mac apps. This gives customers access to various software, including popular art programs like Krita, Corel Painter, illustrator, and ToonBoom.

One key difference is that you get drawing tablet for 3D modeling and sculpting work done on the Wacom Cintiq, which you can’t do on the iPad Pro. such as Blender, Zbrush, Cinema 4D, Maya, 3DS Max, SketchUP, etc.

Stylus Pen

Both the Wacom Cintiq & Cintiq Pro uses the Pro Pen 2, which offers 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt response. What’s more, you don’t have to buy stylus separately, as it is already included.

Wacom stylus is battery-free and picks up its power through Electro-Magnetic Resonance right off the tablet surface itself. The Sensitivity is amazing with higher levels of pressure for smoother thick to thin transitions.

The Pro Pen 2 has an eraser & two buttons that can be programmed to do all sort of things for you, the tips of the pen is small enough to make it easy to draw. The pen itself is thick compared to the Apple pencil.

The wacom stylus also has a rubber grip that helps to ease fatigue as you draw.

The iPad Pro uses the Apple Pencil (2nd gen), which is long and looks closer to a normal pencil, it doesn’t have any button on it.

With low latency of 9ms, support for tilt and pressure sensitivity, the Apple Pencil allows for precise and natural pen input, allowing you to create artwork with incredible detail and control.

Apple hasn’t disclosed the pressure & tilt sensitivity of the iPad pro, but it works fine for many applications.

However, the apple pencil is sold separately, needs to be charged, which is a little boring and old fashioned. Luckily, it’s quick to recharge and takes a mere 15 minutes.

When it comes to replacement nibs, the wacom Pro pen 2 comes with 9 replacement nibs inside the elegant case it comes in. The Apple Pencil only comes with one.

Both styluses are the best on the market, They work equally well and produce similar levels of performance and accuracy.

Multi-Touch

All of ipad pro devices has touch capabilities, which can make drawing easier by making it faster to draw as gestures like pinch-to-zoom and rotating the screen with two fingers can come in handy.

If touch controls are a big part of your workflow, Note that the wacom Cintiq has two versions: a cintiq pro version that supports touch, and a regular wacom cintiq that doesn’t, but is more affordable.

Battery Life

For a portable device that could be used to draw on the go, battery life is important, and a minimum of 3-4 hours is required to be able to do that, if not more.

The iPad Pro can provide at least 5-6 hours of battery life under extensive use, and it can provide up to 10 hours under normal usage.

Since the Wacom Cintiq is not a portable device, it is out of this part of the comparison.

Connectivity

The iPad Pro offers versatile connectivity options, including USB-C, which allows you to connect a wide range of accessories and external devices to your mobile device.

In addition to USB-C, the iPad Pro supports wireless connectivity options such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, enabling seamless integration with compatible devices and networks.

The Wacom Cintiq doesn’t support wireless connectivity, You’ll need to connect the display to your windows pc or Mac with both HDMI and USB-A cables.

In addition, you will also have to connect it to power. This can be cluttered and make cable management a bit annoying. Once connected this wacom cintiq will mirror your desktop.

To make the wacom cintiq work, you will also need to download the tablet driver from wacom official site. This undoubtedly increases the complexity.

Versatility

The iPad Pro leads in terms of Versatility. As a great all-in-one device, the iPad pro does more and is more likely to suit a wider range of users and needs.

So you can do a lot of different things apart from creating art, like browsing internet, playing games, watching netflix and youtube videos, facetime your friends etc.

The Wacom Cintiq is just a pure drawing, painting, and sketching tablet.

Price

The iPad Pro is much more affordable than any Cintiq Pro tablet you get from Wacom—particularly when considering the bigger size than 15.6-inch.

Only two regular wacom cintiqs (cintiq 16 and cintiq 22) and wacom cintiq pro 13 are much cheaper than iPad Pro.

Perhaps the iPad Pro can be seen as a cheaper yet close enough alternative to a Wacom Cintiq for those on a budget.

Which Wacom cintiq should you get?

The regular cintiq 16 and Cintiq 22 are suitable for most people, which has a decent size, 1080p resolutin and are more “affordable” than the other Cintiq pro options on the market.

The Cintiq Pro Line has higher 4K resolution, wider color accuracy of 98% Adobe RGB, multi-touch, laminated screen and etched glass surface, ideal for technically demanding digital artistry projects like animation and 3D modelling.

1. Wacom Cintiq 16

2. Wacom Cintiq22

3. Wacom Cintiq Pro 13

4. Wacom Cintiq Pro 16

5. Wacom Cintiq Pro 24

6. Wacom Cintiq Pro 27

7. Wacom Cintiq Pro 32

Conclusion

Each of the two devices in this comparison has their own advantage, to the degree that there is no clear winner here.

For that, the device you are going to pick up depends mainly on your needs for portability, preference, budget, apps and the workflow you have right now.

If you’re traveling a lot, working on trains, and doing a lot of sketching — an iPad pro might work great for you.

iPad pro has the best portability, and it is great for sketching & practicing your drawing, and it has the potential to be used in professional settings as well.

On the other hand, The Wacom Cintiq might be a better choice to draw on screen using the professional desktop software, it is not portable at all, but it is great to use in your existing studio or workspace.

The iPad Pro is great for 2D illustrations, but for 3D work or more advanced features, a Wacom cintiq tablet may be a better investment. Furthermore, If you still want to be mobile but favor a Wacom, then their MobileStudio could be the solution for you.

Ultimately, it’s your decision on what you wanna use to complete your artwork.

Happy Drawing!

Source: https://pctechtest.com/ipad-pro-vs-wacom-cintiq

Wacom One and the Huion Kamvas 13 are very similar pen display tablets. both are fantastic devices for students and hobbyists in the market for a display tablet on a budget.

So, which is better for you? To help you make the choice, Pctechtest have compared the Wacom One vs Huion Kamvas 13 on both specs and value or money.

Which brand is better and why?

In the field of digital art and graphic design, two brands come up as contenders for the best tablet for artists.

Through the years, Wacom had been the main player in the field producing high-quality drawing tablets. Huion came in later and started off with cheap drawing tablet options for beginner artists.

As years went by, Wacom also came up with beginner-centered drawing tablets that were cheaper and rookie friendly.

Huion on the other hand also grew to make high-quality professional devices that matched up to the high-quality standard set by Wacom.

Design and Build Quality

The wacom one has a very minimalist look with just a screen at the front.

On the other hand, Huion Kamvas 13 has 8 shortcut buttons along with the screen at the front.

Both the tablets are made of plastic and have comparable built quality.

Screen Quality

Both the tablets come with a 13.3 inch 1920 x 1080 pixel full HD display.

Wacom one has a TFT LCD panel with 72% NTSC / 99% sRGB color coverage .

Huion Kamvas 13 has an IPS LCD panel with 120% sRGB color gamut. It means that the Kamvas 13 has a wider color gamut.

A monitor with a wide color gamut can display more colors, making the image more vivid and immersive.

Screen Technology

Huion Kamvas 13 has a laminated screen, while the wacom one doesn’t.

The parallax is minimal thanks to the fully laminated screen, which reduces the gap between the pen tip and the display surface, resulting in a more accurate drawing experience.

In addition, Both the tablets use anti-glare matte films on their displays which helps reduce glare and reflections on the screen.

These films are textured which provides resistance to the stylus while drawing, giving you more control over your stylus.

Stylus

Both of the pens are comfortable to hold and come with a very ergonomic design. Also, They have the same EMR technology for unlimited hours of ergonomic, battery free creativity.

The Wacom one Pen supports 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, 2,540 LPI resolution and tilt recognition.

The Huion PW 517 pen supports tilt response, 5,080 LPI resolution and up to 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity.

Comparing the two styluses, the Huion stylus has a higher pressure levels and it will allow you to make finer differences in line thickness.

However, Unless you’re doing hyper-nuanced creative work, you likely might not note a lot of a distinction between having eight,192 pressure tiers and having a fragment of that quantity.

Shortcut Buttons

The Wacom One lacks any buttons on the tablet – there are only one on the pen itself. You can buy an optional remote, which adds 17 buttons, including a touch ring, but this is extra expense.

With eight shortcut buttons, the Kamvas 13 beats the wacom one hands down in this area. If you value using keyboard shortcuts, then this may be the deciding factor for you.

Tablet Stand

The wacom one has foldable legs that lift the tablet at an angle of 19°.

With Huion Kamvas 13, you have an adjustable plastic stand that allows you to create at your best angle.

Compatibility

Both Wacom One and the Huion Kamvas 13 works with Windows, Mac as well as certain Android and chromebook devices.

For Windows and Mac OS computers, you need to download the respective drivers of Wacom One and Huion Kamvas 13 from their official site.

For Android and Chromebook devices, you don’t need to download any driver. You can simply plug in the tablet and start using it.

Connectivity

Both wacom one and huion Kamvas 13 tablet come with a 3-in-1 cable.

The end that goes into the tablet is USB-C. The other ends requires 2 USB-A ports and one HDMI slot on your computer.

However, Huion Kamvas 13 also supports single USB-C cable connection. This method requires devices that support USB3.1 Gen1, DP1.2 and above standards.

The USB-C to USB-C cable can be purchased separately in their store. 3rd party USB-C cables are not supported because of the custom size of the slot.

Accessories

Wacom one only providing a limited number of accessories, It has a built-in tablet stand, an all in one super-simple cloth loop and only 3 replacement nibs.

Huion is more generous with accessories, Kamvas 13 comes with a lot of accessories like drawing glove, tablet stand, pen holder and 10 replacement nibs.

Bonus Software

Wacom One is bundled with some free trials of photo editing software, graphic design software and art drawing software . such as wacom bamboo paper, 3 months of Clip Studio Paint Pro, 3 months of Magma Pro Plan, 3 months of Skillshare, 3 months of Affinity suite and 3 months of Bluescape.

Huion Kamvas 13 doesn’t come with so-called bonus software. Anyway, you can always opt for free art software like Medibang Paint Pro, Gimp, Mypaint and Krita.

For one time paid software, consider Sketchbook, Paint tool SAI, Artrage 6, or the Clip Studio Paint.

Price

Huion Kamvas 13 pen display cost as little as $260, while wacom one 13 cost 400 dollars.

Surprisingly, the Huion Kamvas 13 is significantly cheaper than the Wacom one despite having better features.

Does the Wacom One and Huion Kamvas work without a computer?

The Wacom One needs a computer or at least an Android device to work. The same goes with the Huion Kamvas 13.

Conclusion

The Wacom One and Huion Kamvas 13 are solid entries into the budget drawing tablet market.

They both are great devices, have a very comparable stylus and overall have very similar drawing experience.

If you’re looking for a digital display that includes Wacom’s world-class input, look no further.

Despite lacking some features that would be nice to have, wacom one performs its core functions extremely well.

If you’re just starting out with digital art, you might want to consider a more budget-friendly option – Huion Kamvas 13.

You cannot go wrong with either of them. it all comes down to your budget and preferences.

Source: https://pctechtest.com/wacom-one-vs-huion-kamvas-13

If you are learning editing photo or drawing in photoshop, you must have heard others recommend getting a graphics tablet.

The right drawing tablet can help you unleash your Adobe Photoshop skills to your full potential and accelerate your learning speed.

However, there are so many choices for graphics tablets in the market that it is almost impossible to decide which tablet to pick over the other.

So which type of tablets are better suited for photoshop, what are the features you should be looking for, these are some of the questions we will be answering in this article.

We’ve also rounded up the 10 best drawing tablets for adobe photoshop, from expensive surface pro to pen displays and simple options, and explained exactly what makes them so good.

What is Adobe Photoshop?

Adobe Photoshop CC has long been a byword for image editing program. The renowned software is the go-to solution for artists, illustrators, designers, and photographers.

It contains almost everything you need to edit, modify, or enhance your photos and images. Adobe Photoshop has many basic retouching tools and functionalities like cropping, painting, filling, blurring, sharpening, erasing, and dodging, and this will satisfy most casual users.

However, it can also cater to power users with its options to edit multiple layers, masks, channels, sky replacements, pattern previews, the all-encompassing Adobe Sensei, and a whole lot more. the power of its layer-based editing system can handle the most complex of creative projects.

Adobe Photoshop supports RAW file formats, This means you can edit your photos without losing any data, and you can make advanced adjustments to exposure, white balance, and more.

Since it was designed to be picture editing programme, it is really good at changing colours. It also supports CMYK, the standard format for written works.

Additionally, Adobe Photoshop is absolutely a good drawing program. While its primary function is built around photo editing, it has the tools you need to draw.

Its numerous pen, marker, brush and pencil tools allow users to create realistic effects in their illustrations, from watercolor-style paintings to cartoon-style lines.

The default brush engine is not that good with lineart, but still, it’s can be considered the best in everything overall. You can also customise your own brushes to create wonderful textures and effects that can emulate traditional painting mediums.

No matter how unique your illustrations, Adobe’s software can accommodate your style. Plus, additional features such as the Creative Cloud libraries make it easy to jump from one device to another and keep drawing.

The program is updated all the time. You never have to wait long for new features to be introduced. And it keeps them ahead of the competition.

However, Photoshop comes with a steeper learning curve. It’s also somewhat expensive compared to other apps.

What is a Drawing Tablet?

A drawing tablet is a device used to input digital drawings and illustrations. The device consists of a stylus and a flat surface that is capable of detecting pressure and movement. This information is then transmitted to a computer or other computer-based device, where it can be used to create digital art.

https://pctechtest.com

Do You Need a Drawing Tablet for Photoshop?

Using a stylus on a drawing tablet makes editing and drawing much more natural than using a mouse, and allows you to work faster and more accurately too.

Tablets help a lot to people who suffer from carpal tunnel, no matter how long you work with a stylus, you’ll never feel tired or get a soar wrist.

While using a mouse you only have your wrist movements whereas while working with a pen you get a full range of motion with your arms and wrists.

Tablets are absolute positioning devices while mice are of the relative positioning variety. Your clicks and selections will be accurate with a tablet as your pen cursor position will be mapped precisely to your screen.

Drawing tablets have pressure sensitivity, something a mouse simply does not have. so you can draw like a pen or pencil, applying thicker or thinner strokes as you go. This makes it better suited for photoshop especially when you are doing detailed retouching.

You can also control the shape of the strokes by simply tilting the pen, a feature that is better for high-end professionals.

The shortcut keys on tablets reduce the need to switch between tools, allowing you to concentrate on the work at hand. This enables you to work faster and eliminates the tedium and strain that come with performing seemingly repetitive tasks.

Things to consider when choosing a drawing tablet for Adobe Photoshop

For digital art in Photoshop, Here are a few of the most important factors that impact the quality and functionality of a drawing tablet.

1. Types of tablet

Drawing Tablets that don’t have a display are some of the most common types of digital tablets in the market.

You’ll be making drawing motions on the tablet in your hands, yet looking at your computer screen. So you may need a little time to build up the hand-eye coordination.

However, They are generally cheaper, more durable and come with some neat features like support for wireless connectivity.

Pen displays are drawing tablet with a built-in screen. These tablets come in multiple sizes starting from 10 or 12 inches all the way up to 32 inches.

Drawing directly on the screen will feel more akin to putting a pencil to paper. But again, this is the more costly option. So they are mainly bought by more professionals and established artists.

Note that Pen display tablets do not have a processor of their own and need to be connected to a computer in order to work.

Increasingly, major brands, such as the Apple iPad Pro, the Samsung Galaxy Tab, or the Microsoft Surface Pro, are promoting their media tablets as graphics tablets.

For hobbyists, amateurs, and creative professionals who need a lightweight tool to work with on the move, this type of standalone tablet and digital stylus combo is cost-effective. It’s great to use at leisure and offers a decent drawing experience.

2. Reasonable Working Space

The active area is the portion that you draw on.

A bigger active area will enable you to work on larger drawings more comfortable without the need for zooming and panning, but it is also more expensive.

A smaller tablet may be more portable and affordable, but it can also be more cramped to draw on for extended periods.

3. Pressure Sensitivity

Pressure sensitivity refers to how sensitive the tablet is to the amount of pressure you apply with the pen.

The harder you press the thicker your strokes are and the lighter you press the lighter the strokes are.

Most modern drawing tablets come with varying levels of pressure sensitivity, usually ranging from 2,048 to 8,192 levels.

The higher the level of pressure sensitivity, the more control an artist has over the thickness, opacity, and texture of their lines and strokes.

4. Tilt Recognition

Tilt Recognition is a digital tablet feature that allows the device to perceive the angle of the digital pen over the tablet surface.

That data is used by the device software to react in consequence. So, the resultant traces tent to look like it would do on physical work, according to each drawing tool used.

Tilt Recognition is a feature that comes with most of the latest generation of tablets.

5. Stylus Type

Drawing tablets come with one of two types of styluses: rechargeable, or electromagnetic resonance (EMR).

Rechargeable styluses need charging, And if they die you will have to charge before you can draw again. They are usually slimmer and fit comfortably in your hand.

EMR styluses employ an innovative electromagnetic frequency that transfers power to the pen wirelessly right from the tablet, so there’s no need to charge it.

Regardless of which type you get you’ll be able to draw all the same. Just make sure the tablet you choose has a comfortable stylus that fits well in your hand.

6. Display

The display is a factor to consider if you’re getting a tablet with a screen.

Normally, a display with full HD resolution works just fine. however, owning a better resolution like 2K or 4K display will represent a huge advantage for any kind of creative work.

If you work with colors a lot, it’s a good idea to get a display that covers a large range of colors above 100% sRGB.

If what you need is portability, going for tablets from 10” to 16” would be the best choice. If you do a lot of illustrations, We would recommend going for a 22-inch or larger size.

7. Programable Buttons

Having programmable function buttons are by far not essential but are great to have. They allow you to map keyboard shortcuts to them to avoid having to use a keyboard for some actions.

With Photoshop you can utilze these keys while drawing or editing photos for instance by mapping them to functions such as undo, smoothing or inverting the brush.

8. Additional Features

For standalone drawing tablet, you also need to pay attention to processing power includes processor, ram, storage, and graphics card.

Artists may spend several hours at a time working on a digital piece, so it’s important to have a portable tablet with a battery that can last for a long time.

Look for tablets with a battery life of at least 8-10 hours, and consider devices with longer battery life if you plan on using the tablet for extended periods of time.

9. Compatibility

Photoshop is available for Windows and macOS. Photoshop also has a version for iPad, but many artists still prefer using the desktop version for the full suite of features.

If you choose to buy an Android tablet you’ll need to download the Photoshop Express App on your device.

There are certain tablets that only support a specific operating system, for example, Apple iPad only works for iPad OS, samsung galaxy tab only runs on android and Microsoft Surface only supports Windows OS. So it’s a good idea to check the specifications before placing your order.

Luckily, most traditional drawing tablets work for both Mac and Windows, so you can use the tablet for different devices that you have.

10. Brands

Some of the top brands in the drawing tablet industry include Wacom, Huion, and XP-Pen.

Wacom is the most expensive, tend to have more of a premium and durable build, and a lot more brand recognition. It is ideal for seasoned digital artists, graphic designers, and photographers.

Huion and XP-Pen are generally cheaper than Wacom tablets and have more features, which are an excellent choice for novice and hobbyist artists.

For standalone drawing tablets, Apple, Microsoft, and Samsung are the main players.

10 Best Drawing Tablets for Adobe Photoshop

Each tablet on this list has something unique to offer, from their high pressure levels to their stunning displays that will help you take your creativity to the next level.

Whether you’re a professional or just starting out, these tablets are sure to impress.

1. Wacom Intuos Pro

2. XP-Pen Deco Pro

3. Huion Kamvas 13

4. Wacom Cintiq 16

5. XP-Pen Artist 16 2nd gen

6. Huion Kamvas 22 Plus

7. XP-Pen Artist 24 Pro

8. Apple iPad Pro

9. Samsung Galaxy tab S9

10. Microsoft Surface Pro 9

Conclusion

All of the drawing tablets mentioned above are perfect for use with Photoshop and can help you create amazing pieces of art.

Each tablet has its features, so it is important to consider your specific needs when choosing one.

iPad Pro, samsung Galaxy tab or Surface Pro is the best choice if you don’t mind spending a bit extra for superior features, as it offers Portability and an impressive screen for an enhanced drawing experience.

However, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly solution, then the other Wacom, Huion or XP-Pen tablet could be great options.

Whichever tablet you choose, you’re sure to have a great experience creating art with Photoshop!

Source: https://pctechtest.com/best-drawing-tablets-for-photoshop

Adobe Illustrator CC is a powerful vector graphics editor that is widely used by professionals in various industries such as graphic design, illustration, web design, and branding.

It allows you to create scalable artwork that can be used for print, digital media, and multimedia projects.

To produce quality artwork in adobe illustrator, you need both the right skills and tools. The most important tool is the hardware on which you’ll draw or edit the graphics on.

If freehand drawing and sketching is your thing, and you’re an Adobe illustrator user, you might want to get a drawing tablet, which is easier and more fun than using a mouse.

With an ergonomic design and powerful features, these pen tablets allow unparalleled precision and flexibility in artwork creation.

However, With so many options available in the market, it can be challenging to determine which graphic tablet is best suited for drawing in Adobe Illustrator.

In this article, we will explore the best graphic tablets for Adobe Illustrator, their features, and their pros and cons.

What is Adobe Illustrator CC?

Illustrator has been the industry standard for vector graphics editing for many years. It is used by professionals around the world, and its file format (.ai) is widely supported.

The vector based nature of Adobe Illustrator means that it’s perfect for creating graphics that need to be resized without losing quality. This makes Adobe Illustrator ideal for creating logos, icons, and text effects since they will look equally good at any size.

Illustrator offers a wide range of tools and features that allow you to create intricate and complex artwork. It provides precise control over paths, shapes, colors, and typography, enabling you to create stunning illustrations, logos, icons, and other design elements.

Professional artists and graphic designers can easily create stunning designs through easily accessible templates and presets. In fact, it provides over 80 million in-built templates, graphics, videos, and images to make online drawing and graphic design easier.

Illustrator comes with a bunch of useful features, some of the best features include advanced glyph snapping, team collaboration tools, and cloud storage.

Illustrator integrates seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications like Photoshop, fresco and InDesign. This allows you to easily transfer files and assets between different programs, enhancing your workflow and productivity.

Illustrator can be used for a variety of projects, including print design (such as business cards, posters, and brochures), web design (such as icons and illustrations), mobile app design, packaging design, and more. It provides the flexibility to work on diverse creative projects.

Illustrator is a professional tool that requires a lot of practice to master. If you are serious about illustrations, you should definitely learn how to use a professional tool like Illustrator. Just be prepared for it to take some time. Remember to be patient!

Why get a drawing tablet for Adobe Illustrator?

As graphic designers we’re accustomed to designing with a keyboard and mouse, but sometimes a task or design requires the precision of a freehand tool, and this is where a drawing tablet comes in handy.

If you’re doing fairly solid objects, icons, logos, etc, then using the pen tool via a mouse or trackpad is fine.

If you’re trying for more of a sketch or hand-drawn style, such as cartoons, then the pencil tool is perfect – and here’s where the drawing tablet is a better option.

A graphics tablet consists of a pressure-sensitive surface and a stylus. The stylus acts as a pen or pencil, allowing you to draw, sketch, and paint directly onto the tablet.

To capture any freeform drawing gestures, nothing beats the hand with a stylus ! The stylus offers a more intuitive, nattural, effortless and comfortable way to draw and paint than a mouse could ever provide.

This also allows you to have much more control over the strokes that you make. You will be able to draw nice smooth lines just how you want.

Using a stylus can help reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries (RSI) or carpal tunnel syndrome. Because it eliminates the repetitive clicking motion that comes with using a mouse.

Modern drawing tablets have up to 8,192 different levels of pressure sensitivity. When using illustrator, the pressure sensitivity applies to your brushes as well, like the Paintbrush Tool and Bob Brush Tool .

The pressure sensitivity allow you to vary the thickness or intensity of your lines based on how hard you press down. This can help you to create a wider range of effects and add more depth and nuance to your artwork.

Using the tablet and stylus also has an impact on workflow. Once you get going your workflow will become more efficient as well. Especially if you end up programming your own quick keys, you’ll be unstoppable!

How to choose a graphics tablet for Adobe Illustrator?

While every tablet may have comparable benefits, not all tablets are created equal—so which tablet is best for Adobe Illustrator?

Below are the most important things you can look at to tell if the drawing tablet is worth buying.

1. Types of tablet

The first choice you need to make is to decide whether you want a simple graphics tablet without screen, a pen display monitor or even a standalone tablet with stylus.

graphics tablet: The graphics tablet has to be connected to a computer to work and visualize.

You have to learn to look at the computer screen instead of the tablet surface as you draw.

Because of the way it works, non-screen tablet have a bit of a learning curve and it does take quite a bit of getting used to.

However, non-screen tablets are often more affordable than pen display monitors, last longer and will always be better to carry around.

pen display monitor: A drawing tablet with screen, also known as a pen display monitor, is also a form of input hardware. The drawing surface, however, is a screen where you can see your artwork as you draw it.

Pen display monitors are far more intuitive, natural and comfortable than non-screen graphics tablets. At the same time, they are more expensive.

Since Pen display monitors are usually bulky and still need to be connected to a computer to work, they are not really portable like standalone tablets.

Standalone drawing tablet: A standalone tablet has both an inbuilt screen and a computer, supports pen input. You do not have to connect a computer to use it.

If you want the portability of an all-in-one tablet and enjoy drawing on the go, then thats probably your best bet.

But Standalone tablets are super expensive and has its limits, such as no built in keyboard and stylus (sold separately), limited/overpriced pc specs, etc.

2. Size

The size of the drawing area on the tablet is an essential consideration. It should provide you sufficient space to draw and express your artwork comfortably.

Smaller tablets are portable and convenient for artists, while larger ones offer more room for detailed work.

We recommend you to choose a tablet size that matches your screen ratio and allows you to draw without straining your arm or wrist.

3. Screen Quality

A good display is an important thing you should consider when shopping for a drawing tablet.

Drawing on a low-quality display is not only frustrating, but it will also produce low-quality work.

A fairly good display should consist of:

A high refresh rate for a snappy perceived response.
High resolution (FHD+ and above) for crisp images.
High brightness to be able to work with it outdoors.
Scratch resistance to withstand rough stylus pens.

4. Pressure Sensitivity

Pressure sensitivity allows the tablet to respond to the varying pressure applied by the stylus.

This feature enables artists to control line thickness, opacity, and brush strokes, making the drawing experience more natural and similar to traditional art techniques.

Pressure levels on tables start at about 2,000 levels of pressure and go up to around 8,000.

In this case, the higher the number, the more responsive the tablet will be for you.

5. Tilt Recognition

Tilt Recognition is great feature for artists who like shading and depth. It reflects traditional tools like pencils and brushes, creating beautiful shading effects in your digital art.

Choosing a tablet with tilt recognition adds precision to your creations and make it realistic.

6. Stylus Type

There are different types of stylus: with or without battery.

Battery-free stylus don’t need batteries or any wires to function, reducing maintenance and weight for a more natural pen feel.

The stylus of Wacom, huion and XP-Pen has no battery and doesn’t require charging, they use advanced EMR technology which receives its power from the tablets.

Rechargeable stylus need charging just like your phone or laptop, such as the Apple Pencil, Surface Slim Pen 2 and Samsung S Pen.

If they run out of battery you will have to find a power source to charge before you can draw again.

Additionally, Some standalone tablets like apple ipad and microsoft surface don’t come with a pen, so you’ll have to get the pen separately.

7. Compatibility

Standalone tablets come with embedded operating systems which means that you cannot change them later.

iPad runs on iPad OS, samsung galaxy tablets runs on android while microsoft surface runs on Windows 11.

The Operating system will determine which graphic design software you can install.

Although adobe illustrator is available across most platforms: Windows, Mac and iPad OS, but it is not available on Linux, Android and Chrome OS devices yet.

Luckily, traditional drawing tablets are all compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems, so they definitely works well with adobe illustrator.

8. Additional Features

Many advanced drawing tablets will include additional features like hotkeys, multi-touch, and wireless connectivity that are required to streamline your artistic process.

For standalone tablets, you also need to pay attention to tech specs include processor, ram, storage, graphics card and battery life.

9. Brands

Wacom is one of the most trusted brands in drawing tablets, It has the best stylus and the most expensive price.

But other brands, including Huion, XP-Pen and others, offer more added features at a lower price to compete with the wacom.

For standalone tablets, Apple, Microsoft, Lenovo, and Samsung are the the big players.

10 Best Graphics Tablet for Adobe Illustrator

We have tested various brands from exclusive ones like Wacom to versatile options like iPad Pro and Surface Pros, and very affordable ones like XP-Pen and Huion.

Every adobe illustrator user will have different requirements, so we made sure to have a variety of top drawing tablets you can buy in 2023.

1. Wacom Intuos Pro

2. XP-Pen Deco Pro

3. Huion Inspiroy Dial 2

4. XP-Pen Artist 16 (2nd Gen)

5. Huion Kamvas 16 Pro

6. Wacom Cintiq 22

7. XP-Pen Artist 24 Pro

8. Huion Kamvas Pro 24

9. Surface Pro 9

10. iPad Pro

Conclusion

Despite having different sets of features and specifications, these are the best drawing tablets for adobe illustrator in 2023.

Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, You can go with any of it if it fits in your budget and provides what you need.

Investing in a graphics tablet can help you take your digital art and design in adobe illustrator to the next level.

It will give you a lot of power to bring the objects of your imagination to the screen.

So consider adding this gadget to your toolkit and enjoy the benefits of a more natural and precise design process.

Source: https://pctechtest.com/best-drawing-tablets-for-adobe-illustrator

Pixel art is fun! It is a form of digital art drawn with graphics software in which color is applied to individual pixels to create an image.

It didn’t die out in the nineties, and even started to regain popularity in video games.

If would like to make pixel art for artwork and video games you will need the right tools to create your pixel sprites.

When drawing Pixel Art, A lot of pixel artists work with a drawing tablet and others with a mouse.

Which one Is Better? Should you invest in a drawing tablet for pixel art, or stick with a mouse?

Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on your style, preferences, and budget.

In this article, we’ll compare the pros and cons of using a tablet vs a mouse for making pixel art, and help you decide which one suits you best.

Best Pixel Art Editors

Digital art software allows you to draw on a computer will be your best ally for making pixel art.

There are also many programs available that are specifically designed for creating pixel art, such as Aseprite, GraphicsGale, and Pyxel Edit.

These programs often have features that are specifically tailored for pixel art, such as the ability to zoom in for precise pixel-level control, and a limited color palette that can be used to ensure that the final image has a consistent, retro look.

Here’s a list of software commonly used for pixel art:

Aseprite: Great professional editor with many time-saving features and yet simple to use.

Graphics Gale: A free classic japanese pixel art tool, used in many games. Excels at animation with features such as onion skinning.

Piskel: A free and open source online pixel art editor with a user gallery.

Pyxel edit: a pixel art drawing app especially designed for working with tiles. pretty good, and the price tag is quite reasonable.

Photoshop: Powerful image editor not intended to make pixel art but you can set it up to use it.

Gimp: A multi-purpose image editor, designed to be a free replacement for photoshop. Can be configured to use for pixel art.

Paint.net: A free image editing program for windows, originally intended as a replacement for MSPaint. It supports pixel art.

Krita: A free, open source graphics program. It is intended for digital painting and 2d animation but can be set up for pixel art.

What is a drawing tablet?

A graphics tablet, also known as a drawing tablet, is a popular tool for digital artists, including those who create pixel art.

It allows you to draw directly on a screen or a surface with a stylus, which mimics the feel of a pen or a brush.

There are many different types of graphics tablets available, from entry-level models to professional-grade tablets.

Some tablets come with a built-in screen, while others connect to your computer and use your computer screen.

Mouse vs Drawing Tablet for creating Pixel art: which is better?

Tablet benefits

It is much easier, natural more comfortable to draw with stylus than mouse.

The pen tablet can reduce the risk of strain or injury on your wrist, hand, and arm, as you can adopt a more ergonomic posture and movement.

Since graphics tablet allows you to point at any point of the screen very fast, it cannot just make you draw or retouch comfortably, but faster as well.

Best of all Using a stylus can give you greater control and precision in your strokes compared to using a mouse.

This can be especially useful when creating pixel art, where precisely control the size and shape of each pixel is important.

Tablet drawbacks

However, a drawing tablet can be quite expensive, especially if you want a high-quality one with a large screen and advanced features.

Secondly, a tablet without screen can have a steep learning curve, as you need to get used to the disconnect between your eye and hand.

It might take you some time and practice to get used to a tablet and master its functions.

Thirdly, a tablet can be less portable and convenient than a mouse, as you need more space to use it. You might also face compatibility or connectivity issues with different devices or platforms.

Mouse benefits

Using a mouse can have some benefits for making pixel art, especially if you’re used to it or prefer it.

A mouse can be more affordable and accessible than a tablet, as you can find one easily and cheaply in any store or online.

A mouse can also be more compatible and versatile than a tablet, as you can use it with any computer or software without any hassle.

Moreover, a mouse can be more precise and accurate than a tablet in some cases, such as when you need to make fine adjustments, edits, places or selections.

Mouse drawbacks

On the other hand, a mouse can be less intuitive and expressive than a tablet, as you have to rely on clicks and drags instead of natural strokes and gestures.

A mouse can also limit your creativity and flexibility, as you don’t have access to pressure sensitivity, tilt recognition, or other features that a tablet offers.

Secondly, a mouse can be more harmful and uncomfortable than a tablet, as you can develop repetitive strain injury or carpal tunnel syndrome from using it for long periods.

6 Best drawing tablets for pixel art

A graphics tablet can be a valuable tool for creating pixel art, especially for blocking out shapes and clusters.

You can get away with using a cheap tablet when it comes to pixel art since you don’t really need a super accurate pressure sensor!

1. One By wacom

2. XP-Pen Deco 01 V2

3. Huion Kamvas 12

4. XP-Pen Artist 10 (2nd gen)

5. ipad (9th generation)

6. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

Conclusion

pixel art is doable with a simple mouse, because you actually don‘t „draw“, you just place the pixels. You don‘t have to draw dynamic and smooth lines.

If you want to make a quick sketch and easily draw your pixel art’s form, especially curves, a graphic tablet helps. But most of the time you’ll need to clean things up manually.

The common opinion that using a pen to rough and mouse to detail.

But really it’s up to you!

Ultimately just use whatever you are most comfortable with and you should be fine.

Of Course, the final result will depend on the skills and creativity of the artist, as well as the features and capabilities of the software being used.

Source: https://pctechtest.com/best-drawing-tablets-for-pixel-art

Chromebooks are lightweight laptops with Chrome OS, which are fast, easy-to-use, secure, portable and cheap. They have become valuable tools for consumers and for the classroom.

Chromebooks are widely used by students and teachers, great for note-taking, online learning, essay-writing, and more.

Due to their affordability, design students or artists also consider using the chromebook.

Making art on a Chromebook has usually been difficult or really expensive but that’s starting to change. We are starting to see graphics tablets support this OS.

Pair that with the ability to download Android apps to these devices and it’s starting to look like a real option for artists and illustrators looking for another drawing option.

In addition, manufacturers increasingly rolling out mid-range and even high-end Chromebooks, with specs comparable to Windows laptops.

If you are a Chromebook user and looking for a usable pen tablet for handwriting, drawing, note taking or photo editing. Here we are giving you the list of 10 best drawing tablets for Chromebooks.

Can you draw on a Chromebook with a stylus?

If ChromeOS is your platform of choice, you have two choices:

You can get a high-end chromebook with native pen support like the Samsung Chromebook Plus or Pro. It’s a convertible and comes with a USI stylus.

Another option is simply add a Chromebook-compatible drawing tablet, which is a computer input device that contains a pressure sensitive stylus.

Do Drawing Tablets Work on Chromebooks?

Yes, most new-gen drawing tablets do work on Chromebooks. Although the vast majority of them are still incompatible with Chromebooks.

most drawing tablets are supported with their basic functionalities only on Chrome OS versions 88 and above.

Do you need to install drawing tablet drivers on chromebook?

Chromebooks still lack the fundamental driver support, You just need to plug in your device and it will work.

In most cases, drawing tablets work as intended with proper registering of touch inputs with stroke mapping as intended.

The downside is that users are forced to use their drawing tablets rather restricted. You can’t configure the shortcut keys and at times even pressure sensitivity get omitted for Chromebooks.

Types of drawing tablet for Chromebook

There are two types of drawing tablets compatible with Chromebook:

1. graphics tablet without screen

The screenless graphics tablet has a flat plastic pad that receives input from the stylus and displays the lines you draw on the computer’s screen. It is also sometimes used as a mouse to navigate, point and click.

Non-screen tablets are much more durable, portable and cheaper than display tablets. Due to the hand-eye coordination, they do have a slight learning curve for beginners.

2. pen display monitor

pen display monitors allow you to draw directly on the screen, These are a much more natural option for digital artists as it’s just like drawing on paper.

This is a popular option amongst beginner and intermediate artists who want to avoid the hassle of a screen-less drawing tablet.

They are expensive and still need a HDMI or USB-C cable to connect to your computer to work.

What are the benefits of drawing tablet for Chromebook?

The pen tablet makes going digital easy as it works semlessly with various drawing software, photo editing software, graphic design software, note taking apps, online whiteboards and even office software.

With a drawing tablet and the right creative software, your Chromebook can become a drawing tool that allows you to express your creativity and your unique style.

The ergonomic stylus gives users a natural way to write, sketch, draw, or edit content on the drawing tablet connected to the Chromebook. A traditional mouse is simply not capable of providing the control and intricacy required in this area.

What are good online whiteboards for Chromebooks?

Google Jamboard, Collaboard, Explain Everything, Kami, Limnu, Pear Deck, RealtimeBoard, Coggle and etc.

These are a few powerful virtual whiteboard apps you can use on your Chromebook for a variety of educational purposes (e,g brainstorming, mind mapping, structuring information, storytelling, design thinking…).

They allow you to create illustrative sketches, add text and pictures, include videos and sticky notes, create visual diagrams and many more. They are also ideal for team collaboration and collaborative project management.

What art drawing software will run on Chromebook?

The ability to run Android apps gives you far more choices than you’d have in-browser alone.

Some best options include Infinite Painter, Ibis Paint X, Clip Studio Paint, Sketchbook, Artflow, Krita, Medibang Paint, PaperColor, Dotpict and etc.

And for even more, they can also run Linux programs with some prep work.

What size drawing tablet should I get for chromebook?

The tablet surface is mapped to the whole screen. For pen display tablets, you’ll want the tablet size to be close to the size of your chromebook monitor.

Getting a small non-screen graphics tablet is good if you have a monitor size of chromebook between 11-15 inches.

Using large tablets with a small screen, e.g. laptop screens, can feel awkward at times and will take a while to get used to it.

10 Best Drawing Tablets for Chromebook in 2023

Below are 10 of best drawing tablets for Chromebooks in 2023 that We can enthusiastically recommend to artists.

Although there isn’t a huge selection, they are all fantastic choices and run from a bit expensive to very affordable.

1. One by Wacom

2. Wacom Intuos

3. XP-Pen Deco Fun

4. Huion Inspiroy H640P

5. XP-Pen Deco Mini7W

6. Ugee S640W

7. Veikk S640

8. XP-Pen Artist 12 (2nd Gen)

9. Wacom One

10. Huion Kamvas Pro 13

Conclusion

Your Chromebook doesn’t include a stylus? Are you frustrated by having to move the mouse across the screen?

With a drawing tablet, any artist on any level can use a Chromebook for anything and everything they might need or want to do.

With these 10 affordable tablets that work particularly well in Chromebooks, your efficiency will be greatly boosted when digital drawing and online learning.

If you didn’t find what you liked, though, then don’t worry. There are also many models that are compatible with chromebook. Just check to see if your specific tablet compatible with Chrome OS before buying.

Enjoy creating and communicating with ease across your pen and Chromebook devices.

Source: https://pctechtest.com/best-drawing-tablets-for-chromebook