What To Know
- This makes it a more budget-friendly option for artists who are looking for a large pen display tablet with a comprehensive feature set.
- The choice between the Gaomon PD156 Pro and the **Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium** ultimately depends on your individual needs and preferences.
- Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium is a premium tablet that caters to professional artists and those who demand the highest level of precision and control.
Choosing the right drawing tablet can be a daunting task, especially when faced with a plethora of options. Two popular contenders in the mid-range segment are the Gaomon PD156 Pro and the **Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium**. Both tablets offer compelling features and performance, but which one emerges as the victor? This comprehensive comparison will delve into the key aspects of each tablet, helping you make an informed decision based on your individual needs and preferences.
Design and Build Quality
The Gaomon PD156 Pro boasts a sleek and minimalist design with a black plastic exterior. Its large active area of 13.3 inches offers ample space for drawing and sketching. The tablet is relatively lightweight and portable, making it suitable for artists on the go. However, some users have reported issues with the build quality, particularly the flimsy stand.
The Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium, on the other hand, prioritizes a premium look and feel. Its brushed aluminum finish exudes a professional aesthetic, and the tablet feels solid and durable. The active area measures 10.6 inches, slightly smaller than the PD156 Pro but still generous enough for most creative tasks. While the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium is slightly heavier than the Gaomon, it remains portable and easy to transport.
Pen Performance and Pressure Sensitivity
Both tablets utilize pressure-sensitive pens that offer a natural and responsive drawing experience. The Gaomon PD156 Pro pen features 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, providing excellent accuracy and nuance in your strokes. The pen is lightweight and comfortable to hold, with customizable buttons for shortcuts.
The Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium pen boasts a slightly higher pressure sensitivity of 10,240 levels, offering even greater precision and control. It also features a customizable side switch for additional functionality. The pen’s ergonomic design and balanced weight contribute to a fatigue-free drawing experience.
Display and Resolution
The Gaomon PD156 Pro is a pen display tablet, meaning it incorporates a built-in LCD screen. The 13.3-inch display offers a Full HD resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, providing sharp and vibrant visuals. The screen’s laminated surface reduces parallax, ensuring a smooth and accurate drawing experience.
The Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium is a pen tablet without a display. Users rely on their computer screen for visual feedback. While this eliminates the need for a separate monitor, it can be less intuitive for some artists. However, the lack of a display allows for a more compact and affordable design.
Software and Compatibility
Both tablets are compatible with a wide range of popular drawing software, including Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, and Autodesk Sketchbook. The Gaomon PD156 Pro includes driver software that offers customization options for pen settings, shortcuts, and display calibration.
The Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium also comes with driver software that allows for pen customization and shortcut programming. Additionally, Xencelabs offers a dedicated software suite called “Pen Tablet Control” that provides advanced features like pressure sensitivity calibration and pen tip customization.
Price and Value
The Gaomon PD156 Pro is generally priced lower than the **Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium**. This makes it a more budget-friendly option for artists who are looking for a large pen display tablet with a comprehensive feature set.
The Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium, while more expensive, offers a premium build quality, superior pen performance, and a dedicated software suite. It is a compelling choice for professional artists who prioritize precision and control in their creative workflow.
The Verdict: Which Tablet Wins?
The choice between the Gaomon PD156 Pro and the **Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium** ultimately depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Gaomon PD156 Pro stands out as a great value-for-money option for beginners and casual artists. Its large active area, built-in display, and affordable price make it a compelling choice. However, its build quality and pen performance may not be as refined as the Xencelabs tablet.
Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium is a premium tablet that caters to professional artists and those who demand the highest level of precision and control. Its superior pen performance, dedicated software suite, and durable build quality justify its higher price tag.
Beyond the Basics: Exploring the Features
Both tablets offer a range of additional features that enhance the drawing experience.
The Gaomon PD156 Pro includes eight customizable shortcut keys on the tablet itself, allowing for quick access to frequently used commands. It also supports multi-touch gestures for navigating software and zooming in and out.
The Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium features two customizable buttons on the pen and a side switch for additional functionality. The tablet also includes a dedicated ExpressKeys remote, which provides 17 customizable buttons for shortcuts and hotkeys.
The Final Word: Embracing Your Artistic Journey
Ultimately, the best drawing tablet for you is the one that best suits your individual needs and budget. Both the Gaomon PD156 Pro and the **Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium** offer excellent features and performance, but they cater to different types of artists.
If you are a beginner or casual artist looking for an affordable and feature-rich pen display tablet, the Gaomon PD156 Pro is a solid choice. However, if you are a professional artist who prioritizes precision, control, and a premium experience, the **Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium** is a worthy investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are the key differences between the Gaomon PD156 Pro and the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium?
A1: The Gaomon PD156 Pro is a pen display tablet with a built-in screen, while the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium is a pen tablet without a display. The Xencelabs tablet offers superior pen performance and a premium build quality, while the Gaomon tablet is more affordable.
Q2: Which tablet is better for beginners?
A2: The Gaomon PD156 Pro is a good option for beginners due to its lower price and built-in display. However, the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium can also be suitable for beginners who are willing to invest in a higher-quality tablet.
Q3: Which tablet is better for professional artists?
A3: The Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium is a better choice for professional artists who require the highest level of precision and control. Its superior pen performance, dedicated software suite, and durable build quality cater to the demands of professional workflows.
Q4: What is the difference between a pen display tablet and a pen tablet?
A4: A pen display tablet has a built-in LCD screen, allowing artists to draw directly on the screen. A pen tablet does not have a display, and users rely on their computer screen for visual feedback.
Q5: Can I use these tablets with my Mac?
A5: Yes, both the Gaomon PD156 Pro and the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium are compatible with both Windows and macOS operating systems.