I’m considering replacing one of my PCs with a convertible tablet. By that I mean one with a removable keyboard. It will be for general use, but will be used for photo editing with Elements and other similar programs that support a digitizing tablet. This is not for business use, I’m merely an enthusiast.
One of my PCs is equipped with a large digitizing tablet, but I find myself working more upstairs and I don’t want to move my tower PC, nor do I have room for the large digitizing tablet where I wish to work.
Looking at the Surface Pro 2 website I see it comes with a pen that’s undoubtedly pressure sensitive, but I’m wondering if anyone has any experience with using it for photo work? Also the drive on the Surface seems a little small as well, and I don’t see mention of an optical drive.
Reading my post I seem to be making a good case for NOT purchasing don’t I? Maybe I should just buy a smaller digitizing tablet!
I currently use a Surface Pro 2 exclusively for drawing digitally with. I found the original pen to have too hard of a nib (simply solid smooth plastic). It worked beautifully otherwise. So, I bought a wacom bamboo feel pen (the black, not the carbon) to go with it and it works quite well as it has a rubber nib (not felt, so it won’t fray!). There is only a small bit of tracking disruption near the upper corners. Pressure sensitivity is great. Previously used an Intuos4 and a couple other early Tablet PCs from 2005 onward and I am extremely pleased with this purchase. I was originally going to go for the lowend 8GB RAM model but ended up with the highend 4GB model and experience no problems working at standard 600dpi A4 scale. Wacom provided Photoshop drivers last year so Photoshop and Manga Studio both work great. Haven’t gotten around to trying stuff like Corel Painter but that’s not exactly the sort of program you’d be using anyway.
The Surface Pro 2 is absolutely a tablet in the modern sense (runs apps) so it, as you said, does not come with an optical drive the same all the other modern tablets don’t. That being said, I haven’t needed an optical drive for years. Even Windows can be installed fine via USB drive. There is only one USB port but I don’t usually need many anyway.
If what you wanted was a lightweight, portable, powerful solution I’d say you are missing out! I very much prefer this over the Intuos.
EDIT: I might also mention that the drawing area on this tablet and the medium Intuos 4 are almost a direct match. I don’t feel like I’m drawing on a postage stamp, though I suppose if they could’ve put another inch or two more into the display I’d be even happier. One of my older Tablet PCs was a 14" screen after all.
I may still buy a new PC/tablet in the near future, so don’t be too upset with me.
I think one issue is that the fellow at a store who’s name rhymes with best cry wasn’t too helpful.
Are there issues with using the pen and interference from your hand on the screen? The Intuos tablet I ordered can be used with gestures or the pen by sliding a switch. Maybe there’s a similar setup on the surface?
You say you load software via USB, do you mean a USB external did drive? I have one I use with an ultra light notebook that might be compatible.