Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 – Review

Archive notice: This article was originally published on November 1, 2018. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.

Many artists still prefer analogue work with natural materials to digital input via graphics tablets – the creators of the game “Hidden Folks” even write on their website that they bought the same low-budget scanner to scan their drawings after a scanner defect in order to preserve the previous look of the images. Nevertheless, graphics tablets seem to be on the rise.
Anyone choosing a graphics tablet is spoilt for choice: there are small and large tablets, pen tablets (input on the active drawing surface with visual feedback on the computer monitor), tablet displays (tablet and monitor as a combination – connected to an external PC with the advantage of direct feedback when drawing, eliminating problems with hand-eye coordination). Pen computers (tablet display and PC as a combination device) are the most compact solution. All device classes and sizes have advantages and disadvantages – depending on the requirements, e.g. also in terms of accuracy, display quality and individual requirements of the artist. For example, there are artists who prefer small, inexpensive devices because of their small footprint, mobility, easy connectivity or short drawing paths. For others, a graphics tablet cannot be big enough. Wacom devices with 24 and 32 inches are now available for this target group.

The top dog in graphics tablets is trying to consolidate its position and set new standards with a 4K display (Wacom writes on its website of an “outstanding colour performance of 99% of the Adobe RGB colour space”), the Wacom Pro Pen 2 with over 8,000 pressure levels and the optional Windows computer extension Wacom Cintiq Pro Engine.
In the region of large-format graphics tablets – already priced more for professional users – there are not many competing products (Microsoft Surface Studio, Dell Canvas 27 or less well-known and not yet arrived at such a high screen resolution, e.g. devices from the Huion or XP-Pen brands).
While Microsoft’s Surface Studio is a (high-end) complete PC with a 28-inch screen diagonal (4,500 x 3,000 pixels), Dell’s Canvas 27 is an (almost) normal pen display with QHD resolution and excellent touch input, significantly cheaper, but reserved for Windows users only.
All of these devices need plenty of desk space. Pure graphics tablets can be operated flexibly on different computers and are not as cost-intensive as complete devices, where a defect in a single component also affects the entire system. Complete devices are ready-made solutions without a lot of cable clutter and installations (often overlooked): High-resolution displays require suitable graphics cards and cable connections between the screen tablet and PC). With the optional PC extension, the Wacom Cintiq Pro Engine, the pen display becomes a compact workstation for 2D and 3D graphics applications. This approach is the most flexible – modularly customisable, so to speak. However, it also comes at a price.

Served – the tablet

The technical parameters of the Wacom Cintiq Pro are impressive: with dimensions (here for the 24-inch device) of approx. 68 x 40 x 5 cm and a weight of 7 kg without a separate stand, it usually takes up an entire workstation. 4K resolution (3,840 x 2,160 pixels), 99% Adobe RGB support, roughened, matt glass surface (hardly any reflections and a feel close to real paper), wide viewing angle (horizontal and vertical) of 178 degrees.
The subjective impression of the display seems to confirm all these specifications: The non-reflective display is sufficiently bright, shows even the smallest details with absolute clarity and thanks to the wide viewing angles, a clear view is maintained even with this enormous work surface. The slightly roughened glass surface together with the new pen technology, Pro Pen 2, creates a really pleasant drawing experience.

Thanks to the on-screen keyboard, there is no need for a real keyboard in many graphical applications. The touch screen functions are sufficient for navigation functions such as quick scaling, moving or rotating drawing areas. The touch functionality can be switched on or off with a tap on the corresponding icon at the top edge of the tablet to prevent unintentional input. Wacom supplies its ExpressKey remote control with 17 freely programmable keys and touch ring (up to 5 of these remote controls can be connected simultaneously for different applications). Of course, an external keyboard can also be used.

Quite sensitive – Wacom Pro Pen 2

The Pro Pen 2 scores with 8,192 pressure sensitivity levels (four times more pressure-sensitive and four times more accurate than the first generation pens, which are also recognised by the new tablets), with tilt detection up to 40 degrees in 60 levels. The test showed virtually no delay and parallax (distance between pen tip and cursor). Lines with extremely variable thickness appear much smoother than with the previous technology. Some applications can also recognise rotations of the pen. Tools such as flat brushes can then be rotated almost like in nature, allowing you to create wider or narrower strokes.

For the pen holder, Wacom relies on the fixed holder that is also used for the smaller tablets in the Cintiq Pro series. There is also a new pen holder. It is flat, round and very stable. It is also held in place by the magnetic edges of the Cintiq so that it does not slip. However, it does not hold the pen very securely. It can be unscrewed and contains various replacement tips. A small hole in the base serves as a tool for changing the pen tips.

A natural surface, of course

The surface of graphics tablets – especially pen displays – is a topic in itself. It should be as insensitive as possible to scratches and fingerprints, not reflective, not too smooth and not too rough and, of course, as thin as possible to minimise parallax.
Wacom seems to have done everything right with the new Cintiq. Despite its size, the device appears compact, the handling is typically Wacom good and the drawing feel is close to that of working on real paper.

Wacom Cintiq Pro Engine – with integration into a compact workstation

With the Cintiq Pro Engine, Wacom promises to turn the Cintiq Pro into a powerful complete PC. The cassette-like extension can be attached to the underside of the tablet in just a few simple steps (removing the bottom cover and two cable holders) and fixed in place with two small screws – and the workstation is ready.
Two power supply units are then required for operation. The computer cassette covers the rear connections of the tablet. The foldable feet or the optional stand should also be used, as the device would otherwise rest on the cables. Use as a tablet on another PC is not intended in workstation mode with the Pro Engine, just as the computer unit can only be used sensibly together with a Cintiq tablet.

The Pro Engine (with Windows 10 Pro for Workstation) is currently available in two versions. Wacom emphasises that both versions are VR-capable.
The hardware test in the last issue showed that Wacom does not offer a racing machine here, but a solid workstation for most 2D and 3D applications, albeit at a price. As expected, the test also showed that the performance offered should meet most requirements (for the use of a graphics tablet) (we had the version with the Xeon processor).

Conclusion

Drawing on a PC (or Mac) only becomes effective with a graphics tablet. The Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 is an exceptional device (until the version with a 32-inch screen diagonal is available). Despite the large drawing surface, the device looks compact. Nevertheless, it easily fills a normal desk.
The picture quality was absolutely convincing in the test. However, depending on the graphics or computer requirements, there was a noticeable fan noise (perhaps also because it was well over 30 degrees in the workplace at the time of testing).
When the tablet is used in conjunction with the new Wacom Pro Pen 2 supplied (it also accepts the pens of the previous version), it can show off its strengths, e.g. when drawing lines with extremely variable thickness. The drawing surface with the roughened, thin glass surface imitates the feeling of drawing on natural paper. The extremely high resolution, the accuracy of the pen with over 8,000 pressure levels, angle and rotation sensors, the barely perceptible parallax and the fast transmission of signals (virtually no lag when drawing) offer a very pleasant drawing experience.
Anyone considering the purchase of the Wacom Cintiq Pro should do some planning. The device requires space and the graphics card must have suitable connection options for the 4K resolution if it is to be used properly (if used in parallel with a second monitor, this should also support the 4K resolution). In many cases, the on-screen keyboard makes the use of an external keyboard unnecessary (an external keyboard can be used). The device comes with an ExpressKey remote control with 17 freely programmable buttons and a touch ring. It is a pity that the revised stand has to be purchased separately. Overall, the workmanship of the device is impressive, as is usual with Wacom. Although the new pen holder stands firmly on the side edges of the tablet, the pen easily slips out of the holder when the device is tilted.
In combination with the Wacom Cintiq Pro Engine, the tablet becomes a compact PC workstation – the most practical, but also the most expensive solution, which should offer sufficient performance for most graphics applications. A graphics tablet cannot take the talent and effort out of drawing. However, given the right software, such a tool can greatly increase the fun and productivity of your work. The Cintiq Pro – together with the integrated computer unit – can currently be described as “state of the art” in the graphics tablet sector.