Wacom Cintiq vs the iPad: A Comprehensive Comparison

Last summer, I finally caved and bought an iPad. I couldn’t help it—I had watched too many Instagram reels and Tiktoks of people creating art on Procreate, and I wanted in on the action. It was not a decision I made lightly, however. When it comes to my drawing tools, I am picky. And while I adore my Wacom Cintiq, I was eager to explore new options and see what else was out there. If you’ve been considering starting digital art and are unsure whether an iPad or a display tablet is the right fit for you, you’re in the right place! In this article, I’ll take a deep dive into the Wacom Cintiq vs the iPad, comparing their features to help you determine which one best suits your needs. Let’s get started!

Price Breakdown: What’s the Damage?

Let’s talk dollars and cents. A Wacom Cintiq drawing display tablet typically runs around $600 for the 16-inch model on Amazon. If you’re looking for something larger, prepare to shell out about $2,500 for the 24-inch version. The Cintiq Pro with touch features is around $1,500 for the 16-inch model. While Cintiqs are made for professionals and might seem pricey, they’re comparable to the cost of a high-quality tablet or smartphone (the new iPhone 16 Pro is over $1000, for example).

On the other hand, an iPad Pro is between $1,300 to $1,500 for the 11 inch and 13 inch models respectively, while the iPad Air is more budget-friendly at about $550. So, whether you choose a Wacom or an iPad, you can start your creative journey for as low as $550, but prices can easily escalate into the thousands.

Here’s the catch: an iPad is a standalone device. For an additional $100, you can buy the Apple Pencil and start creating immediately. With a display tablet such as the Cintiq, however, while the pen is included with the device, that’s still just the beginning. You’ll need a laptop or desktop computer, and if you want to run software like Photoshop, you’ll need a decent machine—which will run you another several hundred dollars, if not a few thousand. So while the upfront cost of a Cintiq might be similar to that of an iPad, you have to factor in those extra expenses.

For those looking for a more affordable option, brands like XPPen and HUION offer display tablets for under $300, making them a more reasonable choice if you’re budgeting for a laptop too. Still, Wacom remains the industry standard for a reason, with a premium and durable build compared to the cheaper display tablets out there. Still, newer models of the more affordable display tablets have caught up a lot as technology has improved, and are also popular among creators.

Ease of Use: Effortless or Overwhelming?

I love my Cintiq more than anything—it’s been my go-to art tool for years. I started with the 13-inch model originally and recently upgraded to the 16-inch. The pen is ergonomic and comfortable in my hand, it’s easy and cheap to replace the nibs, the pen has never broken although I have used it heavily, and most of all: the pen does not need to be charged.

However, the setup can be a hassle; my Wacom requires three points of connections: HDMI, USB, and power. The set up needs to happen on a proper desk, with the laptop plugged in right next to the Cintiq, and wires everywhere. Once it’s up and running, it’s fantastic, but it can take some time to get everything going. As well, lounging on the couch to draw is a no-go, unless you wanted to be trapped underneath a maze of wires and outlets.

Enter the iPad. It’s ready to go 24/7. I can sit on the couch, catch up on Netflix, and when inspiration strikes, I just reach for my iPad. With this handy attachment from amazon, my Apple pencil is already connected and ready to go. That being said, unlike the Wacom Pen, the Apple pencil does have a battery and needs to be charged, however, as long as it’s connected to the iPad, it stays charged. Once in a while I do get a 0% battery notification and need to let it charge for a bit, but I’ve rarely been inconvenienced by it.

Speaking of batteries, battery life is another consideration. The iPad can usually last for a day of use after being fully charged, making it ideal for extended drawing sessions without needing a power outlet. You can also draw on it while it’s plugged in, if you have a long enough charger cable. The Cintiq on the other hand, being a wired device, requires constant power, which can limit its use in settings without easy access to electricity.

Quality Clash: Which Device Delivers?

Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter: quality. As an artist, I want the best tools available. I’ve previously compared my Wacom to a Microsoft Surface Book, and the Wacom won, hands down. Nothing else I’ve tried has ever compared. However, when I tested the iPad at an Apple Store, I was blown away by the responsiveness of the Apple Pencil and the feel of Procreate.

Key factors to consider in a display tablet are pen responsiveness and screen feel. Both the iPad and Cintiq excel in pen responsiveness; a cross-hatching test on either device yields satisfying results with no skipped or lagging strokes. However, their screens differ significantly. The iPad, designed primarily as a tablet, features a glossy surface typical of smartphones, which may detract from the drawing experience. To fix this, you can apply a matte or paper-textured screen protector. With the screen protector installed, the iPad offers a slightly superior experience in terms of screen thickness, creating the sensation of drawing directly on the surface with no gap between the pen and the artwork. In contrast, the Cintiq comes equipped with a matte screen that’s ready for drawing right out of the box—though I still prefer to add a screen protector for peace of mind. While there is a slight gap between the pen and screen on the Cintiq, it becomes almost imperceptible after a few minutes of use and does not significantly impact the overall drawing experience. Additionally, newer Wacom models like the Pro line have addressed this issue, making it less of a concern.

The Apple Pencil not only costs a hundred bucks, it’s known for being fragile. With gentle use, mine started showing signs of wear (a small crack in the side and some curving of the pen). You’ll likely have to replace it at least once if you use it regularly. In contrast, I’ve never experienced a Wacom pen breaking—my ten-year-old Wacom pen is still going strong. Generally, Apple products tend to have shorter lifespans. To encourage customers to keep purchasing newer models, Apple eventually stops providing software updates for older devices. Some folks even suspect that the lag you notice in iPhones after a year or so is intentional—a form of planned obsolescence. Wacom devices, however, are built to last. While they do receive periodic software updates, it’s the computer they connect to that handles the heavy lifting, the Wacom essentially is just an input device like a mouse or a keyboard. You might need to replace the cables after years of use, you might even need to replace your laptop, but the Wacom just keeps going.

Creative Workflow: Maximizing Your Creativity

I mentioned that when I’m lounging on the couch, I often grab my iPad. However, when I need to dive into serious work—like creating my coloring books or more complex art projects—I switch to my laptop and Wacom combo. Having multiple screens and the ease of a Windows interface is a much better workflow for me than a tablet. Tablets are great for watching videos and browsing, but a laptop is better for real work. Using a display tablet connected to a laptop gives you two screens to work on by default, so I can easily run multiple programs simultaneously on Windows, using Clip Studio Paint on my Cintiq while watching a YouTube video or looking up pose references on my laptop.

You can technically split the screen while working on an iPad, but I find it less than ideal. With a Macbook you can also get the advantage of a split-screen workflow, but then you have to buy a Macbook, which will cost another $1,000 or more. You can also minimize a video on the iPad and watch it while you work, but it doesn’t compare to having a separate laptop screen. Plus, the limitations of the iPad’s interface mean that when using software like Clip Studio Paint, you’re often stuck with its ‘simple’ tablet mode, which restricts access to many of CSP’s great features. The ‘original’ interface can be tricky to navigate since it was designed primarily for mouse use. So while you can run favorites like Photoshop and CSP on the iPad, the overall experience is definitely different. Procreate, an incredible art program to be sure and only available on the iPad, has issues when it comes to resizing art and some consider it to be a program more suitable for hobbyists than pros.

The iPad excels in portability. It’s lightweight and easy to carry around, allowing you to draw anywhere—from your couch to a café. It can fit in your backpack or a roomy tote. The Cintiq, however, is bulkier and designed for stationary use. If you’re someone who travels or works in different environments, the iPad’s convenience can be a significant advantage. I have brought the Cintiq to a café with me before, but it does require bringing along the Cintiq itself, the laptop, the cables, and a prayer that the café has enough power outlets nearby.

Final Verdict: Wacom Cintiq vs the iPad

In conclusion, both the iPad and Wacom Cintiq have their strengths and weaknesses. Whether you’re looking for portability and ease of use or industry-standard quality, your choice will ultimately depend on your specific needs as an artist. I’d recommend the iPad for hobbyists and anyone who enjoys creating on the go. However, for professionals looking to start a small business or monetize their work, a Cintiq is definitely the way to go. As for me? I appreciate having both options and plan to keep them around for the foreseeable future. So, have you decided which one you want to get? Do you disagree with any of my points? Let me know in the comments below, and happy creating!

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