What To Know
- The Wacom Intuos Bluetooth Medium boasts a sleek and minimalist design, featuring a black or silver finish with a textured surface that provides a comfortable grip.
- The XP-Pen Star G640 adopts a more conventional design, with a black plastic casing and a smooth surface.
- The G640 offers a more budget-friendly option, making it an attractive choice for users on a tighter budget.
Choosing the right drawing tablet can be a daunting task, especially when faced with a plethora of options. Two popular contenders in the budget-friendly segment are the Wacom Intuos Bluetooth Medium and the XP-Pen Star G640. Both tablets offer compelling features and affordability, making them attractive choices for aspiring artists, digital illustrators, and graphic designers. This comprehensive comparison delves into the key aspects of each tablet, helping you make an informed decision based on your specific needs and preferences.
Design and Build Quality
Wacom Intuos Bluetooth Medium: The Wacom Intuos Bluetooth Medium boasts a sleek and minimalist design, featuring a black or silver finish with a textured surface that provides a comfortable grip. The tablet is relatively compact, measuring 10.6 x 7.1 inches, making it suitable for smaller workspaces. Its lightweight construction adds to its portability.
XP-Pen Star G640: The XP-Pen Star G640 adopts a more conventional design, with a black plastic casing and a smooth surface. It’s slightly larger than the Intuos Medium, measuring 11.8 x 7.1 inches, providing more active drawing area. While not as sleek as the Intuos, the G640 is still sturdy and durable.
Active Area and Resolution
Wacom Intuos Bluetooth Medium: The Intuos Medium offers a generous active area of 6.25 x 3.9 inches, providing ample space for drawing and sketching. It features a resolution of 4000 lines per inch (lpi), ensuring smooth and accurate linework.
XP-Pen Star G640: The G640 boasts a larger active area of 8.5 x 5.3 inches, making it ideal for users who prefer more room to work. However, it has a lower resolution of 2540 lpi, which may result in slightly less precise linework compared to the Intuos Medium.
Pressure Sensitivity and Pen Technology
Wacom Intuos Bluetooth Medium: The Intuos Medium utilizes Wacom’s renowned EMR (Electro-Magnetic Resonance) technology, delivering exceptional pressure sensitivity with 4096 levels. The included pen is lightweight and comfortable to hold, with two customizable buttons for shortcuts.
XP-Pen Star G640: The G640 employs a similar EMR technology, offering 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity. Its pen is a bit heavier than the Intuos pen but still comfortable to use. It also features two programmable buttons for enhanced workflow.
Connectivity and Compatibility
Wacom Intuos Bluetooth Medium: The Intuos Medium offers both Bluetooth and USB connectivity, providing flexibility in connecting to your device. It’s compatible with Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, and Android devices.
XP-Pen Star G640: The G640 primarily relies on USB connectivity, although some models may include a Bluetooth option. It’s compatible with Windows and macOS operating systems.
Software and Features
Wacom Intuos Bluetooth Medium: Wacom provides its intuitive software, Wacom Desktop Center, which enables customizable pen settings, shortcut assignments, and access to a library of creative resources. It also offers a range of creative software trials.
XP-Pen Star G640: XP-Pen offers its own driver software, which allows for pen customization and shortcut programming. While not as feature-rich as Wacom’s software, it provides the necessary tools for basic configuration.
Price and Value
Wacom Intuos Bluetooth Medium: The Intuos Medium is generally priced slightly higher than the G640. However, its superior build quality, advanced pen technology, and comprehensive software support justify the premium.
XP-Pen Star G640: The G640 offers a more budget-friendly option, making it an attractive choice for users on a tighter budget. It provides a decent balance of features and affordability.
Wacom Intuos Bluetooth Medium vs XP-Pen Star G640: Which One is Right for You?
Choosing between the Wacom Intuos Bluetooth Medium and the XP-Pen Star G640 depends on your individual needs and priorities.
Choose the Wacom Intuos Bluetooth Medium if:
- You prioritize precision and accuracy in your artwork: The Intuos Medium’s higher resolution and advanced pressure sensitivity provide exceptional control for detailed drawings and illustrations.
- You value a sleek and portable design: The compact size and lightweight construction make the Intuos Medium easy to carry around.
- You want access to a comprehensive software suite: Wacom’s software offers a rich set of features for customizing your workflow and enhancing your creativity.
- You’re willing to spend a bit more for a premium experience: The Intuos Medium represents a significant investment, but its quality and features justify the price.
Choose the XP-Pen Star G640 if:
- You have a limited budget: The G640 offers an affordable alternative without sacrificing essential features.
- You prefer a larger active area: The G640’s spacious drawing surface provides more room for working on larger projects.
- You’re primarily focused on digital painting or sketching: The G640’s pressure sensitivity and pen technology are adequate for most digital art tasks.
- You’re comfortable with basic software and features: The G640’s driver software provides essential customization options without overwhelming you with complex features.
The Verdict: Finding Your Perfect Fit
Both the Wacom Intuos Bluetooth Medium and the XP-Pen Star G640 are excellent drawing tablets that cater to different needs and preferences. The Intuos Medium excels in precision, build quality, and software features, while the G640 offers a more affordable option with a larger active area. Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your budget, workflow, and artistic aspirations.
Beyond the Comparison: Exploring Other Options
While the Intuos Medium and the G640 are popular choices, the drawing tablet market is brimming with other excellent options. Consider exploring tablets from brands like Huion, XP-Pen, and Ugee, as they offer a diverse range of features and price points to suit various needs.
What You Need to Learn
Q1: Can I use the Wacom Intuos Bluetooth Medium with my iPad?
A1: While the Intuos Medium is compatible with Android devices, it does not work with iPads. iPads require Apple Pencil for stylus input.
Q2: Does the XP-Pen Star G640 require special software to operate?
A2: The G640 requires a driver software for proper functionality, which is available for download from XP-Pen’s website.
Q3: Are there any differences between the different versions of the XP-Pen Star G640?
A3: The G640 comes in various versions, including wired and wireless models. Some versions may also include a different pen or a larger active area. It’s essential to check the specifications before purchasing.
Q4: What are the advantages of using a drawing tablet over a touchscreen?
A4: Drawing tablets offer a more natural and precise drawing experience compared to touchscreens. They provide a larger active area, pressure sensitivity, and customizable pen settings, allowing for greater control and creativity.
Q5: How can I choose the right drawing tablet for my specific needs?
A5: Consider factors such as your budget, desired active area, pressure sensitivity requirements, software needs, and intended use. Research different models and read reviews to find the tablet that best suits your artistic goals.