Review – For a long time (in the computer age), Wacom has dominated the graphics and display tablet market. However, in the past few years, competition has been heating up, which is good for the industry, especially for customers. XP-Pen is a tablet company that has been committed to becoming the David of the Wacom giant by providing low-cost tablets. It can be said that the Artist 22 (2nd generation) tablet is the latest product in its sling.
XP-Pen also released a series of ultra-affordable (non-screen) graphics tablets to compete with One by Wacom graphics tablets.
The question is-can they beat Wacom in their games?
what is it?
The XP-Pen Artist 22 (2nd generation) tablet is a 21.5-inch tablet designed for professional and amateur digital artists and designers. It has a 1080 high-resolution screen and Adobe color accuracy is 90%. It uses a single USB-C or HDMI cable to connect to the computer-future computers and laptops do not require adapters. Artist 22 requires a computer-it is Is not Stand-alone tablet computer (such as iPad). The XP-Pen stylus has 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and a 60° tilt. A built-in bracket is included, but can be removed to add a VESA bracket.
The DECO series of affordable graphic tablets are designed for digital artists or students who can benefit from a small tablet with a stylus. DECO tablets do not have a screen-the stylus works like a mouse. You have to look at the computer screen.
Specifications: Artist 22
- Dimensions: 21 inches x 13 inches x 1 inches (width x height x depth)
- Active area: 18.7 inches x 10.5 inches.
- Display resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Color gamut: 86% NTSC, Adobe® RGB≥90%, sRGB≥122%
- Pressure sensitivity: 8192 level
- Contrast ratio: 800:1
- Interface support: USB-C, HDMI, power jack, headphone jack
- Adjustable bracket: 16–90°
- VESA bracket
- Compatibility: Windows 10/8/7, Mac OS X 10.10 (and higher) and Linux
Specification: decoration fun
- Dimensions: 7×5.2×.5 inches (XS); 8.2×6.3×.5 inches (S); 12.4×8.7×.5 inches (length)
- Color: black, carmine, apple green, space blue
- Stylus tilt: 60° (L & S); tilt (XS) is not supported
What’s in the box: Artist 22
- 22-inch display tablet
- cleaning cloth
- HDMI cable
- Battery-free stylus
- Pen holder with extra nib
- USB-C to USB-C data cable
- power cable
- USB A to USB-C data cable
- Power Adapter
What’s in the box: Deco Fun
- Deco Fun Tablet
- USB-C to USB A cable
- Battery-free stylus
Design and function: Artist 22
When I checked the different versions of the technical gadgets I checked before, I tried to move up Ladder, so to speak. But from time to time, I will be asked to view a “smaller” version. It’s hard not to compare this new project with its supposedly better sibling.Having said that, the XP-Pen Artist 22 (2nd generation) tablet can still compete with better and more expensive tablets XP-Pen Artist 24 Pro Tablet And Wacom’s a lot of More expensive Cintiq 22.
Let’s start with the basics. The Artist 22 (2nd generation) is a large display tablet that doubles as a second monitor. It comes with a stylus (pen) that you hold.you Draw directly on the tablet Use computer software. Although my daily job is the art director of a large children’s publisher, I am not an illustrator. But I am a Photoshop expert, and I use a tablet to complete my work every day. I have been using various tablets for many years, and I know their pros and cons very well.
It seems a reasonable argument to call the Artist 22 (2nd generation) tablet the lite Artist 24 pro, but there are many other factors to consider. Artist 22 is 500 dollars. For tablets, this seems to be a lot of money, but it is not the case. XP-Pen retains important things while giving up some of its “professional” functions (for example, you still Put the stylus into a protective tube with a bunch of extra nibs).
If you directly compare the Artist 22 (2nd generation) tablet with the larger Artist 24 Pro, you will immediately notice that there are no shortcut keys on Artist 22 (shortcut keys can save time while working). If you like shortcut keys, that would be too much trouble. However, I think the lack of shortcut keys is a bonus for two reasons. Shortcut keys will mess up the border area of the tablet, which contains countless buttons and dials, making the tablet larger than necessary.In addition, I no way Use the supplied shortcut key and always turn it off. why? Before there are shortcut keys, I have used a tablet and learned how to use the keyboard to complete all the shortcut keys.I still prefer that method (note that XP-Pen is an optional handheld device Shortcut remote). The only buttons on Artist 22 are on/off, settings and volume (for headphone port).
Cleaner border minus shortcut keys make Artist 22 look more stylish and cleaner. There are still enough borders on the tablet to rest your left or right hand while drawing.
If you have a newer computer or laptop with a USB-C port (such as my 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro with 4 USB-C ports), then connecting the Artist 22 is a breeze. If USB-C is not available, you can also use the HDMI or USB A adapter connector. All cables are neatly arranged on the back of the tablet and are covered by a removable plastic protective cover. If you want audio, there is also a headphone port.
The Artist 22 is equipped with a detachable stand, which can be set at any position from 16-90° viewing angle and drawing angle. Before there was a stent, you didn’t know how many stents you needed. The stand is easy to adjust and feels as solid as a rock no matter the angle. If you prefer the VESA stand to get an ergonomic arm, you can also remove it.
The resolution of the Artist 22 screen is 1920 x 1080p. Technically, this is called high resolution, but with 2K (XP-Pen) and 4K (Wacom) now available, 1080 is considered just an average. When I packed a 2K XP-Pen Artist 24 Pro display tablet (2560 X 1440) to view this, I thought I would be afraid of the Artist 22 screen because its resolution is lower than that of the Artist 24 Pro with Smaller. Although I did notice the difference, it is not objectionable. I continued to process high-resolution photos in Photoshop without missing a beat. This is a pleasant surprise.
There is an annoying little secret about display tablets and graphic tablets-software drivers. Basically, the driver will tell your computer, “Hey! There is a tablet and pen connected. Deal with it!” The driver can make the experience of using the tablet great or terrible. Use XP-Pen, both. I haven’t got the XP-Pen tablet to work out of the box, and Artist 22 is no exception.
Installing the driver is the easiest part. Then I ran into calibration problems. I cannot align the pen tip with the screen cursor, making the tablet useless. Only after talking back and forth with my employer’s IT department. Does XP-Pen support solve the problem. I also found that the “Pen Tablet” Mac application needs to be open all the time-this is something I have never been told, and it is also something I didn’t need to do with any previous tablet (whether XP-Pen or Wacom). However, once I left the app, everything was fine.
Drawing and designing on Artist 22 is as simple and accurate as Artist 24 Pro with Just like any Wacom display tablet, I own and use it once you get the drivers. This pen works perfectly, and all of my Adobe applications can run well on this tablet. Holding the pen in my left hand and pressing the keyboard in my right hand, I can easily accomplish whatever I want to do without thinking.I can only jobs.
Will I keep the XP-Pen Artist 22 (2nd generation) tablet connected after the review? No, it’s not that Artist 22 is not a good tablet. In fact, I would call it great. The problem is: it is not an Artist 24 Pro tablet. Although their shortcut keys are tacky and useless (for me), the screen of Artist 24 Pro convinces me. However, if I had to choose Artist 22 or 24 Pro with a wallet from the beginning, I would choose Artist 22.almost half Price, this is a big issue.
Design and function: DECO Fun tablet
XP-Pen not only produces reasonably priced display tablets, but also produces Frantically Affordable graphic tablet. They sent me three Deco Fun tablets, the size and price ranged from $30 (4.8 x 3 inches) deco XS to $35 (6.3 x 4 inches) Deco S to $45 (10 x 6.27 inches) Deco L . ). Now, anyone who wants to dabble in digital art or just wants to use a pen instead of a mouse can afford a graphics tablet.
Using these tablets reminds me of the days when I was Wacom Intuous, I looked at the computer screen while my hand was drawing on a separate tablet. Ah, those days…
Use a USB-C to USB A cable to connect to maximize compatibility with many computers/laptops. with The driver software was installed smoothly and the tablet was running immediately-this is the first time! I can do whatever I want-the tablet even supports more than 8,000 levels of sensitivity! Please note that Deco L and S support 60° stylus tilt. XS does not.
The Deco series has four colors: black, carmine, apple green and space blue. All in all, any tablet in the Deco series is an excellent beginner tablet for anyone old enough to use a computer.
What I like: Artist 22
- Preferential price
- Accurate picture
- Standing
- Easy-to-use stylus
What will i change
What I like: Deco XS, S, L
- Crazy price
- Fun factor
- Small to small size
- Very suitable for beginners
What will i change
Final thoughts
The XP-Pen Artist 22 (second generation) tablet has many things to like. It’s large, easy to use, and affordable-for tablets. If I don’t have a better (and more expensive) Artist 24 Pro tablet, this will be my daily driver. If XP-Pen can make their drivers work seamlessly like Wacom drivers, then there is no reason to hesitate in recommending Artist 22.
The name of the Deco Fun tablet series is apt. Interesting colors, professional-grade pen features, easy to set up, and use at an impulsive price. What don’t you like?
Price: Artist 22: 499.99 USD
Where to buy: Amazon
Price: Deco XS, S, L: $29.99 (XS); $35.99 (S); 44.99 USD (Liter) US
Where to buy: Amazon
source: The sample of this product is made by XP-pen.
