Thinking about selling my Wacom Cintiq 13HD and buying an iPad Pro. Am I crazy?

Robin · Oct 23, 2018

For pretty much the entire span of my young adulthood, I wanted a Cintiq. I always dreamt about getting one and thought it was what I needed if I wanted a career in art. Well, about a year and a half ago I finally fufilled my dream and got one, and I don't much care for using it at all. The screen fidelty seems really spotty and dark, so dark I need a preview panel up on my real display so I can judge color as I go. Drawing feels just as unnatural as using a cheaper tablet and I struggle to draw in the same way I do on pen and paper. It's also difficult to get into a comfortable position with it, the wires are always taught. It's basically been a heavy paperweight on the side of my desk since.

On the other hand, I've tried my friends 9.7 iPad Pro, and I love the thing. I was immediately pumping out pretty good sketches on it, and her artwork looks beautiful, she doesn't seem inhibited by the constraints of the iOS apps at all. I've never owned a tablet (that kind of tablet I mean) before. I'm an android user, but the idea seems pretty appealing to me. And with the upcoming phones this year not really catching my eye, it would help me pad out the length of my current phone (a OnePlus 3T) a bit and I figure if I'm impressed by the old models, the new ones might really blow me away.

I don't know, are there any other artists out there that work on the iPad? Am I crazy for wanting one over my current setup? Regular iPad users, I'd love to hear your thoughts too.

Platy · Oct 23, 2018

Yes you are.

Ipad is cool to draw but wacom is just another level

hordak · Oct 23, 2018

wait for the new ipads to be announced on october 30th. Then get a second gen 12.9" for cheaper. And then get photoshop and procreate. and then tell Wacom to fuck off.

Shogmaster · Oct 23, 2018

I approve if you use Clip Studio Paint.

13HD and iPad Pro are apples to oanges anyways since one tethers you and other keep you very mobile.

lifeviasatellite · Oct 23, 2018

I was in the same boat--was saving for months for a Cintiq and eventually just shrugged and switched to an iPad/Pencil combo. It's fantastic. Procreate's interface is wonderful and you can easily export .psd's out if you need to use Photoshop.

I'm more of a hobbyist than a professional, but I love the portability of the iPad--I can toss it in my bag with a pencil and carry a production studio with me wherever I go!

nomis · Oct 23, 2018

not crazy in the slightest, wacom has been fleecing artists for years

just wait for the new ipad pro model

Yerffej · Oct 23, 2018

Since I started using my iPad Pro with Procreate, I haven't hardly touched my Wacom tablet. Photoshop is coming to iPad as well so you'd be covered. It's amazing.

Robin · Oct 23, 2018

hordak said:
wait for the new ipads to be announced on october 30th. Then get a second gen 12.9" for cheaper. And then get photoshop and procreate. and then tell Wacom to fuck off.

Shogmaster said:
I approve if you use Clip Studio Paint.

13HD and iPad Pro are apples to oanges anyways since one tethers you and other keep you very mobile.

lifeviasatellite said:
I was in the same boat--was saving for months for a Cintiq and eventually just shrugged and switched to an iPad/Pencil combo. It's fantastic. Procreate's interface is wonderful and you can easily export .psd's out if you need to use Photoshop.

I'm more of a hobbyist than a professional, but I love the portability of the iPad--I can toss it in my bag with a pencil and carry a production studio with me wherever I go!

nomis said:
not crazy in the slightest, wacom has been fleecing artists for years

just wait for the new ipad pro model

Yerffej said:
Since I started using my iPad Pro with Procreate, I haven't hardly touched my Wacom tablet. Photoshop is coming to iPad as well so you'd be covered. It's amazing.

Damn. Definitely sounds like this might be the way to go. I've been keeping busy with normal sketchwork and doing a lot of design stuff off the tablet, but every time I look at my Cintiq I feel guilty and know I'm not utilizing the tools I have. I guess it's just going to be a matter of what I can get for Cintiq and how long it's going to take me to make the difference.

Doc Holliday · Oct 23, 2018

No you're not. If it was a bigger cintiq I would say maybe not. but the 13hd is too small for the desktop and too big to be mobile. Not to mention that you need a laptop for mobile. This is coming from a long time Wacom fanboy and Apple hater. For mobile drawing, the iPad is the closest thing to a sketchbook out there.

I've tried all kinds of tablet pics, including the the cintiq companions. They are too big, battery usually sucks, they get hot and just annoying to use.

Either get a bigger a 16/24 inch cintiq or get iPad. Sold my 22hd and bought an intuos pro and new monitor with the money. Cintiq was giving me shoulder and back issues....im old :) Now I use my iPad as my sketchbook and my desktop for 3d stuff.

I would wait till the 30th, sounds like Apple has good updates for artists.

WillyFive · Oct 23, 2018

iPad lacks the texture of the screen, and the pen has a stupidly small battery life, but it's hard to justify the Wacom when the iPad is there. Not only it does mostly the same stuff, you can use the iPad for stuff outside of drawing. And Wacom vs Apple is probably one of the few comparisons where the Apple comes out as far cheaper.

I stopped using my computer for drawing and animation after I got an iPad Pro and Clip Studio Paint.

VeePs · Oct 23, 2018

Wait a month for the launch of the new models.

Halbrand · Oct 23, 2018

No, and the posters for Logan and Stranger Things were painted on iPad Pro.

ebi · Oct 23, 2018

I switched from a Cintiq HD to an iPad Pro using Clip Studio some time last year and I regret nothing. It's wonderful, much lighter and I can take it with me easily when I go on a trip. I followed a friend's advice and bought a paper-like screen protector and it has a great texture (though be warned that it wears the nibs off a lot faster).

Yerffej · Oct 23, 2018

WillyFive said:
iPad lacks the texture of the screen, and the pen has a stupidly small battery life, but it's hard to justify the Wacom when the iPad is there. Not only it does mostly the same stuff, you can use the iPad for stuff outside of drawing. And Wacom vs Apple is probably one of the few comparisons where the Apple comes out as far cheaper.

I stopped using my computer for drawing and animation after I got an iPad Pro and Clip Studio Paint.

There's a screen cover you can get with a toothiness that artists say feels like pencil hitting paper. Have yet to try one myself.

Shedinja · Oct 23, 2018

For illustration, I don't miss using Wacom (especially not AES) or a desktop operating system at all. Clip Studio on the iPad is perfect for me, and Photoshop is coming soon for those who prefer it.

Tip: Get a grip, clip or something for the Pencil so it doesn't keep rolling off wherever you've placed it.

Crazymoogle · Oct 23, 2018

Basically just here to +1. Have had an iPad Pro since launch, it's great, it's getting better, and I would absolutely wait on the October 30 event to see what else Apple is doing with the line.

Arex · Oct 23, 2018

One drawback that I've heard of using ipad for drawing is that the pen's battery sucks and you can't use the pen while it's charging, so it could break your workflow. Not sure if I'm wrong tho!

Flaurehn · Oct 23, 2018

The full desktop Photoshop is coming to iPad so to me is a no brainer. I like Wacom, really do, but their competitors are growing, and innovating and all around getting better all the time, so for me is hard to justify the Cintiq when you can buy an iPad Pro or a Surface for the same price

Yerffej · Oct 23, 2018

Arex said:
One drawback that I've heard of using ipad for drawing is that the pen's battery sucks and you can't use the pen while it's charging, so it could break your workflow. Not sure if I'm wrong tho!

I painted for a long time today starting at full charge. It wasn't a full day of painting. I'd def have to charge it. But charging is incredibly fast. I wanna say fifteen minutes or so from 0% to max. It's really a non issue.

bear force one · Oct 23, 2018

Platy said:
Yes you are.

Ipad is cool to draw but wacom is just another level

A lot of pros aren't agreeing with you anymore.

Doc Holliday · Oct 23, 2018

Get a screen protector for sure, a matte one preferably.

The battery thing sucks, but the pen can be fully charged in like in 10 minute I think.

Best thing about the pencil is the long nib, really lends itself to drawing with the side of the pencil.

Wish Wacom would steal that design. Also I haven't replaced my pencil tip since I bought it, try that with a Wacom pen heh.

Also be prepared to try and pinch zoom a real piece of paper while drawing after using the iPad for a while. Caught myself almost double tapping on my sketchbook thinking I could undo :/

hordak · Oct 23, 2018

Robin said:
Damn. Definitely sounds like this might be the way to go. I've been keeping busy with normal sketchwork and doing a lot of design stuff off the tablet, but every time I look at my Cintiq I feel guilty and know I'm not utilizing the tools I have. I guess it's just going to be a matter of what I can get for Cintiq and how long it's going to take me to make the difference.

sell your cintiq now. and wait for the new ipad pro. Look at what this guy did on a regular ipad using his fingers. Imagine what you can do if you had a pencil. and skillz like him :)

Arex said:
One drawback that I've heard of using ipad for drawing is that the pen's battery sucks and you can't use the pen while it's charging, so it could break your workflow. Not sure if I'm wrong tho!

Actually it lasts a long time and you can charge it in two minutes to get 30 minutes of usage.

bear force one · Oct 23, 2018

Apple Pencil has a built-in rechargeable battery that lasts up to 12 hours on a single charge, but more interesting is its ability to gain 30 minutes of battery life from just 15 seconds of charging. A magnetic cap hides a male Lightning connector that allows the Apple Pencil to be plugged into the iPad Pro to charge.

https://www.macrumors.com/2015/09/11/apple-pencil-30-mins-battery-life-15-seconds/

One Eyed Willy · Oct 23, 2018

Upgrade from both and get a Dell Canvas

Platy · Oct 23, 2018

bear force one said:
A lot of pros aren't agreeing with you anymore.

yeah ... the opinions on this thread seems way more focused on the ipad .... but I still think the quality of software alone justifies the wacom. But I am biased because I prefer working with vector =P

(and I don't have a cintiq just a small bamboo ='( )

Bad_Boy · Oct 23, 2018

Save and get a surface book 2.

Halbrand · Oct 23, 2018

hordak said:
sell your cintiq now. and wait for the new ipad pro. Look at what this guy did on a regular ipad using his fingers. Imagine what you can do if you had a pencil. and skillz like him :)

Actually it lasts a long time and you can charge it in two minutes to get 30 minutes of usage.

This one was even better, and still without a pencil.

bear force one · Oct 23, 2018

Bad_Boy said:
Save and get a surface book 2.

So a worse art work experience?

Gundam · Oct 23, 2018

I use a Surface Book at home and Wacom products at college.

I really do not understand the craze, the Cintiq feels so cheap to me.

PeakPointMatrix · Oct 23, 2018

In my industry where Wacom has us clutched by the balls, the iPad pro is a fucking savior. The announcement of full Photoshop support in the next wave of iPad Pros is aiming right for Wacom's jugular, and I couldn't be happier. Having that power in what amounts to a pad of paper is a dream realized for many artists like myself, both in and outside the industry.

Meanwhile, Wacom sits pretty on their monopoly, failing to innovate in any meaningful way with their digitizer tech. How embarrassing is it that over 25 years later, they still need at minimum nearly two inches of bezel just to cram their touch-tech in there? The result are enormous, bulky screens that are nearly 1:3 bezel:screen ratio.

I've endured Wacom because I've had to. Their products are built like tanks and the tech solid, but their prices are sheer lunacy. People get fussy with Apple's pricing structure has never dealt with Wacom (or their repair team!). There is no reason that their higher end Mobile Studio Pro line should cost nearly 4k for what amounts to an average laptop you can draw on. Having owned both the Cintiq Companion and Mobile Studio 16, I've yearned for the day a competitor could unseat them. The Surface comes close, but at the cost of putting up with Windows and lesser digitizer tech. The iPad has come even closer and with the announcement of the new Pencil/USB-C/Pros/Photoshop, I'm finally jumping in.

WillyFive said:
iPad lacks the texture of the screen, and the pen has a stupidly small battery life,

You can purchase a matte cover for iPads which add great "tooth" to the screen on the level (or better imo) than Wacom. Also, the iPad pro's battery life downright embarrases the Wacom MobileStudio, which sputters out at a paltry 3-4 hours.

Sensei · Oct 23, 2018

fuck wacom

god bless

Bad_Boy · Oct 23, 2018

bear force one said:
So a worse art work experience?

Tomato tomato.

onadesertedisland · Oct 23, 2018

I get it, Wacom is expensive. But seriously, there is no better pen feel than Wacom.

borghe · Oct 23, 2018

Daughter has been using a 10.5 Pro and Pencil for a year plus. In AP Studio started working with a Cintiq and quickly decided she was just better off on the iPad with Procreate.

Now two months into the semester her teacher just approached her about her teaching her teacher the ins and outs of her new iPad Pro, Pencil, and Procreate. fwiw

Also she said they both shouted with joy at the announcement of Photoshop, which was the primary thing her teacher was using the Cintiq for in class.

Futureman · Oct 23, 2018

Based off your experience why not? You seem to hate the Wacom and love the iPad. Easy decision.

Robin · Oct 23, 2018

borghe said:
Daughter has been using a 10.5 Pro and Pencil for a year plus. In AP Studio started working with a Cintiq and quickly decided she was just better off on the iPad with Procreate.

Now two months into the semester her teacher just approached her about her teaching her teacher the ins and outs of her new iPad Pro, Pencil, and Procreate. fwiw

Also she said they both shouted with joy at the announcement of Photoshop, which was the primary thing her teacher was using the Cintiq for in class.

Yeah, when I was in college it was the Cintiq or nothing. I knew the iPad was making big waves but I'm actually surprised by how overwhelming the opinion is to make the switch.

dallow_bg · Oct 23, 2018

Wacom era is over.

PeakPointMatrix · Oct 23, 2018

onadesertedisland said:
I get it, Wacom is expensive. But seriously, there is no better pen feel than Wacom.

This is true, which is why I stayed out of the iPad drawing arena for now. But when we spoke to Adobe reps at our studio, they made it very clear how closely Apple has listened to the (very vocal) feedback for the Pencil. I'm looking forward to seeing if they acted on it at all with the Pencil 2.

Deleted member 9330 · Oct 23, 2018

I feel like the new iPad Pros are gonna be another step up in drawing people away from Cintiq. Borderless screens, a new pencil, continued 120Hz, smaller body so even more portable, Procreate and Affinity now and Project Gemini and Photoshop next year.

These things are gonna FLY off the shelves

dallow_bg · Oct 23, 2018

PeakPointMatrix said:
This is true, which is why I stayed out of the iPad drawing arena for now. But when we spoke to Adobe reps at our studio, they made it very clear how closely Apple has listened to the (very vocal) feedback for the Pencil. I'm looking forward to seeing if they acted on it at all.

New pencil is rumored for the upcoming show.
We'll see.

bear force one · Oct 23, 2018

onadesertedisland said:
I get it, Wacom is expensive. But seriously, there is no better pen feel than Wacom.

Completely false.

Kanann · Oct 23, 2018

Does devil try to make me buy iPad pro by creating this thread?

Dr Doom · Oct 23, 2018

Wait for the new iPad

Shogmaster · Oct 23, 2018

bear force one said:
Completely false.

Completely true.

Shogmaster · Oct 23, 2018

Zeyphersan said:
I feel like the new iPad Pros are gonna be another step up in drawing people away from Cintiq. Borderless screens, a new pencil, continued 120Hz, smaller body so even more portable, Procreate and Affinity now and Project Gemini and Photoshop next year.

These things are gonna FLY off the shelves

Apple's probably gonna baffle me again by keeping the lighting port USB 2.0 and keep the thing from being used as a Cintiq like device natively.

Hong Kong Hermit · Oct 23, 2018

Just want to echo that the iPad Pro with Pencil is amazing, but everyone has already covered that. Plus of course you have the fact that you'd have an iPad, which is great for gaming or reading or browsing when you're not drawing.

Anyway, just wanted to add that in addition to all the posts above, that there's an app called Astropad that basically turns the iPad into a drawing tablet for your computer. I have this, and it works as advertised. You could run Photoshop (or whatever) on a computer, mirror your screen down on the iPad, and draw straight into the app that is running on your computer. There was almost zero lag when I tried it, and it is basically witchcraft.

effingvic · Oct 23, 2018

I regret buying my Cintiq Pro 16. I'd definitely wait for the new iPad Pros that are rumored to be announced in a week.

Rsinart · Oct 23, 2018

I have had wacom intous since the first one, and I bought me the larger Pro last year. I draw more now then I ever had in my life. I use this thing every day to draw, sketch, work on ideas for paintings and customs. For myself and my needs Procreate can handle what I need it for. I also love the use of the Pencil. I wish there was an eraser or maybe a single button, but over all I really enjoy using it to work. Charge time is also super fast, just plug it into your Pro and within 15 min your charged.

Shogmaster · Oct 23, 2018

Hong Kong Hermit said:
Just want to echo that the iPad Pro with Pencil is amazing, but everyone has already covered that. Plus of course you have the fact that you'd have an iPad, which is great for gaming or reading or browsing when you're not drawing.

Anyway, just wanted to add that in addition to all the posts above, that there's an app called Astropad that basically turns the iPad into a drawing tablet for your computer. I have this, and it works as advertised. You could run Photoshop (or whatever) on a computer, mirror your screen down on the iPad, and draw straight into the app that is running on your computer. There was almost zero lag when I tried it, and it is basically witchcraft.

Lagstro Pad is no replacement for native USB 3.1 support for lightening port.

Deleted member 9330 · Oct 23, 2018

Shogmaster said:
Apple's probably gonna baffle me again by keeping the lighting port USB 2.0 and keep the thing from being used as a Cintiq like device natively.

Word is they're switching from Lightning to USB-C. The second thing, yeah, probably.

Thinking about selling my Wacom Cintiq 13HD and buying an iPad Pro. Am I crazy?

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