Comparison Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 vs Wacom Cintiq Companion 2

— Graphics tablet. Graphic tablets in the traditional sense: devices with a touch surface designed for drawing on a computer. May vary in surface size, overall accuracy (resolution, number of pressure levels), etc.

— Graphic display. In tablets with this feature, the work area is not just a sensitive surface — it is a separate full-fledged display on which you can display an image from a computer. Thanks to this, you can draw almost "like on paper", changing the image directly — which is much more convenient than moving the pen on the tablet while looking at the monitor. And the size of some graphic displays is comparable to full-fledged monitors — there are models of 15.6 "and even more. On the other hand, such devices are not cheap

— Graphics computer. Completely independent devices for creating and editing graphics. Having a traditional tablet form factor or slightly larger, graphic computers are armed with color displays and their own productive hardware that can handle the work of specialized graphics editors and visual modeling applications. Such models do not need to be connected to an external computer, and they are used primarily in a professional environment, which makes such solutions expensive.

— Smart notepad. Devices that allow the user to draw in the classical way, on paper, and digitize these...drawings on the fly, right in the process. It looks like this: a sheet of paper is placed on the touch surface of the smart notebook, the notebook keeps track of all the lines, dots, strokes, etc. applied to the paper, and at the touch of a button transfers the digitized version of the drawing to a smartphone, tablet or other device. Such a device can be a real salvation for those who do not recognize drawing on tablets and at the same time have a need to digitize their work.

— For digital signatures. Tablets designed solely for the purpose of digitizing the owner's signature. With such a device, the user can use their normal signature to authorize various actions, such as entering into a contract or confirming payment. To ensure the required level of security, the design of such devices usually provides for various special solutions — in particular, support for corporate encryption protocols.

The pre-installed operating system that comes with the graphics computer (see "Type"). In fact, it is a software environment in which all the software installed on the device runs: programs for editing and processing photographs, drawing, 3D modeling, etc. Both the general operating features of the device and its compatibility with certain programs depend on the characteristics of the OS. Most often, graphic computers run the latest versions of the operating system from Microsoft. Namely: Windows 8, Windows 10 or Windows 11.

The exact size of the active area of a tablet (or screen in a graphic display) in width and height. In general, it is more of a reference than a practically significant parameter: when choosing a traditional graphics tablet, there is often enough information about the format (see above), and for displays, primarily the diagonal (see above) and aspect ratio (see below) are of practical importance . However, the exact dimensions can also be useful in fact: for example, you can determine the aspect ratio from them (for classic tablets, this parameter is often not indicated).

Diagonal of the working area — the screen itself — in a graphic display (see "Type").

In general, the larger the diagonal, the more convenient the device is to use: a large working area covers a large area for drawing and at the same time allows you to work effectively with small details. On the other hand, this parameter directly affects the price, and the dimensions cannot be discounted: in some cases, there may simply be no room for a large device.

By the standards of graphic displays, 13.3" or less is considered small, 15.6" is considered medium, and many models have larger screens. And it is customary to evaluate the size of traditional tablets by the format, and not by the diagonal.

The number of control keys provided in the design of the tablet.

Each of these keys is responsible for a specific function, while the set of these functions can be configured: in some models they can be selected manually, in others the functionality of the keys changes automatically, depending on the currently active application. Anyway, additional keys allow the user to perform various actions without looking up from the tablet — this can be very convenient in the midst of the work process, when you don’t want to change the pen to the mouse again or reach for the keyboard. And the more control keys — so, respectively, more additional actions can be performed using the tablet. On the other hand, with relatively simple tasks, the abundance of additional buttons can hinder and confuse the user rather than help.

The most modest modern tablets provide up to 5 control keys ; the most popular option is from 6 to 10 keys, and in advanced models this number can reach 15 or even more.

The device has a touch ring for quick control of popular parameters. By simply moving your finger around the ring, you can zoom and scroll in graphics applications, switch between layers, change brush size, rotate the canvas, etc. Note that the touch ring can have several operating modes, and a physical button in the center of the circle is often responsible for switching between them. In advanced devices, the ring can be reprogrammed for certain actions, and even sensitivity (scrolling speed) can be adjusted.

The presence of a slot for memory cards in the design of the tablet.

This function allows the device to work with removable media — actually memory cards; but the specific format of such work may be different, depending on the model. The most popular option is to use the tablet as an external drive: you can store working materials (projects, sketches, sketches, finished drawings) on a memory card and have access to them regardless of which computer the device is connected to. Such features will be especially useful for those who often have to move from place to place — for example, students who work both in the classroom and at home. At the same time, a memory card makes it easy to transfer data to tablet PCs, laptops and other devices that support such media (although in some cases an adapter may be required for this).

Regular way to connect a tablet to a computer.

— Wired. Wired connection, usually via a USB port. This method is not very convenient: the wire limits the maximum distance from the tablet to the PC, and sometimes it has to be pulled to hard-to-reach places (for example, if the system unit is installed under the table with ports to the wall, and there are no available connectors on the front panel). On the other hand, in most cases, these inconveniences are not critical, and the wired tablets themselves are not as expensive as wireless ones, and besides, they do not require their own power supply.

— Wireless. Wireless connection can be carried out in two main ways — either via technology or via a dedicated radio channel. The first option is convenient because the tablet can be connected to any computer with Bluetooth — for example, a laptop or monoblock — without the use of special adapters; however, if there is no Bluetooth module in the computer, you will still need an adapter, and you will have to buy it separately. Models connected via radio, by definition, are equipped with an adapter and work only through it. Anyway, wireless tablets are more convenient than wired ones: the communication range usually reaches several metres, which allows you to freely move away from the comp...uter (for example, draw in your favorite chair, holding the tablet on your lap). On the other hand, these devices are significantly more expensive, require their own power supplies, and have limited battery life.

— Wired/wireless. Models that support both of the connection options described above. Thus, they combine the advantages and partly compensate for the shortcomings of wired and wireless models. So, when the user is sitting right at the computer, the tablet can be connected with a wire and save battery power, and if freedom of movement is needed, the device can be disconnected and use a wireless connection. However, these models are not cheap.

- microUSB. A smaller version of the USB connector designed for portable devices. Currently it is losing ground to the USB type C interface with a more convenient symmetrical contact group.

- miniUSB. Almost the same interface as described above, which differs only in the size and shape of the connector.

— USB A. Standard (full-size) USB connector used to connect the device to a computer and other external devices.

— USB C. A miniature version of the USB connector, gaining popularity and in the future capable of displacing microUSB. The interface has a high data transfer rate, and most importantly, it is symmetrical, so the plug can be connected to either side.

- Branded. A connection connector that does not belong to generally accepted standards and is used to a limited extent - in models of one or several manufacturers. However, due to general standardization, this option has practically disappeared from the scene.