XPPen’s new Gen 2 vary comes with some massive headline options – not least the boast of providing Calman verified color efficiency. After utilizing the brand new XPPen Artist Professional 19 (Gen 2) for quite a lot of weeks for this assessment, I can truthfully say these guarantees are backed up.
This launch comes alongside the bigger Artist Professional 24 (Gen 2) – which additionally is available in a 165Hz mannequin – however this specific pen show, the medium-sized XPPen Artist Professional 19 (Gen 2), is competing in opposition to a number of the greatest drawing tablets launched lately. This entry-level sized pill is turning into probably the most wanted by many, each hobbyists and professionals. Learn our assessment of the brand new Huion Kamvas Professional 19 for a comparability mannequin, or the extra expensive Wacom Cintiq Professional 17.
XPPen is not shying away from the struggle for this sector of artists who need a medium-sized pen show; with a 4K decision, two 16K pens, three color modes (supporting sRGB, Adobe RGB and Show P3) and that Calman connection. All this and a free Wi-fi Shortcut Distant, each lead you may want, and free software program for $899 / £899. The Artist Professional 24 (Gen 2) is, properly… a giant deal.
XPPen Artist Professional 19 (Gen 2) assessment: within the field
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XPPen continues to offer every little thing you want out of the field to get began, with no further prices for adapters, further stylus or a fast key distant. In earlier years I’ve discovered XPPen (and different manufacturers) missing the small particulars, comparable to all the fitting cables for connecting to a number of gadgets, however not so now.
The field is properly packaged and guarded, and the total praise of contents consists of: the show itself, two styli in a case with spare nibs and a WiFi receiver, USB-C to USB-A Cable, 3in1 cable, two USB-C to USB-C cables, Wi-fi Shortcut Distant, drawing glove, cleansing fabric and a plug and adapters (swappable for items for each world area).
My solely slight gripe with the packaging is how tightly every little thing was pushed in, which I perceive, however on eradicating the pen show this did trigger ‘drag’ which pulled the exhausting plastic body away from the show ever so barely, and wanted pushing again into place. Not the tip of the world.
What is not included? You aren’t getting a vertical stand and should depend on the fold-out ft – these work properly and unfold with a satisfying solidity. The rear of the show does function VESA help and XPPen sells its personal vertical stand, for $44.99 / £44.99. There’s additionally no case or sleeve for defense, however I discovered the cotton-paper sleeve it travelled in does a superb job, in addition to the Artist Professional 19 (Gen 2) is designed to be your main drawing pill, and even a second display, so most of you’ll have it arrange completely.
XPPen Artist Professional 19 (Gen 2) assessment: design and specs
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Apart from the body subject above, general the XPPen Artist Professional 19 (Gen 2) feels extra stable and fewer plastic-y than earlier ‘finances’ pen shows. There is a particular step-up in construct high quality, whereas retaining most of the design options I favored about earlier XPPen tablets, for instance this new show as the identical subtly curved wrist-mount on the pill’s bases as final yr’s Artist Professional 16 (Gen 2), however right here it feels extra stable. Regardless of the extra inexpensive value, this drawing show isn’t any ‘finances’ product and feels premium.
Lots of the design options of the XPPen Artist Professional 19 (Gen 2) are unsurprising however good, together with the fold-out ft to face the show in a gradual incline, the softly curved edges really feel stylish and there are few buttons or USB slots to scale back cables and litter. The rear VESA fittings imply this may be arrange vertically and used as a second show, for convention calls and even leisure.
The shortage of on-frame shortcut keys means XPPen can reduce the price of manufacturing and supply some startling tech for lower than its greatest rival, Wacom. It is a alternative many non-Wacom pill manufacturers are making, and the provided Wi-fi Shortcut Distant is an efficient possibility, and for a lot of it is a design alternative that works each ergonomically and within the pockets.
The Wi-fi Shortcut Distant itself is properly made and fairly customary in its design, but it surely’s not as feature-laden because the one utilized by Xencelabs in its Pen Pill 24 bundle, so there is not any LED show within the XPPen distant, which can be squarer in design. General, the design of XPPen’s Wi-fi Shortcut Distant is useful however not flashy.
The included stylus pens, nonetheless, are extremely flashy. XPPen set the usual for 16K ranges of stress sensitivity final yr with its stylus, and the 2 provided right here aren’t any completely different. One is a slimmer fashion, very like Wacom’s Professional Pen 3 or Apple Pencil, whereas the second is the fatter fashion, much like Wacom’s previous however traditional 3D stylus. Which you favor is private, however usually the fatter stylus with its further button ‘curler’ dial (each have two on-body click-buttons) might discover its followers. I desire the simplicity of the slim stylus as my wants a lower than a professional or 3D artist.
XPPen Artist Professional 19 (Gen 2) assessment: setup
Establishing the XPPen Artist Professional 19 (Gen 2) is simple but in addition slightly misleading. You possibly can stand up and operating in minutes and solely use one USB-C cable to hook up with your laptop computer (the drivers take no time to obtain and every little thing is automated). However working this fashion does XPPen’s new pen show a disservice. This easy setup will ship a decrease nits degree of brightness, and you may discover the battery draining quick to maintain up with the pill’s wants.
To benefit from the XPPen Artist Professional 19 (Gen 2)’s color brag – 4K, 1.07 billion colors at 230 nits brightness (250cd/㎡) you may want to attach the facility provide utilizing the second USB-C cable. (When related it’s going to additionally cost your laptop computer too.) For those who’re after a conveyable pen show, one thing like the wonderful Wacom Movink can be a better option.
Out of the field XPPen now features a manufacturing facility calibration certificates, so you already know the bottom specs of the machine, comparable to its 98% sRGB ranking. XPPen has developed its personal color examined app, XPPen ColorMaster, it is presently Home windows-only and just for the bigger Artist Professional 24 (Gen 2) mannequin. I contacted XPPen and a Mac model is in improvement (I am reviewing right here on a 2019 MacBook Professional).
Whereas XPPen’s driver app has every little thing it’s good to setup and tailor the show and stylus to your wants, together with setting the workspace, shortcuts and color mode. In reality, beforehand XPPen lacked behind the likes of Wacom with its drivers, however this launch is superb and secure. The improved driver and the discharge of the ColorMaster app is an indication XPPen goes after Wacom’s professional market. And it now has {hardware} and software program to finish.
XPPen Artist Professional 19 (Gen 2) assessment: efficiency
First impressions matter, and… wow. The XPPen Artist Professional 19 (Gen 2)’s show is unbelievable – vibrant, punchy colors, deep wealthy blacks, it is a pleasure to take a look at. (I am utilizing the show in Adobe RGB mode.) Fortunately it isn’t a one-trick show and it is nearly as good to make use of as it’s to take a look at.
My first impressions are that the show has no latency, notably after a fast 30-second stylus calibration. Just a few fast pen strokes and squiggles show the cursor accuracy is superb, with no drift even when transferring to the corners of the show or transferring the stylus shortly over the floor. I am utilizing the stylus at a normal angle, however you’ll be able to calibrate and tailor the stylus to fit your wants.
Being a 4K show makes every little thing appears sharper, which suggests it is good for utilizing desktop software program with smaller menus – for instance I really like utilizing Rebelle 7 but it surely does have small icons, on the XPPen Artist Professional 19 (Gen 2) these are clear and simply used. XPPen gives some software program free of charge, together with Toon Growth and openCanvas that help 4K shows. In case your most popular app does not help 4K, it might look slightly burry.
The precise expertise of utilizing this pen show is superb; the matte glass, anti-glare coating does not dampen down the colors as some up to now can. It may well add a slight grain to your photos however hardly noticeable below customary lighting. XPPen has a 20% blue mild ratio, leading to much less eyestrain and extra snug longterm use. General it is easy to swipe throughout, and if wanted, the stylus nibs could be swapped out with felt nibs for a softer, extra conventional really feel.
The XPPen styli are very correct and exact. In my portray sketch I made a degree of attempting completely different brush types, dimension, opacities and repeated traces – I discovered I might precisely repeat excessive of skinny traces (the impression of tree branches) and coated repeatedly exactly. I additionally used fabs, small circle motions and broad flat strokes, and every was laid down precisely.
It is value mentioning the dimensions of the show is good for desktop software program. Professional artists might want extra space – which is why the XPPen Artist Professional 24 (Gen 2) exists – however for myself and my desk house that is ultimate. The show dimension meant I might have each menu seen and the canvas was completely sized for making broad, lengthy sweeping strokes.
The Wi-fi Shortcut Distant is slightly primary, ultimate for zooming out and in and biking brushes or accessing one or two common instructions, however I nonetheless desire contact controls. This can be a private factor, some artists hate contact management and discover it intrusive. Apparently, after a day of portray I did not miss finger gestures. However when you actually need that function, then Huion’s barely costlier Kamvas Professional 19 is an efficient various.
XPPen Artist Professional 19 (Gen 2) assessment: who’s it for?
General the XPPen Artist Professional 19 (Gen 2) is a pleasure to make use of, and it is a pen show that gives plenty of tech, and which could be tailor-made to you. It isn’t the most affordable pen show available on the market however neither is it the most costly.
For those who’re a hobbyist you’ll be able to plug in and easily get portray and it is merely enjoyable, however professional artists will benefit from the deeper customisation choices, dimension, spec and color profiles and efficiency. This drawing show has one foot in each markets, and every will adore it.
XPPen Artist Professional 19 (Gen 2) assessment: purchase it if
- You need a tech-heavy pen show
- Color accuracy is a precedence
- You need good specs for much less
XPPen Artist Professional 19 (Gen 2) assessment: do not buy it if
- You want contact management
- You want a special dimension
