Control keys
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.
Touch strip
A touch-sensitive surface, usually located along one of the edges of the front panel of the tablet case.
The touch strip provides additional controls such as scrolling, zooming, canvas rotation, and other gestures that can be customized to perform different tasks. Thus, the strip can often be reprogrammed for certain actions, be it quickly switching between tools in a graphic editor or changing brush parameters.
Connector on device
- 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.
Video transmission
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HDMI. A digital video interface found in graphic displays and computers (see Type). Models with an HDMI port are capable of receiving and transmitting video signals to devices connected via an appropriate cable. Moreover, HDMI supports the transmission of digital signals without loss of quality, providing a high-quality picture (and, if necessary, sound). To connect via HDMI, various options can be used, including the use of adapters for USB type C or miniHDMI connectors.
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DisplayPort. A digital interface similar in connection capabilities to HDMI (see above). It supports high-definition video (1080p and above) along with multi-channel audio. Such interfaces are rare in graphics tablets - they remain the prerogative of a small number of advanced professional-class models.
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DVI. Digital input for connecting a video signal from a computer. Found exclusively in graphic displays (see "Type"). Note that DVI outputs are often provided in desktop PCs, but are practically not found in laptops; on the other hand, a tablet with such an input can be connected to a laptop HDMI video output using a simple adapter.
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VGA. Aka 15-pin D-Sub. Another video interface found in graphic displays. It uses an analog signal format and is poorly compatible with resolutions higher than 1280x1024, which is why it is considered ob
...solete and is usually provided in modern graphic displays as a “backup” option, in addition to the digital DVI described above.Compatibility
Full-fledged and mobile operating systems with which the device can interact normally. Specific compatibility options may be:
-Windows. The vast majority of graphics tablets are designed to work together with desktop computers and laptops running Windows. At the same time, it is important to clarify the supported OS versions - in modern realities, these are Windows 10 and Windows 11.
—
MacOS. The ability of the device to work with Apple computer equipment that uses the proprietary desktop operating system macOS. First of all, these are iMac desktops and MacBook laptops. This technique has software and hardware features that significantly distinguish it from other types of PCs and laptops, so such compatibility for graphics tablets is specified separately.
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ChromeOS. ChromeOS is a software product from Google originally created for laptops. The key feature of Chromebooks is their close integration with web services, and in general they are positioned as the most inexpensive and accessible laptops.
- Linux. Initially, the Linux platform was designed mainly for professional programmers and IT enthusiasts. For the average user, such a system can be quite difficult to learn and use. However, a number of graphics tablet models are compatible with this OS.
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Android. Compatibility of the device with
...portable gadgets running Android OS (primarily smartphones and tablets). This involves using mobile versions of applications to create and process graphics.
- iOS. The ability to work with mobile applications for creating and processing graphics, implemented when using Apple smartphones running the iOS operating system.Colour depth
The number of shades that the device screen can display. The parameter is indicated in bits, not for the entire display, but for each individual base color. Let us remind you that the image in modern screens is based on three basic colors according to the RGB scheme - red, green and blue. 6-bit depth means that the display is capable of producing 2^6 shades of each base color, i.e. a total of 64 shades of red, green and blue. The total number of shades is 64*64*64 = 262,144 (262 thousand). In screens with
8-bit depth, there are already 256 shades for each basic color - in total, they are capable of displaying over 16.7 million colors. And the most advanced displays support
10-bit color depth, allowing you to work with more than a billion shades.
High color depth is important for professional graphics and related tasks that require high color accuracy.
Colour space (Rec. 709 / sRGB)
The range of colors that can be displayed on a graphics tablet screen. The parameter is indicated as a percentage relative to the coverage of the Rec.709 or sRGB color space. The larger the color gamut, the wider the capabilities of the screen and the better the quality of its color rendition, which is extremely important when working with graphic materials.
Rec.709 and sRGB are the most popular modern color models: they have the same range and differ only in the area of application. So, sRGB is used in computers, and Rec. 709 - in HD television. In terms of the range of colors, these spaces are identical and the percentage of coverage for them is the same. In the screens of graphics tablets, the color gamut for the specified models can reach and even exceed 100% - these are the values that are considered necessary for correct work with graphic materials.
Colour gamut (Adobe RGB)
The range of colors that can be displayed on a graphics tablet screen. The parameter is indicated as a percentage relative to the coverage of the Adobe RGB color space. The larger the color gamut, the wider the capabilities of the screen and the better the quality of its color rendition, which is extremely important when working with graphic materials.
Adobe RGB was originally developed for use in printing and printing. Accordingly, support for this model and its wide color gamut are important in cases where a graphics tablet is used in the design and layout of high-quality printed products. It is important to take into account that Adobe RGB is wider than the popular sRGB model, and its percentage figures are smaller: for example, 99% of sRGB coverage is usually about 87% of Adobe RGB.
Pen model
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.