Types of drawing tablets

Non-standalone drawing tablets

• Pen tablets (also called "screenless tablets") - Don't have a screen and you have to use them with a computer or laptop. More here: Overview of pen tablets

• Pen displays (also called "screen tablets") - Have a screen and you have to use them with a computer or laptop. More here: Overview of pen displays

• How to choose between these two? See pen tablets vs pen displays

Standalone drawing tablets

• Pen-enabled mobile devices - These are devices like iPads and Samsung Galaxy Tab S devices that support being used with a pen. They aren't strictly-speaking drawing tablets, but they use the same/similar tech and can work as a standalone drawing tablet. More here: Overview of pen-enabled mobile devices

• Pen computers - Drawing tablets that are essentially laptops. I do not recommend getting these. more here:

  • Overview of pen computers

  • The case against pen computers

• Pen-enabled 2-in-1 laptops - These are devices like the Microsoft Surface Pro or Samsung Galaxy Book 5 360 that can be used with a pen. More here: Overview of pen enabled 2-in-1 laptops