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In this article, I give you my Wacom One Pen 13-inch display review with specs included. This is the new Wacom One pen and display. Not to be confused with the one by Wacom which is a USB tablet that sits on your desk. Yes, they should be spanked for doing that that’s very confusing. Anyway, they haven’t made a 13-inch pen display in a while.

The trend in pen monitors has been toward larger sizes, and the latest offering from Wacom aims to provide an affordable entry-level option. Priced at $399, it’s still not exactly cheap, but it’s considerably more budget-friendly compared to most Wacom products. Let’s delve into the details.

First off, there’s only one configuration available, and it sports a white plastic casing on the back. Despite its larger size, it’s surprisingly light at just 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram). Unlike traditional pen monitors that require a stable surface for placement, this one is light and compact enough to be placed on your lap or held in your hands. It even comes with a built-in stand that allows you to prop it up at a 19-degree angle on a table for comfortable viewing and drawing.

Now, since this isn’t a Cintiq model, it doesn’t use the Cintiq line of pens, which now boasts up to 8,000 pressure levels. Instead, it features a digitizer that offers 4,096 pressure levels. While this may seem like a step-down, it’s important to note that 4,096 pressure levels are more than sufficient for most users. This digitizer is what we call a battery-free EMR (electromagnetic resonance) pen technology.

This technology is not only found in the Wacom Cintiq line but also in devices like the Samsung Notebook 9 series and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10,000 and Note 9. This cross-compatibility means you can use pens from other compatible devices with this pen display.

In terms of connectivity, the device comes with what the speaker calls the Hydra cable, also known as the X cable. It consists of a power adapter that plugs into an AC power source and another USB-C-style cable that plugs into the monitor. However, it’s worth noting that the USB-C connector on the monitor is longer than standard ones, so regular USB-C data cables may not fit.

As for connecting it to an Android device, you’ll need to use a USB-C hub, which allows you to connect the display to your Android phone. This opens up the possibility of using the pen monitor with Android devices for note-taking, drawing, or even photo editing.

Moving on to the pen features, the device boasts 4,096 pressure levels and 60 degrees of tilt support, making it ideal for shading and natural media-style work. The line quality is excellent, with minimal diagonal line jitter, making it a dream for artists. It uses the same Wacom app and control panel setup as other Wacom products, allowing you to customize pressure sensitivity and other settings. While the pen itself only has one button, you can assign it to perform various functions like sampling or undoing in Photoshop.

As for the display quality, it’s decent but not outstanding. With a claimed brightness of 200 nits, it falls a bit short, measuring at 191 nits in actual testing. The contrast ratio also doesn’t quite meet the claimed 1,000:1 ratio. However, the display does feature an anti-glare film, which helps reduce reflections and glare, although it’s prone to scratching.

The display resolution is full HD (1920 x 1080), which is adequate for the size of the screen. It’s important to note that this is solely a pen monitor and doesn’t have a built-in computer. It’s essentially an 8-inch display designed to be used with a pen input device.

In terms of usability, the device is relatively straightforward, with the pen tracking smoothly and accurately. The built-in stand also features a clever compartment for storing spare nibs and a nib puller, adding to its convenience. While it may not come with the fancy tampon holder-style case found with more expensive Cintiq models, it’s still highly portable and easy to carry around.

Overall, the Wacom pen monitor offers a compelling option for artists and creative professionals looking for a budget-friendly and portable drawing solution. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of higher-end models, it more than makes up for it with its affordability, portability, and excellent pen performance.

Let’s start with the pros of the Wacom One Pen 13-inch display:

Pros:

1. High-Quality Pen Input: The Wacom One Pen 13-inch display offers excellent pen input quality, providing a natural and responsive drawing experience. With 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, it allows for precise control over line thickness and opacity, making it suitable for professional artists and graphic designers.
2. Compact and Portable: Measuring just 13 inches, the Wacom One Pen display is compact and lightweight, making it highly portable. It’s easy to carry around and set up wherever you go, allowing you to work on your digital art projects from anywhere.
3. Compatibility: The device is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems, offering versatility for users across different platforms. It also supports various creative software applications, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Corel Painter, ensuring seamless integration into your workflow.
4. Full HD Display: Despite its compact size, the Wacom One Pen display features a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution screen, delivering crisp and vibrant visuals. This high-resolution display ensures that your artwork appears sharp and detailed, enhancing your overall drawing experience.
5. Anti-Glare Surface: The display comes with an anti-glare surface, reducing reflections and glare for improved visibility and comfort during long drawing sessions. This feature helps minimize eye strain and ensures optimal viewing conditions in various lighting environments.
6. Ease of Use: The Wacom One Pen display is user-friendly and easy to set up, requiring minimal installation and configuration. It comes with a Wacom pen included, eliminating the need for additional accessories. The pen is battery-free and lightweight, providing a comfortable drawing experience without the hassle of charging.
7. Versatile Connectivity: The device offers versatile connectivity options, including HDMI and USB ports, allowing you to connect it to your computer or laptop effortlessly. It also supports Android devices, enabling you to use it with compatible smartphones and tablets for on-the-go creativity.
8. Affordability: Compared to other Wacom pen displays, the Wacom One Pen 13-inch display is relatively affordable, making it accessible to a wider range of users, including students, hobbyists, and aspiring artists. It provides professional-grade features at a more budget-friendly price point, making it an attractive option for those on a tight budget.

Now, let’s explore some of the cons of the Wacom One Pen 13-inch display:

Cons:

1. Limited Screen Size: The 13-inch screen size may feel small for some users, especially those accustomed to larger displays. While it offers portability, it may not provide enough space for extensive digital artwork or multitasking, limiting your workspace and productivity.
2. No Touch Functionality: Unlike some other pen displays on the market, the Wacom One Pen 13-inch display does not offer touch functionality. This means you can only interact with the screen using the included pen, which may be a drawback for users who prefer touch-based input methods.
3. Limited Color Gamut: While the display offers Full HD resolution, it may have a limited color gamut compared to higher-end models. This could affect color accuracy and reproduction, particularly for professional-grade artwork and design projects that require precise color representation.
4. No Stand Included: The Wacom One Pen display does not come with a built-in stand, requiring users to purchase one separately or find an alternative way to prop up the display at a comfortable angle. This additional cost and inconvenience may be a downside for some users.
5. No Customizable ExpressKeys: Unlike some other Wacom pen displays, the Wacom One Pen 13-inch display does not feature customizable ExpressKeys or shortcut buttons. This means you’ll need to rely on keyboard shortcuts or on-screen controls within your software for quick access to frequently used functions, which may not be as efficient for some users.
6. Limited Tilt Recognition: While the pen supports tilt recognition, the degree of tilt sensitivity may be limited compared to higher-end models. This could impact the accuracy and precision of certain drawing techniques that rely heavily on tilt functionality, such as shading and texturing.
7. No Multi-Touch Gestures: Since the display lacks touch functionality, users won’t be able to perform multi-touch gestures like pinch-to-zoom or swipe gestures commonly found on touch-enabled devices. This could be a drawback for users accustomed to touchscreen interactions and may limit the overall usability of the device for certain tasks.

Overall, the Wacom One Pen 13-inch display offers a compelling combination of portability, affordability, and professional-grade pen input for digital artists and designers. While it may have some limitations compared to higher-end models, its compact size, high-quality pen input, and versatile compatibility make it a solid choice for users looking for a reliable and budget-friendly pen display solution.