- My number four choice, is a duo of display tablets
known as the Wacom Cintiq Pro 13, and 16.
As with the Pro, and non-pro models of the Intuos,
we have a full-featured model,
and its stripped-down counterpart.
The Cintiq Pro 13 is only a bit more expensive,
than the non-pro Cintiq 16.
Both devices have a screen resolution of 1920 by 1080,
and both support the Wacom Pro Pen 2,
along with other types of Pro pens.
But the Cintiq Pro 13 supports multi-touch,
and it has better color accuracy,
at 87% of Adobe RGB, compared to the Cintiq 16, and 22,
which only support about 70% of Adobe RGB.
The Pro models of the Cintiq
also offer three USB-C ports on the side,
which can be used to connect the display to other devices.
There's also a headphone jack, and a security lock slot.
And the Pro Cintiqs offer more video connections,
such as USB-C, Mini DisplayPort, or HDMI.
Gone are the express keys on the exterior of the device,
and instead there's an optional Express Key Remote
you can purchase, which gives you a touch wheel,
and 17 programmable keys.
But you can also pop up on-screen keys,
with any of the tablets on this list,
so you might not need express keys.
Personally, I just prefer to use my keyboard,
so I can live without express keys.
As with the Wacom One, there are legs that fold out,
to provide a 20 degree angle to draw on.
But you have the option of purchasing the optional stand
that can be adjusted to provide more angles.
The stand can make a difference in terms of comfort,
if you are working on your tablet for long periods of time.
The stand is more sturdy on the Cintiq 16, and 22,
and attaches more securely,
but that also makes the device less portable,
and more bulky.
The Cintiq Pro feels more like a tablet computer,
while the regular Cintiq is built more like a TV.
The Cintiq Pro 16 is slightly better equipped
than the Cintiq Pro 13, with even more accurate color,
at 94% of Adobe RGB.
It also supports Ultra HD screen resolution,
which means you can see more detail when you are drawing.
If you do a lot of fine line work,
and you wanna be able to see maximum detail
when zooming out on your canvas,
then having a high-resolution screen is nice.
However, 1920 by 1080 is adequate for digital illustration,
and anything above that is more of a luxury,
than a necessity.
So basically, unless you care about color accuracy,
and the other Pro features,
you could get by just fine, with one of the non-Pro Cintiqs.
Moving on to number three,
I've chosen the Wacom MobileStudio Pro 13,
and 16, second generation.
The MobileStudio Pro is essentially a Cintiq Pro,
that is squished down into a tablet computer.
Unlike the other display tablets in my list,
the MobileStudio Pro is the only model
that does not require a connection to a separate device,
like a laptop, desktop, or Android device.
The MobileStudio 13, and 16, run Windows 10,
and that means they can run any application
that is supported by Windows.
Not light versions of desktop apps, not mobile apps,
we're talking the full version of Photoshop here.
MobileStudio Pro is also battery-powered,
which makes it perfect for artists
who like to work outside the studio.
I absolutely love it for painting outdoors,
or while traveling.
The MobileStudio Pro 13 has a WQHD screen resolution,
which is better than the 1920 by 1080,
supported by the Wacom One, Cintiq 16, and 22,
and Cintiq Pro 13,
but not as crisp as the UHD resolution
supported by the Cintiq Pro 16.
The 16 inch version of the MobileStudio Pro
does support UHD resolution,
but it offers less accurate color at 85% of Adobe RGB,
compared to the Cintiq Pro 16,
which provides 94% of Adobe RGB.
The MobileStudio Pro 13 offers even less color accuracy,
with only 82% Adobe RGB coverage.
Just like the Pro Cintiqs,
the MobileStudio Pro is equipped with USB-C ports,
and can also be connected as a regular Cintiq,
to a Windows, or Mac computer, though in the case
of the MobileStudio Pro second generation,
the USB-C ports are Thunderbolt 3 compatible.
Similar in design to the Intuos Pro,
the MobileStudio Pro has either six,
or eight express keys, and a touch wheel.
One feature that sets the MobileStudio Pro apart
from other tablets,
is that it can sense screen rotation.
You can use this to draw in portrait mode,
or change the angle of dripping paint on your canvas.
While the convenience and portability
of the MobileStudio Pro is nice,
its hardware will eventually become outdated.
You can upgrade the RAM, and SSD on the MobileStudio Pro,
but that won't delay it's obsolescence for very long.
Another downside is that the MobileStudio Pro
uses mobile processors,
which prefer power saving over performance.
A powerful desktop is going to provide
the snappiest performance,
and if that's what you're used to,
then the MobileStudio Pro
might feel a little sluggish in comparison.
You're trading performance for portability,
so if you don't need to make your studio mobile,
then save some money and get the Cintiq Pro 16,
and a nice computer, or check out what's coming up next.
In second place is the Wacom Cintiq Pro 24,
and the mighty Cintiq Pro 32.
Given its ability to harness the power of your desktop,
the Cintiq Pros offer the best tablet experience
money can buy.
The extra-large active drawing areas of the Cintiq Pro 24,
and 32, give you plenty of room
for your application interface,
while keeping your canvas large enough,
so that you can make very large gestures
while drawing or painting.
If you are a pro illustrator,
then this is what you want, if money is no object.
It feels great to be able to work on a large image,
on a large screen,
and see every detail without having to zoom in.
And if you do need to zoom, pan, or rotate,
the Cintiq Pro 24, and 32, support multi-touch.
Both devices also support the Pro Pen 2,
and UHD screen resolution.
The color gamut accuracy on the Cintiq Pro 24,
is 99% Adobe RGB, which is very accurate color.
The Cintiq Pro 32 offers 98% of Adobe RGB coverage,
but 1% is not a significant difference.
In either case, these are the largest,
and most accurate display tablets that Wacom has to offer.
The Cintiq Pro 24, and 32,
have the added bonus of an included Express Key Remote,
which magnetically attaches to the bezel.
They also have folding legs like the smaller Cintiq Pros,
with only one angle.
However, you can buy a couple of different stands.
There's the official Wacom Ergo Stand,
and then there's the Wacom-branded Ergo Flex Ergortron arm.
I prefer the arm, but both stands are great.
I'd say a stand is essential for either of these tablets,
because they are so large.
In terms of portability,
these are some pretty beefy devices.
They require a lot of desk space,
and they aren't easy, or convenient to lug around.
Technically, these are portable,
in the sense that there is an optional
computer module you can add to the Cintiq Pro 24, and 32,
called the Cintiq Pro Engine,
which will allow you to turn your Cintiq Pro
into a fully functional computer.
But it's not as portable as the self-powered
MobileStudio Pro would be,
because you'd have to lug around a large Cintiq,
plus find outlets to power the devices.
These tablets are overkill for a beginner, or a hobbyist.
If you just want a big screen to draw on,
you might be comfortable with a Cintiq 22,
since it includes the stand,
and does basically the same thing as the Cintiq Pro.
The Cintiq Pro 24, and 32,
are the pinnacle of digital art tools.
Or are they?
Well we are still at number two, so I guess not.
My main gripes about the Cintiq Pro 24, and 32,
are the size, and the fan noise.
Now, I know you're saying, "But Aaron, you just told me
"that a larger tablet was better."
I'll come back to the size issue.
Fan noise many not be much of an issue for you,
but I record audio in the video of my drawings,
so I don't need any unnecessary noise
ruining my magnificent voice overs.
The Cintiq 24, and 32, have external fans
that come on intermittently, and aren't super loud,
but are loud enough to bother me.
If that's just how it had to be,
then I would accept the fan noise,
but because I've used other devices that aren't as noisy,
I know that's not the case.
Now to be fair, Wacom did put out a firmware patch,
that allows you to lower the fan speed,
but it's not recommended.
And, according to Wacom,
it can create a temperature increase
on the surface of the tablet.
Now, I don't know whether this warning
is meant to prevent sweaty palms,
or if it's to stop users from unnecessarily decreasing
the lifespan of their device,
but I do know there's a reason
why the Cintiq Pros need to cool off,
and it's probably best not to mess with that.
So topping the list at number one,
is the Wacom Cintiq 27 QHD Touch,
This is probably a surprise to some of you,
but I actually like the Cintiq 27 QHD slightly better,
than the newer Cintiq Pro 24, or 32.
Sure, I like that the Cintiq Pro has a better screen,
with a higher resolution, and is compatible with USB-C,
but I'm frickin' Goldilocks,
and I just think the 24 feels too small,
and the 32 is too massive.
Yes, there is such a thing as too big,
27 inches feels right to me,
and I can live with QHD resolution,
and only 2000 pressure levels.
I created a lot of my early work
with only 1000 pressure levels,
so I know it's not a factor
that's going to hold anyone back.
Same goes for screen resolution, as I mentioned earlier,
1080 HD is an adequate screen resolution,
and you can make great art with just that.
Remember the One By Wacom, that came in at number nine?
That has the same pressure levels
as my high-end Cintiq 27 QHD Touch.
So higher pressure levels can be an advantage in some cases,
but for the most part, it's just a number.
I do wish I had USB-C ports on my Cintiq 27 QHD,
but at least it has four USB-A ports,
I can use to connect peripherals.
The Cintiq 27 QHD includes the Express Key Remote,
which can magnetically dock to the bezel.
And it requires one USB-A connection for data,
and a video connection, through either HDMI, or DisplayPort,
so it's not as elegant of a connection
as the single USB-C cable you can use,
to connect the Cintiq Pros, but that's okay with me.
In terms of color accuracy,
the Cintiq 27 QHD supports 97% of Adobe RGB,
which is only a hair less, than the Cintiq Pro 24, and 32.
And best of all,
there are no noisy fans on the Cintiq 27 QHD,
like you'll find on the Cintiq 24, and 32.
Just like the Cintiq Pros,
an optional stand is not only available,
but I'm also insisting that you need the stand,
in order to work comfortably.
There is a similar official Wacom Ergo Stand,
but without support for screen rotation.
Or you can purchase an inexpensive VESA adapter,
and connect an Ergotron Arm
which does support screen rotation.
I'd say if you can find a used Cintiq 27 QHD Touch,
in working condition, snatch it up.
Even the non-touch version would be great,
if you don't think you need touch.
I'd love to see Wacom release a 27 inch Cintiq Pro,
but until that happens, the Cintiq 27 QHD Touch,
is my top pick for drawing tablets in 2020.
If you'd to watch in-depth reviews of these drawing tablets,
checkout my drawing tablet review playlist,
Thanks for watching, and I'll see you next time.