Intuos Pro vs the Cintiq

[Luie]

Those customer reviews scare me to be honest. Did you have any trouble at all?

[getsuart]

Well, you can go for a Cintiq if you already tried it. I know some people who can't handle the Cintiq because they don't really feel well with it.

I got the new Intuos Pro for three personal reasons :
1. My health. As much as I see the Cintiq can be rotated, it can't be rotated enough for my fragile back. But it is good enough for most people!
2. The characteristics. The Cintiq is either supa mega large, or too tiny (for me). The only one I won't complain with is the 13HD! Otherwise, it got the same pressure level as for a Intuos Pro, and most of the characteristics are the same (the buttons are useful and everything).
3. The price. The Cintiq costs a lot because of its technology, and I understand why! Just that I... don't have money. XD

A lot of people are working with Cintiq, because it's easier (like for the coordination of eye-arm you don't have with an Intuos). It's also nice to have two screens and see directly like you were working traditionally!
If you're thinking you're still a beginner and have low budget, you can have a nice tablet, then reaching the top tablet in some years The Intuos Pro tablet is really nice and useful.

[DeadAccount]

I'm afraid everyone's too different for a one-fits-all advice. Cintiq's definitely a better option for artists who don't get on with regular tablets, but yeah, it is expensive. I've used regular tablets for a decade before finally being able to get a Cintiq. I love it, but I can draw with an Intuos all the same - I only run into trouble when trying to freehand straight lines (because I'm a masochist) Cintiq makes line control much easier. Loose sketching and painting though, I don't really mind which tablet I use - I've still got my older Intuos 4 that I use when I'm on my laptop. I also know people who actually prefer regular tablets and don't like the Cintiq! Best thing to do is to try both - often if you go to conventions or events where wacom has a stall, you get to try them out.

[elixiadragmire]

the software on that is extremely lacking! Plus is actually rather expensive when you have to buy the pen separatly

You can hook it up to you Mac via a work around but ONLY a mac's and using third party software .... my verdit? too many work arounds, not powerful enough as a stand alone (wont run PS CC 2015) and too many additional costs

[gateofselidor]

I just upgraded from an old Bamboo to an Intuos Pro, and it's great. I looked at the Cintiq, but I didn't think I could comfortably work with the smallest size, and I just didn't have the money to spend £1300+ on a 22 inch model. If budget is no concern, then I would go ahead and opt for the Cintiq, but if it would put pressure on your finances, the Pro is a great tablet.

[insomniascrawl]

Since you have a budget, I'd say go for the Intous Pro. I use an Intous3 Tablet and even though it's kind of old, it works great, I can only imagine that the newer Intous Pro works even better.

[VeloursRose]

If I were you, it would probably be wiser to invest in $70-100 dollar tablet (like the intuos line) first and get used to working on that for maybe a year. A cintiq is a heavy investment, and it'd probably be better to save that money until you're financially stable once more. I still use my intuos 4 which still serves me well after 5-6 years. In the end it's just a tool, you just have to learn how to use it.

[serenitysquirrel]

The thing with the customer reviews is that they are old.

For whatever reason, Yiyinova had a tablet that didn't work all that hot. I waited a year for them to come out with something new and they did... but instead of renaming it they added a +

The newer ones have none of the issues the old reviews say. They are bright and accurate and easily calibrated. The resolution is wonderful. The glass is thin, and I ENJOY it's slick smoothness as the stylus glides over like silk.

I have yet to find a bad review for the new ones. Somewhere, I even have a youtube vid of a guy comparing a cintique to the yiyinova for professional work and he actually likes the Yiyinova better.

The ONLY problem I had was on set-up. In that case, I was having an awful time with the drivers and getting both monitors set up right. I emailed both panda city and yiynova in a panic. It was about 2am and Yiynova had a reply back from Japan in about 15min. Answered a few quick questions. Got another reply back 15min after that and just had to install an older driver instead due to windows 7. This was by email. To this day, they have the best customer service I have ever known in my life.

The unit itself is hefty but the screen area is huge. There's programmable buttons on the side and on the stylus. It was SUPER easy to attach it to the monitor arm I bought. And it's more color accurate than my main HD monitor after calibrating them both.

Also, if you get it and don't like it, you can send it back if it isn't too long.

With you not being employed, however. If this is basic adult unemployment (not in college, not in a position where your parents pay for everything because you're young) and the tablet is not for work/money gaining purposes, I would hold off until you have income again.

Or do like Velours says and get a cheapy tablet. It'll be good for you to use for a while so you can learn various programs, techniques, and get used to digital in general first. Ensure it's something you wanna stick with before you want to end up with a 600$+ monitor.

[Wolven_Sister]

I own both an Intuos and a Cintiq.

My tablet is a Wacom Intuos5. I've had my Intous for a few years now and I love it. It took a bit for me to get used to, but it was the cheaper option and it still works like a champ after making so many comics and illustrations on it. My Intuos costed about $500 but that was several years ago, so the price may have gone down.

I just recently got my Cintiq about a month ago and it took me less than a day to get used to the feel and strokes on it. It is a LOT smoother and the quality of art I'm able to make on it is moreso than my tablet. But my Cintiq was EXPENSIVE. I have the Cintiq Companion 2 so I'm able to take my Cintiq anywhere and draw on it. It has built in Wi-Fi and if I want to I can also hook it up to my computer for dual monitors. Since the Companion 2 came out this year it's pretty pricey, the cheapest version being $1,300. It did take me several months to save up for it but I personally think it's a wonderful investment.

I love both my tablets very much and I use them both for everything. I use my Intuos for comics and I used my Cintiq for illustrations and sketches. The Intuos is a better option if you're on a budget and you want to get a tablet like right away! But if you don't mind saving up for several months for a Cintiq then I would recommend the Cintiq.

[alakotila]

I went to intuos pro from bamboo and the difference is amazing. It's so much more sensitive and I have already worn down a nib because I am used to rough-handling my old, sturdy bamboo wacom! I had never even changed the nib on the old tablet. So be aware of that.

I do digital comics and game concept art with my intuos pro, and there was a bit of a learning curve. I do plan to go cintiq someday, but after what I am leaning on intuos it will be a much more fluid transition and I'll have improved my digital art skills. Tablets help you work more intuitively, but they are still tools and don't do the work for you, as I am sure you well know. If you are on a budget, I would recommend the intuos -- it's a great tablet and you can do professional work on it. Advice: be sure to check the sizes. I did not and I wound up with a huge tablet (which I have grown to love).

Personally, I am saving up for a cintiq and perhaps in a year or so I will make the leap. But for now, I am enjoying my intuos. Even though it is a giant. And I had to build something to make my workspace actually work. Yep.

[Luie]

If I were you, it would probably be wiser to invest in $70-100 dollar tablet (like the intuos line) first

The $100 tablet was the first tablet I bought and I hated using it so much that I just used a mouse instead. It was a bamboo, though.

With you not being employed, however. If this is basic adult unemployment (not in college, not in a position where your parents pay for everything because you're young) and the tablet is not for work/money gaining purposes, I would hold off until you have income again.

Sorry guys, I should probably clarify! I had a regular job and a freelance writing job. I took the second specifically to save up for a cintiq so that I could start making more money. I am capable of selling my work, but I need the tools. I save no money with my regular job at all because minimum wage is a joke, but it can still keep me afloat. The writing job ended (although I hear it's going to pick up again maybe, ugh) so I won't be making enough money to save another $600-1,000 in a reasonable amount of time. I nearly reached my goal, I just didn't get there.

I just recently got my Cintiq about a month ago and it took me less than a day to get used to the feel and strokes on it. It is a LOT smoother and the quality of art I'm able to make on it is moreso than my tablet.

This is why I want the cintiq. I's a traditional artist and I think being able to see my hand and the point of contact will make a huge difference in the quality of my work.

Also, I am an idiot guys. I didn't realize there were cheaper Cintiqs. I just ordered a Cintiq Companion Hybrid for like $800 and now I don't have to spend the rest of my money. The intuos I was looking at was around around $500, so this isn't too far off. They are so much cheaper than they used to be! c:

[puppetbomb]

Since it was brought up, I'm gonna say a bit about iPad Pro vs. Surface 3:

The iPad Pro plus the stylus starts at $900. It's 32GB and stylus is sold separately, but you can purchase a 128BG for $1050. It only runs apps, so you won't have Photoshop or MangStudio available to you either. Shortcut keys are non-existent, since apps are designed specifically for touch screen-only devices.

On the flip side, a 128 GB Surface 3 can be purchased on Amazon for a little over $800 and comes with a stylus. You can install Photoshop/Manga Studio/whatever program of your choice in its entirety and use any USB/Bluetooth keyboard you have on hand if you use shortcuts. It takes a bit of finagling to turn off touch sensors (making the tablet only respond to the stylus), but the fact it's an option makes drawing so much easier. The downside would probably be the tiny, tiny desktop graphics when you're not using the tile layout :<

I'm pretty sure the iPad stylus will have very little lag compared to the Surface, since Apple engineering is pretty good. But IMO, nothing beats having shortcut keys and a full version of PS wherever you go.

So yeah. My bit on iPad Pro vs. Surface.

[ToonDoctor]

I started with a basic Wacom way back in 99. Yeah, I'm old. Had a bunch of other Wacoms. They are easy to get used to. I don't think the hand eye coordination s a problem for long. A day at most.

I've switched exclusively to a Cintiq since 2007. Best investment I ever made. I still use it to this day. It's paid for itself time and time again to the extent that I don't even follow what's new from Wacom. It's one heck of a powerful tool and has made me more productive. I would not go back to a regular tablet unless I had no choice or could not afford a replacement for my Cintiq. Every other pro animator I know also use Cintiqs. Says a lot about the product.

[roarkstar]

I can say from my experience that I prefer the Intuos Pro. I saved up and bought a Cintiq, after a year of using it my neck and shoulders were in unbearable pain from always having my head looking down for 8-10 hours a day. Then tried an ergonomic arm and hated drawing and painting with my arms in the air. After going back to the Intuos my neck is finally healing and my Cintiq is collecting dust in the corner. Plus, I prefer the feel of the Intuos over the slick screen in the Cintiq. Just my 2 cents.

[scythe]

Do those who use it feel as they they're able to draw faster than with a regular tablet? The prospect of faster drawing time is pretty much the only reason I would consider upgrading.

[solhawthorne]

A "faster" drawing time is dependent on you alone. As mentioned earlier in this thread, cintiq, intuos, and surface are only tools. You can get faster on your current tablet just by becoming more familiar with its shortcuts and changing your style around a bit. Some people do think they are faster on the cintiq but those reasons are more ergonomic. Personally, I have a really hard time with the slant. To avoid glare I have to bend over it like the hunchback and that really slows down my drawing (not to mention, it hurts). After I got used to disconnecting my hand and eye years ago on the intuos, I drew just as fast on the intuos as I do on paper.

[Zyephen]

I own a cintiq companion 2, and an intuos 4, I actually do prefer my intuos, mostly because I don't like that my hand blocks part of the picture as I draw on the cintiq. Plus it's nice that with the intuos you can hook it up to any monitor you want, and you don't have to worry about scratching the surface like you would with the cintiq. My Cintiq is more like a toy that I mess around with on occasion, and the intuos is for serious work. Ofcourse it could also be that I'm just used to my old intuos as opposed to the new cintiq too. I think it's best to buy the cheap option and maybe later upgrade than to buy the expensive one right off, but that's just me.

[lilydusk]

I think one more factor to consider is the drawing style. My style is very clean, precise strokes with all gaps closed (for ease of colouring) with lots of minute details (at times) and a regular tablet just didn't cut it for me. Even though I've used one for over a decade, I never managed to achieve the results I wanted, until switching to a display tablet.

Plus I'm really short so I barely have to hunch over

[solhawthorne]

Yeah, I did acknowledge there were some people who benefit from that screen. Super duper delicate pencil strokes like on a bird drawing really was where I enjoyed the cintiq more than my intuos. But normally I'm extremely gestural and scribbly. A lot of my art teachers would actively encourage me to practice looking away from the paper and keep my eye on the model, so the detachment just ended up working for me

[lilydusk]

Props to you! 🏻🏻🏻