Wacom Cintiq Companion 2: my final tablet purchase?

A powerful case of Wacom Cintiq pen display envy is what gave rise to this site.

I don't recall the specific year, but it must have been in the early 2000's when I first saw a Cintiq demonstrated at SIGGRAPH. Although I've been using computers for graphics since the release of the Amiga 1000, I was never much of a drawing tablet user. I bought a couple of low- and mid-range Wacom Intuos or Bamboo tablets, but they'd usually end up taking up space and collecting dust on my desktop.

But with the Cintiq here was a device that could let me draw--on the screen!--and didn't require me to develop a new level of hand-eye coordination. Of course, it was really expensive at the time and I just couldn't justify the cost when I spent most of my graphics time modeling in 3d applications. (That software was a lot more expensive then too).

When the iPad was first introduced five years ago, it was partly my on-going Cintiq lust that led me to chase down every new capacitive stylus that came on the market (I was pretty clueless then), hoping for something that would provide a reasonable drawing experience.

Shortly after this, smaller Cintiqs had become more affordable, but they didn't have touch, which the iPhone and iPad had proven (to me at least) was invaluable.

So when Microsoft announced the first generation Surface Pro--with Wacom pen!--I was primed and ready. So you could say that the resulting explosion of tablet PC purchases I've made for this site in the last two years is really the result of a decade of pent-up frustration. And ironically, while I once felt I couldn't afford a Cintiq, I could have purchased MANY of them with all the money I've spent chasing down lower cost alternatives since 2013.

It still amazes me that I managed to skip the first generation Companion released in the fall of 2013. Not having one to review definitely left a nagging hole in my coverage since then and always left me wondering how much greener the grass was on that other side.

But the Companion 1's limitations were so shockingly self-evident. I could have put up with the price and last gen processor, but not being able to work in Cintiq mode like its Android Hybrid sibling just seemed like a cruel marketing ploy. So I held out and was relieved as users began complaining about the stand and troublesome power connector that failed on far too many units. 

Nevertheless, by the time the Cintiq Companion 2 was finally announced this January, I was ready to dive in head-first.

Wacom made the decision easier by offering a broad range of competitive pricing. With as many tablet PCs and pen displays as I have on hand, I don't need the Companion 2 and I was very tempted to buy the bargain basement i3 model for testing. I opted instead for the DTHW1310L model, with core i5 processor, 128 GB SSD and 8 GB of RAM for $1600. It's impossible to compare this price directly to a Surface Pro 3 because Microsoft doesn't offer this combination of storage and RAM, but it's close enough to the configuration and the price difference of about $400 seems reasonable for the slightly higher clock speed and a premium professional grade product. At $1300, the i3 model of the Companion 2 not only offers less RAM and storage (4 GB/64 GB, respectively), it doesn't even come with a stand or soft case.

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Whether you go with the i3 or i5, it's easier to rationalize purchasing the lower end models of the Companion 2 because unlike any other tablet pcs, the device's Cintiq pen display features should be useful for many years after its processor and other features become obsolete. But if you insist on purchasing the i7 models, those will set you back from $2000 to $2500. (All except the i3 model are currently out of stock in the US Wacom store).

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When I ordered my Companion 2, I half seriously (hopefully?) tweeted that this might be my final tablet pc purchase. Now, after owning it for a few weeks, I can say that while I love the device, it's far from perfect and may not be the right solution for everyone. It may still be the last tablet I buy for a while, but it's not the fabled unicorn we've all been waiting for.

I've unboxed a lot of tablet pcs with plain brown paper wrapper packaging, but the Wacom packaging (above right) is far from that. 

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Upon opening the well designed box, you're greeted with equally well conceived compartments containing the tablet and accessories (right). Clockwise from top, these are the adjustable stand, soft case, Cintiq Connect cable, Pro Pen and case with 9 replacement nibs and nib removal tool, Quick Start Guide and power adapter.

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With the notable exception of the Surface Pro 3 and Toshiba Encore 2 Write, most Windows tablet PCs give me a strong sense of deja vu: you've seen one, you've seen them all. Not so the Companion 2.

First off, the thing is huge and solid, a true slate. According to the Wacom site, the device is 14.7 x 9.8 x 0.6 inches and weighs a solid 3.75 lbs. The Wacom frame which contains the Expresskeys (right) and speaker grilles encases what would be the entirety of most other 12- to 13-inch tablets.

The back of the Companion 2 is equally distinctive, with four rubber feet in the corners and copious amounts of air vents along one side, and both the top and bottom. Two large slots are for the adjustable stand. On the side directly behind the Expresskeys is a large matte plastic region that is comfortable for supporting the tablet's weight (for short periods of time). The rear camera's offset placement is a little odd, though I'll never use it.

Every complaint you've heard about the Cintiq Adjustable Stand is well-founded. Although it provides three solid, stable drawing angles, the stand is just not well-engineered.

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Each inset in the stand (above) corresponds to different support angle (above, right).

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The challenge when using the stand is that its tabs (above) have to be inserted just-so into the slots in the back of the Companion. It's impossible to do this with one hand and the base tab is particularly difficult. Once inserted, it requires a firm yank to pull the tab out of its slot. The angle insets are wobbly and finicky, so you will probably settle on a preferred angle and think twice before adjusting them again. It's almost preferable to drag the stand along rather than consider pulling the Companion out of it.

The collapsed stand and tablet will fit in the soft case, but the pockets in the sleeve were too tight to fit the pen case, power adapter and Cintiq Connect cable.

As a professional device ready for power users, the Companion 2 includes a healthy amount of ports. On one side (above, left to right), you'll find a headphone jack, three USB 3.0 connectors, SD Port, MiniDisplay port, the 2-in-1 connector, power status LED, DC jack and Micro SD port.

On the other side, you'll find (above, left to right) volume up and down buttons, the power button, two microphones, the auto-rotate switch and a Kensington security lock. 

The tapered Pro Pen comes in its own case with 9 additional nibs and an extractor ring.

Although the Pro Pen is very similar in length to the Axiotron Studio Pen (above top), it feels slightly more solid, although it's lighter than the Wacom Bamboo Feel Stylus Carbon (above, bottom). In addition to 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity, the Pro Pen is also tilt sensitive unlike all other tablet pc pens.

The Cintiq Companion 2 features a 13.3’’ 2,560 x 1,440 QHD display with wide viewing angle, 72 % NTSC and 16.7 million colors. It has a matte finish, anti-glare screen protector which resists finger prints and offers a satiny resistance to the pen nib.

The 3:2 12" Surface Pro 3 (above, top) vs. the 16:9 13.3" Cintiq Companion 2: a lot of tablet for a 1.3" display size increase.

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The Companion 2 (above, top) vs. the recently reviewed HP Pro x2 612 G1. The 12.5" HP is significantly more portable at 2.22 lbs.

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The 11.6" Lenovo Thinkpad Helix 2 (above, bottom) looks almost tiny compared to the Companion 2. It's also two pounds lighter at 1.75 lbs.

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The discontinued Sony VAIO Flip 15A (above, bottom) occupies almost the same physical dimensions as the Companion 2. The 15.6" Flip is just 0.2" thicker and weighs 5 lbs with keyboard.

The images above represent just a few of the dozen or so Windows tablet PCs I've tested over the last two years and the Wacom Cintiq Companion 2 is the first such device I felt I had to study in order to use.

Although the device will work out of the box, there are a ton of settings that can be adjusted to one's liking. Also, unlike other tablet PCs, the Wacom Tablet Properties can be customized per application.

The Windows Desktop Center is pre-installed and acts as the software hub for the device. The center will notify you of pending updates, which is handy. You'll notice in the screenshot above that the text inside the Windows prompt doesn't display properly. The is due to the UHD display and the default 200% UI scaling. Shame on Microsoft for Windows' ongoing issues with scalability. However it's one of the first places that you'll begin to question Wacom's decision to make the Companion 2 such a high resolution device.

If you run the desktop without scaling, touch targets are nearly unusable. And applications like Photoshop still don't offer sufficient UI scaling flexibility. I also noticed that the high resolution exacts a performance penalty on the integrated Intel Iris Graphics 5100 processor. For example, when the tiles first appear on the Start Screen, they have a visible stutter. Lowering screen resolution to 1920x1080 corrects the problem.

The Windows Desktop Center app also offers handy links to the tablet's documentation. Unfortunately, opening the manual requires installation of Java.

You set your tablet to right- or left-handedness here and can also disable touch operations. I don't know why anyone would do that. If touch really bothers you that much, either get a Cintiq 13HD or use a drawing glove.

You also access the pen and button settings here. I won't attempt to describe all of the tablet properties in this space, but as you can see by the ten screenshots below, the settings are exhaustive! Note to any experienced Wacom users looking to help out the community, it would be great for you to share your Expresskey and Pro Pen settings for novice users.

A preset feature that I find disconcerting is in the Rocker Ring settings (above right). The left rocker is set to Photoshop Colorist and the lower rocker is set to Brush Touch Strips. Both of these call up on screen menus which are very distracting when you've just started playing with the device. I frankly don't even know what either set of controls handles. I believe they're set in the On-Screen Controls panel (below, right) but I haven't played with them yet. Once again, experienced users feel free to let me know your thoughts about the on-screen controls. 

One customization I did make right away was to map the right rocker to call up the On Screen Keyboard. This is a fantastic way to work on desktop apps without a physical keyboard nearby. I really wish other tablet PC makers found a way to dedicate a physical button to turning the keyboard on and off.

The pen settings (above) will be familiar to users of Wacom-equipped tablet PCs like the Surface Pro 1 and 2. I played briefly with Tilt Sensitivity, but didn't see a use for the way that I sketch. The other major difference in these control panels is that settings can be applied to all applications or to a specific program. This will come in very handy as I spend more time with the tablet.

PERFORMANCE

So does the Companion 2 live up to expectations? From a drawing perspective, absolutely. I tested the tablet with Clip Studio Paint, Sketchbook Pro, Photoshop CC 2014, Mischief, Sketchable, ArtRage, ZBrush 4R7, Autodesk Softimage, Maya, 3DS Max and Mudbox. Except for limited touch support in the 3d programs, I've encountered no problems whatsoever.

Drawing in Clip Studio Paint in particular is a joy to use.

But here's an important point for all of you artists on a budget: the difference between drawing on other Wacom tablet PCs and the Cintiq Companion 2 is not that great. As I wrote in my HP Pro x2 612 G1 review, even that low-end tablet delivers an excellent drawing experience once you add the right screen protector and pen-nib combination. 

So if like me, you've spent all these months wondering how the other half lives, you can rest easy. Your tablet PC is at least 75-percent of the way there and it likely is a better-suited device for taking on the road and daily productivity use than the Companion 2.

Battery life of the Companion 2 is pretty feeble. Wacom claims up to 4.5 hours, but mine drains in about half the time.

Besides its size, the biggest drawback to the Companion 2 is its very loud fans. The unit appears to have three fan speed settings. Though it's never 100% silent, the lowest speed is very acceptable. Unfortunately, nearly any activity will cause the fans to switch gears. The second speed is noticeably loud but the third is accompanied by a high pitched whine that can get downright annoying. Sometimes, the fans will throttle back to second gear but the whine will remain. If you work in a noisy environment or can use headphones, this won't be an issue. But if you expect to sit on the couch working next to your significant other, expect to be asked to leave the room.

Wacom has been silent on the fan issue, but enough early adopters are complaining about it that we can only hope that the company issues a software fix if that's even possible. You can hear the loud fans for yourself in the two videos below.

The fans on the new Wacom Cintiq Companion 2 will kick in very frequently and loudly. In this video, during the installation of Autodesk Creative Suite.

The fans on the new Wacom Cintiq Companion 2 really kick in while running benchmarks like the 3dMark. Listen how they change to an even higher gear at about the :30 mark.

In the 3dMark benchmark results below, the Companion 2 clearly outdoes the Surface Pro 3.

But in real world day to day use, I can't say that I notice a big performance gap between the two devices.

In my next review, I'll discuss the use of the Companion 2 as a Cintiq. But judging the device as a pure Windows tablet PC yields a mixed verdict. 

As an art creation device, the Companion 2 is unrivaled among tablet PCs. But it has sufficient limitations in size, battery life and fan noise that it should give all potential buyers some pause. It is not the fabled portable art creation unicorn we've been searching for and will, budget permitting, not be my final tablet purchase.

If you will mostly use the Companion 2 in your office, near a power source and only occasionally take it out for a spin, you should be fine. But if you want to work on an airplane, or in a cafe or any other location where space and power are at a premium, you may be better off with a Surface Pro or other Windows tablet.

Wacom acknowledges issues with latest Feel driver; fix coming soon

I've received confirmation from Wacom that they are aware of the issues introduced by version 7.2.1.21 of the Feel driver, released in mid-February.

As many of you noticed, the driver disables the volume buttons on the Surface Pro 1 and 2. Additionally, it uses too much CPU which can cause a delay in the cursor movement in some applications on less powerful devices. 

"We tracked the problem to an expensive API call that someone slipped in (the culprit has been punished)," writes my Wacom contact.

Some other minor bugs are being ironed out and a new build should be available within two weeks. For now, your best bet if you're affected by these issues is to uninstall version 7.2.1.21 and revert to one of the legacy Feel drivers located here.

Guest post: 10" Toshiba Encore 2 Write Review

EDITOR'S NOTE: I've been hopelessly behind on my product reviews since January. It's been my plan to follow up my review of the HP Pro x2 612 G1 with a review of Toshiba's 10" Encore 2 Write. But then the Wacom Companion 2 was released and testing that device has been taking up all of my limited free time. Fortunately, Twitter friend and artist Eric Merced stepped into the fray and purchased and quickly reviewed his Toshiba tablet last week. With his kind permission, I reprint his findings here. Enjoy!

By ERIC MERCED

I tried my best to write a short thorough review of the Toshiba Encore Write 2 tablet that was not just open and honest, but informative for anyone who is in the market for either a Surface Pro 3 or the less expensive Write 2 tablet.

As an artist, my review is technically geared towards Artists looking for a portable drawing solution. However, that does not exclude anyone looking for a solid pen-based tablet.

With that in mind, I do have to say, that if you’re a heavy Photoshop, Corel Painter or Manga Studio user, you may be better suited with the more expensive and higher spec Surface Pro 3 due to the lower specs of the Write 2. And by heavy user, I mean, if you’re a painter who requires lots of memory and processor power, then the Write 2 may under perform for you.

I broke this review in two simple sections targeting the Write 2 and comparing it to the Surface Pro 3. Hopefully, this will help you decide which device is better suited for your needs.

THE GOOD STUFF
Small and lightweight. The Write 2 basically feels like an iPad in your hands. It’s lighter than the Surface Pro 3 and feels much more solid than an iPad. I always got the feeling that if I dropped an iPad or the Surface Pro, it would be game over. While I’m not looking towards dropping the Write 2 anytime soon, I feel that it may be capable of taking a tumble or 2 much better than the iPad or SP. Also, the Write 2 feels way more portable than the SP. Again, just like an iPad, I feel better carrying this thing around versus the SP3 which, even though it’s supposed to be a tablet, is more in line with a laptop.

Windows 8 Desktop Apps in a true portable experience. The allure of the SP3 and the Write 2 is the fact that you can have Windows 8 desktop apps in a portable device. And I’m not talking about desktop equivalent apps here, I’m talking about the actual desktop apps, like Photoshop, on a tablet. With the Surface Pro 3, it’s almost not much of a big deal because, like I mentioned beforehand, the SP3 is like a smaller laptop more than it is a tablet. With the Write 2, you really get the impact of running full Photoshop or Manga Studio in a tablet (as a matter of fact, Microsoft compares it against the Apple Macbook Air and not the iPad). To be honest, there’s more of a wow factor with the Write 2 than there was with the SP. And again, that has to do with the fact that this feels like an iPad. A real tablet. I think every iPad owner that’s a digital Artist really dreams of an Apple solution to the SP and now, the Write 2. As a Mac OSX user myself, I wish Apple would get with the program and create a true portable OSX experience like Microsoft has done with the SP and now, their partners like Toshiba, with the Write 2. I can’t express how awesome it feels to have Photoshop or Manga Studio in such a small device without much compromise. I can truly start something on my desktop, sync via Dropbox, and continue on my Write 2 on the go, or vice versa.

Good battery life. The Write has really good battery life. I can go almost a full day using it without the need of plugging it in. However, there’s a downside which I’ll touch on in the 2nd portion of the review below.

The pen (Stylus). The Write 2’s pen is such an improvement over the SP3’s pen by leaps and bounds. First of all, when you first set up a SP3, you need to hold down the SP3 pens top “eraser” button until the SP recognizes the pen via Bluetooth and automatically pairs with it. It takes a few seconds to do this and you get a prompt on screen that it will take as much to set up. The problem with the SP3’s pen is Bluetooth. It’s not a reliable connection and, at times, it will say that the pen is not connected yet you can still use it.  (NOTE: It was pointed out to me by a reader that, as a matter of fact, the Surface Pro 3 pen does not need Bluetooth to function. The Bluetooth is there for the top button which activates Onenote. Thanks Sven!). It’s a wonky set up to say the least. With the Write 2, I can’t recall a set up process. Maybe there was, maybe there wasn’t. I honestly don’t remember. The fact is, it’s been a hands off and painless experience. The pen just works right out of the box and, I’ve had no connection issues. As a matter of fact, a quick look at the Bluetooth section of the PC Settings and you won’t find any choice for connecting or disconnecting the Write 2’s pen. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Neither the N-Trig pen on the Surface Pro 3 nor the Wacom ActiveES pen on the Encore 2 Write require pairing in order to work, except for the limited cap button functionality cited above.)

Tracking is on par with the SP3. You notice the cursor drag behind the pen if you move fast but this has no noticeable impact on drawing/writing that I’ve noticed.  Yes, you do encounter lag at times with Photoshop or Manga Studio, but it depends on the brush you’re using. I use a lot of custom brushes in both apps and these brushes, at times, require some power to work. But for the most part, the lag is very minor. And as a reference point, I generally work in 8.5x11 or 11x17 at 300dpi’s. And yes, it does have pressure sensitivity which works great in both Photoshop and Manga Studio. Note: I did encounter a lot of frustrating lag when I installed the Wacom Feel Driver. I was told on Twitter that the latest version, as of this writing, did introduce some issues so keep that in mind.

Side slot to store your pen when not in use. This is so cool. The SP3 has a magnetic side where the pen clings on. You can’t use it when you’re charging the SP and, in both my experiences with the 2 units I tried, the magnet’s not even that’s strong. The Write 2’s solution comes via a clip on the side of the pen that you can insert into a slot on the side of the tablet. It works exceptionally well and diminishes any fears of it accidentally slipping out. I do wish it had the same in body slot the Samsung tablets have but, this works well. Also, the cap on the pen is a bonus. Not only does it protect the tip when not in use but, according to Toshiba, it helps with conserving battery life.

A full year of Office 360. Ok. I don’t know why I even added this as a good stuff. Or, yeah, ok. I did write this review on Word but, ok. Fine.

Affordable. The lower end Surface Pro 3 will run you $799 while this will run you $400.

THE BAD STUFF
Slow charging. Yes, it has good battery life but the downside is, in my experience, it takes looooong to charge up. Maybe I’ve been spoiled by the Nexus 6’s fast charge up time.
Low resolution screen. The only reason I’m even adding this here is because others have brought the point up. Yes, the Surface Pro 3 has a beautiful 12” screen. The thing is just gorgeous and a delight to work on. But the low resolution screen on the Write 2 may not turn you off. At least it didn’t turn me off. As a matter of fact, it’s a non issue for me.

It’s not a powerhouse. In comparison to the Surface Pro 3’s lower end model (see spec comparison below), the Write 2 is no power house. If you’re a heavy Photoshop user who does some intricate paintings that require a lot of processor and memory power, you might want to look at the higher end SP3’s because the Write 2 will disappoint you. With that said, it’s suitable for the kind of work I do. You’re just going to have to take a look at your work and workflow and decide which machine is best for you.
The charger cable is too short. I’m used to charger’s with a good amount of length on the cable. But for whatever reason, the Write 2’s charger is a bit short which makes for an annoyance when, say, sitting on a sofa and needing to plug the charger in while you continue to work. I may actually look into an alternative charger if possible.

No alternate choices for pens. With the Surface Pro 2 I had the choice of using the horrible stock pen or, what quickly became my favorite, the Wacom Feel pen. With the SP3, I believe that changed and your choice was limited to the stock pen. The same is true for the Write 2. I do wish I had a choice of 3rd party pens. While I really do not dislike the stock Write 2 pen (I actually find it better than the SP2’s pen) I do wish I had options. But for now, it will do just fine.

Surprisingly, that’s it for the bad stuff!

So in a nutshell,
Q. Is the Write 2 a suitable replacement for the Surface Pro 2 or 3?
That depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for the same power you get from the SP2 or 3, then you might want to look at the latest SP3 models. If you’re looking for a much more portable solution with OK processing power, then the Write 2 might be what you’re looking for. If you don’t mind a smaller screen, again, the Write 2 is what you’re looking for (I do suggest the 10” model over the 8”). However, if you crave for a slightly bigger screen than that of the Surface Pro 2, the Surface Pro 3 has a beautiful 12” screen that does not disappoint.
 

Q. Is the Write 2 a suitable replacement for the Cintiq?
No. Look, in all honesty, if you have the cash to get your hands on a Cintiq Companion, stop reading this. Go get that darn Cintiq Companion. To this date I have not found a tablet that has the feel of the Cintiq screen. The SP2 or 3 did not have it nor does the Write 2. Drawing on these machines is like drawing on glass while the Cintiq’s have a premium textured feel to it that truly feels like drawing on paper. Also, the Cintiq Companion is much more powerful than the Write 2 and as an added bonus, you can plug it into your computer to use when not on the go.

Q. Will it run Photoshop, Manga Studio and or Illustrator?
Yes. Yes and yes. The Toshiba Write 2 basically runs on Windows 8. The same OS you get on desktop, you get in this portable little tablet. It’s friggin awesome. But keep in mind, there’s some squinting to be had. Not every app is optimized for Windows 8 mobile. I think Manga Studio and Sketchbook Pro have the best mobile UI’s out there. And on the Write 2, please stay away from Adobe Photoshop’s experimental UI features for now. They were designed more with the Surface Pro’s screen in mind.

Q. Does the pen have replacement tips?
Yes. And no. It comes with one additional replacement tip but I have not looked online to see if I can order more so, for now, I’ll play it safe and say no.

Q. Is the Write 2 a suitable replacement for the iPad (as a digital portable sketchbook)?
Um, how do I say this politely…. HELL YEAH! Look, iOS has some really amazing apps. Among my favorites were Procreate and iDraw. Unfortunately, you can’t find those out of iOS. But where iPad fails as a digital sketchbook is in the pen department. Bluetooth and pressure sensitive pens are not the best of solutions at the moment. I’ve had plenty of frustrations when dealing with them. But, it’s getting better. Still, when you use an iPad and iOS you’re basically using mobile apps that are not as powerful as desktop apps. I don’t care what opinions you may have about Procreate, you can’t produce high resolution art on it the same way you can in Photoshop. So the iOS experience on the iPad is a very limited one at the moment (fingers crossed on those iPad Pro rumors going around). In the meantime, if you’re looking for an iPad replacement, I highly recommend the Write 2. Windows 8 is a different beast than iOS and it takes some getting used to, but the ability to run desktop apps on a tablet will diminish any gripes you may have with the OS.

SIDE BY SIDE SPECS COMPARISON
SURFACE PRO 3
Display: 12” (2160 X 1440)
Processor: 4th generation Intel Core
Memory: 4, 8GB options
Storage: 64, 128, 256, 512GB Options
Weight: 1.7lbs
OS: Windows 8.1

TOSHIBA ENCORE WRITE 2
Display: 8” (1280 X 800)- I’m not even going to consider the smaller version here because I’m highly recommending you go with the bigger model.
Processor: Intel Atom
Memory: 2GB
Storage: 64GB
Weight: 13.4 oz
OS: Windows 8.1

So there you have it. I hope this review has been informative and helps you decide what machine to get based on your needs. While I really would have settled for a Surface Pro 3, and would still own one if the first or second units I bought hadn’t turned out defective, I have absolutely no regrets from buying the Write 2. In the end, I saved a lot of money and got a slightly more portable machine that still gives me the abilities to do the things I would have on an SP3. While not as powerful as the SP3, it still works great for my workflow and style of art.

See more of my work at www.ericmerced.com

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HP Pro x2 612 G1: an awkward name worth remembering

With the first tablet pcs with Wacom’s new Active ES digitizer now on the market, the task of selecting a penabled device has become significantly more nuanced.

PC manufacturers seem to love to hide the details of their pens from the buying public. And now instead of asking, “Does it have a pen and is it Wacom or something else?” we need to ask “Does it have a pen and is it Wacom EMR, Wacom Active ES or something else?”

I’ve been using and really enjoying the 10” Toshiba Encore 2 Write for a while now and I still owe readers a review of that AES-equipped product (artist Eric Merced has just published one that I will be reprinting shortly). But in the meantime, I'd like to focus on what may be among the last of a breed: a tablet pc with the Wacom EMR (Electro-Magnetic Resonance) tech we’ve known for over a decade.

The HP Pro x2 612 G1 may be one of the worst named products ever. It’s also very poorly marketed, seemingly available only as a business product through HP.com or other online retailers. But with a starting price of as low as $695 via one Amazon reseller, the tablet is definitely worth a closer look.

I received my unit in early January, and I’m glad that I held off on writing this review so that I can compare it not only to the low-cost Toshiba but also to the Wacom Cintiq Companion 2, which I’ve been testing for a little over a week. 

I decided to purchase the base model, with an Intel Core i3-4012y 1.5GHz processor, 4GB RAM and a 64GB HD. I paid $762.50 via Staples.com. The tablet has a 12.5" screen and offers a resolution of 1920 x 1080. 
A Core i5-4302y model with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD and bundled power keyboard will set you back about $1320. Although I cheaped out and bought the lowest cost model, this higher end configuration is definitely the way to go for most users.

The included pen (above, middle) is a stick stylus even thinner than the one included with the Thinkpad Yoga (above, top). It’s nice that it can be stored away inside a silo for emergencies (see right), but I suspect I’ll never use it. For any prolonged creation or notetaking purposes, you’ll definitely have to buy your own tablet pc compatible pen. I tested a variety of options and found that my old standby the Wacom Bamboo Feel Carbon’s nib had the best grip on the extremely slippery display (more on that in a bit).

The low-end configuration doesn’t include a keyboard and I’m unsure whether HP sells one separately. I wasn't able to find it. Invoking the on-screen keyboard is a drag in Windows desktop, so you’ll definitely want to at least pair this tablet with a Bluetooth keyboard. The tablet also doesn't have a built-in kickstand, so if you don't buy it bundled with a keyboard, you'll also need a stand.

The bottom line is that this HP Pro x2 612 G1 is a very Spartan device. But I also like it a lot and think it compares very favorably to the entry level Surface Pro 3. In fact, an i5 version of the tablet feels like it could be a big brother of the Surface Pro 2 (see below). If you have any qualms about adopting N-Trig, the HP Pro is definitely worth considering.

The biggest issues I have with the tablet are aesthetic. The 2.2 lb. device is ½-inch thick, with contoured edges. I generally prefer that to squared-off corners. Unfortunately, the HP’s display isn’t flush with the matte plastic case and the resulting edge feels sharp and uncomfortable (right).

The bottom edge of the tablet is flat and where HP has placed all the ports. In addition to two keyboard alignment posts and a docking connector, there’s the pen silo, a micro SIM slot, a micro SD slot, a USB 3.0 port, headphone jack and power connector. I lament not having the bundled keyboard to understand how these ports are accessed once the keyboard is attached. I also can't say what angles the keyboard allows.

Unlike most tablets, the HP tablet uses an ungainly laptop power adapter which doesn’t fit snugly and hangs awkwardly during charging (right).

The physical Windows button (below) is concave and requires some effort to press. Some may like this because it probably reduces the likelihood of accidental jumps to the Start screen. But since I don’t experience that issue with my other Windows tablets, I don’t care for this cheap-feeling design.

On the positive side, I really like some of the choices HP made on the back of the tablet. The matte plastic finish is comfortable to the touch and remains cool even after several hours of running benchmarks. The vents are located at the top of the tablet, away from your lap.

And although the fans will blow regularly, the HP Pro x2 612 G1 is very quiet compared to the Surface Pro 3 or Companion 2.

There's a large slot for a smart card reader (which I'll never use but I assume works).

Below the volume rocker is the power switch, which you have to hold down for a couple of seconds in order to wake the device.

Above the volume controls is the rotation key, a handy physical rotation lock that all tablets should have.

The 12.5" display with Intel HD Graphics 4200 is bright and sharp and view angles are excellent with next to no color or brightness variation.

I assume the display is glass, but it appears to be coated with an additional layer of very slick material. This is the slipperiest display I have ever seen on a Windows tablet.

Although my initial impression for drawing on the bare surface was positive, as I tested more for this review, I discovered I couldn't get consistent strokes no matter which tablet pc pen and nib combination I tried.

Out of frustration, I decided to order a Photodon screen protector. What a difference! That company doesn't sell a version sized exactly for the HP Pro. The Thinkpad x220t screen protector I installed just barely covers the display. BUT, it makes the HP Pro a delight to draw on with my Wacom Bamboo Feel Stylus. Drawing now feels almost indistinguishable from sketching on the new Companion 2. Application of the screen protector was also surprisingly easy (first time ever with no bubbles for me) so I ordered additional sheets to test for the Surface Pro 2 and 3. (UPDATE: Thanks to reader Todd Kennedy who alerted me to the availability of pre-cut HP Pro x2 612 G1 Photodon screen protector. I just ordered one. Here's the link: http://www.photodon.com/p/6066-01.html )

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It's hard to tell from the photo above (pardon my crappy lighting conditions in this new office), but it depicts the HP Pro x2 612 G1 sitting on top of the Companion 2. Although the HP's display is only 0.8 inches smaller, the Companion's bezel on bezel case is huge by comparison (pictured right). Despite its design flaws, the HP definitely wins for portability.

This HP Pro x2 612 G1 model is no speed demon. It scored 1738 on the PCMark Home Accelerated 3.0 benchmark vs. the i5 Companion 2's 2793. But so far I haven't noticed any appreciable lag while drawing in Clip Studio Paint, Sketchbook Pro, Sketchable and Photoshop. And most significantly, the fans are much less noisy than the Companion's, kicking on much less frequently as well.

Clearly, the HP Pro x2 612 G1 is not a dedicated art tablet like the Companion, but if you're on a budget, this entry level model probably comes close enough. Its biggest downside is the 64GB of storage. I actually ran out of disk space while writing this review and installing multiple GBs worth of benchmark software.

If you're not bothered by N-Trig, the entry level Surface Pro 3 is a better all-around choice. And for the truly budget conscious, the new Toshiba Encore 2 Write is hard to beat at $400.

But if you're looking to reproduce the traditional Wacom experience found in the Surface Pro 1 and 2 with a significantly larger display, the HP Pro x2 612 G1 is the cumbersome product name worth remembering.

FOOTNOTE: A reader asked and I felt I should clarify that this review and my assessments of the HP's "value" are relative to the $700 price tag of the entry level tablet. Clearly the i5 version competes very closely price-wise with the higher end Surface Pro 3 and mid-level Companion 2 as well as several other devices like the Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga. They all have their pluses and minuses as well-rounded tablet pcs, but there is no doubt that the Companion is the better choice for a professional artist.

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Wacom announces Cintiq 13HD Touch, slashes non-touch price

High prices have traditionally kept Wacom's Cintiq line out of the reach of starving artists, but the company took a big step toward affordability today by slashing the price of its Cintiq 13HD to $800 and introducing the new 13HD Touch for $1000.

I've been testing the Companion 2 for a couple of weeks and while there's a lot to like, the device does have its drawbacks. First of all, it's very large for a "portable" tablet and its fans can be extremely distracting.

Since the 13HD Touch is a display without the pc internals, fan noise should be non-existent. And the large footprint shouldn't be a problem on most desktops.

Yes, you could buy larger pen displays from Huion, Yiynova and others. But it's hard to argue with the quality workmanship, fit and finish of the Cintiq.

The new device should certainly be appealing to OS X artists who've had to look on with envy at Windows users who've been in "touch" with our tablets for years.

For more details, here's the link to Wacom's announcement.

Microsoft updates, renames Surface (Hub) app

Perhaps to avoid confusion with the soon-to-be-released Surface Hub displays, Microsoft has renamed its Surface Pro 3 app and added some new pressure increments.

You can now choose 12 steps of pressure for the SP3's N-Trig pen.

To achieve the broadest range of strokes (the equivalent of Wacom's firm setting), select the leftmost position, shown above. The curve slope at this setting is not as gradual as you can set in Manga Studio. In fact, a linear curve is only three steps away.

The majority of the new increments seem geared to note-takers who will want to minimize stroke variability and apply the least force while writing. Setting the pressure slider all the way to the right (see above, what Wacom calls soft) provides a very dark stroke with minimal effort.

In addition to the pressure settings, the app allows users to choose between the Modern or desktop versions of OneNote for the Pen Top Button action. And the physical Windows button can be disabled if you find it gets in the way as you draw or ink.

Unfortunately, the app does not address side switch addressability. For that you'll need to use a third party utility like Radial Menu.

The updated Surface app is now available in the Windows Store.

Surface Pro 3 Makes Surprise Appearance on MacBreak Weekly

Although I'm a longtime listener to Leo Laporte and the TWiT podcast network, it's sometimes hard to sit through all the FUD around Microsoft and its products. It's definitely not a place to find much love of penabled Windows tablet pcs, where even Microsoft journalists Paul Thurrott and Mary Jo Foley regularly dismiss the desirability of pens.

So it was certainly a surprise to listen to Alex Lindsay's surprise Pick of the Week on the latest episode of MacBreak Weekly. Lindsay is an fx artist and runs Pixelcorps.com, so he obviously uses Windows devices professionally, but you'd never know it watching or listening to him on TWiT...at least until now.

Wacom updates Feel Driver

Earlier this week, Wacom released version 7.2.1-21 of its Enhanced Tablet Driver, aka Feel driver.

The company hasn't updated its ReadMe file, so it's unclear what has changed. My inquiries to Wacom have gone unanswered.

It appears that the primary purpose of this release was to introduce compatibility with new ActiveES devices like the Toshiba Encore 2 Write. Now those tablet users can enjoy the benefits of the built-in radial menu, tip sensitivity adjustment and calibration.

I've tested the driver on Surface Pro 2, 10" Encore 2 Write, HP Pro x2 612 G1 and the Asus VivoTab TF810C with no problems to report. 

If you spot any differences, be sure to let me know in the comments section below. UPDATE 2/15/15: Many of you are reporting laggy performance and loss of volume button controls on the Surface Pro. Keep those error reports coming and we'll make sure to pass word along to Wacom. If you need to revert to an older version, you find those here: http://us.wacom.com/en/support/legacy-drivers/.

You can check out the driver for yourself here.

ArtRage Touch Now Available for Download in the Windows Store

Ambient Design has announced the release of ArtRage Touch for Windows 8.1 tablets, available immediately in the Windows Store. 

ArtRage 4 for Windows already features one of the cleaner UI designs among desktop paint programs, but the new Touch edition has adopted Windows Modern design language, making it easier to navigate with pen and touch.

While it doesn't offer the full feature set of the desktop version, ArtRage Touch features the key core set:

• Designed specifically for touch and stylus screen input devices.
• Natural painting tools including Oil Paint, Watercolor, Pencils, Palette Knives, Paint Tubes, Rollers, Pens and more.
• Tool settings to adjust the properties of each tool, and presets for storing your favorites.
• Transparent Layers with basic blend modes and opacity control.
• Reference and Tracing Images for importing photographs as a reference during painting.
• Configurable canvas textures with control over color, depth, and grain type.
• Undo and Redo.

ArtRage Touch is $9.99 to purchase and offers a 7-day free trial (NOTE: The ArtRage website claims it's a 14-day trial, but the Windows Store states only 7). Learn more about the app here.