Do you feel torn between buying a Cintiq pen display and conserving money or space?

Spending hours shopping around for the best-suited tablet for your needs really sucks when you have amazing art to make.

If you’re looking for a reliable happy medium that feels natural to draw on, without wrecking your finances, I may have found what you seek.

In this Cintiq 13hd review I will help you find out if this is the tablet that’s just right for your artistic needs.

Visual drawing pads like the Cintiq 13hd creative pen display have, with various levels of success, done away with many downsides of traditional drawing pads.

It’s a relief to skip the process of retraining your hand-eye coordination when you get a new tablet. A pen display has a screen where can see your work and draw directly on it, instead of having to look at a separate computer screen like you do with traditional pen tablets.

It feels more like drawing or painting “for real.” Minus the joys of sharpening, stray brush hairs, eraser fuzz, and grooves in the paper...This makes pen display tablets like the 13hd ideal if you’re eager to get started without that disconnect and learning curve.

Note that the 13hd must be plugged into a computer to work. If you need a standalone pen display you should look at the Cintiq Companion instead.

Before you choose a pen display, you’ll also want to think about these factors:

Do you need powerful software? You will need a decent computer to run it, and a pen display that’s compatible and strong enough. Budget options aren’t always compatible with top software.

Cintiq pads are known for being pricey. The quality merits the price, but it can be out of many artists’ financial reach.

There are products that cut the price tag by sacrificing quality, and there are greater Cintiqs with an even higher price. The 13hd is cheaper than the typical Cintiq, but still delivers.

Are you looking for something to use on train rides, or bring to work or school?

Weigh your needs for power and drawing space against the portability and price to find your best fit.

A lighter, cheaper tablet often means a weaker build that’s more prone to damage, and less powerful machinery. However, reliable brands can balance this well.

Somewhere between minimalism and versatility, you’ll find the sweet spot for your digital drawing needs.

Here's what you will get when you buy the Cintiq 13HD:

• Cintiq 13HD creative pen display
• Adjustable stand
• Pen Case, with a Pro Pen, pen stand, 9 replacement nibs, and a nib removal tool
• Wacom 3-in-1 cable with USB, HDMI, and Power connection
• AC power supply
• Installation CD and Cintiq 13hd drivers
• Quick start guide

Weighing in at roughly 2.6 lbs, the tablet is light without feeling like a cheap toy, I love this since I like changing postures and drawing on my lap or standing up. This light weight makes it perfect if you like to hold your tablet up while you draw.

An active area of 11.75 x 6.75 inches is equal to a medium size sketchbook, big enough to draw freely but small enough to bring along. If you’re used to bigger drawing areas, using one of the four express keys or one of the directional keys of the rocker ring to zoom in and out will help you get comfortable with the size.

The Cintiq 13hd mount solution isn’t as robust and flexible as the typical Wacom stand. It locks into three separate, fixed angle settings, and won’t keep your tablet completely upright.

There’s no VESA mount connection either. This is all a quite fair trade-off for a lighter tablet that fits in a small case.

Beside the carrying case sold by Wacom, there are some great third party Cintiq 13hd case options. The Bag of Holding is a popular choice, sturdy with enough space and divisions to organize and bring all your graphics tablet accessories wherever you go.

With a tablet this light, I can go almost anywhere to draw. It’s not the most convenient for drawing on a crowded bus, but it’s perfect for bringing and drawing in cafés or on your lunch at the office.

The screen has an HD resolution of 1,920 x 1,080p and 165 pixels per inch, which is a big step forward from the low-resolution 1,280 x 800p of the Cintiq 12WX.

I’m quite pleased with the contrast and general color quality. With its 700:1 contrast, 250nits brightness, and 16.7 million colors, the 13hd supplies vivid colors even through its matte coating.

The matte screen reduces glare and gives a more resistant feeling when you draw, similar to paper. It does dull the colors a bit, but if you like neutral colors the matte screen is even better for you. If you like extreme saturation or complete grayscale it may not be the right choice though.

However, the simple Cintiq 13hd driver gives you many options to configure the colors to your liking. If you feel constrained by dimness or oversaturation, you can break free with a few simple tweaks of the Cintiq 13hd driver settings.

Since I have a hard time sitting still when inspired, I appreciate the 178° span of viewing angles and low parallax, letting me see clearly without color distortion or cursor misplacement at almost every angle.

The Pro Pen that comes with the Cintiq 13hd is ergonomic and fun to use.

It’s got 2,048 levels of pressure in both ends. This sensitivity plus the paper-like feel of the nib against the matte coating makes it feel quite “real” and fun to use.

Three buttons on the pen speed up my workflow quite a bit, allowing for quick changing of size and such.

All of this makes it very easy to use, especially if you set the eraser to a different painting tool like I usually do.

As expected, the pen is battery-free and compatible with several other Wacom tablets.Its ergonomic design with a flared soft-touch rubber grip makes it comfortable to work for long hours without the tension I’m used to when working with simpler styluses.

I like how it comes with a neat little case for the pen and nibs, designed to fit in your pocket or tablet case for easier portability and a more organized case.

Do you like tangled cords in your carrying case, or the narrow portability bottleneck of setting up cords? Me neither, that’s why I like the Cintiq 3 in 1 cable.

I’ve been struck by the urge to draw on a long commute many times, but given up due to the hassle required to even get started.

Since wireless connection is unfortunately not yet a viable option for this kind of tablet, Wacom tackle this issue with a clever 3 in 1 cable that handles all video and power through one slot.

The cable splits into separate USB, HDMI, and power connections in one end. The other end is one simple plug for the tablet.

It’s practical but maybe a bit short, and it can get knocked out quite easily. So, it’s not very ADHD-friendly, but a bit of tape will fix that. Also note that you will need an adapter if your computer only has displayport or mini-displayport/thunderbolt sockets instead of HDMI. 

The Cintiq 13hd comes with its own power supply in case your unplugged laptop can’t satiate its electronic hunger. Or if all you’re a tech fanboy and your sockets are all occupied. I really like how the plug face can be swapped for different country outlets, since I travel a lot.

I see this tablet as a powerful drawing tool primarily for artists on the move. Artistry is as subjective as it gets though, and I don’t want to overlook what could stand out to others.

Because I like to think of myself as an open-minded and relatively unbiased person (in my not so humble opinion), I looked around to see what other artists think.

Here’s what they say:

Before you buy a Cintiq 13hd, consider the following alternatives.

If you really want touch functionality and the shortcut gestures that come with it, the Cintiq 13hd Touch reintroduces this familiar signature function to the Cintiq 13 line.

• Updated version: The Cintiq 13hd Touch is an upgraded version that came later and has a few differences. Nothing that stands out too much, other than the Touch function.
• Special gestures: Zooming, rotating, changing brush size, and opening menus with a simple flick of my fingers is a great workflow booster.

This is an awesome pick for hopeless pen droppers and gesture shortcut fans. If you get annoyed by accidental touch reactions (or smudging when writing on paper,) you’ll want a drawing tablet artist’s glove, or the Cintiq 13hd without touch.

The 13hd is pretty much a minimized version of the 22hd, kind of like the miniature Schnauzer of tablets. Artists with more space and money and less need for portability should check it out.

• Bigger Drawing Area: If you like drawing big stuff and don’t like zooming, this is your kind of tablet. There’s more room for panels and references.
• More Powerful: Drawing area isn’t the only the Cintiq 13 sacrifices for a more manageable size, over-all performance is a bit better on the 22hd.
• Not Portable: This is a full-size tablet and not meant for use on the go.

The Cintiq 22hd is more expensive, but if you have the money to spare and don’t need portability it’s the superior choice for you.

Cintiq 27qhd is the powerhouse of the Cintiq family and, in terms of purpose, it’s a different device than the 13hd altogether. This is for those who draw professionally or aspire to be the new Rembrandt.

• Higher quality display: If you’re a color snob, this brighter screen with 97% NTSC color gamut is right up your alley. And you can feel the faster response rate of 12ms.
• Huge drawing area: With this behemoth you’ll have plenty of space for complex work, even with multiple reference images and advanced menus on screen.
• Massive: You can’t use this on your lap or bring it anywhere, it needs a designated desk.

The Cintiq 27qhd is not for everyone, it’s a fancy specialty product for very serious artists and professionals.

There’s more than Wacom out there, and these cintiq alternatives may suit you better.

Cintiq 13hd vs Artisul D13: which one is better? 

Quite the doppelganger. Artisul D13 is a lightweight, simplistic pen display,with a battery-free pen with 2048 pressure levels. It even looks like a Cintiq.

This can make a good Cintiq 13hd alternative for hobbyists who want something cheap.

• Less Pricey: If you’re looking for a budget option, you’ve found it. Keep in mind that it comes without a stand, and has fewer features.
• Less portable: The cord solution is nowhere near as elegant as the Cintiq, it’s quite messy. The design and stand aren’t quite as travel friendly either.

In summary, this copycat is a good choice if you’re on a tight budget. But don’t expect Cintiq level performance.

This ultra-portable laptop by Microsoft is an interesting candidate if you like to draw while traveling. The price and screen resolution are roughly equal to the 13hd, so it’s all about other preferences.

Cintiq 13hd vs Surface Pro: what are the main differences? The Surface Pro is a standalone Windows device, no connections needed. The keyboard makes it an interesting hybrid.

• More portable: If you draw everywhere you go, you’ll love the fact that this machine doesn’t need any connections, other than power when the battery is empty.
• Keyboard: For keyboard power users and writers like me, the keyboard is a great feature.
• Less precise: With half the pressure sensitivity and so-so precision, you’ll definitely feel that this is a multi-purpose device and not the best for serious artwork.

If you’re all about portability and efficiency, this consolidated solution is worth considering.

Cintiq 13hd vs iPad Pro: what should you use? Apple’s new tablet makes a pretty good tool for designs, artwork, and video editing. Having this built into the same device you carry around for pretty much everything else feels very practical.

If you like drawing on the bus or in the woods, the iPad Pro won’t hold you back.

• More portable: The iPad Pro is lighter than the 13hd and needs no computer or cord.
• Stronger screen: The iPad monitor is a close match to the 27qhd, and has no matte finish. Perfect if you need great color quality.
• Simple stylus: The lack of buttons, hover sensitivity, and calibration options, drawing on the iPad has a more primitive feel to it.

If you’re a hobbyist looking for something to sketch on, the iPad Pro is something to look into.

It’s no fun having to choose between an affordable, portable tablet and one that actually does what you want it to do.

If you aren’t able to buy multiple tablets but need a balanced option that feels realistic, the Cintiq 13hd interactive pen display is a worthy contestant for your time and money. It’s so nice to be able to just bring a powerful tablet everywhere, without breaking the bank.

Since you’ve read this Cintiq 13hd review all the way to the bottom, you’re probably thinking it’s a good choice for you.

Click here to check out the Cintiq 13hd!

So you’re considering investing in a complete portable drawing solution?

I’ve often dreamed of the ability to make digital art while traveling, or finish heavy tasks on the way to work. This usually seemed as elusive as the proverbial unicorn.

Most portable pen displays leave you wishing for more, and wondering how you’ll justify and gain from the investment.

I’m excited that technology is finally catching up to our need for powerful, portable visual processing tools.

In this Wacom MobileStudio Pro review I’ll help you determine if this is the device to end your search.

Minimal drawing tablets typically aren’t the most powerful of devices. And some of the tablets that are marketed as portable have limited portability due to a clunky or complicated build.

The best portable pen displays offer a great, balanced solution for your mobile art needs.

Consider these points to find the best tablet for you:

Simple pen displays can cover your needs for sketching and painting. But if you want to 3D modeling, animation, or video editing, you need a more advanced tool. These tasks require much more processing power and storage space.

Balancing this with portability requires compromises, but some high-end pen displays can pull it off.

How long you can work between charges greatly limits portability. Are you fine with a few hours of time before having to charge? Or do you need to immerse yourself in power-thirsty software for long sessions while moving about?

How much drawing space do you need? How much space and weight can you allow for your drawing tablet? Do you need to save a lot of files on it?

Portable tablets are all about balance and how well you can work on the go.

If you’re going to be working in a designated spot, it’s better to get the biggest and most powerful tablet you can get. The Cintiq 27QHD is an ideal example. The processing power, working space, and more ergonomic working position can’t be matched by portable units.

The Wacom MobileStudio Pro is the improved spiritual successor of the Wacom Cintiq Companion 2.

Most of the hardware has been upgraded, and the overall design has changed a bit. The higher-end models even come with a 3D camera.

The most important drawing changes are the new screen coating and the big increase in pressure levels. This creates a smoother feel and flow to your drawing.

If you’re looking for a cheap digital sketch pad, this isn’t the best fit. It’s an advanced, powerful pen display. But if you seek a powerhouse for your studio, you‘re better off with something like the Cintiq 27qhd.

If you want a reliable, portable tablet that’s easy to use, the MobileStudio Pro is an ideal candidate.

The design is sleek, robust, and sturdy. The 13” version weighs 3.13 lbs, while the 16” weighs 4.85 lbs. It’s light enough to bring along wherever you go, but still feels balanced and durable.

The aluminum frame gives is a smooth, cool feel, and should be able to withstand basic clumsiness. It can get pretty hot when under a heavy workload though.

Along the sides you’ll find an SD card slot, a lock button, a pen holder socket, a headphone jack, a volume controller, and 3 USB C ports. The exclusive use of USB C makes the MobileStudio Pro very future-proof and gives you a lot of options for charging the battery.

The slight downside is that you’ll need adapters for older equipment. This is a common issue with pen displays, but easy to fix. Note that you will need a Wacom link adapter for full functionality with your computer.

The standard Wacom design with ExpressKeys and a customizable touch ring is as powerful and easy to use as ever. You get 6 keys on the 13” and 8 on the 16”. They’re responsive, tough, and a nice size, as expected from a Wacom tablet.

The active drawing area is 13.6 x 7.6” on the 16” model, and 11.6 x 6.5” on the 13”. I can’t see any scenario where this isn’t big enough for your portable drawing tablet needs.

Its bright, high-resolution LED display is ideal for colorful creativity. The 13” has a 2560 x 1440 WQHD resolution, with a contrast ratio of 800:1, and 253.4cd/m2 brightness. The 16” offers 3840x2160 4K UHD resolution, with a 1000:1 contrast ratio and 314.78cd/m2 brightness.

All versions can display a maximum of 16.7 million colors, and the wide viewing angle of 178° lets you see the right colors from all angles. All the ones you’d realistically work with, anyway.

The drawing surface has a new etched glass finish, which makes the pen slide a bit smoother than it would on a the paper-simulation screen protector of the Cintiq Companion. This is ideal for quick, precise strokes.

There’s virtually no parallax, and the new technology compensates automatically when the nib touches the surface. The response is quick, with only minimal lag that you won’t notice unless you work on huge projects in heavy software. And you can use multi-touch functions while drawing.

The battery can last up to 6 hours on a single charge, and charging takes less than two hours.

You can use it on long commutes and trips, or bring it with you to work in a café without problems. It might not be enough to do heavy 3D editing on a nature hike without a power bank, but it’s still a nice battery life for a mobile device.

This is the kind of drawing tablet I wish I’d had when I used to take long bus rides from country to country on a regular basis.

How long the charge will last depends on brightness settings and the software you use. But it shouldn’t disappoint.

With 60 degrees of tilt sensitivity and 8192 pressure levels (almost four times the pressure levels of the previous model) this pen is very precise and versatile.

The moving tip makes it even more precise, but can take some getting used to. It sinks into the pen when you push down on it, unlike the static tip of a pencil.

A thick, non-latex rubber grip makes it ergonomic and comfortable for long sessions.

The pen case is a cylinder that opens in one end. It’s very convenient for storage, but it can roll away if you’re not careful. The shape may potentially raise some eyebrows if people don’t know what it is for.

You get 2 additional standard nibs and one felt tip, along with a nib replacement tool and color rings. All of it fits in the pen case.

There’s no pen stand, instead you get a pen holder that attaches to the side of the tablet.

Now for the hardware. MobileStudio Pro tablets operate on 3.3GHz Intel® Core™ processors. The cheaper models have the i5 processor, while the more high-end ones run on the i7 version.

They also come with between 4 and 16GB of DDR3 Ram, depending on the model.

If you like to run demanding software without lag while on the move, this device won’t disappoint.

The 13” versions use Intel Iris Graphics 550 GPUs, while the 16” versions have the more powerful NVIDIA QuadroGPUs. You can choose between the 2GB or 4GB NVIDIA GPU, the latter is stronger but more expensive.

You can take the edge off the quite steep price tag by opting for less RAM and a weaker GPU. If you need pure power though, you’re better off with the high-end models. Truly powerful mobile drawing tablets are rare, but this is one.

The fans are also much quieter than those of the Companion 2. Barely audible even under a lot of stress.

For a mobile unit, the amount of storage space is generous. Just like with the processing power, you can choose the amount that best fits you.

The 13” MobileStudio Pro comes with 64, 128, 256, or 512 GB SSD storage. The 16” offers 256 or 512 GB.

If you want a mobile device for editing videos, the bigger drives will make your life easier. It’s also helpful for photo processing and 3D work. What I like the most about the storage space is the ability to store music or movies for inspiration.

Figure out your hardware needs and balance it against your budget to find the best MobileStudio Pro version for you. It’s not a cheap device, but well worth it for professionals and serious hobbyists who need the freedom of movement.

You can always add more storage space with an SD card. This can be a cheaper option.

Keep in mind that you’ll need a Wacom Link in order to hook it up to your computer.

The high-end versions of MobileStudio Pro have a built-in Intel RealSense R200 3D Camera. It consists of a monochrome IR camera and an HD color camera. You can use this to scan the shape of real-world objects to use for 3D modeling. While the detail precision isn’t perfect, it’s a nice addition for 3D artists.

You also get one year of Artec Studio 3D scanning software.

So which model is better for you? Let’s do a repetition of the main differences.

MobileStudio Pro 16 comes with more powerful graphics cards, higher resolution, 2 more ExpressKeys, and a bigger drawing space. The smallest storage space is 256GB and the least RAM is 8GB. Both versions of Pro 16 have the 3D camera. If you need optimum performance, this is the choice for you.

MobileStudio Pro 13 is cheaper and more portable. The smallest storage space is 64GB and the lowest Ram is 4GB. However, only the most high-end version of Pro 13 has a 3D camera.

You have more different versions to choose from with the 13” inch version, with different storage and performance capabilities.

The short version is that MobileStudio Pro 13 is cheaper and more portable and better suited for hobbyists.

Pro 16, on the other hand, is more powerful with more storage and drawing space. It’s the best option if you’re a professional.

Since one perspective doesn’t always paint the full picture, I searched around for other artists’ impressions and opinions. Here’s what they have to say:

Before deciding on a tablet, it’s always worth considering some alternatives. Here are some relevant options.

The older sister of the MobileStudio Pro doesn’t look very different at first glance. But there are fewer features and buttons, and older connection ports.

It only offers about 25% of the pressure levels (2048) and the hardware is not as modern and powerful.

• Older Windows: The Companion 2 runs on Windows 8. You may experience compatibility issues.
• Less precision: With fewer pressure levels, lower resolution, and more parallax, it’s not as precise.
• Approachable: The lower price tag and simpler hardware make it easier if you’re not used to Wacom.

That’s not to say it’s a bad pen display at all. If you want a cheaper, simpler option, give it a look.

The iPad pro can handle artwork, graphic design and video editing. It’s not as powerful and versatile as the MobileStudio Pro, but if you prefer simplicity it’s worth a look.

Both software and hardware are more simplistic, it’s an Apple device after all. The new pen is very intuitive and has a natural feel. Since there are no moving parts, it’s much more beginner friendly than the ProPen 2.

• More portable: The iPad Pro is smaller and lighter than the MobileStudio Pro. This means less drawing space though.
• No shortcuts: There are no ExpressKeys, no stylus buttons, and no touch ring. This can slow you down.
• Limited software: You won’t have a big selection of software, and there are few powerful options.

The iPad Pro is better suited for beginners and hobbyists looking for a digital sketchpad.

Microsoft’s ultra-portable laptop offers a different digital art solution. It’s cheaper, but the resolution is lower and it’s not a dedicated artistic tool.

It’s basically a Windows tablet PC with a modern stylus.

• All-in-One: This is a more general multi-media device. It has more different uses than the MobileStudio Pro, but few are art-related.
• Keyboard: Since it has a keyboard by default, you get a lot of shortcuts. A MobileStudio Pro needs a separate keyboard or computer connection to achieve this.
• Less precise: The pressure sensitivity and precision can’t compare to a drawing tablet.

Making art and doing heavy-duty visual work on the go doesn’t have to be a struggle.

If you’re a traveling digital artist or want to become one, the MobileStudio Pro is a very useful tool. It can also help you do last-minute work on your commute.

If you think this is the solution to your strife, click here to check it out!