Graphics pads

[Ferdia]

Hi, we're about to purchase a graphics tablet, preferably a standalone, and I see that Affinity is well supported by Wacom, but I can't see that Wacom produce a standalone tablet. Can you recommend a standalone tablet please?

[Komatös]

Hi @Ferdia and welcome to the forum.

If by standalone, you mean a tablet with a screen, the tablets in the Cintiq product line are what you're looking for.
However, if by that you mean a tablet that is portable, then there is only the Wacom MobileStudio Pro.
If by standalone you mean tablets without a wired connection (USB), the Intuos (Pro) models with Bluetooth are worth a look.

[iconoclast]

Or do you mean a mobile graphic tablet like an iPad? As far as I know, Wacom doesn't offer something like that. I personally have a Cintiq 16, so a graphic tablet with display, that needs to be connected to a computer. Wacom offers additional content to make it wireless, but I don't have that and can't say anything about it. But the Cintiq 16 is very good for it's price. I don't know the Wacom One. It is much cheaper, but I'm afraid possibly the screen will become scratched after a while. My Cintiq has a scratch resistant surface. I think it is better to think about such things before you buy a tablet.

[myclay]

1 hour ago, iconoclast said:

Or do you mean a mobile graphic tablet like an iPad?

2 hours ago, Komatös said:

if by that you mean a tablet that is portable, then there is only the Wacom MobileStudio Pro.

As Komatös wrote, ipad like systems from wacom exist but the prices are really high for what it offers.
The Wacom MobileStudio Pro 13 in my region costs ~1500€ up to 1800€. It has only 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM and an Intel Core i7 with two cores and 3,3GHz and an camera for 3D scanning. This offering might be unsatisfying to your needs but you have a battery for ~6hours usage.

The questions one should ask themselves are;

• Do you have programs where developers do not support alternatives like Huion, XP-Pen etc?
• Do you use Programs right now where support is not there (yet) which you use regularly? (if so skip the competition)
• Do your programs have features like tilt support where wacom wise you should only purchase the Pro products?
• Do you want or have to be mobile at all times? (Pen computers like the Wacom MobileStudio Pro are then needed.
• Do you already have a PC and want to upgrade it and save money but be much more stationary? either choose Pen Displays and keep an eye out for Huions,XP-Pens they might be suitable  or use Pen Tablets again, the competition is available too and depending on the usecases and support they can be nice alternatives.

 

• Do you want to have a full view at the screen or can you endure not seeing what is covered by your hands? (If you need a free view at all times choose Pen Tablets)
• Do you want or plan to replace your device cheaply when its broken? choose Pen Tablets as the cheapest and easiest product to replace.
• Do you want to do renderings and GPU intense stuff too? a Pen Display or Pen Tablet on your PC would be in my view the best solution.

Edit; other questions you should ask yourself are;

• Do you have the needed space for such hardware?
• How big does the tablet need to be for you?
  I personally stay clear from the smallest and biggest Versions ( S and L Editions) since to me they can feel uncomfortable when you work for a longer time and want to limit the amount of repetitive or body straining movements.

[iconoclast]

Wacom tablets and equipments are relative expensive in general, as far as I see. I purchased mine from a special offer. But Wacom has some advantages. As far as I know their tablets support the most hard- and softwares, even Linux and open source apps.

And yes, I already heard about Wacom Mobile tablets. I simply forgot. I can't say if they are recommendable.