XPPen Deco Pro (gen 2) review - Get the right size 

Thanks for your support :-)

Absolutely true! I have been using a Wacom Large and I can't work with small tablets anymore. I'm also on a 27" monitor and with the large, you will not be using your wrist and move your arm for better line quality. I mostly sculpt and love the larger tablets for less pen acceleration. It's good to see more large options these days.

cant you not adjust the sensitivity? i heard ppl saying that large tablets are good only for dual monitor becasue they end up maping only one small area to cover a big screen like for a 27" monitor a small size wacom intuos would be ok? @@ZephrusPrime

@@guilladogui8259 Like I stated before it's about the ability to use you arm to work vs your wrist. Having a larger tablet allows you to get closer to that 1 to 1 ratio. That means if you draw an inch on the tablet it will move an inch on the screen (the way a pen display tablet does). If your referring to using the precision mode ie "sensitivity", it's not practical for me as I need to be all over the screen and not just in one spot. In the end it's up to preference, for me as someone who has worked in the industry for 10 years and is on these almost everyday, I prefer the large and it has improved my work by allowing me to have less wrist and more arm movement.

@@guilladogui8259 About the size advantage, Zephrus has already explained it greatly. What you mention, some people do that, but besides it doesn't help the problem, mapping only one area of the tablet is like throwing money away, as you are using it as a lower resolution tablet (more size and resolution = more control over the lines). I work with dual monitors, some times single, and some times with three. It's never an issue. I always set it to use "full tablet", but with "forced proportions", so that my arm movement responds to the same ratio on screen, proportionally ( I actually have the same accuracy, if not more, using a pen-tablet than a display tablet, after years of training). When having 2 monitors it's ideal to still map it only to one, usually your main monitor (also typically the one with greater color range, uniformity, etc). I dunno other people, but I tend to use a second monitor just for browsing references and using PureRef app for my references. In some rare projects I use a third monitor for extra references or putting some software panels there. But always mapping it to only the main monitor (I use the mouse all the time for many things, so it's not a problem even in certain cases). For display-tablets, like a cintiq, IMO you can go with a 16" (I prefer minimum 22) , but with pen-tablets is particularly important to go around the Wacom's L size at least. I have and use the XL (have the L already for replacement) but is not produced anymore (can find it on Amazon, maybe there are still some selling those yet). I agree with everything Zephrus said, but specially with the "precision mode" not being really practical. Also because forces you to make very slow strokes.

100% agree. I am still using a Intuos XL, and have a (latest) L for replacement, as I can't explain myself how this is lasting since 2009 with so much use...

Which size did you get?

@@teohontech7141 I got the big one. I have a 24 inch monitor now but I will be getting a 32 4K Inch monitor later this year. Right now I have to go through two sets of tutorials on PS for IPad and PC. Lots to learn.

It keeps getting better. These companies are now moving to sell portable battery powered drawing tablets.

If your current tablet is working, I don’t see much reason to upgrade

@@teohontech7141 Thank you.

The original Deco Pro came out in 2019 and drawing performance is pretty good. This gen 2 is slightly better. As for the shortcut remote, I don't really use them because I prefer proper keyboard. So it really comes down to personal preference whether you find it useful/

Drawing tech for such products have matured years ago. You can get anything. Based on features, price, looks

Could be a pen problem. Maybe take the nib out and put it back in, or change the nib and test again

Probably Dial 2 only because the shortcut buttons are on the tablet. But drawing performance for both should be similar. If you ask me the same question next month maybe the answer will be different 😂

@@teohontech7141 thanks for the comment! I ended up going with the Inspiroy L for the new pen tech and softer budget hit. I realized the XLW Deco 2 is probably excessive for my needs at the moment anyhow.

It does not support finger gestures, no touch.

There’s slightly more texture, and less of the plasticky feel when drawinf

L size is more suited for 24-inch display. The one advantage pen tablets have against pen displays is you don't have to look down to draw. The tablet can still be used while charging. And when using wired mode, Bluetooth connection is not needed.

@@teohontech7141 Thank you for answering my questions 😁 It's weird, using a pen tablet feels more "natural" to me than drawing on a tablet even with those "paper-like" screen protectors. 🤔 I will consider the large because I like the shortcut button gadget. Again, thanks for reviewing the new offering from XP-Pen 😁

@@ajwalker4416 I am using L (less frequently) and XL (from Wacom) with two monitors, 22" and 24" screens... well configured it works great, I personally would not go lower. Also, absolutely agreeing about the feel with pen-tablets, in every word. But definitely there's a wide variance in types of users. Some people can only paint with pen-displays (paint over screen), or can on any surface, but only feel comfortable with pen-displays. And they do a great job at it, too. For me the pose is much more comfy with pen-tablets, as well. Also, I like to get "high end" color accurate monitors (of high/medium cost), for my illustration work, and pen-tablets give this freedom (pen-displays too, but then am duplicating costs, somehow).

I also wanna know this

Is Wacom really that rough? This is smoother.

@@teohontech7141 Some newer intuos tablets ship with a "rough" texture that says it simulates paper though it eats nibs very quickly i find,

Will not work

@@teohontech7141 Thanks a lot for the answer, is there another brand will stylus work? Or do I have to buy it separately for my samsung, for example Lamy?

@@furkancankaya6960 There are many alternatives from other brands that you can use www.parkablogs.com/content/wacom-one-pen-vs-other-emr-pens-artist-review

Do you have any information on why Wacom works but Xppen's does not, thank you.@@teohontech7141

They just released the new Giano in 2022. It would be strange to discontinue it so fast

@@teohontech7141 Huion has removed it from their webpage

Yes

Drawing performance should be on par. If your Wacom is still working, you should still use it. No point upgrading.

The deco pro [gen 2] is indeed better only if you like wireless mode and / or like to bring your tablet everywhere you go. the Intuos pro has a very unreliable Bluetooth connection because it uses the older Bluetooth 4.2. Like my preference, I like to be wireless because I am a messy person. But in performance wise, both aren't really necessary better than the other. It will depend on the artist on how they can utilize those features.

You mean cursor? Sometimes you can change it with the Caps Lock key, depending on app you use.

10 x 6 inches is okay

ty@@teohontech7141

Could be hardware problem? Contact XPpen and see what they say

Deco Pro is the better one but drawing performance will be similar. So ultimately it will come down to how much you want to spend

​​​@@teohontech7141 If you don't mind, could you please explain what aspects Deco Pro gen2 is better at against Deco LW? E.g. tablet surface texture, pen hold comfort, ergonomic, etc. I'm really torn on which one I should buy and would be grateful for any input Also, for a 14 inch laptop, would you suggest the L or M size from Deco Pro gen2?

@@hia_en You can scroll to the pros and cons lists at the end of my text reviews to compare www.parkablogs.com/content/review-xp-pen-deco-lw-pen-tablet-bluetooth www.parkablogs.com/content/review-xppen-deco-pro-gen-2-pen-tablet For 14-inch, 10 x 6-inch tablet is good.

Not for me! It's great for accurate line art (with a desktop monitor).

@@3polygons To me, the L is the standard size for for accurate lineart on desktop. That. XL is taking too much space on the other hand. And I would bet they didn't make as much XL units as the others.

​@@eddyalvaross2195 Indeed, "XL" is understood differently (like most sizes, and even whatever feature (report rate (RPS), etc)) depending on the company... Specially considering the extra space besides the drawing active area. My old Wacom intuos Pro 4 XL is a freaking pool table (huge)...But I love it, gives me a lot of accuracy. I guess it's personal to everyone... I tested it against a large Huion pen-tablet (currently collecting tons of dust) and and my very carefully configured Huion Kamvas 22 (a display-tablet! usually recommended for line-art versus pen-tablets!), which, despite not being the Plus model, I recon it *IS* a good display-tablet, but... losing in line control, small/short gestures accuracy, and pressure sensitivity against the old intuos 4 XL and its old Intuos 4 grip pen with only 2k of pressure. Also, I have a big room for work and a large desktop with plenty of space. In another room I work at (very rarely) it makes a lot more sense to use the L, or a smaller one. The Wacom's XL is not produced anymore by Wacom (I guess expensive to produce), but keeps selling like heck on Amazon, ebay and etc as second hand, despite being a 14 year old product. Even while it has a *huge* issue: the cable non detachable, so, if it breaks somehow, game over (mine is pristine, like the tablet's surface, tho). Unlike if you buy a modern Wacom L (detachable). I prefer Wacom's "feel" and control of the pen and tablet response, but.. I know XP and Huion DO improve with each generation, so, I'd be very curious to test this new XP Deco XL. I just don't need it... can't justify it to myself, lol (I just love this kind of tech). 16k of pressure sensitivity makes it specially interesting, although 2k with a wacom XL gives me significantly more subtle control in pressure than a supposed 8k of my Kamvas 22, so (again, brands measure things differently)... you never know. But it is surely a very good improvement. Indeed... just checked. They (XP-Pen) have like 3 sizes for this second edition of the XP-Pen Deco Pro (Deco Pro (Gen 2)). Their smaller size is yet bigger in active area (what really counts or accuracy) than a Wacom Intuos Medium (which is an ok tablet for merely digital painting with not too much line art, or doing such relying a bit on line smoothing by software, which most apps allow by now). The L size' active (drawing) area instead.. is a bit smaller than a current Wacom L's active area. And the full L's physical size of the XP-Pen L model is significantly smaller than a Wacom's L full size. And their XL's active area is quite smaller than my old Wacom XL's (38x22 cm vs 48x30 cm), which is a negative point unless their tech makes it non relevant (I'd need to test it). In the physical size though, the XP is a total winner for ergonomics: mine is 62 x 46 cm full size, while their Deco Pro XLW (btw, I don't really need wireless, and kind of don't trust it for response reasons) is 43 x 31 cm. In my tests at least with the other brand, Huion (with pen tablets and display tablets), same size did not mean same control/accuracy, even while comparing to a much older Wacom. But this is very brand new technology. The X3 chip, the 16k pressure... Could be enough to be on par with Wacom (or who knows if better), this time. I just don't know. Also... a lot of this is only noticed while very realistic digital painting (and _accurate_ , detailed inking/line art, in terms of line accuracy). In many artistic styles it is not that noticeable.

@@3polygons I found that the accuracy is much more related to the initial activation force, if you are light handed and used to wacoms, then huion and older xp-pens (I know the new ones have lower IAF) might be difficult to get used to. I know people that love huion but they all press a little harder than me. Just so you know, the intuos 4 grip pen has 1 gram of IAF, and it's the lowest available, even the new pro pen 2 has more IAF (dont know about the latest one, from the new cintiq pro 27) and this new xp-pen has 2.8 IAF, and the huions I tested have much more than this. I had a intuos 4 xl, was amazing but couldn't fit it well on my desk space. Now I have the intuos 4 L, on a 28 4k monitor, and find it difficult for lineart. Was curious about this new xp pen but I have my reservations about the IAF being a little higher than my grip pen. I returned many huions and xp-pens because of that ahah! Stil gonna rock the old intuos 4!

​@@tapegasi Yes! That very much could be it...! I didn't know even about the existence of that value (IAF, but yep about the difference in initial force needed). But it matches everything... I was aware that most (specially from the comic world) inkers and pencillers did love the XP's and Huion tablets, as, besides price, "you need to press harder", which felt more like in traditional drawing to them, this got even famous with the very well received XP-Pen Deco 03, putting more pressure on the "brush" like in real life traditional dry media (pencils, pastels, pens). I am an oil painter in essence (although my main first stages were pencils only, as a kid and teenager), so, that's mostly brushes, and one does not put pressure with those. But more importantly... I have developed this special care with the tablets' surface, so it became a habit to not wreck it. As after the Intuos 3 (it was kind of a gorilla glass (ish), sturdy as heck, but no paper-like feel), it was well known that the surface became way too brittle (not sure if it was in intuos 4 or 5 that it became _particularly_ brittle), and a wave of complaints infested internet, Wacom and art forums, people shouting in immense anger (I did believe them, every one of them) about their tablet getting deep scratches in the first hours. I had not learned yet how on internet, a minority can look like a majority, and also, how a bunch of people are careless (and some a bit dense), and how different is the pen grip among artists (this is no one's fault), even more, how differently people treat their devices. Mine has not got a single scratch since 2009 (and the attached cable is still without even a trace of degradation/problem). My take is that premium models are made (not always) to last, compared to the SKUs thought as "fast food" that the vendor wants you to replace every 3 to 5 years (I think I saved quite some money, in the end...). It makes sense. As indeed... I noticed I had to change my grip drastically with the Huion Display tablet (Kamvas 22)... Hmmm...but... It is also in the small details, when I have to do small (inking, line-art in general) features at certain speed..as if.. it were slower response, slightly more lagged. The old XL seems a lot better in that. Or at least, in my tests. Dunno if that could really only be due to the lighter initial force needed on the Wacom... I don't know (I think there are more factors...But it is only my impression, using both. Again, this was not XP, but Huion). The cheap Huion large pen-tablet was the worse thing I've had since my Kurta 1 or The Summagraphics (CAD tablet), and then they had the excuse of the tech being yet prehistoric... (what a revolution was Intuos 1 A4... I still keep it). Maybe the x3 chip and specially the 16k levels of pressure do allow to set things up in a way that make it be on par with current wacoms, I don't know. Of course, not if there's a hard low limit in regards to initial pressure. Again, can only imagine, until I manage to grab one of these new XP-Pen XL tablets. The irony is that when drawing with traditional pencils, with which I learn all the anatomy drawing and everything... I have a too strong grip, which is bad in professional pencil drawing (when you are using pencils as a final art, it won't matter much if just sketching), as you should not get darker tones by pressing more, but using other pencil... A "softer" one (ie, 2B instead of HB, as a greater content of graphite in the clay/graphite mix makes a much more intense dark shade, without more pressure). So, if anything, I had a habit of putting too much pressure (which was bad) instead of using the right pencil in final stages (but I really disliked how "dirty" a drawing with a 6B could get :D ). The range is very important, as it is the initial force. I guess that if you get used to that initial force, but yet have a long range (from there) of pressure for different shading intensities, you are still fine with the other tablet brands that behave so. This is incredibly important for realistic digital painting, in my opinion.