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Summary
Hi, I have a budget of around 2000 USD, but was looking to only spend 1000 at most on a tablet or 2-in-1 drawing laptop with EMR wacom, and then the rest at a later date on a wacom for my desktop office set up (for zbrush etc). My original pick was an iPad Pro but despite the amazing drawing experience turned it back due to the cost (799+100+accessories ~ 1000 for a non full OS! and only one usb c port, not even a jack). I tried the Surface Pro 6 (my old portable is a SP3) but it seems to retain much of the issues microsoft always has, jitter etc, also way above my wanted spend amount for the quality of creation. Now I’m trying a Notebook Pro 9, but mine has a few dead pixels on it and the S pen is only adjustable by the drawing apps it seems, so I will be returning it unfortunately.
Do you know of any PC drawing tablets in the 1000 price range (give or take a little) that are-
-powerful enough to handle zbrush/fair sum of photoshop layers/brush size
-don’t run absurdly hot/crash (don’t care if it’s loud)
-Wacom EMR with 4k pressure & tilt possibly with pen settings
-Decent display for viewing/arting
-actually portable
The best options all seem to be atleast 2k in cost (zbook x2 G4, MSP 13 16gb) and really at that price the MSP is the only one that seems viable as It can be used as a Cintiq, but unfortunately it seems outdated (I expect a 2 version soon) and all I hear are horror stories about individuals experiences and issues. I’m ready at this point to bite the bullet and just deal with the iPad Pro as a hassle free, although limited, solution.
Hi, yes, I suggest you check out these Lenovos. The Yoga 720 and 730 have models like that, and some of the Thinkpads and laptops as well (they don’t put all the ones with the pens under the 2-in-1 category on the site). The 730 has up to 16GB as well as an option with a 4K screen. (They do have more sizes than are easily findable on the site if you do a search for them, such as smaller sizes such as 12″ and 13″). The digitizers are Wacom ES, not EMR and the pens do not have tilt. The Active Pen 2 has 4096 levels and the 1 has 2048, it makes little difference when using it. If a listing is unclear, you should confirm with Lenovo, if you order one, which pen it takes–either should work but only the ones that take the 2 will get the maximum levels.
Zbrush can run OK on most reasonably configured laptops.
There are not many current models that have Wacom EMR. Older ThinkPad Yogas and Surface Pros had it and some lesser known ones but nowadays to get tilt, you need a Cintiq Mobile Studio Pro, newer Surface, or iPad Pro. I don’t think there is anything around $1,000 that has every spec you mention; the Mobile Studio Pro has all those, but is over the price range. The sticking point is really the EMR. If you haven’t tried Wacom ES, it’s really not that bad. If you have more questions let me know.
I do have a home set up, I just don’t currently have a place to put it, so it’s not really possible for me to set up with a Cintiq or something nice. I’m eyeing the Zbook X2 G4 with 16 GB and 8th gen for around 2000 USD as an all around workstation replacement, but as with all these laptops I’m more afraid of lackluster build quality leading to issues within a years time. As with some of these companies too they have terrible support & repair times. Like for Lenovo I’ve been looking them up (the Miix 720) and it just seems like there’s alot of complaints of terrible support times, and things breaking/being unresponsive quite quickly.
At this point, if the Zbook doesn’t turn out as an all in one solution I’m probably just going to grab an iPad Pro and do 3d and other work from home. It’s a shame the surface laptops are so underwhelming as a drawing experience. The pen has a lot of quality, but the jitter just absolutely puts me off keeping it.
As a followup question, do you know of the differences between Clip studio Paint on the different iPad gens (10.5 vs 11) or compared to Windows OS? Are there some missing features or layer limits like with procreate? Any lag you’ve heard of or noticed? This is my main casual application, and would probably sum up most my use, especially after being able to set up my desktop.
Hi,
The Wacom Mobile Studio Pro is an all-in-one, not something you have to attach to a computer, so I think it would provide what you want, and the cheapest ones (i5, 13″) are around $1500, some are on sale now, the i7s cost a bit more and there are some optional features.
Guess I’m a ThinkPad fan, used a Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga for years for art and just ordered another one, because I like the Wacom pens. I had the in-home support and also ordered it for the new one for $25 per year. The repair person comes to your home and I never waited long at all. I did call it 2 or 3 times in several years for various issues, which they fixed. The only ongoing problem I had with it, which I didn’t call them about, is that the sound would stop working at times. But I know some Lenovos have been buggy and there have been complaints.
With Clip Studio Paint on the iPad Pro, I don’t think there is a layer limitation like with Procreate. I think the only real difference is that the iPad version is by subscription. You can check out its iOS app reviews to see issues others had. I don’t notice a lag. I do prefer a larger screen with it than the iPad provides, because there are so many panels and options but of course you can customize, I just gravitate toward simpler UIs for mobile. I don’t have an answer about the app on different iPad generations.
OK I did not quite register what you said about the MSP til just now. Yes, hopefully there will be another one. The iPad Pro really is pretty hassle-free; I wish my pen charge lasted longer, but it can be recharged quickly.
If you had choice of a Yoga 720 or 920 (for use with Corel Painter & Rebelle), which would you buy ?
( 920 with i7 8550, 16 RAM, UHD display )
If the price doesn’t matter then I’d get the 920 because it has a slightly larger screen and some things, such as the hinge, are a little nicer. The 720 color is a little better but not enough to sway toward it for that.
I dropped my Samsung Galaxy Tab A with S Pen IPAD. When I plug it in, it shows me clearly that it works.
When I take out the plug, the screen is black and I cannot get it to work. Help!!
Hi, wow sorry. Sounds like maybe the battery got damaged or jogged. Can you take off the back? Even if you do, it may be hard to see what exactly happened. If you’ve tried rebooting it a few times and that didn’t help, then I think it’s best to take it to a repair shop or send it back if under warranty. Or try the Samsung Support Forum, maybe someone there can help.
Okay, for those of you looking for a Linux driver for the Parblo Coast 22 or the Monoprice 22 I have found a driver that works! I contacted Mio Iwakura who had been working on his own driver for the Monoprice, but had discovered that someone else had been working on a driver that was better. This can be found here:
https://github.com/stacksmith/Monoprice_22_linux_kernel_module
Simply follow the directions contained in the README.md file and you will be good to go. however, if you have a multi monitor set up, you will need the PTXConf utility mentioned earlier on this thread, it does work, but it needs to be loaded every time, as the install command throws an error. I’ve e-mailed the author of the utility, but haven’t heard back yet, but I only e-mailed some 5 minutes ago, so I expect a wait of a couple of days.
So far I’ve tested MyPaint, Gimp and Krita and all work, though the eraser tool doesn’t work, but that’s quite common, and not really an issue if the Ctrl + Z keyboard shortcut is used, and in Gimp there is an eraser tool anyway.
I’m so pleased that I’ve managed to get my Parblo Coast 22 working natively on Linux, and am glad to be able to spread the joy!
Thanks for this info!
Dear,
I have HP 23 inch All in one (Touch Screen) FHD
http://www.hpshopping.in/hp_pavilion_all-in-one_-_23-q141in_(touch)
Can you suggest me some graphic pen for same to use in Photoshop etc ?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Suraj Jaiswal
Hi,
That one does not take an active stylus. So you could use any regular stylus, such as one that would work on an iPad. I suggest you check out this post about iPad styluses, as most of these, unless specified, can be used with Windows as well. If you want pressure sensitivity, some of these achieve it via Bluetooth. Another option would be to use the computer with a graphics tablet. If you have more questions, let me know.
Interesting to see so many wanting to use these pen monitors on Linux. I am in the same boat, having just bought a Parblo Coast 22, which seems to be very similar to both the Monoprice and Bosto 22 inch products, indeed, whilst delving into the Bosto users forum I came across some information about using these devices on Linux, though I haven’t yet had any success. In the case of the Parblo Coast 22 and also, I suspect, the Monoprice and Bosto products, a Hanwang Bejing Technologies Ltd digitiser is used. They make the Hanvon range of graphics tablets, for which there is a driver that works well, and indeed, confirmation that Parblo use a Hanvon digitiser was gained when I tried out the Parblo pen on the Hanvon tablet I have owned for a couple of years – it worked, and to further confirm, I used the Hanvon pen on the pen monitor running under Windows, and that worked.
I have tried installing the Bosto driver, but so far without success. The tablet monitor is ‘seen’ by Linux when I run an lsusb or demesg command in a terminal, so it’s not a case of the device not being recognised. Also, Linux Wacom lists Hanwang as being supported.
Given all of the above, it seems to me that it shouldn’t be too difficult to get these devices working well on Linux, (my old Hanvon works well, with pressure sensitivity and everything) the only slight fly in the ointment is that the driver needs reinstalling after every kernel change – a two minute job, but nonetheless niggling.
I’m going to have a go at something that, I hope, will force the use of the Wacom linux driver, as I’m informed that non Wacom devices are bound to the evdev drivers.
I’m determined to get this lovely pen monitor working on Linux, as I am distinctly unhappy at the thought of having to boot into Windows, with all the issues that involves, in order to use this pen monitor. One person, who used to maintain an Ubuntu ppa for the Hanvon driver I wrote to replied suggesting that perhaps a bit of a concerted campaign on the Linux Wacom mailing list might grab the attention of someone who could help, as I’m guessing that everyone commenting here is in a similar position to me; that they want to use their pen monitors on Linux, but are just stumped as to how.
That is correct about those companies using Hanvon.
Has anyone actually gotten this to work on LInux? With which driver? Where? Can anyone provide a link?
You can check here https://sourceforge.net/projects/linuxwacom/ and at github. Not sure which tablet your question is referring to.
Sorry, I was under the impression that the whole thread was about the Monoprice 22inch tablet. That’s what I was searching for when this forum came up in the results.
Oh OK. I did once ask Monoprice about this and they said the drivers can be downloaded, but didn’t say from where, but they don’t support them. I just remembered that a developer left a comment with this link to help those who want yo use Linux http://wenhsinjen.github.io/ptxconf/ so you can try there.
That’s a useful article, for when people have set up their pen monitors, and then want to use them in a multiple monitor set up, but doesn’t actually help with getting the pen monitor working in the first place.
I shall certainly refer to it, once I have my Parblo Coast 22 working on Linux.
Someone once left a link about using graphics tablets with Linux on multiple monitors, and said people could ask questions. Here it is: http://wenhsinjen.github.io/ptxconf/
When I open and reply to the comments I see them in the dashboard in the order they get posted, and they go with different pages, so I don’t always see the threads, sorry.
No worries. I should have been more specific myself since this obviously isn’t just a monoprice or linux forum.
Anyway, I had to wait on a video adapter before I could really get started, so I’m only just now testing things out. Haven’t gotten anything useful out of the digimend driver so far, but then, Linux drivers always seem to need a little more attention to get settled in the first place. I’ll check out this other link too… and if I manage to get it running without resorting to WINE or my Win7 harddrive. I’ll try to remember to come back and drop a line about it. And thanks for the help so far.
I just bought the monoprice 22 inch battery free own display. I only use Linux…. So we will see when it arrives. If it doesn’t work, I’ll look into any possible Pablo driver workarounds.
Found this shortly after my last reply, pretty insightful and detailed for our Windows/Apple friends: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R2WDJF9RE4MS8Z/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewpnt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B019FN632Q#R2WDJF9RE4MS8Z
Thanks for the info.
Possible to review the MP 22-inch 1080p Battery-Free Pen Display Tablet Model Product # 14481? Location at: https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=108&cp_id=10841&cs_id=1084101&p_id=14481&seq=1&sortby=1&format=4
I am chiefly interested in the claim that this is a Linux compatible drawing tablet. No word from MonoPrice yet on support other than product page.
Hi, I’d like to review it at some point, but to get back to you sooner, I asked Monoprice via chat and they said the Linux files can be downloaded (the person did not know from where) but that Monoprice doesn’t provide support for Linux and they don’t recommend using it. The Digimend site here doesn’t seem to have drivers for that model. If you want to dig further, maybe ask someone at Digimend or Sourceforge.
In case anyone else is looking for info on this.
I asked specifically (MonoPrice chat ) if the 22″ drawing tablet #14481 used uc-logic and they said it uses huion which Digimend seems to support on Linux (Krita does too BTW).
Where could we find that information in the documentation? MP’s reply was literally “its internal.” I also asked about using other pens/styluses and they said they do not offer replacements and they aren’t sure how it connects (I asked if it was bluetooth).
If you look at the MP 22″ manual, the pen looks extremely similar to the Parblo Coast 22 21.5″ LED HD Monitor Art Graphic Drawing Tablet.
In fact, the ports on the latter (except the DVI has been changed to HDMI on the former), vents and stand mechanism are practically identical to the images at Monoprice. A user comment Justin Kupka, Spokane, WA 6/21/2016 seems to also make the connection. Compare: http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Parblo-Coast22-21-5-LCD-HD-Monitor-Art-Graphic-Drawing-Tablet-With-Battery-free-Pen-Rich/423270_32621829771.html vs https://www.monoprice.com/product?pg_no2=3&c_id=108&cp_id=10841&cs_id=1084101&p_id=14481.
I will try to grab this item by Dec 2016 after my PC build and report back. Maybe someone else will try it on Linux before then.
Thanks for the info. I didn’t see that specific model on Digimend, but there are some other Huion tablets. Monoprice using Huion drivers doesn’t mean there is a Linux driver for that tablet (not sure what you found, if you send a link I can look at it). It’s unlikely Monoprice would put it in the documentation since they don’t have control over what the Linux developers do and don’t offer support. Some tablets are rebranded versions of other tablets.
It would seem that the Monoprice, Parblo and Bosto 22″ HD pen monitors all use similar Beijing Hanwang Technology digitisers. Hanwang are the parent company of Hanvon, for which there is a Linux driver, however, it does not work with the Parblo Coast 22, (though the Parblo Coast pen is useable on Hanvon tablets, so at least the driver is partially there).
There is a project on the Bosto forums for a Linux driver, and that project is ongoing, (updated 3 months ago as of 15:02:17) but for some reason the driver does not work with the Parblo Coast 22, though the author states that it does work with the similar Bosto device.
The pen monitor is certainly recognised by the Linux system, and shows up as as a USB HID device of mouse type, 0b57:9016 (issue command lsusb -v in a terminal)
Hanwang is also listed as being supported on the Linux-Wacom project. I left a post requesting help on the forum, but thus far have received no response. I have also contacted the author of the Linux Hanvon driver, but so far also with no response.
Part of the problem with getting Linux support for hardware is the perception that no-one uses Linux which means that manufacturers ignore Linux users, which in turn probably discourages Linux users from demanding support, and they then boot into Windows/Mac to get around these issues. Given that Linux desktop use must now be approaching a similar level to that of Mac use, I don’t see that the Linux camp should continue to accept the status quo regarding the lack of Linux support, and perhaps we need to be a little more vocal and proactive in contacting manufacturers and demanding Linux support.
I’ve bought a Parblo Coast 22 and am eager to get it working on Linux as I hate booting into Windows! Having said that, it does work wonderfully, and I just hope I can get it to work just as wonderfully on my Linux system.
Would you please review the Vaio Z Canvas?
Yes I can do that.
Please, make a Bosto 22HDX and Bosto Kingtee 14WX review.
OK I will work on that. Please check back or subscribe/follow.
I am looking for an artists computer that also will run office and the adobe suite
the new skylake CPU’s with iris pro 580 sound the business (but they have only just started shipping 6350HQ, 6770HQ, 6870HQ or 6970HQ Jan 2016)
8GB RAM and 256GB SSD and importantly a responsive pen
So far have tried the some new computers and ruled out NTrig for the moment
Looking at Wacom EMR’s
Companion 2 has noise, short battery life, expensive and excellent for drawing
The Toshiba Z20T not as expensive as the companion, excellent battery life, no noise, it might be good but it seems rare and no one is reviewing from a drawing perspective?
Hi, the Toshiba Z20T has a Core M processor, which is not powerful enough for heavy use of the Adobe Suite. You would need a Core i7 or at least an i5 to get much done. You might check out a Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga. The 2-in-1 (2nd-gen. ThinkPad Yoga 12) has EMR. The Yoga 14 has discrete graphics and Wacom ES.
I don’t see a review of the XP-Pen 22, have you reviewed that graphic monitor tablet yet?
I have not… have it on my list…please check back, thanks!
Any chance we can see a review of the new HP Spectre 15″? Fully loaded, it looks like a beast.
OK… I don’t do a lot of Synaptics tablets but why not. Keep on the lookout.
Ya my bad, I posted here because it took ages to find out if it had a proper digitizer.
If you’re the person who wrote about the Toshiba Z20T, yes, it does have a Wacom EMR digitizer.
Thanks for all the useful info, the site is one of the few places to find accurate details, and help for drawing digitally.
I have a question regarding a laptop spec machine that I could draw directly on to.
I work as a designer and use autocad, revit, sketchup and a variety of other 3d software daily. More for recreation I use photoshop for digital art work. Ideally I would like a large-ish screen (14″). This means a min spec of i5/7, 8/12gb ram, ssd, dedicated graphics
I am looking for a machine that could manage all of this, and after a lot of looking the new surface book pro seems to be the only real option (other than a surface 4, and separate monitor for 3d work). I had accepted the cost of this to have one single machine, but as I live in the UK it seems the surface book will not be available for many months, and numerous spec surfaces are still not out here.
The only alternative that I have seen would be the lenovo thinkpad yoga http://shop.lenovo.com/gb/en/laptops/thinkpad/yoga-series/yoga-14/
But there seems to be incredibly little information on it’s use with a digitzer pen / stylus, palm rejection etc from the manufacturer.
It seems odd to me that only the surface actively markets its use as a drawing/ natural stylus interface product
Could you help, with any greater detail on the Lenovo or offer any alternatives ? Any hep would really be appreciated
Hi, yes, there’s our review here with links to the correct pen. I don’t know of others currently being made that are that large unless you got a separate tablet monitor. Used, there are the Sony Vaio Flip 15A, which is 15.5″, and the Sony Vaio Flip 14A. Those are both N-trig, like the Surface Book. I agree about Microsoft doing a much better job marketing the drawing features.
Hi guys, thank you for this blog. Would you be doing a review of the IPAD Pro?
Thank you..
Yes definitely. Please check back soon!
Review is up.
Hi again,
I just had a look at the Toshiba Encore 2 Write WT10PE-A264 and it looks quite nice. What do you think?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRXIma0kEQ0
Hi, I like it, we have reviewed it here.
Great review! Thanks. Unfortunately it’s not sold in Europe though.
Hi,
I find this site very good and useful. I have a question: Do you think the
Asus Transformer Book Chi
http://www.asus.com/us/site/2-in-1/transformer-book/chi/
will work out for drawing?
Thanks again for a great site!
Thanks! Yes, you can draw on it. The digitizer is Synaptics and not as accurate as Wacom and N-trig–doesn’t mean it will be way off, but means you may get some wobbly lines or skips with certain strokes or speeds. But it’s fine for sketching and note-taking.
Thanks! 😀
Do Huion tablets work [well] with Windows 10?
Yes, here is a link to Huion’s post about it, which has a download for the updated driver.
I was wondering is it was possible to get the entire surface pro 3 review up? I have tired on 3 different devices to read it, however on all 3, the review ends mid word what seems to be very early on without a bulk of the information. I am strongly considering this computer for my art and work needs and find the reviews on your site very helpful. Thank you
Thank you. I have fixed it, sorry about that and thanks for bringing it to my attention!