Comparison Wacom Intuos Art Medium vs Genius EasyPen i405x

The paper size that corresponds to the size of the tablet's active surface.

This parameter is specified only for traditional tablets and smart-notebooks (see "Type"). At the same time, the specific size of the device does not always strictly correspond to the specified format. For example, an A4 tablet can be either a little larger or a little smaller than a standard landscape sheet of 210x297 mm. Nevertheless, according to the specified format, one can easily estimate the dimensions of the tablet as a whole and its general “weight category”.

Nowadays, on the market you can find devices in formats from A3 to A7, and the most popular options are the A4 mentioned above, as well as A5(148x210 mm) and A6(105x148 mm). In general, larger tablets are easier to use, but also more expensive.

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.

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.

The ability to work on a graphics tablet with your fingers — just like on the touch screen of a smartphone or tablet PC. Touch input can be useful both during "non-working" hours (for example, if the tablet is used as a touchpad for a PC), and when drawing, to implement some specific techniques. At the same time, note that the accuracy of typing with a finger is much lower than when using a pen.

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.

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.