Are Drawing Tablets Compatible With Laptops?

If you’re just getting started as a digital artist, you’ve probably heard before how important it is to consider getting a digital tablet. This could make a world of a difference for you as you prepare to enhance your skills as a digital artist.

However, there are many people who wonder whether or not drawing tablets are compatible with laptops, whether for monetary concerns or for simple convenience.

The answer is yes. In fact, there are many that require the use of a computer in order to work. They generally come with USB cords that you can plug into your laptop. This will not only allow you to control your drawings, but you will also be able to save them to your laptop files and print them if necessary.

In this article, we’ll go over the different types of drawing tablets, as well as some of our favorites that are compatible with laptops.

Types of Drawing Tablets

As we know, there are some graphic tablets that do not come with a battery, so you will have to plug them into your laptop in order to be able to use them. This means that there are plenty of graphic tablets on the market that are compatible with laptops.

They generally come with a USB cord that you will be able to plug into your laptop or computer in order to use the device. Even if you can use the graphic tablet on its own, you can also use this option to store your artwork onto your laptop.

Most graphic tablets will be compatible with most modern computer and laptop systems, including all the modern formats of Windows and Mac OS X.

If you want to know more about the different types of drawing tablets available on the market, here is some more information.

Standard Graphics Tablets

These are the tablets that you will definitely need to have a laptop or computer on hand in order to use. They do not have a built-in screen and instead work by connecting to your device, which displays the artwork.

These types of tablets are used the most by graphic designers, illustrators, animators, and other artistic professionals. It is very similar to using a mouse to draw, the only difference being the presence of the stylus.

LCD Screen Tablets

These tablets have a screen, which makes using them very similar to the experience you get when you draw on a regular piece of paper. Some people recommend these tablets to those who don’t have much experience working with a graphic tablet, although they are more expensive.

Many of these tablets also have a touch screen. You may choose to purchase ones made specifically for artists, or you can get general-use tablets, such as iPads, but these might not have all the tools that artists will need.

Drawing Tablets Compatible With Laptops

Here are a few of our favorite drawing tablets that require the use of a laptop.

XP-Pen Deco 01 Drawing Tablet

This drawing tablet comes with a USB cord that you need to plug into your laptop in order to be able to use the tablet. It can be used with Windows 10/8/7 and Mac OS X 10.10 and above.

You will also be able to use it with most software programs, including Photoshop, Painter, and Illustrator.

It offers a high level of pressure sensitivity to help you learn how to draw lines and other features. The tablet has an active area of 10 x 6.25 inches that lights up in the dark.

The tablet also doesn’t weigh very much and is only 8 mm thick, which means that you will be able to travel easily with it.

It has also been designed with right and left-handed people in mind and it has 8 express keys to help you customize the platform. In addition, if you’re looking for an affordable tablet, this is a great option!

Wacom Intuos CTL4100

Wacom is one of the most popular brands when it comes to graphics tablets and this option, in particular, does not have a battery.

Therefore, it will only work when connected to your computer or laptop. It is easy to use and you are provided with all the essentials necessary to complete your drawing.

It offers pressure sensitivity as well, which will help you to get a better grasp of how thick and thin the lines need to be. It also has multi-touch gesture support and only weighs 8.16 ounces, making it easy to carry around and take with you when you travel.

In addition, you can use it no matter whether you’re right or left-handed. The retail price of this graphic tablet is below 100 bucks, so you’ll also be getting a good deal.

Ugee M708

This is another graphic tablet that is fairly priced and will certainly fit a beginner’s budget. You will get all the necessary features with this product. It has a 10 x 6-inch drawing area and a powerful resolution.

In addition, the tablet is able to register 230 reports per second and it has 8 shortcuts.

You will be able to customize these shortcuts according to what you need, which will make the use of this tablet much more convenient. The pen that comes with this device is also pressure-sensitive, so you will feel as though you are drawing on a piece of paper.

It supports Windows OS and Mac OS X 10.6 and above. You will also be able to use the graphic tablet with many programs, including Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel Painter, and more.

Turcom TS-6610

Here is the cheapest tablet on our list. Despite the low price tag, you will be able to get the same features as you would with its expensive counterparts.

It is lightweight, so you can carry it around with you wherever you want to and it will make for a great travel companion.

Like the others on this list, it features 8 onboard keys, which you will be able to customize to have the most important settings right at your fingertips. The active area is 10 x 6.25 inches, which will give you the best opportunity to draw anything you’d like.

It has 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity to make you feel as though you’re drawing on a piece of paper, and the 220 report rate speed is said to be accurate and doesn’t lag.

The Turcom tablet is compatible with both Windows and Mac devices, and you will be able to use it with some of the most popular programs, including Adobe, Corel, and Autodesk.

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for a graphic tablet that will help you enhance your skills as a graphic designer, you want to learn more about pressure sensitivity, or any other reason, you can be assured that your graphic tablet will be compatible with your laptop.

This is great for those who might not be able to afford the fancier tablets that can cost hundreds of dollars or for those who want the added convenience of having all their work available on their computers.

In any case, you’ll certainly be able to find a graphic tablet that suits your needs.