Digital art is an intricate work, and many artists face dilemmas about which device to select to carry out such a level of tasks easily. There are a lot of options available, with each solving its purpose. However, the choice varies from person to person depending on their needs. Should you go for a touchscreen laptop or a drawing tablet? Let’s find the answer here.
Drawing Tablets Variants:
Graphics Tablet: It’s a device that you can connect to a computer to draw digitally. It has a flat screen that receives inputs from the stylus and draws accordingly. You can also use it as a mouse to navigate, click and point. One noticeable thing about these laptops is that they don’t have a built-in screen. As a result, they require good hand-eye coordination, which is a little tricky for beginners to look simultaneously at the graphics tablet and the computer screen, as they can’t keep an eye on the tablet device while drawing.
Display Drawing Tablet: This tablet comes with a screen. It is also called a pen display tablet. Unlike graphic tablets, display tablets are easier to use as you can look at the tablet screen while dressing. At the same time, you get the feeling of a pencil on paper. It’s more of a realistic option and hence is highly preferred by artists, especially beginner and intermediate. You have complete control over your drawing. You know where your stylus is pointing and how lines & curves are being drawn on the screen.
Standalone Drawing Tablets: As the name implies, these tablets don’t need a computer to work. These devices come fully equipped with RAM, preprocessor, memory, etc. In short, they offer a perfect combination of a drawing tablet and a PC. As a result, it’s a great alternative to the PC as you don’t have to carry a computer everywhere you go. They are small and compact and can be carried easily in a backpack. These devices are ideal for students who love to draw or are pursuing a career in digital art.
Touch Screen Laptops:
The name itself is self-explanatory. It is a standard laptop with a touchscreen feature, allowing you to control the screen with the help of fingers or a stylus. Often, they are called 2 in 1 laptop because you can flip them and use them as a standalone tablet.
Many artists prefer 2-in-1 touchscreen laptops over traditional laptops or tablets for creating digital art. That is so because these devices provide the functionality of a laptop and the flexibility of a standalone tablet.
They are also known as drawing tablets, as many articles use the touchscreen as a drawing board. These laptops offer more features and long battery life when compared with other standalone drawing tablets.
Touch Screen laptop or Drawing Tablet: Which One Should You Choose?
Budget: Before you get into the nitty gritty of various models to decide which one to buy, you must not forget one aspect that can influence your buying decision. We are talking about the budget. If you are on a tight budget, you may have to look for a budget-friendly standalone drawing tablet, but if you can afford it, you must select a professional 2 in 1 touchscreen laptop. These convertible laptops give you the best of both worlds of laptops and tablets.
Portability: If you are a student who keeps hopping from one class to another or a working professional who is always on the go. Portability should be your prime concern. A touchscreen laptop or standalone drawing tablet offers complete freedom, enabling you to take your drawing work wherever you go. If you don’t mind using a tablet with a computer and don’t want to spend too much on portable devices, stick to the good quality graphics tablets.
Features: If you only want to focus on your art and don’t want any fuss, you should go for a graphics tablet. It is a good option. However, if you are looking for a versatile device that can help you finish off your school and office work while enabling you with all the features you need for designing, consider going for a touchscreen laptop.
When it comes to everyday use, nothing can beat these laptops as they combine the features of both laptops and tablets, making them one of the best devices to handle any task. If you specifically want to focus on digital art, a drawing tablet is something you should look for.
Conclusion: Touch Screen Laptop or Drawing Tablet?
Considering the above information, it’s easy to see which is the better option, drawing tablets or touchscreen laptops. However, the decision also boils down to your purpose and budget. While touchscreen laptops are comparatively expensive, they offer a magnitude of functionality, enabling you to perform multiple tasks with just one device. On the other hand, drawing tablets cost less but are designed for a specific purpose. Each of them has pros and cons. So, in the end, the choice depends on you, what you are seeking from a device and what price point.