Wacom Cintiq 13HD Review

The type of graphics tablet where you draw direct onto an LCD screen rather than onto a separate tablet is nothing new and is a type of product that Wacom have excelled at with their Cintiq range over many years.

However, this usually comes at a high price and requires a desk that is capable of withstanding the weight of the device, which, with the larger 21 inch models, can be quite a bit!

Released in March 2013, the Wacom Cintiq 13HD is different. A lighter, thinner model than the rest of the range, this LCD tablet has been released at the right price too, making the world of professional graphics tablets in reach of us, normal, consumers.

Wacom Cintiq 13HD Features.

• 13.3 inch HD display (1920×1080 pixels).
• A display that can display over 16.7 million colours.
• Sensitive to 2048 levels of pressure.
• Great ergonomic design.
• 4 ExpressKeys that can be programmed to perform different functions within your OS or graphics package.
• A rocker ring allows quick selections and zoom functions within your applications.
• The 13HD features a 178 degree viewing angle, with an adjustable stand, making it easy to find the right angle to work from.

Connectivity.

As you would expect, this Cintiq comes with USB2 connectivity or HDMI port for connection to your PC or Mac. The cable, which has both connectors on, also houses the power lead too, so no messing around with lots of wires when you want to use this LCD graphics tablet.

>> Read more 13HD information and reviews at Amazon <<

Benefits of the Cintiq 13HD.

The tablet is very lightweight and easy to use at any angle. You could use it in your lap, or on a desk, depending on how you like to work. The 13HD is also small enough to pop into a bag to carry with you, if you are a digital artist that likes to work on the move with your laptop or notebook.

The display stand, which handles 3 separate angles (more would have been nice in my opinion) is sturdy and feels very solid when it is placed on a desk. However, the stand can be removed completely, making it easy to use the Cintiq in many different ways.

Compatability.

This Wacom tablet drops support for any version of Windows under Vista – so no more support for Windows XP i’m afraid. Windows 7 and 8 are fully supported, which most modern PCs come preinstalled with.

If you (like me) are a Mac user, you will need OSX version 10.6.8 or higher to use this device, which should not be an issue for most Mac users with fairly modern hardware.

You will also need a PC or Mac that is capable of outputting via an HDMI connection. For this, you may need to buy an additional adapter if you need to convert from a DVI or Mac mini display adapter port.

The pen.

As usual, Wacom have shipped a good quality pen which is battery free and designed to be comfortable to use for long periods of time. The pen is supplied with a box to keep it in and also a set of replacement nibs, as the supplied one can wear down over time (although I have never had to replace one on any of my Wacom tablets before).

The pen can be flipped over to use the opposite end as an eraser, which is very handy when you are in the middle of drawing and need to delete something.

What you get in the box.

• Cintiq 13HD display.
• Detachable display stand.
• Wacom Pro Pen, pen carry case.
• 9 replacement nibs and nib removal tool.
• 3 color pen rings.
• desktop pen stand.
• Three-in-one connection cable.
• AC power supply.
• Quick-start guide and user manual, installation CD, and download key for free creative bundled software.

Pros.

• Very lightweight tablet and the first “less chunky” LCD Wacom tablet.
• Good responsiveness from the pen, no lag or delay between drawing and the image displaying on the screen.
• Silky/satin display feels nice to draw on with the supplied pen.
• 3-in-1 cable for power and connectivity means less trailing wires.
• Good, bright and accurate display – good colour representation.
• Easily manouverable device – works at many angles and positions.
• Ergonomic design with easily accessible buttons.

Cons.

• Possibility of the 3-in-1 cable being easily disconnected during operation if not used on a desk, or moved too much.
• Easy access buttons can be hard to click and can feel a little stiff.
• Some Windows users can experience a delay after drawing on the screen and the image appearing (usually related to driver issues or older PC hardware).
• Only works with newer PCs and Macs.
• Some users are experiencing issues at the outer areas of the screen, where the pen tracking suffers from blank spots.
• Random losses of pressure sensitivity (driver issues).
• The “wheel” is not a scroll wheel – it has 5 buttons set – cannot be used to pan, scroll or zoom within your documents.

Other customer reviews.

On the whole, it seems that this is the Wacom Cintiq model that many people have been waiting for for a long time. The quality display combined with the new slim design appears to be a good selling point for many people who are also very pleased with the operation of the device.

However, there are also people who, although they love the physical product, are having issues with drivers and compatibility (especially with Windows PCs). This may just be an initial driver teething problem, which are usually sorted out by Wacom over time with updated software or firmware.

Pricing.

One of the big plus points of this product is the price. At time of writing, the tablet is available for just over $1300, which, for a professional product like this, is a steal.

Expect the price to come down over time, but even at this price it is a very tempting offer indeed.

>> Check out the latest price for the Cintiq 13HD on Amazon <<

Is the Wacom Cintiq 13HD worth the money?

The Wacom Cintiq 13HD is a graphics tablet that has the ability to provide an artist with a pressure-sensitive pen and screen. This device can be mounted on a stand or used as a laptop, depending on your preference.

The product’s sleek design and high resolution are just some of its features that make it worth considering for any designer or illustrator.

Does a Cintiq need a computer to work?

Yes, you still need to connect it to your PC or Mac.

Essentially, it is just a screen, showing you what would normally be on your monitor.  But instead of just viewing the image, you get to use the stylus/pen to draw on to it.

Should I buy the Wacom Cintiq 13HD Interactive Display?

If you have been wanting to buy a graphics tablet that gives you more control and finer precision over your artwork and images, then this is an ideal product for you. People who are interested in taking their digital creations to a new level are also ideal candidates for buying the 13HD.

If you are a designer, graphic artist, illustrator or professional photographer, then you should look very seriously at this new model from Wacom.

However, if you are looking for something to just edit photos and do a little doodling, then a graphics tablet such as the Wacom Bamboo Create and Touch or the VT PenPad are a better (and much cheaper) option.