Model names vs model numbers
Overview
When purchasing or discussing drawing tablets you should never rely on the name alone. You should always make sure which model number you're talking about.
The naming of drawing tablets is simply too confusing.
The names can be confusingly similar.
The same name might be used for different versions in different years
The names meaning might have changed over the years.
All these issues can cause people to purchase the wrong tablet or purchase the wrong accessories for the tablet.
The same name used for multiple tablets
Example: Wacom One
Currently this describes 5 different tablets of different kinds and manufacturer in different years and of different levels of quality.
Wacom One GEN1 (DTC-133) - a pen display released in 2019
Wacom One 12 GEN2 (DTC-121) - a pen display released in 2023 (I don't recommend this tablet)
Wacom One 13 touch GEN2 (DTH-134) - a pen display released in 2023 (I don't recommend this tablet)
Wacom One S GEN2 (CTC-4110WL) - a pen tablet released in 2023 (I HIGHLY don't recommend this tablet)
Wacom One M GEN2 (CTC-6110WL) - a pen tablet released in 2023 (I HIGHLY don't recommend this tablet)
Names that are too similar
Example: Wacom One and One by Wacom
Wacom One - any one of 5 higher-end consumer tablets (3 pen displays and 2 pen tablets)
One by Wacom - two low-end consumer tablets. Don't let "low-end" fool you. These are excellent tablets.
Example: XP-Pen Artist 16 Pro and XP-Pen Artist Pro 16
These tablets names differ by where the word "Pro" is in their name. One has it in the middle and one has it a the end.
Names reused for different releases
Example: Wacom Intuos Pro
If you see an "Intuos Pro Medium" you have to verify whether it is a PTH-660 or PTH-850. The same goes for the small and large sizes.
Between the PTH-x60 and PTH-x651 there are differnces in
What kind of USB port the have
Which pen they come with
Which pens they are compatible with
Intuos Pro Large
PTH-860
2017
Intuos Pro Large
PTH-851
2013
Intuos Pro Medium
PTH-660
2017
Intuos Pro Medium
PTH-651
2013
Intuos Pro Small
PTH-460
2019
Intuos Pro Small
PTH-451
2013
The similar names used across different brands
Example: Huion and XP-Pen
Huion Kamvas 22 Plus (GS2202)
XP-Pen Artist 22 Plus (MD220FH)
Meanings of names have changed over the years
Example: Wacom Intuos
Originally:
"Intuos" designated Wacom's professional line of pen tablets.
"Baboo" identified their consumer line
But Wacom at some point switched to:
"Intuos Pro" designated their professional line
"Intuos" identified their consumer line
PRO does not mean better
You will occasionally see a products marketed as:
Foobar tablet
Foobar tablet PRO
It is tempting to believe that the PRO version must be better.
This is sometimes NOT the case.
Sometimes PRO versions were released some years before the non-PRO versions and the technology of the non-PRO versions has surpassed that of the PRO models.
Tablets without model numbers
If you can't find the model number for a tablet, I don't suggest you get it.
If the manufacturer doesn't have a model number listed this typically indicates a very old and discontinued model
Not having a model number will make it more difficult for you get help from others. because, they may not be sure which tablet you are referring to.
Pro Tip: Use BOTH the model name and model number when talking about tables
Of course, model numbers are sometimes hard to read, mysterious, and people may not be familiar with them.
So, I suggest if you need to discuss a tablet use "Model name (Model number)" when talking about them. This keeps the reference to the tablet easy to use, and still makes it easy for people who are familiar with the model numbers to know which tablet you are talking about.
For example:
Wacom Intuos Pro Large (PTH-860)
Huion Kamvas Pro 19 (GT1902)
XP-Pen Artist Pro 16 GEN2 (MD160QH)
Last updated