Inspecting a drawing tablet
Overview
This is a list of things to check when you (a) first set up your drawing tablet or (b) have an opportunity to inspect a tablet before purchasing it.
Checking these things will save you a lot of headaches and disappointment later on.
Testing before you set up the tablet
Tablets usually come with a list of included items — things like cables, cleaning cloths, pen nibs, etc. This list may be printed on the box, on a paper inside the box, or on the tablet brand's website. Verify that you have everything you're supposed to have.
Examine the surface carefully with your eyes. You're looking for scratches or areas where the surface is worn. If it's a new tablet you shouldn't see anything like that.
Scratches can sometimes be hard to see, so try shining a bright light across the surface at an angle to reveal them.
Getting prepared for functional testing
To test that the tablet actually works, you'll need to set it up. Follow this guide: Getting started with a drawing tablet.
Then install any applications you need. I strongly suggest installing Krita from Krita.org. It's free and behaves consistently, making it an ideal application for testing drawing tablet functionality. Even if you don't plan to use Krita regularly, it's a very useful troubleshooting tool.
Keep mobile phones away — they can interfere with tablet operation.
Make sure there isn't anything magnetic underneath the tablet. Some stands use magnets. Don't place the tablet on top of an electronic device like a laptop.
Basic functional testing
Connectivity
Conduct the tests with a wired connection first.
Then verify they work with a wireless connection.
Drawing
Check if the pen can draw in all locations on the active area.
Draw lots of lines all over the surface. Make sure there are no gaps where you can't draw and that the pen position is accurately tracked.
Check if pressure goes from 0% to 100%.
First do this in the driver — it usually has a region where you can test pressure.
Then do this in an application. I suggest using Krita.
Make sure the pen isn't "stuck" at 0% or 100% pressure.
You may notice that pressure is "jumpy" at low pressure — this is normal for EMR pens. You can use pressure curves to control this.
Check that tilt works in all directions.
Draw some strokes and tilt the pen in different directions.
Do this in multiple locations across the active area.
Pen display pen tracking accuracy
With the pen held vertically and not moving, check that the pointer is close to the tip of the pen.
With the pen held at a 45-degree angle and not moving, check that tilt compensation is working. As you tilt the pen, make sure the pointer doesn't deviate too far from the tip. A little drift is normal. Keeping the pen at 45 degrees, rotate it in a full circle.
Check that the pen position is tracked accurately over the entire surface of the tablet.
Express keys
Check if all buttons and dials work. A quick way to test this is to map the buttons to keypresses, then open a notepad app and press the express keys to see if they type the expected characters.
Pen display features
Check for stuck or dead pixels.
Check for basic color and brightness.
All tablets have some pointer lag — it's usually very noticeable on pen displays. Verify that you're OK with the amount this display has.
All pen displays have some minor edge and corner inaccuracy in pen tracking. Check how much there is and whether you're OK with it.
Verify that you're OK with the anti-glare sparkle on the screen. Some people are very sensitive to this.
Verify that the display does not have a color tint on the edges. More here: Color tint on edges of display.
Surface
Take your pen and move it around the surface.
There should be no rough patches and no cuts or scratches deep enough to feel through the pen. More here:
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