What To Know
- The XP-Pen Artist Pro 16, on the other hand, opts for a more professional aesthetic with a black and red color combination.
- While both pens offer excellent pressure sensitivity, the **XP-Pen Artist Pro 16**’s pen takes the lead with its customizable buttons and comfortable grip, making it a more versatile and ergonomic choice.
- The **XP-Pen Artist Pro 16** wins this round with its more comprehensive driver software, offering a wider range of customization options and a valuable screen recording feature.
Choosing the right drawing tablet can be a daunting task, especially when faced with a plethora of options. Two popular contenders that often come up in discussions are the Gaomon PD1220 and the **XP-Pen Artist Pro 16**. Both tablets offer impressive features at competitive price points, making it challenging to decide which one suits your needs best. This comprehensive comparison delves deep into the key aspects of each tablet, helping you make an informed decision.
Design and Build Quality
The Gaomon PD1220 boasts a sleek, minimalist design with a black and silver color scheme. It features a sturdy, plastic construction that feels solid and durable. The tablet’s surface is smooth and responsive, providing a comfortable drawing experience.
The XP-Pen Artist Pro 16, on the other hand, opts for a more professional aesthetic with a black and red color combination. It features a premium aluminum frame that exudes quality and robustness. The tablet’s surface is coated with a textured film that provides a slightly grippy feel, enhancing control and precision.
Verdict: Both tablets offer solid build quality, but the **XP-Pen Artist Pro 16** edges out with its premium aluminum frame and textured surface, making it a more appealing choice for professional artists.
Active Area and Display
The Gaomon PD1220 offers a spacious active area of 11.6 inches, providing ample room for creative expression. The tablet’s display is a 1080p resolution screen with a 72% NTSC color gamut, delivering vibrant and accurate colors.
The XP-Pen Artist Pro 16 takes things up a notch with a larger active area of 15.6 inches, providing even more space for intricate drawings. Its display boasts a 1920×1080 resolution with a wider 92% NTSC color gamut, resulting in stunning visuals and a more immersive drawing experience.
Verdict: The **XP-Pen Artist Pro 16** wins this round with its larger active area and superior display quality, offering a more expansive and visually captivating drawing experience.
Pressure Sensitivity and Pen Technology
Both tablets feature 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, ensuring precise and nuanced line variations. The Gaomon PD1220 comes bundled with a passive pen that requires no battery or charging. It offers a comfortable grip and responsive performance.
The XP-Pen Artist Pro 16 includes a battery-free, passive pen with customizable side buttons. The pen features a more ergonomic design with a textured grip, enhancing control and comfort during extended drawing sessions.
Verdict: While both pens offer excellent pressure sensitivity, the **XP-Pen Artist Pro 16**’s pen takes the lead with its customizable buttons and comfortable grip, making it a more versatile and ergonomic choice.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The Gaomon PD1220 connects to your computer via a USB cable, ensuring a stable and reliable connection. It is compatible with Windows and macOS operating systems.
The XP-Pen Artist Pro 16 also utilizes a USB cable for connection and supports both Windows and macOS. It also offers an optional HDMI port for connecting to external displays.
Verdict: Both tablets offer excellent connectivity and compatibility, with the **XP-Pen Artist Pro 16** gaining a slight advantage due to its optional HDMI port, allowing for greater flexibility in setup.
Software and Features
Both tablets come with their respective driver software, providing customization options for pen settings, shortcut keys, and display calibration. The Gaomon PD1220’s driver software is user-friendly and straightforward, offering basic customization options.
The XP-Pen Artist Pro 16’s driver software is more feature-rich, allowing for advanced customization and configuration. It also includes a built-in screen recording feature, making it ideal for creating tutorials or showcasing your creative process.
Verdict: The **XP-Pen Artist Pro 16** wins this round with its more comprehensive driver software, offering a wider range of customization options and a valuable screen recording feature.
Price and Value
The Gaomon PD1220 is generally priced lower than the **XP-Pen Artist Pro 16**, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious artists. It offers a solid set of features at a competitive price point.
The XP-Pen Artist Pro 16 comes at a higher price, reflecting its premium features and larger display. However, it still offers excellent value for its price, providing a powerful and feature-rich drawing experience.
Verdict: The **Gaomon PD1220** offers exceptional value for its price, making it an ideal choice for beginners or those on a tight budget. The **XP-Pen Artist Pro 16** provides a more premium experience with its advanced features, justifying its higher price point.
Final Verdict: Which Tablet Should You Choose?
Choosing between the Gaomon PD1220 and the **XP-Pen Artist Pro 16** ultimately depends on your individual needs and budget.
Gaomon PD1220 is a great choice for:
- Beginners who are looking for an affordable and reliable drawing tablet.
- Artists who prioritize a spacious active area and vibrant colors.
- Those who prefer a simple and user-friendly driver software.
XP-Pen Artist Pro 16 is a better option for:
- Professional artists who demand a premium drawing experience.
- Those who value a larger active area and superior display quality.
- Artists who require advanced customization options and a screen recording feature.
Beyond the Comparison: A Look at the Bigger Picture
While both tablets offer a compelling set of features, it’s essential to consider your overall workflow and creative needs.
- Drawing Style: If you primarily engage in detailed line work or intricate illustrations, the **XP-Pen Artist Pro 16**’s larger active area and precise pen technology might be more suitable.
- Budget: The **Gaomon PD1220** provides an outstanding value proposition for budget-conscious artists, offering a solid foundation for creative exploration.
- Software Preferences: If you prefer a driver software with a wider range of customization options and additional features like screen recording, the **XP-Pen Artist Pro 16** will be a better choice.
What You Need to Know
Q: Can I use these tablets with my smartphone or tablet?
A: Both tablets primarily function with computers. They are not designed for direct use with smartphones or tablets.
Q: What are the minimum system requirements for these tablets?
A: Both tablets require a computer with a USB port and a compatible operating system (Windows or macOS). Refer to the manufacturer’s website for specific system requirements.
Q: How can I calibrate the display of my tablet?
A: Both tablets come with driver software that includes display calibration tools. You can adjust the color accuracy and brightness of the tablet’s display to match your computer monitor.
Q: Are there any alternative drawing tablets I should consider?
A: Yes, there are several other excellent drawing tablets available in the market, such as the **Wacom Intuos Pro** and the **Huion Kamvas Pro 13**. It’s worth exploring these options to find the ideal tablet for your specific needs.
Q: Can I use these tablets for digital painting?
A: Absolutely! Both tablets are designed for digital art creation, including painting, drawing, sketching, and graphic design. They provide the necessary precision and responsiveness for a seamless painting experience.