How To Use Surface Pro As A Drawing Tablet

Wacom Surface Pro.

Wacom vs Surface Pro

Introduction

If you lot've landed hither, you obviously know a little most Microsoft and the Surface Pro and the Wacom drawing tablet products, but maybe y'all just need to know a little more than before jumping in and making a purchase?

If that's the case, this post is here to help y'all. As a professional illustrator for over 20 years, I've always kept up with the latest in drawing board engineering and accept worked with a large number of industry professionals too, always discussing the pros and cons of each type bachelor.

In that location are a lot of drawing tablets and devices on the market today, from brands you've never heard of through to the most well known and respected brands. As this is targeted towards professional illustrators and designers who make a living from their talent, we accept full-bodied simply on the elevation make products from Microsoft and Wacom, comparing both brands to run into the pros and cons of each in the existent world.

We'll take a look a the specification of each recommended tablet, and also the costs and best uses for each too.

Permit'south cleft on …

About Wacom Tablets, Displays and Computers

Wacom Tablets have been the industry leader for many years. The commencement tablet was released way back in 1984, and despite what my colleagues may call up, I was not old plenty to apply this!

From then they accept gone from strength to strength creating the best drawing tablets on the market, then on to tablets and on-screen drawing boards – known equally pen computers, pen displays and pen tablets.

When it comes to the leading products in the Wacom range at the time of writing (October 2022), these are the two models/devices that stand out:

• Wacom MobileStudio Pro (Pen Computer)
• Wacom Cintiq Pro 32 (Pen Brandish – Available in smaller sizes also)

Both employ the wacom pro pen which comes included as standard.

I'll discuss these models in more detail a little later on.

Disclaimer – This website contains affiliate links. If you find the information useful and click on a product link and brand a purchase, a pocket-sized committee will be earned by Large Ruby Illustration

Nigh Microsoft Surface Pro

Microsoft has been the front runner for all things PC for decades and is a well known trusted make. The Surface range of tablets/laptops is definitely impressive, but does information technology match up to Wacom when it comes to professional illustration and design? Permit's have a look a the newest top models at the fourth dimension of writing:

• Surface Pro 8
• Surface Pro X

The most powerful Pro is the Surface Pro eight, featuring the performance of a laptop with the flexibility of a tablet. A neat all-rounder for the daily tasks you need to perform, along with its swell built-in stand which makes it convenient to piece of work on.

The Surface Pro X packs quite a dial when it comes to operation. Platonic for someone who needs to travel low-cal and fast, but doesn't want the extra weight over a laptop. The pen is provided and has a storage space, and comes with a detachable keyboard also.

We'll compare these two products in more than particular later on … I'chiliad sure you're itching to know which ane is best for your cartoon needs!

Wacom Mobile Studio Pro and Microsoft Surface Pro

The Wacom Mobile studio pros and Microsoft Surface are highly accurate devices each has its own fix of features, pros and disadvantages. When choosing the best drawing tablet for your piece of work, you have to compare features like stylus, screen, drawing features, functioning, ports, accessories, stand and a lot more.

I've taken an unbiased view betoken to review these devices – from a digital artist'southward perspective to each other. The diverse features of each tablet help to determine which device can be deemed the best. If you are later a mobile all in one solution but have professional illustration as a driving forcefulness, so I'd recommend the Wacom Mobile Studio Pro every bit I feel it has the edge over the Surface Pro in a number of key areas.

Which device would exist best for me?

Well if yous are a studio based illustrator like me and are looking to add to your already fast and fully functional PC or Mac, then I can highly recommend the Wacom Cintiq Pro 32″ as I employ this personally as my main device in the studio for design work and analogy. To say information technology is superb is an understatement!

Y'all can't go incorrect with Wacom, they are the obvious choice for the Big Cerise squad, and also for meridian professionals all over the world. Although the Cintiq range comes in smaller screen sizes, which is perfect if you are working to a smaller budget, the 32″ version is definitely the recommended i for professional work. This heap of engineering has lots of incredible features, far likewise many to mention in this comparison article and deserves a review of its own for sure.

Here are the specs and reviews of the tiptop four devices for digital artwork:

01) Wacom Mobile Studio Pro 16

About

• Screen size 15.half-dozen″
• Resolution UHD (3840 ten 2160)
• Intel® Core™ i7
• NVIDIA® Quadro® P1000, 4GB GDDR5
• 16 GB DDR
• 512 GB SSD
• Great bombardment life
• Precise pressure sensitivity
• Virtually no lag
• No parallax
• Wacom pro pen

Review:

The Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16 is an excellent hardware device. I similar the screen size and resolution available with this Wacom cartoon board. I too like that it's uniform with 2D and 3D applications because I create mostly 2D work, but sometimes will need to do some 3D modeling or rendering.

Information technology's slap-up to know that the Mobile Studio Pro 16 is equipped with an Intel® Core™ i7 fleck, NVIDIA® Quadro® graphics card, and upgradable memory which volition ensure that these programs run smoothly for a long time. I employ this for Zbrush, Maya, Clip Studio, Toonboom, Adobe Illustrator and of grade the omnipotent Photoshop.

Precise pressure level sensitivity, virtually no lag, minimal parallax, and upgradable performance are very of import features to have in a Wacom drawing tablet because they allow me to create good quality work. The Wacom Mobile Studio Pro 16 also has a sparse etched glass that minimizes parallax and provides a distinct, tactile experience as you describe, mimicking the feel of a pen on newspaper. I like the fact that information technology emulates the feel of a pen on paper considering that is what I am used to when creating my artwork, but many tablets I accept used in the by don't come shut to this.

02) Wacom MobileStudio Pro xiii

Most

• Screen size 13.iii″
• Resolution WQHD (2560 x 1440)
• Intel® Core™ i7
• Intel® Iris™ Plus Graphics 655
• 16 GB DDR
• 512 GB SSD
• Wacom pro pen
• Accessories available including slim, compact Bluetooth® keyboard charges quickly through a USB cable. Too Wacom Link & Wacom Stand

Review:

I am peculiarly impressed with the Mobile Studio Pro range. Information technology's incredibly versatile and allows me to work efficiently in both my workspace and at clients' locations. It is a bully device for heavy work days as it offers 16 GB of memory which is more than enough to complete my piece of work without having any delays whatsoever. The battery life is exceptional, too; I can utilize it all twenty-four hour period long on about 1 charge.

The screen size will arrange some users better than the larger 16″ reviewed higher up, as it'southward more than portable and cheaper besides. With a resolution at 2560 ten 1440 with WQHD the performance is still very high. The Intel Core i7 and Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 are besides remarkable which makes work like shooting fish in a barrel and fast. I would highly recommend this drawing lath to anyone who needs a smooth, efficient portable wacom tablet.

03) Wacom Cintiq Pro 32

About

• Premium 4K screen
• Wacom's biggest screen nevertheless 32″
• Matte screen
• Resolution (3840 x 2160px)
• Superb color accuracy
• Active area 27.44 Ten 15.43 inches
• The professional choice for studio-based digital art
• Wacom driver included and bachelor direct from Wacom
• Wacom pro pen

Review:

The Wacom Cintiq Pro 32 is the latest in Wacom's lineup of drawing boards. Information technology features a premium 4K screen with globe class colour accuracy and near no parallax, besides as a huge 32″ screen. This particular model was made for those who need a big infinite to work on their art or design projects.

The resolution of this screen is 3840 x 2160px allowing yous to create on a sail with superb color accuracy, 98% of Adobe® RGB coverage, and a clear view complimentary from pooling and rippling. This is the perfect option for those who need more than space to work with that isn't simply express to ane program at a fourth dimension. It's besides worth noting that this model comes in a 24″ and a 32″ in case y'all need something a little chip smaller or cheaper.

This is the perfect product for those who want a large drawing space for their projects. It likewise features an etched glass screen which offers a tactile experience equally well every bit a minimized parallax. Add in the flex arm to have a much more versatile screen, and this production will last you years!

I drawback of the Cintiq in comparison to the Wacom MobileStudio Pro xiii is that you already have to have an existing PC or Mac to plug the screen in to. It is a cartoon board / display, rather than an all in one solution. Perfect for studios rather than portable, simply equally it's such a huge screen and then you wouldn't want to be taking it far anyway!

As I said in the introduction, as a digital creative person this is my primary drawing board for studio work and with very good reason also. I'thou however excited to apply this every day, since unboxing, and I'm sure it will last me for years to come up. Highly recommended for professional work!

04) Microsoft Surface Pro viii

About

• 13″ Touchscreen
• Intel Evo Platform Core i5
• 16GB Memory (Other memory options also available)
• 256GB SSD (Other SSD sizes also available)
• Device Only
• Platinum (Latest Model)
• Series   Surface Pro
• Brand   Microsoft
• Excellent palm rejection
• Screen Size   13 Inches
• Operating Organisation   Windows 11 Domicile
• Color   Platinum
• Surface Slim Pen 2 – non included and has to exist purchased separately.

Review:

There are many people who are looking to buy a laptop-to-tablet PC that tin can be used for illustration and artwork. The Microsoft Surface Pro eight is a great option that I would recommend for those wanting a versatile device that is a great all rounder for a number of tasks.

This device is touchscreen, has the iconic congenital in kickstand, and detachable keyboard. It is just xiii inch but does offer everything that you lot will demand to work on the go. Windows 11 brings your closer to what you lot dear, information technology certainly ticks the box if you lot are looking for a Windows based PC that will besides double upwards as a drawing lath. The palm rejection works great, which allows users to balance the mitt on the screen without making unwanted marks.

A great option if you dear using your usual Microsoft apps and want to add drawing capability to your workflow. The pen is force per unit area sensitive, authentic and feels keen to utilise, however jus be aware that information technology lacks some functionality that the Wacom pen provides.

Surface Pro 10

NEW Microsoft Surface Pro X – Model: QFM-00001

• 13″ Touch-Screen
• Microsoft SQ1
• 16GB Retentivity (Other retentivity options also available)
• 256GB Solid Country Drive (Other SSD sizes also available)
• WIFI + 4G LTE
• Matte Blackness
• Series   Surface Pro
• Make   Microsoft
• Screen Size  13 Inches
• Operating System  Windows 10 / 11 Home

Review:

The Surface Pro X is some other contempo add-on to the Surface line up that provides some high-end specs, operation and connectivity. You lot're able to go coverage for LTE bands which is important because it means that you're not tied downwardly to merely i carrier if yous want coverage on your device.

Information technology is too more lightweight than other laptops on the market place so it'south like shooting fish in a barrel to have on the go. Information technology includes an on-board Wi-Fi card so yous don't have to worry almost using external adapters which besides helps with keeping the device simple and sleek.

Very quick and ideal for editing photos, streaming games and working through emails. So it works slap-up as a portable tablet/laptop, simply how does information technology measure up when using for artwork? The biggest downside to the Surface Pro X is that yous exercise not accept access to the aforementioned levels of pressure sensitivity equally you would with a Wacom device.

Some FAQ'due south

How good is the Surface Pro for drawing?

The experience of cartoon on the screen is comparable to that of the iPad Pro – force per unit area and tilt bear upon your stroke as you'd anticipate, though there's no rotation functionality similar on Wacom's.

What nigh pen tip accuracy?

The Wacom pro pen ticks the box here. When compared I establish that the tip tracks more accurately with the natural drawing motions meliorate on the Wacom products. The Wacom pro pen blueprint has remained like for many of the Wacom drawing boards and it's downwardly to the fact they piece of work well, accept interchangeable tips and are comfortable to employ. They accept fantabulous tracking as well equally balanced pressure and tilt sensitivity. On the Surface Pro, the stylus accuracy is rather underwhelming in comparison to the pro pen.

Can I use Surface Pro X with Wacom products?

No, the Surface Pro 10 cannot exist used with any Wacom device.

Conclusion – Which cartoon tablet?

Comparing the Microsoft Surface to a Wacom device, it is going to be a hard call. It all comes down to your ain personal needs. Nevertheless, if y'all are a professional illustrator looking for a perfect drawing experience, I personally would recommend Wacom products all twenty-four hours long. They have stood the examination of time over my career and I know that many other pros share my opinion. Wacom have a groovy range of drawing boards, accessories and have left no stone unturned.

And then, in conclusion, the Microsoft Surface Pro serial offers a similar cartoon feel to that of the iPad Pro. If you are looking for an all-in-one device with groovy versatility and can beget it, then this is a very good choice. However, if y'all're a professional illustrator or someone who needs more accurateness from their pen tip when drawing on your tablet screen, I would recommend going with Wacom boards and Wacom pro pen instead. As always feel complimentary to get in affect nigh anything related to art!

Source: https://www.bigredillustrationagency.com/us/hardware-us/drawing-tablets-us/wacom-surface-pro/

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