For many years, specialized mobile devices for design and graphics processing have been sold on the market. However, while until recently the number of available models was relatively small, this situation is now changing rapidly. Still the leader in this industry is the Wacom brand, but a strong competitor - XP-PEN - has appeared on the horizon. If you use this type of equipment, the following article will tell you which graphics tablet to buy. In it, experts from Stovaris describe the technical parameters you should pay attention to when choosing one. In addition, you will find here a ranking of devices, including the cheapest ones, priced up to PLN 500 - we invite you to read!
What are graphics tablets used for?
Nowadays, all artists, graphic designers and architects, i.e. people who are involved in drawing, retouching or designing, among other things, use computers in their work. The software installed on them is extremely functional, but its operation primarily involves the use of a mouse. Unfortunately, this inconspicuous computer peripheral accessory limits the user to some extent. Even the best models of these devices, although extremely sensitive, are so far from guaranteeing the precision of movement provided, for example, by a pencil held in the hand. This brings us to the topic of graphics tablets.
Their main purpose is to free the graphic designer from the need to use a mouse and make it easier to perform tasks that require high precision. These devices are equipped with touch panels that respond to a stylus that takes the form of a handy pen. This allows the user to draw in the traditional way, exactly as on a piece of paper. Every movement made is recorded and then mapped in the software used.
Are you planning to buy such equipment, having, for example, 500 zloty for this purpose? Before you start thinking about how to choose a graphics tablet, you should learn about its types.
What are the types of graphics tablets?
The devices available on the market today can be divided into two basic types. The first is the so-called pen graphics tablets, such as XP-PEN DECO Pro M (XP-PEN DECO Pro M pen tablet, M version (medium 28 x 15.2 cm), wireless pen PA1, 8192 - Pen tablets (stovaris.pl). The principle of their operation is identical to that of a trackpad (touchpad) in a laptop computer. Here we are dealing with a large touch panel, which with almost uncanny accuracy reads the current position of the pen pressed against it. These are peripheral devices that require a connection to a computer to work - they are a substitute for a mouse. Importantly, because of this design, they are relatively inexpensive. You can successfully buy professional models for up to PLN 500.
The second type of this equipment is referred to as screen-based. It too has a large touch-responsive surface, but in this case it is formed by a display. As a result, such graphic devices resemble a classic tablet in appearance, as exemplified by the XP-PEN Artist 12 Pro. They are mobile, ideal for graphic designers, architects or artists who often work in the field. In this case, however, prices are higher, starting at 1,200 pln. Nevertheless, their prices have come down a lot in recent years, and given their functionality and how much they speed up (and make work more enjoyable), they are worth it. Only wacom Mobilestudio Pro products for more than 10,000 pln have such functionality.
The most important advantages of graphic tablets
Are you now wondering not only how to choose a graphics tablet, but most importantly, do you even need one? It will certainly make your buying decision easier if you know its advantages. Among the most important are:
- very high precision of operation, which translates into excellent reproduction of stylus movement,
- Pen force detection - you can naturally control, for example, the thickness of the lines when the mouse works on a zero-one basis, that is, it draws or it does not,
- Improving ergonomics at work which reduces fatigue and can prevent many ailments
- Compact size and low weight,
- ease of use.
As Stovaris specialists point out, the above advantages apply to both types of graphics tablets - pen and screen.
Technical parameters of graphic tablets - what should you pay attention to?
After this very important introduction, it is time to address the main topic of this article - which graphics tablet to buy, for example, with a budget of up to PLN 500? The price is important, of course, but you need to start by looking at the technical parameters of the various models. When choosing this device, it is very important to pay attention to:
- the size of the working surface - it must, above all, meet your preferences for comfortable work. If you are targeting pen devices, remember that when its main use will be as a "simple" replacement for the mouse in office applications, the tablet should be rather small in size to work comfortably on it. If a small tablet is to be a tool for working in graphics programs, a larger tablet surface gives better precision in pen handling.
- resolution - in this case indicates the precision of the positioning of the pen is expressed in units of lpi (lines per inch) and the higher its value, the better,
- Tilt detection range - a function that simulates the tilt of a pencil, for example, to shade graphics,
- Pressure sensitivity - the higher it is, the better the smoothness of controlling the thickness of the dash by reducing or increasing the pressure of the stylus on the touch panel,
- aspect ratio - it should be the same as a computer monitor.
- If you have a budget of more than PLN 500 and choose a screen graphics tablet, you still need to pay attention to the parameters of the display. Important issues include such things as:
- The diagonal of the screen and its resolution,
- matrix type,
- Number of displayed colors and color space reproduction,
- Brightness, contrast and viewing angles.
Which graphics tablet priced up to £500, £1500 and £2500?
Specialists from Stovaris have prepared proposals for three interesting devices of this type. If you are wondering what to buy a graphics tablet for 500, 1500 or 2500 zloty, you should consider respectively:
- XP-PEN DECO Pro M ,
- XP-PEN Artist 12 Pro,
- XP-PEN Artist 22R Pro (XP-PEN Artist 22R Pro screen tablet, 21.5 inches, 1920×1080, 88% NTSC, PA2 wireless pen, - Monitor tablets (stovaris.co.uk) ).
Graphic tablet up to PLN 500: XP-PEN DECO Pro M
You need to be aware of the fact that with a budget of up to PLN 500, you will be able to afford rather only pen devices. Considering such graphics tablets, an excellent choice is XP-PEN DECO Pro M . It features a very good resolution (5080 lpi) and a high level of pressure recognition (8192).
Noteworthy is the included pen. It is active and works without the need for batteries. Thus, it has a low weight, which makes it extremely convenient to use. It has 8 programmable function keys, a mechanical ring and a trackpad, which is very helpful and rare in this type of tablet.
What is worth noting, this model can be connected not only to a desktop computer. This is because it is detected by both computer and mobile systems, Android and iOS.
Graphic tablet up to £1,500: XP-PEN Artist 12 Pro
According to experts, the XP-PEN Artist 12 Pro is the best choice for those with a smaller budget but looking for a screen device. It is not only a modern, but also a functional and comfortable to use graphics tablet. Among its parameters are:
- 11.6'' IPS screen operating at FullHD resolution,
- 256.3 x 144.2 mm working area,
- High brightness level, 200 cd/m2,
- 8192 recognized pressure levels,
- 5080 lpi resolution.
The image displayed by the screen is characterized by very good color space reproduction. The set comes with a wireless pen, small and lightweight, but convenient to use. So, if you are considering what equipment to buy up to $1500, this model will work perfectly.
Graphic tablet up to PLN 2500: XP-PEN Artist 22R Pro
For those looking for a graphics tablet up to £2,500, we can recommend choosing the XP-PEN Artist 22R Pro. It is a larger, more functional version of the Artist 12 Pro model described earlier. The main difference concerns the screen used, which:
- It is 22 inches diagonal and operates in FullHD resolution,
- offers a work area of 476 x 334 mm,
- shows better color reproduction.
Graphic designers or architects who really spend a lot of time designing or retouching should be interested in buying this device. This model, despite its considerable size, is relatively light and very handy.
Choose proven graphics tablets at a good price
Now you know that both the Wacom brand and XP-PEN have interesting, noteworthy graphics tablets in their offerings. Betting on high-end equipment is key, but remember that it's also crucial to match it to your needs in terms of performance. For this reason, if you are wondering which model to buy, contact the specialists at Stovaris. We will suggest which device to choose in a budget of, for example, up to PLN 500. You can order them from us right away, which we encourage you to do!