Drawing tablets are an excellent way to quickly capture ideas, develop skills as an artist, and express your creative side. There is a vast range of drawing tablets available, with a huge range of features that can make them confusing for beginners.
How do you know which drawing tablet is the right one for your needs? Do you choose a drawing tablet with screen or without? Let’s take a closer look.
What’s the Difference Between a Drawing Tablet with a Screen or Without?
The difference may seem obvious, but here are the critical differences between drawing tablets with and without screens.
- Drawing tablets with screens (also called “display tablets”) are like other digital tablets: They have a screen that takes up most of the tablet surface area, and users can draw directly on the screen with a stylus. They work like tablet computers because they have internal batteries, glass screens and can connect to Wi-Fi and other devices. They are available in many sizes for people who want a large drawing area or a smaller, more portable device.
- Drawing tablets without screens are digital drawing surfaces that connect to another device and use its display. They are a surface that you can use to draw on with a stylus but require a laptop, tablet, or computer to see the drawing. They typically pair with a second device via USB or Bluetooth and use the drawing apps and features installed on the viewing device.
So drawing tablets with screens are all-in-one devices, and drawing tablets without screens must be used along with another device. But which is better?
Pros and Cons of Drawing Tablet with Screen
There are many reasons why drawing tablets with screens are so popular. However, they do have some drawbacks. Here are the biggest pros and cons of drawing with a display tablet.
Pros
- All-in-one convenience. With a drawing tablet with a screen, you simply use the tablet and the stylus. You don’t need to connect to or carry any other device, so they are more convenient to use
- Increased portability. Because you don’t need to connect to another device, a drawing tablet with a screen is easy to take anywhere and use on the road. They are ideal for drawing in coffee shops, during your commute, or keeping kids busy in the car. Many of them have excellent battery life, making them even easier to use while you are on-the-go.
- More intuitive. A drawing tablet with a screen is incredibly intuitive for people accustomed to drawing on traditional pads and papers. Your hand and eye are looking at the same thing, giving you instant feedback. Many people also find them more physically comfortable because your body posture mimics using a traditional drawing pad.
Cons
- More expensive. Naturally, these all-in-one devices are more costly than their non-screen counterparts and can become extremely expensive in the high end.
- Easier to break. The tragedy of a shattered phone or tablet screen is all too common. A drawing tablet with a screen is just as easy to break as any other device with a glass screen. This can be a trade-off for portability, as they are best transported with a case or sleeve or additional protection.
Pros and Cons of Drawing Tablet without Screen
Professional artists and designers have been using drawing tablets without screens for years for many good reasons. Here are the pros and cons of a drawing tablet without a screen.
Pros
- Rugged and durable. A drawing tablet without a screen naturally doesn’t have a screen that can break. It is a sturdy device and can withstand the occasional drop or bump without breaking, making it easy to take with you.
- Easy to use. Because a drawing tablet without a screen is limited in function, it doesn’t have a complicated installation or many features to worry about. It is plug-and-play.
- More affordable. A drawing tablet without a screen is more affordable than a display tablet. Because you’re relying on the paired computer or laptop for most of the functionality, it also doesn’t need many fancy features, functions, or apps, so it’s easier to shop for.
- Better for tracing. Because you don’t need to see the screen, a drawing tablet without a screen is better for tracing artwork or designs on paper.
Cons
- Less intuitive. When you use a drawing tablet without a screen, your eyes are usually on the monitor while your hand is on the tablet. Like using a mouse, most people quickly get the hang of it, but it’s not as intuitive in the beginning.
- Less portable. Because a drawing tablet without a screen needs to be used along with a computer, laptop, monitor, tablet, or other device, there is more equipment to transport if you’re considering portability.
Conclusion
With or without a screen? Choosing a drawing tablet depends on where and how you plan on using the tablet. Both are excellent devices, but they are better for different uses and preferences.