Comparison XP-PEN Artist 10 (2nd Generation) vs XP-PEN Artist 12 (2nd Generation)

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 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 NTSC 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.

NTSC is one of the first color models, launched in 1953 for color television. And it is still used to describe and compare matrices. The NTSC model covers a larger range of colors than the standard sRGB used in computer technology, so even a relatively small number of percentages corresponds to a fairly wide coverage. For example, a value of 72% or more according to NTSC is considered a decent indicator for use in design and graphics.

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.

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.

A characteristic of a graphics tablet that determines how many times per second the tablet records the artist’s actions. The response rate is expressed in PPS (Points Per Second).

The higher the PPS value, the more responsive the surface is. If responsiveness is low, there is a possibility of getting jagged lines when working with the pen, and the stylus cursor may lag behind the movement of your hand. Devices with a response of 266 PPS or more perform best, the “golden mean” is the range of values 230 – 233 PPS and 250 – 260 PPS, and in entry-level models the response can be 220 PPS or less.