Read the manual

Read it to clearly understand these things:

• How to install the driver

• Verify how it will connect to your computer this is especially important if you are using a pen display.

  • For a pen display, you may want to use it with a single USB-C cable. Verify this in the manual. and if your computer has a USB-C port that supports DP-Alt Mode. More here: Connecting a pen display with one USB-C cable.

• If the tablet supports wireless, how to initiate a wireless connection

Be prepared to handle common problems

• Ensure you know how to contact customer support.

• Ensure you know the warranty and how (if needed) you can can return the tablet to the manufacturer or to the retailer (example: Amazon) you bought it from

• Here's a list of Common problems with drawing tablets. Although for a majority of you everything will "just work" some small number of you will start off with issues on day one.

• I have a list of troubleshooting docs here: Troubleshooting

• The most complex problem for pen displays is usually the "NO SIGNAL" problem. If it happens, this guide will help: Troubleshoot the NO SIGNAL problem

Check the reviews

Never purchase a tablet without looking at the reviews first.

Some reviewers to explore:

• Teoh on Tech (https://www.youtube.com/@teohontech7141) Teoh has the most in-depth reviews of tablets.

• Create Now Sleep Later (https://www.youtube.com/c/Createnowsleeplater)

• Brad Colbow (https://www.youtube.com/c/thebradcolbow)

• Aaron Rutten (https://www.youtube.com/c/aaronrutten)

• Adam Duff (https://www.youtube.com/@AdamDuffArt)

Verify the model number, not just the model name

Tablet names are confusingly similar. So much so, that I've seen people order the wrong tablet just because the names were close.

• NEVER order by using the name of the tablet alone.

• ALWAYS verify you have ordered correct model number.

See this page for all the reasons why you should not rely on the model name: Model names vs model numbers

Make sure your working environment is usable

• Check for potential sources of Electromagnetic Interference. More here: Electromagnetic interference

• Ensure you have enough space on your desk for the tablet and where your keyboard will be placed

Overview

Occasionally if you're going to buy a tablet you might have an opportunity to try the tablet out before you purchase it. This is often a case when you're getting the tablet from a friend or purchasing it used.

I highly recommend that you test out the tablet before the purchase. This will save you a lot of headaches and disappointment later on.

Getting prepared to test

For the sake of this discussion I'm going to assume that you're going to bring a laptop with you and use the tablet with that laptop.

Preparation:

• Have the applications installed on the laptop that you're going to use with the tablet. I always test with Krita in addition to any other apps.

• Depending on the brand of the tablet you're considering purchasing make sure you have the latest drivers for that tablet installed.

Basic test of functionality

• Connectivity

  • Conduct the tests with a wired connection.

  • Any then verify they work with wireless connection

• Drawing

  • Check if the pen works in all locations on the active area

  • Check if the pressure smoothly going from zero to 100

  • Check tilt works in all directions

  • Check that the pointer generally stays where the tip of the pen is even if you tilt the pen.

  • Check that location of pen is tracked accurately in over the entire surface of the tablet

Express keys

• Check if all the buttons, dials, work. A quick way to test this is to map the buttons to keypresses. Then you can open a notepad app and press the express keys and see it typing things

Pen display features

• Check for stuck or dead pixels

• Check for basic color and brightness

• All pen displays have more pointer lag than pen tablets. Verify if you are OK with the amount it has.

• All pen displays have some minor edge and corner inaccuracy in tracking the pen location. Check this to see how much there is and if you are OK with this.

• Verify you are 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

• There should be no cuts or scratches deep enough that you can feel them through the pen. More here:

  • surface wear on pen tablets

  • surface wear on pen displays

Misc

• Are you getting replacement nibs with the pen?

Many people use drawing tablets to play osu. More here: Gaming with a drawing tablet

If you are interested in playing osu with a drawing tablet, then do not rely on recommendations from drawing tablet reviewers. They focus on the needs of the creative users. Don't rely on my recommendations for the same reason.

Instead, the definitive resource to consult is Kuuube's tablet buying guide.

If you do want a quick answer now though, these two tablets are excellent for osu.

• One by Wacom Small (CTL-472)

• One by Wacom Medium (CTL-672)

You could also buy one of these tablets below, which are also great for osu, but they are very expensive and are not any better for osu than the ones listed above.

• Wacom Intuos Pro Small (PTH-460)

• Wacom Intuos Pro Medium (PTH-660)

• Wacom Intuos Pro Large (PTH-860)

Wacom guidance (with caution)

Wacom lists recommended tablets for osu here: https://estore.wacom.com/en-us/osu. However, they list some tablets that are NOT recombed for osu. So, I recommend you disregard their list andpick from the models listed above or the one Kuuube recommends.

Overview

Pen computers are standalone drawing tablets with screens that you can use without being attached to a computer. Essentially they are laptops that work with an EMR pen.

Even though some people love using pen computers, I do not in general recommend buying one.

Key characteristics of a pen computer:

• Run a desktop OS - these are intended to be full-fledged personal computers. As of 2023, all pen computers run Windows.

• Have a battery - because they must be run without being connected to a source of power

• Pen tech - It varies. Some use EMR, some use MPP, some use AES.

Examples

• Microsoft Surface Pro (..7,8,9,10,etc)

• Huion Kamvas Studio

• Wacom Mobile Studio Pro

Alternatives to pen computers

Instead of pen computers, I recommend looking at mobile devices that support pens. These are devices such as:

• Apple iPad Pro with the Apple Pencil

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S series tablets that use the Samsung S pen

More here: Standalone drawing tablet recommendations

Cost

Pen computers are incredibly expensive.

I certainly do not recommend pen computers for people who are just getting started with drawing tablets. I will always recommend that you go with cheaper alternatives. And the reason for this is simple: You may find that the wrong experience doesn't live up to your expectations.

Upgradability

Pen computers typically have very limited upgradability.

Typically once you buy pen computer you'll be stuck with those specifications in terms of memory processor speed and GPU for the entire lifetime of the device.

If you are going to purchase a pen computer please verify how upgradable it is before you make the purchase.

Customer support

Companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Dell sell a lot of laptops and all-in-one systems. These companies have built world-class customer support organizations and support systems to ensure that their customers are getting the help they need when a customer has a question or something goes wrong with these complicated devices.

The truth is that drawing tablet manufacturers aren't as big as these companies. They handle a much smaller volume of products and users and you may find that their customer support may not be as helpful as these larger companies.

Repairs

As with most laptops and all-in-one systems a pen display is typically not intended to be user-serviceable. If something goes wrong it's going to be difficult to fix by yourself. Not only are these computers often not designed to be opened. Even if you are successful in opening the case and fixing whatever problem there is it will most certainly void your warranty.

If you need to have the pen computer repaired by the manufacturer. You are going to find that both the process is difficult and the cost is extraordinarily high.

You cannot take these devices into a local retail store for the tablet manufacturer to take a look at. You'll have to send the pen computer back to the manufacturer and you will have to pay for the cost of shipping. And the repair cost can be as expensive as getting another laptop.

Overview

There are three kinds of drawing tablets. This document is discussing how you might choose between a pen tablet and a pen display.

• pen tablets - that don't have a screen

• pen displays - that do have a screen

• standalone tablets- that have a screen and you can use them without being connected to a computer

Approach

Choosing between a pen tablet and pen display is not easy. There is no single answer that applies to everyone.

This document will identify the different dimensions across which you can compare a pen tablet and a pen display. And it will identify those cases in which pen tablets have an advantage and those cases in which a pen display has an advantage.

And ultimately the goal is to provide you enough information so that you can make an informed decision.

Details

This document summarizes many very deep topics. If you want more information, consult the buying guide which covers all these topics in detail.

Dispelling common myths

MYTH: A pen display is inherently better than a pen tablet

REALITY: Neither is inherently better. Which one you should use depends on a lot of factors

Pen displays look really fancy and cost much more than a pen tablet. And it would be natural to think that this means that pen displays are in some way fundamentally better than a pen tablet. That is absolutely not true. Pen tablets have their own merits. So do not think about a pen tablet as simply a lower cost option that you have to “settle for.” For many people it is the right answer.

MYTH: Professional artist only use pen displays

REALITY: Professional artists use both pen displays and pen tablets

Another common myth is that professionals only use pen displays. Again this is absolutely not true. There are many professional artists who use pen tablets out of preference and or doing high quality professional work with those pen tablets.

MYTH: People naturally prefer using a pen display. The only reason they use pen tablets is because they are cheaper.

REALITY: Lots of people try pen displays, and go back to pen tablets

I see countless stories of people who love using their pen tablet but feel the need to get a pen display and then when they tried the pen display they realized that the pen tablet worked much better for them. And then they end up returning.

MYTH: Pen displays let you create better art

REALITY: Both pen displays and pen tablets can create equivalently good art

Some people worry that the quality of art they want to produce can only be produced by a pen display. You shouldn't let that worry you. People have been producing amazing art with pen tablets for decades. There are definitely some benefits to using a pen display, but the quality of art than can be made is not a factor.

Advice for first-time tablet users

If you are just getting started using a drawing tablet - for example maybe this is going to be the first tablet you own - my advice is to start with a pen tablet. And learn to use it and if you can't adjust to a pen tablet in a few weeks then return it and get a pen display.

Need to be used with a computer

WINNER: TIE

Both pen tablets and pen displays need a computer to work. They can't be used standalone like an Apple iPad.

Posture

WINNER: Pen tablets

With a pen tablet you are drawing in generally a better posture. You will be sitting in a way such that your back is vertical and your head will be looking straight ahead at your monitor. With a pen display you will almost always have to lean over a little bit and look down at the tablet to draw. This can place strain on your lower back and on your neck. This is one of the most popular reasons why someone buys a pen display but then returns it. They just find using a pen display to be very hard on their bodies. More here: Body posture when using drawing tablets

Cost

WINNER: Pen tablets

Pen tablets cost much less than pen displays. Even the most expensive pen tablet cost less than the majority of pen displays.

• Pen tablets cost between $50 to $250. The most expensive on the market is $500 and often discounted to $400.

• Pen displays start at around $300 and can go up to about $1300. Wacom professional pen displays are in a special price category and can cost from $2500 to $3500.

Reliability

WINNER: Pen tablets

Pen tablets are the clear winner for reliability. Pen tablets are very simple devices compared to pen displays. They have far fewer components. And so there's just less of a probability that something will go wrong with the hardware of a pen tablet. And the components they have are not as delicate.

Cabling

WINNER: Pen tablets

Pen tablets work with a single USB cable (And some are wireless). Pen displays are more complex. Depending on your computer and which pen display there are multiple cabling options and sometimes they can be difficult to configure. More here: Connecting a pen display

Pointer lag

WINNER: Pen tablets

All tablets have some amount of pointer lag. But in my observation pen tablets have less pointer lag than pen displays.

And on top of it even if they have the same amount of lag you will notice it more with the pen display because you can see the tip of the pen and the pointer next to each other. And looking seeing them next to each other on the same screen highlights the pointer lag. More here: lag

Wireless connectivity

WINNER: Pen tablets

Many pen tablets support wireless connectivity. These days that is via Bluetooth.

However no pen displays support wireless connectivity. You will always have at least one wire connecting your end display to your computer. And if you have a larger pen display - anything at 16 inches and above - it's almost guaranteed you'll have at least two wires - one going to your computer and one for power.

Taking notes

WINNER: Pen displays

In general I do not recommend taking notes with pen displays. I think that standalone tablets are much better for no taking. But compared to a pen tablet a pen display is certainly much better because you can see what you're doing with the pen and so it's just more intuitive and feels like you're working with pen and paper. More here: taking notes with drawing tablets.

Surviving a fall

WINNER: Pen tablets

If you knock a pen tablet off your desktop and it hits the floor almost certainly nothing bad will happen. Pen tablets generally don't have any moving parts aside from maybe some buttons. But if you drop a pen display almost certainly that pen display will be severely damaged by the drop. This could shatter the glass of the pen display. Or it could do some severe internal damage to the display panel that's inside the tablet. And this damage to a pen display is not user repairable and it's often extremely expensive to have it repaired if it is even possible to repair.

Most of the time when I've seen someone have significant damage to their appendix display the cost to repair is as much as a new pen display.

Power requirements

WINNER: Pen tablets

A pen tablet doesn't require much power. If connected to your laptop it won't drain the battery as much. A pen display requires much more power. If connected to your laptop, it will draw much more power and run your battery down faster. More here: powering a drawing tablet.

Hand covering what you are drawing

WINNER: Pen tablets

In many ways a pen display mimics how it feels to draw with pen and paper. Usually this is an advantage. However it also has some of the same limitations of pen and paper. In particular with the pen display your hand and arm are between you and what you are drawing. So quite naturally you have to accommodate for this. You might have to draw from a different angle or rotate the canvas.

A pen tablet of course separates what you see from where you draw. And so your hand is never in the way of what you are drawing.

Physical size and weight

WINNER: Pen tablets

Pen tablets are considerably thinner and weigh less.

Drawing experience

WINNER: Pen displays

• Pen displays have a more natural feel because you looking at the same place your are drawing. With a pen tablet you are drawing in one place but looking somewhere else.

• Most people feel like they have press UNDO much less frequently with a pen display because the stroke more often goes where they intended.

• With a pen display you do have to ensure you configure the tablets active area to map to your display so that there is no distortion. With pen displays you don't have to do this.

More here: The drawing experience

Portability

WINNER: Pen tablets

Given their size and weight and need for a single cable (or even wireless capability) pen tablets have a lot of advantages for carrying around with you.

Also with a pen display, you will need to protect it more because it is more sensitive to damage. See protective cases.

Diagonal wobble

Diagonal wobble is a slight "wobbly" inaccuracy in tracking the pen position. It is present in ALL drawing tablets to various degrees.

In my testing I have found no clear pattern that indicates that pen tablets or pen displays are prone to more or less diagonal wobble. Instead it seems to be linked to the specific tablet model involved.

You can see the different diagonal wobble samples I have collected here: Diagonal wobble samples.

Pen pressure handling

The behavior of a tablet with regard to pressure (IAF, max pressure, etc.) depends on the pen that is used, not the tablet.

There are a few exceptions - there are 1 or 2 tablets that I think do a particularly bad job of pressure independent of the pen, but those are exceedingly rare.

You can use both kinds of tablets

And there is no rule that says you have to use only one kind of tablet. There are many people who have both a pen tablet and a pen display. And depending on what they're doing they will switch between using one or the other. See: Using multiple drawing tablets at the same time

Videos

• Teoh on Tech - 9 things to know about pen displays before you buy one Jan 6, 2023

• EyeKooDrawsStuff - What drawing tablet to buy... a screenless graphics tablet or pen display? July 10, 2023

• Paintable - Do you NEED a Screen Tablet? | Honest Huion Kamvas Pro 24 Review Mar 30, 2023

Overview

We would all like to have completely brand new equipment. However used tablets maybe a way to save a little extra money.`

My experience with used drawing tablets

I have bought and worked with MANY used drawing tablets - 26 used tablets as of April 2024. You can see the list of all my tablets here:

• pen tablets - Pen tablets are generally very reliable devices and are fine to buy used I own many used pen tablets, some over 25+ years old that still work.

• pen displays - I have purchased one used pen display.

• pen computers - I have no experience with used pen computers. And in general I do not recommend pen computers. See:

Tablet age

Because the used tablets might be older models, you should prepare for issues that might arise due to their age. More here:

Older drivers

In particular you may need to use older drivers. This comes with its own set of complications. More here:

Which brands for buying used

Used Wacom Intuos professional tablets

There are some factors you MUST take into account when buying them used. I've summarized those issues in this video below. In the description of the video, please make sure to note the errata.

Even though this video is about used pen tablets, I think it may be useful even if you are looking to purchase a used pen display.

Likewise even though this video is about professional tablets, the topics raised also apply to consumer level tablets.

Notes on Wacom drivers

Alternative to Wacom drivers for older tablets

Testing out a tablet before you buy

Buying online

You can find many tablets on eBay and I've had a good experience with the 25+ tablets I've bought from there

• All but 1 worked out-of-the-box

• Reading the item description...

  • I made sure the surface didn't have any visible signs of wear

  • That the tablet came with a pen

  • That the tablet came with the cables it needed - this is very important if the tablet used proprietary cables

Tablet Manufacturers on eBay

Some manufacturers directly sell new and used/refurbished tablets on eBay

Surface texture

A used tablet's surface might be almost pristine or it might be heavily used and exhibit a lot of surface wear.

• Ideally you get one that is not heavily worn.

• Small scratches or OK if they can not be felt through the pen.

More here:

Pens

Keep in mind you may get a nice price on a tablet, but it may not come with a pen. So verify whether a pen is included or not before you purchase.

If you need to buy a pen or you break your pen, keep in mind that

• You have to make sure you find the exact model number of pen that is compatible with your tablet. A random pen from the same brand may not be compatible.

• Replacement pens can be very expensive even if they are a decade old. For example, older Wacom Pro Pens can be very expensive (>=$100).

• Replacement pens can be incredibly hard to find on the used market.

• In the used market, sellers do not sell the pen by itself. So you may even have to purchase ANOTHER tablet with a pen. I've personally had to do this myself.

Nibs

Often, depending on the tablet and how you draw, the pen nib wears down as you use a pen.

• Verify whether your purchase includes spare nibs or not.

• Compatible nibs may be difficult to find.

• Compatible nibs may be difficult.

Reddit threads

Introduction

I want to help you make an informed choice when purchasing a drawing tablet. My goals are to (1) save you money, (2) ensure you aren't disappointed with your purchase, and (3) prevent you from damaging your tablet or pen.

Video series (in progress)

If you prefer a watching a video ...

• 2023/11/10

• 2023/11/16

My recommendations

If you are ready to buy a tablet, go ahead to . Those recommendations should help you narrow your search. The recommendations cover pen tablets, pen displays, and pen computers across multiple price ranges.

Choosing the type of drawing tablet

The most fundamental choice to make is the kind of drawing tablet you want:

• pen tablet - does NOT have a screen and requires a computer to use

• pen display - has a screen and requires a computer to use

• standalone tablet - has a screen and can be used my itself without being connected to a computer.

Basic guidelines

• If you really need need one that is standalone get an iPad or a Samsung Galaxy Tab.

Brands

Product info

Core drawing tablet features

• • Initial Activation Force (IAF) is smallest pressure that activates the pen. In general you want a pen that has a low (<=3gf) IAF. Modern drawing tablet pens are around this value.

  • The maximum pressure is the most pressure the pen can detect. The pressure range is the difference between the maximum pressure and IAF. Higher maximum pressure means that the pressure range is wide and is better for drawing because it lets you have better control over how pressure affects your stroke.

  • The difference between the max pressure and IAF is the physical pressure range. A range of 300gf is GOOD. 400gf and above is very good. Not all brands publish this information for their pens but some do. If you can't find the information ask customer support or ask people in the community.

  • Pressure levels - the physical pressure range is divided into segments - each segment is a pressure level. They go from 0 to some number like 8192. Despite what marketing says, I believe you only need 2048 pressure levels. All modern tablets have at least 4096 level, and the vast majority have 8192, and a few have 16K. In other words, EVERY tablet has enough pressure levels. So don't worry about choosing a tablet based on pressure levels.

• EMR resolution - This is how accurately the tablet can sense different positions of the pen. In other words, this is the tablet's ability to detect very tiny position changes. Most tablets have a reported LPI of 5080. 5080 lines per inch translates to 200 lines per mm. Without getting into details, Wacom tech is superior here, but if you are drawing you will not notice this. You don't need to worry about this spec. All modern tablets have enough resolution.

Secondary features

Pen display topics

• Display Panel tech - There are many different display panel technologies used in pen displays. These include IPS, TN, VA, OLED. IPS panels represent the vast majority of display panels used in pen displays. I recommend going with IPS panels. As of May 2024, we seen a few OLED-base displays but we don't know yet how OLED will work in terms on longevity compared to IPS.

Connections & cabling

Pen tablets can all be connected with a single USB cable. Most pen tablets even support wireless connectivity - usually via Bluetooth. Be aware that many tablet models have wireless and non-wireless versions with slightly different names and model numbers. Be sure which one you are buying.

Pen displays ALWAYS require at least 1 cable. As the pen display size starts getting to 16" and above, they tend to require at least 2 cables due to the increased power required by the display. Pen displays have many more connection options. Its a common mistake to buy a pen display and then realize you have no way to connect it to your computer. So please invest time understanding connection options BEFORE you make a purchase. More here:

OS and device compatibility

Drawing tablets well work with computers and laptops running popular operating systems. More here:

• Macs

Drawing tablets work to some extent with other kinds of devices. More here:

Ergonomics

• Thickness - Pen tablets are very then these days - about 8mm. Pen displays are thicker. Smaller pen displays can be around 10mm but as their size grows they get thicker - for example 35mm. Lately (2024) some pen displays are starting to use OLED display panels and are getting very then. For example the Wacom Movink 13 (DTH-135) is about 6mm thick.

• Legs - Many pen displays (not not all) have foldable legs on the back. This allows you to keep the pen display at a slight angle on your desk which makes it a bit easier to see and draw on. Pen tablets do not have legs. If you want to place them at an angle, you will need to find and purchase some other solution.

Use Cases

Look at model numbers, not just names

Applications

Buying used drawing tablets

Power

Picking tablets with more recent tech

Drawing tablets have been released over many years. That means when you shop online you are going to be seeing many models both old and new and that can get very confusing.

• Wacom - Wacom models from any year are good quality. However keep in mind over time their latest drivers will drop support for older models.

• Huion & XP-Pen - Huion and XP-Pen have so many models and some that use older pen tech are released in the same year as tablets that use newer pen tech. The easiest way to know whether you are getting a truly more modern tablet is be looking at the pen it is compatible with.

  • XP-Pen: Look for tablets that have X3 in their name

    • These are the X3 Elite, X3 Roller, and X3 Pro

  • Huion: Look for tablets that use more recent Huion PenTech versions:

    • PenTech 3.0: PW517, PW515, PW110

    • PenTech 3.0+: PW500, PW500S - in my research these are clearly better pens than PenTech 3.0. In terms of pressure range as good as PenTech 4.0.

    • PenTech 4.0: PW600, PW600S. The PenTech 4.0 Pens are better than the PenTech 3.0 pens

Preparing for a drawing tablet