Woodard: Bosto and Surface Pro make great combo

The Surface Pro and the other mobile devices we generally discuss on this site are awesome drawing tablets.

But let's face it: whether we're talking about 10 inches or 13, they're still cramped. Sometimes you just want -- no, need some elbow room. 

I'll admit that I envy those of you with 22- or 24-inch Cintiqs at work or at home. Though I've always wanted a B.A.T. (big ass tablet), I could never justify the cost of such an expensive toy. 

Recently, illustrator, designer and custom brush seller Ray Frenden (@Frenden) began reviewing much lower cost Wacom alternatives on his site Frenden.com. His positive experience and reviews convinced me to take the plunge and order a Yiynova MVP22U(V2) tablet monitor. 

It's been waylaid in transit by a train derailment earlier this week (no lie), but I'll write up my experiences as soon as it arrives (assuming it's not lying under a freight car).

In the meantime, I thought I'd point you to this review by artist Jon Woodard (@mastajwood), who was inspired to try out the even lower priced Bosto Kingtee 19MA. I've read some horror stories online regarding Bosto's latest 22-inch model and canceled an order for one after Frenden tweeted some of his dismal results with a review unit.

However, Jon offers high praise for his new device in his post: http://sjcpanda.blogspot.com/2013/10/bosto-vs-cintiq.html. And below, you can see his first output on the new tablet monitor.

“If my pockets were DEEP,” writes Woodard, “I’d have a Cintiq 22HD without a doubt. As my pockets are more along the lines of ‘humble freelancer’ - the Bosto is perfection.”

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Drawn with Bosto 19" tablet monitor on Surface Pro.

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Real world tests: Manga Studio/Clip Studio Paint

Since many of you are using your Surface Pro for Manga Studio or Clip Studio Paint, I wanted to start a post comparing performance of cpu-intensive actions.

Please recommend actions for me to perform and clock in the comment section below. 

TEST 1

For the first test, I downloaded this example file contained on the English language Clip Studio Paint site. It consists of too many layers to count and is 8.27 x 11.69 inches at 600 dpi.

For the test, I rescaled the image by 145% to 12.02 x 17 inches at 600 dpi. Interpolation was set to smooth. 

The operation took 2:59 on the Surface Pro and 2:35 on the Surface Pro 2, a 15.5% time savings. 

Saving the resulting 291 MB file took about the same time: 1:56. 

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Changing screen resolution in Manga Studio/Clip Studio Paint

I'll update this post as I perform other tests. 

Unigine Heaven benchmark reports more incremental speed-up

The Unigine Heaven Benchmark is the second set of tests I've run on the Surface Pro 2 and the Surface Pro. Although the new tablet handily outperformed the original, the improvements were in the vicinity of 30% for most scores.

One interesting note is that the benchmark drove the Surface Pro fan harder than anything I've done with it before. I was actually surprised to hear the fan noise and at first didn't know where it was coming from.  The benchmark also activated the Surface Pro 2 fans, but they were much quieter.

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Unigine Heaven Benchmark 4.0

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Surface Pro 2 OpenGL Results

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 Surface Pro OpenGL Results

In the DirectX 11 battery of tests, the Surface Pro 2 ran 38% faster in frames per second (fps). The overall score was 36.6% better than the Surface Pro.  

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Surface Pro 2 DX11 Results

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Surface Pro DX11 Results

In the OpenGL benchmarks, the Surface Pro 2 performed 25% faster than the Surface Pro. This is significantly less than the OpenGL speed difference reported by Cinebench R15. 

Cinebench results show over 146% OpenGL improvement

The first benchmarks I've run on the new Surface Pro 2 yield encouraging results for anyone looking to push the tablet beyond 2D graphics. 

After running Maxon's Cinebench R15 tests several times, the OpenGL results for the Surface Pro 2 are averaging right around 20 fps compared to a pitiful 8 fps for the original. 

CPU gains are more modest: about 9% better for the Surface Pro 2.

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Surface Pro 2 Cinebench R15 results

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Surface Pro Cinebench R15 results

Logitech's Ultrathin Touch Mouse is a great traveling companion

When I evaluate whether a particular program runs or not on the Surface Pro, I test the ease and reliability of either pen or touch navigation. 

As I've often complained here, Adobe Photoshop definitely runs on the Surface Pro, but I can't recommend it because of its tiny touch targets that are even difficult to hit with a stylus. And I've been corresponding with the developers of the Unity game engine for months regarding the unreliability of pen input on that otherwise excellent program. 

With the imminent release of the Surface Pro 2 next week, our favorite tablet is now powerful enough to consider as a desktop or laptop replacement, but that also means it's time to occasionally put down the pen and pick up a mouse.

Microsoft has announced the Arc Touch Mouse Surface Edition for $70, but it's not yet available.  I'm also not convinced by that device's shape, which seems like it would be awkward to throw into a briefcase for travel.

This week, Logitech sent us a review copy of its Ultrathin Touch Mouse T630. Also, retailing for $70, this sleek little puck makes a perfect desktop or traveling companion for the Surface Pro. Not only can you throw it into a briefcase, you can actually slide it into your rear pants pocket.

At just over 3 inches long and 2 inches wide , the T630 has a full touch surface that registers nine different touch gestures.The Bluetooth mouse can be paired with two separate devices and comes with a USB charging cable. It will operate up to 10 days on a full charge and one minute of charging will yield an hour of additional use time. 

I'll continue to rate programs as "working or not" if they can't accurately register pen input, but having an Ultrathin Touch Mouse T630 at its side definitely broadens the appeal and practicality of the Surface Pro. 

 Ultrathin Mouse is  super-thin and feather-light with a design that slips nearly invisibly into a computer sleeve or even the pocket of your skinniest jeans.

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Surface Pro and Wacom Cintiq Companion go toe to toe

Ever since the Wacom Cintiq Companion was announced, readers have been asking for a side by side comparison with our beloved Surface Pro. 

I can't afford a Companion and a Surface Pro 2, so I've been waiting for someone to post a comparison.  

Finally artist Noah Bradley has provided the first side by side review video. Hopefully a lot more will follow.

Enjoy! 

A quick video review of Wacom's Cintiq Companion and Microsoft's Surface Pro. Both of these machines are great--I really don't have much to complain about. I've had a joy working on both of them and highly recommend them for any artist who wants a bit of mobility with their digital painting setup.

Desktop stand improves Surface Pro pen navigation

Although the primary appeal of the Surface Pro is its mobility, the sad fact is that most of us are chained to our desks all day long. 

Even with the adjustable kickstand on the upcoming Surface Pro 2, pen navigation isn't ideal while the slate is on your desk. So up until now, you've had a few very sub-optimal options while on the desktop: navigate the tiny UI with your finger, aim and use the pen like a dart or lay the tablet flat (which is especially awkward for readability).  

Thanks to Twitter follower John Slaughter (@JohnSlaughter), I recently discovered the iKlip Studio desktop stand from IK Multimedia.  Although it was designed for the iPad, the stand is a godsend for Surface Pro desktop navigation and drawing.

Made of rugged, sturdy thermoplastic, the iKlip Studio provides seven possible resting positions, two of which provide a very comfortable angle for pen navigation, writing and drawing. 

When John first told me about the iKlip Studio stand, I was skeptical because I assumed the Surface Pro would wobble as you apply pressure. But because of its rigid construction, the stand actually offers very little play as you press the pen against the screen.  (See the John's demonstration in the video below)

The biggest drawback of the iKlip stand is that its design makes it impossible to use the Touch or Type covers, although the connector is still accessible. That isn't an issue for me, as I use a Bluetooth keyboard. Also, Microsoft has announced a $60 wireless adapter for its keyboard covers that will correct the issue.

The stand folds flat and is very thin and lightweight, so it will take up very little storage space if you want to bring it along during your next business trip.  

My primary quibble with the iKlip Studio stand is that the clips that hold it flat are very rigid. I had a very difficult time unfolding the stand for the first time. Prying the stand apart required flexing the back until it came apart. You'll be tempted to use a screwdriver which I wouldn't recommend because it may mar the stand's surface or worse break the clips (although that would require a huge amount of force).  Clipping the stand closed is equally difficult and I frankly prefer to avoid the hassle and keep it folded but not fastened.

At under $30, I can't recommend the iKlip Studio enough.

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Small annoying things about the Surface Pro that I don't expect will be fixed Monday

Like a lot of you, I'm extremely excited about the forthcoming Surface Pro refresh and new peripherals we expect to be announced Monday. 

The Haswell processor should significantly boost the Surface Pro's battery life while reducing its heat output, overcoming the current hardware's two biggest limitations. 

Improved graphics and additional RAM will be mere icing on the cake. 

However, if Paul Thurrott is right and the Surface Pro 2's case is exactly the same, I'll still feel a twinge of disappointment for the missed opportunity to correct some other glaring design flaws.  

Here are the top things I would change: 

The power connector 

I hate the damn thing! Because the Surface Pro's sides are beveled, it's next to impossible to plug the power adapter in without stopping to make sure it is correctly aligned. And even if it is, you will still have to mess with the shallow magnetic connector until it snaps into place.

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Image from Microsoft. How many other devices do you know need instructions on how to properly attach a power cord?

The mini display port connector 

Not a fault of the connector per se, but another consequence of the beveled edges: a standard mini display port adapter won't fit snugly, requiring Microsoft's adapter which retails for $40.  

Of course you can probably whittle down the plastic of a generic plug to make it work, but who has time for that?

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Generic minidisplay adapters won't do because the connector on the left is angled 45 degrees.

The sharp screen edge 

Once again, due to those pesky beveled sides, the Surface Pro screen's edges are unusually sharp and can really cut into your wrists if you cradle it for a long time while drawing. 

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Image from Mashable. That sharp screen edge will threaten to cut you to the quick.

Those pesky beveled edges 

The root of all the above mentioned flaws. No other tablet on the market is as angular as the Surface Pro. Now we know why. 

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Image from Gizmodo. Beveled edges the root of all Surface Pro's design flaws?

I would love to see a Windows 8 tablet fashioned along the lines of the original Nexus 7. Its textured back is so comfortable in the hand. Many critics are deriding the stitched leather backs of the new Samsung Notes, but I'm certain those will be more comfortable to hold for long periods of time than the Surface Pro. 

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Image from HardwareHeaven.com. Love those pinholes on the back of the first generation Nexus 7.

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Samsung Note 10.1 2014 Edition. Say what you will, about Android art apps, but at least this will be comfortable to cradle.

The type and touch covers 

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What's to like? They barely work as covers, they don't work on your lap and they get in the way while drawing.

As covers, they pretty much suck. A clam shell edge would make them infinitely more useful. 

They need to be connected to work. Jonathan Case has illustrated an ingenious approach for keeping a connected keyboard out of the way while drawing. I just carry a bluetooth keyboard around and hope that my screen isn't scratched in transit. 

The type and touch covers should feature bluetooth capability so you can continue typing even if they're detached. No excuses. 

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Logitech's Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad actually envelopes and protects the tablet and connects via bluetooth.

  The screen dimensions

Widescreen 16:9 sounds fantastic if you're marketing a movie consumption device. But in practice, the aspect ratio is very awkward for most uses. 

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Reducing the size of that screen bezel would yield a much nicer screen size.

Microsoft could increase the screen size an inch or so merely by reducing the bezel size (although you'd also have to move the Windows/home button).

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Ok, so none of this is going to be corrected Monday, but solving these annoyances soon will be critical if Microsoft is going to compete effectively in the tablet space.  I know I'll jump to the first Windows 8 device that combines the rumored power of the Surface Pro 2 with a design aesthetic closer to Apple's.

UPDATE:  Facebook friend David Botos reminded me that I neglected one glaring item in my list of Surface Pro flaws: the lack of a silo for the stylus.

The current choice of sharing the power connector with the pen holder is woefully inadequate. I no longer use the Surface Pro pen on a regular basis, but I hate having to pack (and risk losing) my Wacom feel stylus on day trips. If the standard pen was tucked safely away, I wouldn't hesitate to use it for the occasional scribble. 

Wacom Cintiq Companion Hybrid side by side comparison

YouTube producer and artist Shogmaster has published a great video comparing the new Wacom Cintiq Companion Hybrid mobile tablet (Android 4.2.1) with Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (Android 4.1), and the Fujitsu T902 (Windows 8 Pro). 

His conclusions are pretty much in line with most of our readers': it's all about the apps and the Hybrid's price and form factor just don't make sense.