The Wacom Cintiq Companion 2 also runs Windows as a stand-alone device, and-unlike the other 2- can also serve as a computer input device. If you're referring simply to USB drawing tablets, what Wacom calls Pen Tablets, the answer is yes, you need a computer, if only to see (on the monitor) what you are drawing.
The good news is that Wacom does have lower priced tablets all the way up to quite expensive. The main thing about the Wacom is that it has great pressure sensitivity. And as an artist you want that, as it makes drawing and painting feel natural.
SUMMARY
| Best Tablets For Artists / Pen-Display Tablets | Size | Price |
|---|
| Wacom Cintiq 16 HD | 15.6″ | $649 |
| Huion KAMVAS Pro 12 (Best Cintiq Alternative 2019) | 11.6″ | $229 |
| XP-Pen Artist 12 | Ugee 1910B | 11.6″ | 19″ | $199 | $380 |
| GAOMON PD1560 | 15.6″ | $246 |
The Verdict
The price is going to make the Wacom Cintiq 16 a must-have product for any digital artist wanting to move up from an Intuos or other non-drawing screen graphic tablet. If you don't need a higher colour gamut and touch isn't for you, then this is an option worth considering.The answer is YES. Whether you are a professional digital artist or a beginner to digital art, you may have wondered whether drawing tablets work without a computer. People can now work and draw anywhere they like, without the need to bring bulky equipment and there is no need to rely on a computer.
The Wacom Cintiq 22HD Touch is not a stand-alone tablet, and requires a Mac or PC computer. Since it doesn't have an operating system of its own, there is no preloaded software that comes with it.
Unlike the first-generation Companion (which came in a version that ran Windows but couldn't also be used as a regular tablet tethered to your Mac or PC, plus one that could do both but was limited to Android when standalone), this all-new Cintiq Companion 2 can be used at a desk as a graphics tablet for your regular
Generally speaking, you'll want the graphic tablet size to be close to the size of your monitor. A good size to get is the Medium. For Wacom, this is around 6 by 8 inches, or around A5 size. I personally find that to be a comfortable size to work with.
Compare with similar items
| This item Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 Creative Pen Display - 4K graphic drawing monitor with 8192 pen pressure and 99% Adobe RGB | Wacom Cintiq Adjustable Stand |
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| Price | $1,99995 | $7995 |
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Register your Wacom Cintiq Pro
- Connect your Wacom Cintiq Pro to your PC or Mac using the 3-in-1 cable.
- Follow the instructions on the Setup Wizard screen and and click on "register".
- Sign-in or create your Wacom ID.
- Your Wacom Cintiq Pro will be automatically recognized.
In Stock. 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity
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The Cintiq does require a computer in order to function. Wacom's Cintiq tablets are not stand-alone computers. They connect to the computer you already have and display your screen or Photoshop. They are not the same as an IPad or Tablet device that can run on its own and you can walk away with.
Cintiq and Cintiq Pro
The Cintiq is a tablet/screen hybrid, a graphics tablet that incorporates an LCD into the digitizing tablet itself, allowing the user to draw directly on the display surface.In Wacom's lineup, the Cintiq 16 and other Cintiq displays lie between the company's Wacom Intuos tablets—with which the artist draws with a stylus on a pad or surface and sees the results on a computer's monitor—and the Cintiq Pro line.
Image From Wacom. The Wacom Cintiq Companion 2 has a 13.3-inch screen and can handle creative software well. It comes with connection cables, a Pro Pen stylus, a soft carrying case, and an adjustable stand. Cintiq's last generation of the same product only came with two models, while the Companion 2 has more variety.
Register your Wacom Cintiq
- Connect Wacom Cintiq to power and your PC or Mac using the 3-in-1 cable*.
- Follow the instructions on the Setup Wizard screen and click on "register".
- Sign-in or create your Wacom ID.
- Your Wacom Cintiq will be automatically recognized.
Connect the Wacom tablet using the included USB cable directly to an open port on your laptop or desktop computer.
For the shortcut lovers, all Wacom tablets come with a number of ExpressKeys down one edge, which allow you to programme in more of your favourite shortcuts. These can be set per application package too, so you can have one set for Photoshop and separate ones for (for example) Illustrator or Lightroom.
The Cintiq 16 isn't portable. It's definitely designed to be a static device for your workstation. Sure you can travel with it, but it's the size of a 16-inch laptop. And you'll have to pack your laptop to use with it.
With that said, here are some of the best standalone drawing tablets that do not need to be connected to a computer.
- Apple iPad Pro – Best standalone drawing tablet.
- Wacom Mobile Studio Pro (2nd Gen.)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab s6 – Standalone Android tablet for drawing.
- Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – Windows tablet for drawing.
On the Cintiq I have used Adobe Flash (being renamed to Adobe Animate) for 2D animation, Adobe After Effects and Foundry Nuke for motion graphics animation, and Autodesk Maya and Foundry Modo for 3D animation. The Cintiq works well for all of them, but they all have to be purchased separately.
Nor do they strive to be -- they're graphics tablets (also called pen tablets), devices generally used in the graphic design industry or by digital artists that allow a person to draw by hand, capturing an image or graphic in digital form. The information is displayed on the monitor of a connected PC or Mac.
What is the Best Portable Drawing Tablet?
- XP-Pen Artist 15.6 inch.
- Wacom Cintiq 22.
- Microsoft Surface Book 2.
- GAOMON PD1560 15.6.
- Microsoft Surface Pro 2.
- Microsoft Surface Pro 3 or 4.
- Lenovo Yoga 14.
- Toshiba Encore 2.
The Best Drawing Tablets for Beginners
- Our pick. Wacom Intuos S. The best drawing tablet for beginners. The most compatible, customizable, and precise graphics tablet beginners can get for less than $100.
- Also great. Huion 1060Plus. A larger, cheaper option.
- Upgrade pick. Wacom Intuos Pro. The graphics tablet for pros.
A wacom is probably a good thing to have if you're making art digitally, if only for the ergonomic reason. Also note that you don't really draw with a Wacom tablet. In Photoshop, it is more of an airbrush. In Illustrator, it is more like a super-accurate mouse.
If your tablet will be used for your hobby rather than professional use, Huion tablets should suit you well. However, Wacoms have better pens, a higher build quality, and better manufacturer support. Multitouch and 4K resolution are also available on certain Wacom models, but not on any Huions.
