Comparison XP-PEN Star G640S vs Huion H420

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.

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.

- 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.

- 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.

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.