XP-Pen Deco 01 Digital Drawing Tablet for Artists

The Deco 01 has a classy matt black finish. The downside is you can have any color as long as it’s black! On saying that I don’t think this tablet would look as good in any other color as the matt black really does look cool!

Retro Backplate and Secure Tablet Feet
The back of the tablet is described as ‘Retro’ on the XP-Pen.com web page for the Deco 01. To be honest the back of a tablet really doesn’t really interest me much – however that’s just my opinion. What I am interested in on the reverse side of any tablet is how it sits on a worksurface. It needs to be secure on whatever surface it is placed on. In my case I usually work at a desk or inclined flat easel stand.

I was pleased to find that the reverse of the Deco 01 has rubber padded feet in each corner with a neoprene feel to them – slightly tactile for grip. They are not just stuck onto the back of the tablet and liable to peel off.

They are secured in small depressions in the back plastic casing. This is thoughtful design as it adds a lot of strength and durability to the pads. As a result the tablet sits rock solid on any surface letting me draw without a hint of tablet movement.
Express Key Positioning
There are 8 customizable express keys which are right at your fingertips without being obtrusive. Some tablets are rammed with ‘on surface features’ that just get in the way.

The express keys are lined up in two groups of four on one side (reversible depending on left or right hand use of the tablet).

This is far enough from the active area but near enough for instant use. The keys are also large enough and separated from each other to make them easy to use.

Again this has been well thought out at design stage to make optimum use of the express keys.

I have tried other tablet brands where the express keys are in such an awkward place that it is often quicker to switch tools on screen – taking the ‘express’ out of the express keys!

XP-Pen Deco 01 Digital Drawing Tablet – Installing the Tablet Driver
Things that really bug me about any gadget, that requires some form of installation is the lack of information on how to install / program the device. I was recently asked to review another digital drawing tablet but due to a total lack of logical information I could not get it to work. I contacted the supplier who wanted the review but they failed to respond – the result as you can imagine was no review!

Thankfully the instructions for the Deco 01 were easy to follow and worked first time I downloaded the driver from the XP-Pen.com web site. It placed the Pen Tablet Setting application in my applications folder (program files in Windows) and a shortcut on the desktop (optional).

The Pen Tablet Setting App allows you to tailor the shortcut keys to different software that you may use. I find it off putting when any gadgets get so complicated that you end up being overdosed with technical capability. However, XP-Pen.com have got it cracked.
That’s a huge tick in the box for me! I hate it when tyou have to borrow Einstein’s brain to be able to understand, program and use the features!!!

It is simple to recallibrate the tablet from right to left hand use (or vice versa). This is easy in the Pen Tablet Settings.

To reprogram the customizable express keys was also very straightforward. The whole setting up process was smooth as silk and I believe that most people would be able to navigate the Pen tablet Setting control interface easily.

There is also have the newestXP-Pen Deco 03 Graphics Drawing Tablet!

Like most of the latest tablets coming out it has a C-USB connection. The power lead supply has a male C-USB connector which attaches to the tablet and a standard USB connected to the computer. The cable is 1.5m in length which is a decent size to work with.
XP-Pen Deco 01 Graphics Drawing Tablet – Active Drawing Area
On the top surface of the tablet are four white right angled markers which light up to indicate the active area thus defining your drawing space. These ‘landing lights’ are a nice feature as it allows you to see exactly where the active area is when drawing in lower lighting and even in pitch dark conditions. It also adds to the stylish look of the tablet.
XP-Pen Deco 01 Graphics Drawing Tablet – Pen Stylus
The battery free pen stylus is another big plus for me. It is not as ‘clunky’ as a lot of graphics drawing pens I have reviewed are and has a nice thin profile with ergonomic shaping to the barrel. The profile of the pen is triangular with rounded corners – far easier to grip and doesn’t kill your fingers after you have been drawing for a long time without a break.

I use LAMY Calligraphy pens for pen and ink drawing and they have a very similar design this makes the drawing experience much more comfortable. Round pens tend to make your hands hurt and often cramp up after prolonged use.

The pen stylus draws beautifully and is one of the best graphics drawing tablet pens that I have used. Due in part to the ergonomically shaped barrel and also to the excellent responsiveness.

The stylus has 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity which is a big step up from the general standards of 2048 LPS. As technology advances the drawing experience gets much closer to the real thing. On saying that a graphics drawing tablet can in some ways be better than the real thing!
XP-Pen Deco 01 Digital Drawing Tablet – Pen Stand and Spare Nib Store
With the pen is another great feature the pen stand. It has a nice weight so it’s not going to be rattling around the table and doesn’t take up much room.

On the downside (and this is a very minor blip) the pen is stored horizontally on the top of the pen stand – but this is just my personal preference. I would love it to stand upright in a secure slot as would a quill pen in an ink pen stand.

The stand is approx.1.5 inch square with a domed top. It has a neat feature as XP-Pen have designed this to store the 8 spare nibs. With a simple twist action the pen stand separated into two pieces with the bottom half securely containing the nibs. The base of the pen holder has a small slot to extract nibs and replace them in the pen stylus.

XP-Pen.com have got it just about right with awaiting stylish pen on the holder. Just a pity about resting the pen horizontally.

XP-Pen Deco 01 Digital Drawing Tablet– Other Features and Freebies
Graphics Tablet Anti Fouling Glove Included
One thing I really liked was the inclusion of the tablet glove in this set. For those on the tight budget it is one less item to buy amounts another tick in the box for XP-Pen.com.

For those who have never used a graphics tablet glove they are a fantastic asset to have as they keep your hand gliding smoothly with the pen (particularly when your hands get clammy in hot weather) and also keep the tablet surface dust free.

Compatability with Operating Systems and Graphics Software
The deco 01 tablet is compatible with Windows 10/ 8/ 7 Mac OS version 10.8 and higher. It is stated as running with Photoshop, SA 1, painter, illustrator, trip station plus more in other words it works with all the major graphics software that you are likely to use.

I sent the Deco 01 up on my Mac book Pro. After removing an existing tablet driver (as you need to remove previous drivers for this to work) the installation of the driver from the XP pen.com website was easy to follow and use.

There is a hardcopy manual that comes with the set or you can download a Pdf from the XP-pen.com website. I found it easier to read a Pdf – being of an age when the eyes don’t like small print!.

The beauty of the downloadable Pdf is that it is always to hand on my Mac and I don’t have to go rummaging around to find it (and I can see it to read it!).

Another enhanced feature that XP-Pen.com have put into the Deco 01 is the report rate. In other words the speed at which the interaction between the stylus nib on tablet surface is reported to the software to appear on the screen.

The report rates of the deco 01 is now 266 PS which is very fast and in conjunction with with the 8192 levels of pen pressure sensitivity gives a great performance and one experience.
Another enhanced feature that XP-Pen.com have put into the Deco 01 is the report rate. In other words the speed at which the interaction between the stylus nib on tablet surface is reported to the software to appear on the screen.

The report rates of the deco 01 is now 266 PS which is very fast and in conjunction with with the 8192 levels of pen pressure sensitivity gives a great performance and one experience.
Conclusion – How did I rate the XP-Pen Deco 01 Digital Drawing Tablet?

Only one very minor nit picky things for me and it’s just my personal preference. That was the pen holder i.e pen placement, which I mentioned earlier (pen lies flat on the pen holder and I would have liked to see it more secure in a slot in the upright position).

In the big scheme of things does not detract from the overall standard. As you can see from my verdict this is a great all round tablet.

It has actually made me rethink which is the best tablet in this class and I have to say this is as good or maybe even better than other similar tablets. My previous front runner was the Wacom Intuos Range (Art, Comic, Photo and Draw) but the XP-Pen Deco 01 has really given that particular range of Wacom Intuos tablets a really good run for its money.

The differences between the two brands are cost and software (included graphics software as a package). Wacom do offer included software. However, there is such a price difference between the Deco 01 and the equivalent Wacom Tablet that the XP-Pen Deco 01 gets the edge.

I always tell anyone that wants Procartoon to review a product that I will always give an honest review. in this case it was a pleasure to put the Deco 01 through it’s paces and discover that it passed with flying colors in every aspect.

Who is the XP-Pen Deco 01 Digital Drawing Tablet for?

This will suit any level of drawing skill from absolute beginners to professional artists.

If you’re on a tight budget but want quality a lot of great features this fits the bill.

If you are looking for second more mobile tablet, this is just the right size with lots of valuable features. Plus it is very strong and durable to be carried around.

This could also be perfect for getting kids into digital drawing. The Deco 01 is very reasonable in cost and not too overcomplicated for young artists. Possibly a good bulk buy for schools and colleges.

If you would like more information on the XP-Pen Deco 01 Digital Drawing Tablet visit the website :https://www.amazon.com/10x6-25-Graphics-Battery-free-shortcut-pressure/dp/B077P6BQP7

The Deco 01 has a classy matt black finish. The downside is you can have any color as long as it’s black! On saying that I don’t think this tablet would look as good in any other color as the matt black really does look cool!

Retro Backplate and Secure Tablet Feet
The back of the tablet is described as ‘Retro’ on the XP-Pen.com web page for the Deco 01. To be honest the back of a tablet really doesn’t really interest me much – however that’s just my opinion. What I am interested in on the reverse side of any tablet is how it sits on a worksurface. It needs to be secure on whatever surface it is placed on. In my case I usually work at a desk or inclined flat easel stand.

I was pleased to find that the reverse of the Deco 01 has rubber padded feet in each corner with a neoprene feel to them – slightly tactile for grip. They are not just stuck onto the back of the tablet and liable to peel off.

They are secured in small depressions in the back plastic casing. This is thoughtful design as it adds a lot of strength and durability to the pads. As a result the tablet sits rock solid on any surface letting me draw without a hint of tablet movement.
Express Key Positioning
There are 8 customizable express keys which are right at your fingertips without being obtrusive. Some tablets are rammed with ‘on surface features’ that just get in the way.

The express keys are lined up in two groups of four on one side (reversible depending on left or right hand use of the tablet).

This is far enough from the active area but near enough for instant use. The keys are also large enough and separated from each other to make them easy to use.

Again this has been well thought out at design stage to make optimum use of the express keys.

I have tried other tablet brands where the express keys are in such an awkward place that it is often quicker to switch tools on screen – taking the ‘express’ out of the express keys!

XP-Pen Deco 01 Digital Drawing Tablet – Installing the Tablet Driver
Things that really bug me about any gadget, that requires some form of installation is the lack of information on how to install / program the device. I was recently asked to review another digital drawing tablet but due to a total lack of logical information I could not get it to work. I contacted the supplier who wanted the review but they failed to respond – the result as you can imagine was no review!

Thankfully the instructions for the Deco 01 were easy to follow and worked first time I downloaded the driver from the XP-Pen.com web site. It placed the Pen Tablet Setting application in my applications folder (program files in Windows) and a shortcut on the desktop (optional).

The Pen Tablet Setting App allows you to tailor the shortcut keys to different software that you may use. I find it off putting when any gadgets get so complicated that you end up being overdosed with technical capability. However, XP-Pen.com have got it cracked.
That’s a huge tick in the box for me! I hate it when tyou have to borrow Einstein’s brain to be able to understand, program and use the features!!!

It is simple to recallibrate the tablet from right to left hand use (or vice versa). This is easy in the Pen Tablet Settings.

To reprogram the customizable express keys was also very straightforward. The whole setting up process was smooth as silk and I believe that most people would be able to navigate the Pen tablet Setting control interface easily.

There is also have the newestXP-Pen Deco 03Wireless Graphics Drawing Tablet !

Like most of the latest tablets coming out it has a C-USB connection. The power lead supply has a male C-USB connector which attaches to the tablet and a standard USB connected to the computer. The cable is 1.5m in length which is a decent size to work with.
XP-Pen Deco 01 Graphics Drawing Tablet – Active Drawing Area
On the top surface of the tablet are four white right angled markers which light up to indicate the active area thus defining your drawing space. These ‘landing lights’ are a nice feature as it allows you to see exactly where the active area is when drawing in lower lighting and even in pitch dark conditions. It also adds to the stylish look of the tablet.
XP-Pen Deco 01 Graphics Drawing Tablet – Pen Stylus
The battery free pen stylus is another big plus for me. It is not as ‘clunky’ as a lot of graphics drawing pens I have reviewed are and has a nice thin profile with ergonomic shaping to the barrel. The profile of the pen is triangular with rounded corners – far easier to grip and doesn’t kill your fingers after you have been drawing for a long time without a break.

I use LAMY Calligraphy pens for pen and ink drawing and they have a very similar design this makes the drawing experience much more comfortable. Round pens tend to make your hands hurt and often cramp up after prolonged use.

The pen stylus draws beautifully and is one of the best graphics drawing tablet pens that I have used. Due in part to the ergonomically shaped barrel and also to the excellent responsiveness.

The stylus has 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity which is a big step up from the general standards of 2048 LPS. As technology advances the drawing experience gets much closer to the real thing. On saying that a graphics drawing tablet can in some ways be better than the real thing!
XP-Pen Deco 01 Digital Drawing Tablet – Pen Stand and Spare Nib Store
With the pen is another great feature the pen stand. It has a nice weight so it’s not going to be rattling around the table and doesn’t take up much room.

On the downside (and this is a very minor blip) the pen is stored horizontally on the top of the pen stand – but this is just my personal preference. I would love it to stand upright in a secure slot as would a quill pen in an ink pen stand.

The stand is approx.1.5 inch square with a domed top. It has a neat feature as XP-Pen have designed this to store the 8 spare nibs. With a simple twist action the pen stand separated into two pieces with the bottom half securely containing the nibs. The base of the pen holder has a small slot to extract nibs and replace them in the pen stylus.

XP-Pen.com have got it just about right with awaiting stylish pen on the holder. Just a pity about resting the pen horizontally.

XP-Pen Deco 01 Digital Drawing Tablet– Other Features and Freebies
Graphics Tablet Anti Fouling Glove Included
One thing I really liked was the inclusion of the tablet glove in this set. For those on the tight budget it is one less item to buy amounts another tick in the box for XP-Pen.com.

For those who have never used a graphics tablet glove they are a fantastic asset to have as they keep your hand gliding smoothly with the pen (particularly when your hands get clammy in hot weather) and also keep the tablet surface dust free.

Compatability with Operating Systems and Graphics Software
The deco 01 tablet is compatible with Windows 10/ 8/ 7 Mac OS version 10.8 and higher. It is stated as running with Photoshop, SA 1, painter, illustrator, trip station plus more in other words it works with all the major graphics software that you are likely to use.

I sent the Deco 01 up on my Mac book Pro. After removing an existing tablet driver (as you need to remove previous drivers for this to work) the installation of the driver from the XP pen.com website was easy to follow and use.

There is a hardcopy manual that comes with the set or you can download a Pdf from the XP-pen.com website. I found it easier to read a Pdf – being of an age when the eyes don’t like small print!.

The beauty of the downloadable Pdf is that it is always to hand on my Mac and I don’t have to go rummaging around to find it (and I can see it to read it!).

Another enhanced feature that XP-Pen.com have put into the Deco 01 is the report rate. In other words the speed at which the interaction between the stylus nib on tablet surface is reported to the software to appear on the screen.

The report rates of the deco 01 is now 266 PS which is very fast and in conjunction with with the 8192 levels of pen pressure sensitivity gives a great performance and one experience.
Another enhanced feature that XP-Pen.com have put into the Deco 01 is the report rate. In other words the speed at which the interaction between the stylus nib on tablet surface is reported to the software to appear on the screen.

The report rates of the deco 01 is now 266 PS which is very fast and in conjunction with with the 8192 levels of pen pressure sensitivity gives a great performance and one experience.
Conclusion – How did I rate the XP-Pen Deco 01 Digital Drawing Tablet?

Only one very minor nit picky things for me and it’s just my personal preference. That was the pen holder i.e pen placement, which I mentioned earlier (pen lies flat on the pen holder and I would have liked to see it more secure in a slot in the upright position).

In the big scheme of things does not detract from the overall standard. As you can see from my verdict this is a great all round tablet.

It has actually made me rethink which is the best tablet in this class and I have to say this is as good or maybe even better than other similar tablets. My previous front runner was the Wacom Intuos Range (Art, Comic, Photo and Draw) but the XP-Pen Deco 01 has really given that particular range of Wacom Intuos tablets a really good run for its money.

The differences between the two brands are cost and software (included graphics software as a package). Wacom do offer included software. However, there is such a price difference between the Deco 01 and the equivalent Wacom Tablet that the XP-Pen Deco 01 gets the edge.

I always tell anyone that wants Procartoon to review a product that I will always give an honest review. in this case it was a pleasure to put the Deco 01 through it’s paces and discover that it passed with flying colors in every aspect.

Who is the XP-Pen Deco 01 Digital Drawing Tablet for?

This will suit any level of drawing skill from absolute beginners to professional artists.

If you’re on a tight budget but want quality a lot of great features this fits the bill.

If you are looking for second more mobile tablet, this is just the right size with lots of valuable features. Plus it is very strong and durable to be carried around.

This could also be perfect for getting kids into digital drawing. The Deco 01 is very reasonable in cost and not too overcomplicated for young artists. Possibly a good bulk buy for schools and colleges.

If you would like more information on the XP-Pen Deco 01 Digital Drawing Tablet visit the amazon US :https://www.amazon.com/10x6-25-Graphics-Battery-free-shortcut-pressure/dp/B077P6BQP7

XP-Pen Deco 01 official site :https://www.xp-pen.com/product/84.html

Posted by: xppen at 07:45 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Best Drawing Tablet xp-pen artist 15.6 for Photoshop Designers

When it comes to buying a tablet for artists, there are lot of things to check like pressure sensitivity, size and accuracy and we don’t want you to get puzzled in this. Since, some of you may want a drawing tablet for basic artworks just to satisfy your hobby or maybe for professional works. Getting a tablet with right specifications can really change the game.

If you’re looking for a drawing tablet without screen, then we recommend you to refer our guide to buy the best graphics tablets without screen, because this buying guide refers to pen display tablets for artists.
Moreover, readers should note that these pen-display tablets also need to get hooked up with a laptop or desktop. So, if you’re on a hunt of a capable laptop alongside which can handle programs like Photoshop and Illustrator with ease, then you can check out our buying guide for laptops for Photoshop at this article.

Now the question here is that which tablet would be the best preferred and most recommended to all those artistic hands which would love to show off their art on-the-go, on a digital sketchbook with the help of a stylus pen which is as good as to maintaining their love for traditional brushes intact.

Then, here are our top picks of best tablets for artists which includes some of the best pen-display tablets for artists as well as portable and would interest all the minds of an artist for their drawing needs.

+ PRICE
At the time of writing this review, the price is $359.98 USD- this is definitely a great price for a tablet. I can honestly say I was a little bit skeptical of this device, as the XP-Pen Artist16 15.6" IPS Drawing Monitor is $489.89 USD, but does not have as many features as the Artist 15.6 (https://www.amazon.com/Artist15-6-Drawing-Graphics-Battery-free-pressure/dp/B077PCCC7R)- while it does have more Express Keys, it is lacking the 8,192 levels of pen pressure, the battery-free pen, and the 4K display (just to name a few). So, I'm still not sure on that one- but, I can say, it is a wonderful deal for a Graphics monitor- one that I wish I would have discovered sooner!

+ IMAGE QUALITY
The XP PEN 15.6HD is my go-to graphics monitor prior to this review- I thought that the screen resolution was amazing and was not quite sure how it could be improved upon- well, enter 4K. Sharp, crisp, clean, and vivid are words that now enter my mind.

+ PEN
Battery free and with an eraser!!! Definitely an upgrade from some of XP PEN’s earlier models (which needed to be charged and lacked the eraser!)! The eraser (plus the two express buttons) makes the workflow process so much easier! It fits well in your hand and does not feel cheap!

+ SIZE
Honestly, this is one of my favorite parts! It’s big enough to be able to get work done and view your entire screen without any problems, but it is incredibly portable and sits comfortably on my lap while either in bed or on the couch (rather than being confined to a desk). It is super light-weight (only 11mm thick) and very portable- something I can actually take with me when I go on trips.It's as comfortable as a large sketchbook!

+ ADJUST THE BRIGHTNESS
But like?!?! This is awesome?! I wouldn't have thought that this addition could make so much of a difference. This is just so much of an improvement- I love how you can adjust the brightness to an ideal level to fit the situation and light you are working in.

+ COMPATIBILITY
Worked well with my Windows 7! I have not been able to try it on any other computers, however!

+ ASSEMBLY
Comes assembled- just have to plug in and download the drivers (from either the included disk or the XP PEN website)! Came packaged neatly in a padded little box

+ SHIPPING
Shipping was incredibly fast and arrived ahead of time!

+ NO HEAT
The graphics monitor did not get warm at all while I was drawing on it for several hours!

+ PEN PRESSURE (8,192 LEVELS)
This threw me off quite a bit in the beginning- coming from a tablet with way less pressure sensitivity, I kept forgetting that it was so sensitive and questioning why my lines were so thin! As I used the tablet more, however, I became much more comfortable with the pressure sensitivity.

+ PARALAX
Very tiny, slight parallax (I honestly think it’s how I am holding my pen!), but not bad at all.

+ EXPRESSION KEYS
Thank goodness for expression keys. Works in Paint Tool SAI, SAI2, Photoshop CS6, Photoshop CC, Fire Alpaca, ect. *I have heard rumors that the Express Keys do not work in Photoshop CS6 if it is not a legit, purchased copy. I have been unable to confirm this

+ ACCESSORIES
This monitor came with several accessories, including several different universal power adapters, a pen nib changing stand, and an artist glove!
Functions such as sketch, paint, design and edit are expected to work out naturally and intuitively on a tablet and XP-Pen Artist 15.6 is something added up to the tablet revolution. 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080 IPS Full HD display with 178° visual angle delivering, even more, life like colors in greater contrast with sharper and vivid images is what gives it an artist’s interest and feel. The custom-designed anti-reflective coating reduces glare by 56 percent making it more bright and beautiful, even if it’s bright outside.

The latest battery-free pen technology with 8192 levels of instant Pen Pressure Sensitivity- providing you with groundbreaking control and fluidity to expand your creative output which does not require charging is designed to have a big impact on user’s creativity. On a simple note, XP-Pen Artist 15.6 is the best inexpensive tablet for artists.

Enhancing the creative streak of an artist and supporting it is what thisDrawing Tablet xp-pen artist 15.6offers to its users and also is successful in doing so.
As an upcoming children’s book publisher, art hardware is so extremely important. Overall, I am so extremely satisfied with this device! A wonderful tablet for the price- works as well as all of the other tablets that I own. if not significantly better. The only cons that the device have are all based on personal preference (so, they aren’t really cons) and are things I knew coming into this adventure (such as lack of stand and lack of screen protector)! I would recommend this device to every single one of my friends, online or in person, and all of my colleagues! A great device that may have just become my favorite . The combination of the size/weight, portability, responsiveness, expression keys, and the price make this a wonderful tablet to own without any real flaws!

When it comes to buying a tablet for artists, there are lot of things to check like pressure sensitivity, size and accuracy and we don't want you to get puzzled in this. Since, some of you may want a drawing tablet for basic artworks just to satisfy your hobby or maybe for professional works. Getting a tablet with right specifications can really change the game.

If you're looking for a drawing tablet without screen, then we recommend you to refer our guide to buy the best graphics tablets without screen, because this buying guide refers to pen display tablets for artists.
Moreover, readers should note that these pen-display tablets also need to get hooked up with a laptop or desktop. So, if you're on a hunt of a capable laptop alongside which can handle programs like Photoshop and Illustrator with ease, then you can check out our buying guide for laptops for Photoshop at this article.

Now the question here is that which tablet would be the best preferred and most recommended to all those artistic hands which would love to show off their art on-the-go, on a digital sketchbook with the help of a stylus pen which is as good as to maintaining their love for traditional brushes intact.

Then, here are our top picks of best tablets for artists which includes some of the best pen-display tablets for artists as well as portable and would interest all the minds of an artist for their drawing needs.

+ PRICE
At the time of writing this review, the price is $359.98 USD- this is definitely a great price for a tablet. I can honestly say I was a little bit skeptical of this device, as the XP-Pen Artist16 15.6" IPS Drawing Monitor is $489.89 USD, but does not have as many features as the Artist 15.6 ( Amazon US :https://www.amazon.com/Artist15-6-Drawing-Graphics-Battery-free-pressure/dp/B077PCCC7R)- while it does have more Express Keys, it is lacking the 8,192 levels of pen pressure, the battery-free pen, and the 4K display (just to name a few). So, I'm still not sure on that one- but, I can say, it is a wonderful deal for a Graphics monitor- one that I wish I would have discovered sooner!

+ IMAGE QUALITY
The XP PEN 15.6HD is my go-to graphics monitor prior to this review- I thought that the screen resolution was amazing and was not quite sure how it could be improved upon- well, enter 4K. Sharp, crisp, clean, and vivid are words that now enter my mind.

+ PEN
Battery free and with an eraser!!! Definitely an upgrade from some of XP PEN's earlier models (which needed to be charged and lacked the eraser!)! The eraser (plus the two express buttons) makes the workflow process so much easier! It fits well in your hand and does not feel cheap!

+ SIZE
Honestly, this is one of my favorite parts! It's big enough to be able to get work done and view your entire screen without any problems, but it is incredibly portable and sits comfortably on my lap while either in bed or on the couch (rather than being confined to a desk). It is super light-weight (only 11mm thick) and very portable- something I can actually take with me when I go on trips.It's as comfortable as a large sketchbook!

+ ADJUST THE BRIGHTNESS
But like?!?! This is awesome?! I wouldn't have thought that this addition could make so much of a difference. This is just so much of an improvement- I love how you can adjust the brightness to an ideal level to fit the situation and light you are working in.

+ COMPATIBILITY
Worked well with my Windows 7! I have not been able to try it on any other computers, however!

+ ASSEMBLY
Comes assembled- just have to plug in and download the drivers (from either the included disk or the XP PEN website)! Came packaged neatly in a padded little box

+ SHIPPING
Shipping was incredibly fast and arrived ahead of time!

+ NO HEAT
The graphics monitor did not get warm at all while I was drawing on it for several hours!

+ PEN PRESSURE (8,192 LEVELS)
This threw me off quite a bit in the beginning- coming from a tablet with way less pressure sensitivity, I kept forgetting that it was so sensitive and questioning why my lines were so thin! As I used the tablet more, however, I became much more comfortable with the pressure sensitivity.

+ PARALAX
Very tiny, slight parallax (I honestly think it's how I am holding my pen!), but not bad at all.

+ EXPRESSION KEYS
Thank goodness for expression keys. Works in Paint Tool SAI, SAI2, Photoshop CS6, Photoshop CC, Fire Alpaca, ect. *I have heard rumors that the Express Keys do not work in Photoshop CS6 if it is not a legit, purchased copy. I have been unable to confirm this

+ ACCESSORIES
This monitor came with several accessories, including several different universal power adapters, a pen nib changing stand, and an artist glove!
Functions such as sketch, paint, design and edit are expected to work out naturally and intuitively on a tablet and XP-Pen Artist 15.6 is something added up to the tablet revolution. 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080 IPS Full HD display with 178° visual angle delivering, even more, life like colors in greater contrast with sharper and vivid images is what gives it an artist's interest and feel. The custom-designed anti-reflective coating reduces glare by 56 percent making it more bright and beautiful, even if it's bright outside.

The latest battery-free pen technology with 8192 levels of instant Pen Pressure Sensitivity- providing you with groundbreaking control and fluidity to expand your creative output which does not require charging is designed to have a big impact on user's creativity. On a simple note, XP-Pen Artist 15.6 is the best inexpensive tablet for artists.

Enhancing the creative streak of an artist and supporting it is what this Drawing Tablet xp-pen artist 15.6 offers to its users and also is successful in doing so.

As an upcoming children's book publisher, art hardware is so extremely important. Overall, I am so extremely satisfied with this device! A wonderful tablet for the price- works as well as all of the other tablets that I own. if not significantly better. The only cons that the device have are all based on personal preference (so, they aren't really cons) and are things I knew coming into this adventure (such as lack of stand and lack of screen protector)! I would recommend this device to every single one of my friends, online or in person, and all of my colleagues! A great device that may have just become my favorite . The combination of the size/weight, portability, responsiveness, expression keys, and the price make this a wonderful tablet to own without any real flaws!

XP-Pen Artist 15.6 official site:https://www.xp-pen.com/product/60.html

Posted by: xppen at 01:53 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Graphics Drawing Tablet XP-Pen Star G640 for beginners

The XP-Pen Star G640 Sketch is XP-Pen's newest screen-less tablet made to compete directly with Wacom's low-end Intuos series tablets (aka Intuos Draw/Art/Photo/Comic). It is extremely minimalistic and makes you feel certain that you are not paying for anything aside from the features you asked for.

The XP-Pen G640 caught my eye because it offers basically the exact same capabilities as a Wacom Intuos for only 40 USD. (It's 30 USD on Amazon US:https://www.amazon.com/StarG640-Ultrathin-Graphics-Battery-free-pressure/dp/B078YR2MTF, but I bought it for 40 USD off the XP-Pen Store.)
What this means is that if it's as good as its specifications show, it will be the lowest priced tablet with a battery-free pen and an acceptable drawing area size. It will be the perfect "go-to” tablet for any beginner who just wants to give digital art a test run but doesn't want to pay Wacom's 80 USD entry price, or even experienced users who want to replace their Wacom Intuos!
How good is this tablet?
Design and build quality: Pretty good.
Tablet drivers: Quite good!
Drawing experience: Quite satisfactory!

Overall: A really good buy for 40 USD!

My verdict:

However! If you can spare a bit more money for your first tablet, then I would still recommend going with a tablet that has a larger drawing area. My opinion is that this tablet is best considered when you aren't sure whether you will continue digital art or not, and you don't want to make a bigger investment when it may end up going to waste.
-If you are experienced with tablets, you probably only want to buy the XP-Pen Star G640 if it is the size you are used to.

Important specifications
Active Area: 6 x 4 inches
Pen Type: Battery-free
Pen Buttons: 2 side buttons, no eraser
Pen Pressure: 8192
Pen Tilt Sensitivity: None
Expresskeys: None
Multi-touch: None

What's in the box?
The tablet is literally just a drawing surface with nothing else to it. The top section of the tablet is thicker than the drawing area, but I assume this is necessary to fit the electronics inside.
The surface of the tablet has a fairly rough texture which grip your pen nib a fair bit. Because it's very rough, your pen nib can wear quite quickly if you leave the pen pressure at the default setting. If you change the pen pressure settings, then the nib wear will decrease drastically. I will cover that in the Tablet Drivers section.

Although the surface of the tablet is quite rough, it is made of a very tough plastic so it does not scratch easily at all. There are no worn out areas even after spending two whole days drawing on it, and I was even being quite heavy-handed with my pen pressure.

The texture of the surface is quite close to the paper-like feeling of the Wacom Intuos, but it is not quite the same as it has a slightly more plastic-y feel to it. However, it does not feel bad to draw on at all.
The back of the tablet has four rubber feet and the usual information sticker. The rubber feet do a good enough job of holding the tablet in place.
The edges aren't rounded like other tablets, but the tablet is so flat with its advertised 2mm thickness that you can actually use it comfortably even with your hand half off of the tablet!

The edges don't look like the cleanest edges you can find, but they don't affect your drawing experience at all.
When you hear about the 2mm thickness of the tablet, you'll most likely wonder "won't it break easily if it's that thin?”
But not to worry! The tablet is actually extremely sturdy, and when doing a twist test (where you hold both sides and twist), it actually feels even tougher and more solid than the Wacom Intuos Draw, which is quite a big surprise considering how much thicker the Wacom is in comparison.
This tablet is extremely minimalistic and does not have any shortcut buttons. This is a good sign because it means you're not paying extra for some shortcut buttons you're most likely not going to use.
The cable port is at the top right of the tablet. There is no special groove around the cable port unlike with the Wacom Intuos, so you can use any Micro-USB cable you have if you lose the included one, but I suggest at least using a good one if you're going to do that.

One thing I noticed is that the port itself can wiggle a bit. If you treat the tablet badly, it's quite possible that the port will break before the cable itself.
The pen is called the XP-Pen PN01 and is made of a simple matte plastic with a bulge near the end to catch your fingers. It is a fairly light battery-free pen but it feels quite durable and dependable.
Holding the pen is very comfortable despite the pen being made of all plastic, and it does not feel imbalanced in any way. The buttons protrude from the surface of the pen making it easy to identify and use them without having to glance at your hand.
Many people have this misconception that all of Wacom's tablets have a high quality pen like the Wacom Intuos Pro or Cintiq, so I would like to point out here that the Wacom Intuos (CTL-490) pen is just a plastic stick, just like the pen that comes with the XP-Pen Star G640.
I mentioned before that the nib does wear quite a bit, but that shouldn't be much of a worry at all because this tablet comes with TWENTY replacement nibs. Yes, you heard me right. Twenty.

The XP-Pen Star G640 Drawing Tablet uses the newest XP-Pen tablet drivers and they are extremely easy to install! You don't even need to have your tablet plugged in to install them! Just go download the latest version directly from XP-Pen's site and remove all other tablet drivers you have on your computer before installing it.
Once you've installed the driver, it should create a desktop shortcut for you to easily access the tablet settings. When your tablet is plugged in, the XP-Pen icon driver icon should appear in the system tray in the bottom right. You can also access the tablet settings by clicking on that.

If the installer doesn't prompt you to restart your computer after it finishes, I wholeheartedly suggesting restarting your computer anyways to allow Windows to properly update the files necessary for the driver to run smoothly.
The new XP-Pen driver is a simple one page driver with all the important settings on just the one window. Here you can set the pen buttons and pen pressure, and choose which monitor the tablet maps to.

You may need to check the Windows Ink checkbox at the bottom left for certain programs such as Photoshop, but most programs will work better with Windows Ink turned off. If you are having problems with a program, try toggling the Windows Ink option.

Another thing to note is that you can connect multiple XP-Pen tablets to the same computer and they will work! You will notice that at the top of the drivers, it has a drop-down menu that says "Star G640”. If you connect other XP-Pen tablets that use the same drivers, they will all be modifiable and useable through that drop-down menu. I can connect my XP-Pen Star 05 and XP-Pen AC19 Shortcut Remote at the same time as the XP-Pen G640 and they all work and are completely programmable.

Of course, the only catch here is that only the XP-Pen devices which use the new drivers can do this. I believe the current compatible products are the Graphics TabletXP-Pen Star 05, Star 06, Star G430, Star G430S, Star G540, Star G640, Deco 01, Artist13.3, Artist15.6, Artist16 Pro, and AC 19 Shortcut Remote.

Starting from the top left, the Barrel Button Settings section controls the functions set to the pen buttons.

 

You can set basically all keyboard or mouse shortcuts that you can think of using the function key option, but you cannot combine mouse clicks with keyboard keys in the same function.

The Click Sensitivity section controls the pen pressure curve of the pen directly. This is the most important section in the tablet settings as you will need to adjust this to reduce how hard you have to press for higher pen pressures to reduce pen nib wear.

The default setting of the graph is a straight diagonal line, but to get a lighter pen pressure setting which is more common, you should move the top dot to around the middle, and move the middle dot somewhere near the top middle as I show in the above pictures. This will give you the feel closest to what you get from most other tablets, and it will also help to drastically reduce pen nib wear, but you should play around with it yourself to find out what suits you best.

The Current Screen section controls which monitor your tablet is mapped to, and what area of your tablet is used. For the best results, pick the monitor you are going to draw on using the drop-down menu at the top, then click the Display Ratio button to match the drawing area of your tablet with the aspect ratio of your monitor.

Left-handed people do not need to click the Left Hand Mode option as the XP-Pen Star G640 is already useable for both left and right-handed people in Right Hand Mode.

If you noticed earlier, there was a function called Switch Monitor among the functions you could assign to your pen buttons. That function cycles through all the available monitors in the drop-down list at the top of the Current Screen section when used.

The drawing experience!

At first, I was a bit taken aback by how hard I had to press the pen to get darker lines, but once I adjusted the pen pressure curve, the stroke control felt extremely good. When doing gradual increases and decreases in pressure, the lines come out completely as expected and there are no skips or jumps in the pressure at all.

The slow diagonal lines I did with a ruler have some small blips which I assume happens between the rows of sensors, but they don't appear at all if you use stabilizers and/or quicker strokes. I never ran into them while I was drawing, but you may be different if you do not use stabilizers and/or quicker strokes to draw.

The roughness of the tablet was worrying at first, but the fact that they give you 20 replacement nibs really puts your mind at ease when drawing.

Like I mentioned before, because the tablet itself is so thin, you can still draw comfortably even if your hand moves off the tablet, so there should be no problem with the size of the tablet even for people with larger hands.

Conclusion

I can really recommend this tablet for any beginners who want to try out digital art with a really low starting price, or just don't have the budget to afford anything bigger. However, if you can spare more money for your tablet, I would suggest that you try to get something with a bigger 8×5 to 10×6 inch drawing area like the XP-Pen Deco 01 Graphics Tablet for the slightly more comfortable and controlled experience of a larger tablet.

Personally, I believe that the 6×4 inch drawing area of the XP-Pen Star G640 is the bare minimum size that anyone should get, so if you can get the bigger size, I would suggest you do so.

XP-Pen Star G640 Official Site :https://www.xp-pen.com/product/51.html

Posted by: xppen at 02:55 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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