Best Digital Canvas? Wacom Cintiq 13HD

For a digital artist, finding a Drawing tablet that offers versatility, style and ease of control is a difficult balance to attain. The big majority of Graphics tablets (With screens) are rather bulky and don’t offer much in the way of sensitivity and build quality on a professional level.

View the updated model. The Wacom Cintiq 16 [DTK1660K0A]

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There are some exceptions of course, like the Artisul D13 and quite a few others worthy of being mentioned in the same conversation. But within this price range, the Cintiq 13HD is considered by many to be one of the very best out there. Build quality, screen quality, precision and versatility make the 13HD the measuring stick that everyone uses to compare other models to. Just take a look at how many "Cintiq 13HD alternative" videos and reviews that are out there. It's that good. However, it's not cheap, and it's not perfect. But show me one that is..

Some people find the wires annoying. Also, the stand seems a little on the cheap side when compared to the quality of the device itself. A few reports of an ever so slight lag on some systems and many more on people having issues with the drivers.

Mini niggles aside, work wise, the Wacom Cintiq 13HD is simply a designers dream. When it comes to the things that truly matter, Artwork! The Cintiq 13HD, although a bit of the small side for certain art related tasks, is extremely capable. Mixing touch screen technology and high quality digital pen usage, this tablet is the perfect addition for any illustrator’s needs. If you've been thinking about upgrading from a non-screened model to one with a screen you can't go far wrong.

Of course, there are always cheaper options, like the Ugee 1910B, Ugee HK1560 and Ugee 2150. These three are great choices for those on a budget. But if you have the budget, why settle for less. However, there are also a few extremely close competitors. The Artisul D13 is very near to just as good as the 13HD, and is cheaper to buy. It even has features that many other graphics tablets do not have. So, if you do your research you can find a great alternative and save a few quid too.

There are numerous qualities and features that dominate this powerful art machine, but let’s take a few moments to highlight some of the most outstanding elements that most people will be keen to know about:

First, let us talk about the picture High definition display-at 1920 x 1080 pixels, your image will always be sharp, never losing the quality going from one device to the other. This is non-negotiable for graphic designers who need precision and clarity to be able to edit and sketch complex, intricate designs bursting with colour. Wacom definitely delivers in that department.

Colours and anti-glare - The colour of your image on this tablet is almost exact equal to a professionally printed image. Meaning what you see on the IPS screen is precisely what you will get on paper. Also, instead of shiny, high gloss screens (which many of the cheaper graphics tablets are notorious for) Wacom’s Cintiq 13 has a beautiful anti-glare that showcases your art and not its own glass case reflection.

Pressure level - What sets Wacom above the many other tablets in the market by far is that it has 2048 pressure levels! Not only does this make a world of difference when designing, but also means that your tablet’s surface is going to last much longer due to the fact that you can use a much lighter touch when navigating around the device. There are 2 in 1's, like the Surface Pro 4, and they are great. However, the do not offer such a high level of pen pressure. In face, the Pro 4 offers just over one thousand.

Size and weight - The tablet isn’t bulky, nor does it feel small and cheap. Versatile and manoeuvrable, the Wacom 13 also feels solid to the touch. It’s a great mix for travel and smaller workstations or desks. Need something bigger? Try the Cintiq 22HD Touch. Get yourself an Ergotron LX Desk Mount LCD Arm while you're at it for the ultimate set-up.

THE MIGHTY PEN - Okay, the best part of this tablet! The pen is incredible. It has a great weight to it along with a perfectly balanced weight distribution. It comes with nine extra replacement nibs and three colour rings. The pen has tilt recognition and connects perfectly with the tablet and makes designing, sketching or painting feel as though you have full control of your own canvas.

Overall, the Wacom Cintiq 13HD tablet shows versatility, beautiful colour variation and is suitable for all types of drawing and editing from every kind of artwork style imaginable. Except painting and 3D. You'll have to get a Wacom 24HD for that. I hope you have a big budget! It's a shame really that the drivers can be an area of annoyance because it really is a great machine. Don't let that put you off though. Many buyers experience no problems at all in this regard and sail through the installation process without a hitch. Is it worth the price? All things considered.. Absolutely.