Comparison XP-PEN Star G430S vs Huion H420

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).

The aspect ratio of the tablet working area (width to height). This parameter allows you to evaluate the overall proportions of the device: for example, the ratio of 4:3 gives an almost square shape of the work area, and in 16:9 models it is noticeably elongated in width.

Actually, "widescreen" aspect ratios — 16:9 and 16:10 — are now much more common than the classic 4:3. The 3:2 standard is also rare, although it is actually also a widescreen. This situation is due to the fact that, ideally, the aspect ratio of the monitor and tablet should be the same (otherwise, there may be a mismatch in the movement of the pen and the cursor on the screen, or part of the screen or tablet area will be unused). And the most popular nowadays are just monitors in 16:9 and 16:10 formats, the 4:3 standard is much less common, and 3:2 is extremely rare.

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.

- 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.

The model of the pen that comes with the device. Allows you to understand which one is used and learn more fully its full characteristics. In this case, in the case of a replacement, you will already be aware of which accessory is needed for the purchase. However, nothing prevents you from replacing the existing one with a more advanced one, of course, if the graphics tablet itself allows you to work with a different pen model.

The power supply method used by the supplied pen (stylus) of the tablet.

A lot of modern tablets have pens without a battery, or rather, without any power at all. This is the most convenient option from the user's point of view: there is no wire in the design that gets tangled at hand, while the operating time is not limited by the battery / accumulator charge, and in case of breakage or loss, the pen can be easily replaced. The disadvantages of such models include the lack of any additional functions — for example, quick switching between tools with a button on the stylus. In addition, the lack of electronics in the pen puts forward increased demands on the working sensor on the tablet itself: in particular, it is he who must recognize pressure levels. Therefore, devices with pens of this type are themselves quite expensive.

In turn, with the presence of electronics, a number of sensor functions (in particular, recognition of pressure levels) can be transferred to the stylus, which makes it possible to simplify the design of the working surface and reduce the price of the tablet. Feeding methods for such feathers can be as follows:

— From a tablet. Powered by the cable that connects the pen to the tablet. Such pens are simple, inexpensive, you do not need to buy additional power supplies, and their operating time is not limited. On the other hand, the wire noticeably limits mobility and can get tangled und...er the hands, and the above-mentioned advantages are generally not decisive. Therefore, nowadays, this option is extremely rare.

— From a battery. A replaceable battery or several standard size batteries is the most popular way to power pens today. Such styluses do not have a wire that limits mobility; the time of their work is limited, but in general it usually turns out to be quite large (weeks, or even months); when the charge is exhausted, it is enough to replace the dead battery with a fresh one; and the batteries themselves can be chosen at your discretion. The unequivocal disadvantages of this option include the need for additional costs — you either have to periodically buy fresh batteries, or spend money on batteries with a charger (besides, batteries are not produced in principle in some sizes).

— Accumulator. Powered by the original built-in battery, often non-removable. Such power also allows you to do without a wire, while you do not need to spend extra money on the battery — it is initially supplied with the pen, and when the charge is exhausted, it is enough to recharge the stylus, there is no need to buy a new battery. On the other hand, charging itself takes time (sometimes quite a lot), while a replaceable battery can be quickly replaced. Therefore, batteries are used somewhat less frequently, although they are also quite common.

The height within which pen movements above the working surface are recorded by the tablet electronics even in the absence of direct contact.

Many tablets allow you to work in a "non-contact" way — without directly touching the stylus to the work surface. Thanks to this, it is possible, for example, with a raised pen to bring the cursor in the graphics editor to the desired point and turn on the drawing mode by touching the tablet with the stylus. And the greater the maximum reading height, the more convenient it is to use this mode, the less demanding the tablet is for the accuracy of movements. In many modern models, this parameter exceeds 10 mm.

The number of pressure levels supported by the pen.

The more levels of pressure, the more accurately the pen tracks the force of pressure and the closer the drawing is to the drawing made by real tools like a pencil. The minimum value for a modern tablet is 512 levels, an indicator of 1024 levels is considered relatively small, 2048 is considered average, and in some models 4096 and even 8192 levels are found. At the same time, it is worth noting that the difference between pens with different accuracy becomes noticeable mainly on the thinnest strokes and on lines with a thickness that changes along the stylus; so numerous levels, even a professional artist is not always required. For this reason, this parameter has practically nothing to do with the general class of the device: for example, there are low-cost models on the market with 8192 levels, and professional solutions with only 1024.

The resolution of the graphics tablet's working area, expressed in lines per inch (lpi). The parameter includes the density of sensors on the tactile surface of the device per inch. It is these sensors that recognize the signal upon contact with the pen. The higher the resolution, the more accurately and in detail the movements of the pen across the working area of the tablet are transferred. This ensures the creation of objects with a high degree of detail.

The simplest devices are characterized by an indicator of 2540 lpi. The “golden mean” is 4000 lpi. And in professional graphics tablets the a resolution of 5080 lpi can be found. Moreover, it is important to take into account that higher accuracy significantly affects the cost of the device.