When comparing Microsoft Surface Pro vs Wacom Cintiq 13HD, the Slant community recommends Microsoft Surface Pro for most people. In the question“What are the best tablets for graphical illustrator work?” Microsoft Surface Pro is ranked 1st while Wacom Cintiq 13HD is ranked 3rd.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Lightweight yet powerful
Pro Works as a tablet or a laptop
Surface Pro can be used both as a laptop and a tablet. Being that it can be used as either makes it extremely convenient to those that want power on the go.
Pro Reasonably priced
For the specs, the Surface Pros are a fantastic deal. Then factor in that you’re getting a tablet plus a laptop...it’s a no-brainer.
Pro Comes bundled with a great stylus
N-trig pen feels like a real pen and is natural to hold. There is a top button on the pen that allows for an eraser function as well as use for a wake up function.
Pro The last couple of i5 models are fanless
Pro Balanced screen colors
Pro 3:2 aspect ratio makes the device easier to hold and use
With a 3:2 aspect ratio the device is not as top heavy when holding in portrait and is easier to reach parts of the screens with the users thumbs when in landscape.
Pro New redesigned keyboard and touchpad attatchment
The keyboard attachment has been redesigned form earlier versions with a larger touchpad.
Pro Great graphics for illustrations and artwork
The Cintiq 13HD's 16.7m color screen is capable of rendering vivid life-like images. This combines with an excellent resolution of 1920 x 1080 to make it a tool more than capable of handling the delicate and precise needs of illustrative work.
Pro Suitable for precision work
This device's screen has 2048 levels of pressure and tilt sensitivity. The device comes with a tilt stand that snaps on to the back and gives you three different angles to work with. This makes precision work, on the smallest details, easy. The Cintiq 13HD is easy to use and intuitive. Its pen feels comfortable and using it is fluid. The 10 different nibs provided allow for a greater range of brush settings, along with colored rings to be able to customize your pen and differentiate it from everyone at work.
Pro Customizable shortcut keys
The Cintiq 13HD has the EasyKey feature located on the side of the tablet. It is a 9 key remote that can be customizable to whatever shortcuts you need so that working is made a lot faster.
Pro Supports connection to a wide variety of different platforms
It's prepared to connect to all the standard primary platforms and to most computers. It's equipped with USB 2.0 and HDMI ports. It also supports DVI, VGA, and DisplayPort, if additional adapters are purchased.
Its cable divides into three separate slots; a charger, a USB port and a HDMI. This makes it easier to work with as you do not have to bother about the various wires dangling from your device.
Pro Draw and erase as you go, before transferring to computer
The Cintiq 13HD has screen feedback is built in. That makes it an even more pleasurable experience because you can actually see everything you draw and erase it if you aren't too pleased with it before transferring it to your computer files.
Pro Enjoyable experience
You'll like the feel of working directly on your computer screen.
Pro Adjustable stand for comfortable use
The Cintiq 13HD's adjustable stand makes it easy to find the best angle for working. Both the inclination angle and height are alterable, so users can position the device in the most comfortable way possible.
Cons
Con Heavy for a tablet
Con Keyboard doesn't come with the device
You have to pay an extra $130 for the type cover keyboard.
Con Not a lot of ports
1 USB 3.0, microSD Card reader, Headset jack, Mini DisplayPort
Con Requires tweaking to reach full potential
Kinda applies to most Windows computers, but in the case of the Surface Pro, many users will benefit from undervolting (among other tweaks) to help keep performance steady and temperatures down. Especially true for the models without a fan.
Con Can be difficult to use
Unless you have a flat surface available to deploy the kickstand, it's not very laptop-like.
Con Lagging issues on macOS
The Cintiq 13HD has a bit of a problem working on macOS. It begins lagging and, because of this, the experience isn't as fluid as it is on Windows.
Con Too few EasyKeys
Some users may find that the amount of EasyKeys is low, and that it would be useful to have some more, to avoid frequent keyboard reaching. However, this can easily be fixed by using multiple key functions.
Con Rubber stand is of low quality
The rubber stand provided feels cheap. It ends up snapping on with a very deceitful snap, as if something inside it broke, and tends to slip off on the greater angle. For the price this device costs, Wacom could've included something that was more sturdy and with better quality rubber.
Con Stand can only be adjusted to fixed angles
This device's stand angle adjustment is not continuous, meaning users can only adjust it to fixed angles. This limits positioning and users may find this annoying: it's impossible to give it just a slight tweak of a few degrees to make it more comfortable.
Con Can't be used on the go
The Wacom Cintiq 13HD is essentially an input screen. It will not work without connecting it to a computer and some sort of power source. This makes it really hard to use on the go and so other graphic tablets may be preferred.
Con Power cable is problematic and limits portability
Since the Cintiq 13HD is a display, not a true tablet, it does not come with an internal battery. During use, it needs to be hooked up to a power source, which is a portability limitation.
Your hand, additionally, ends up resting on the cable when drawing on that side of the screen. This may cause damage to the pins and will be a problem in the long run. Perhaps if they moved the port to the side with the EasyKeys or maybe widened the edge it would be less of a worry.
Con Customer support could use some improvement
Customer service can be difficult because it is such a niche hardware.
Con Heats up
Understandable, since Intel Core i7 clocks at 3.1Ghz.
