Wacom Cintiq Pro 16

JOYOUS CREATION We test out and rate this high-performance pen display to determine whether it is worth its premium price

-  JOYOUS CREATION

Price £1,350/$1,500 Company Wacom Web www.wacom.com

AIthough there are a number of tablet manufacturers out there, Wacom is one of the longest standing and has a great reputation for quality. In recent years others have upped their game, keeping Wacom on its toes, so it's interesting to see if the latest incarnation of the Cintiq line can keep them at the top.

At first glance, not much has changed. The typical Wacom build quality is obvious, in both look and feel. The Cintiq range has always looked classy while feeling robust; this version is no different, and in some ways better. Some older Wacoms had ExpressKeys on the top surface and while they worked fine, after a few months it would feel like dust could get into the gaps. This never impeded the functionality at all, but the move to the rear of the device helps things feel fresh and new. This move also helps artists who like to lean on their device, as I do. There is a slight learning curve to having ExpressKeys on the rear, but it doesn't take long and soon feels very natural. There are buttons on either side of the device too, so equally suitable for left and right-handed users.

THE DRAWING EXPERIENCE

The Cintiq Pro 16 features multi-touch, which has been improved on previous generations. Again, this is an incremental change but a noticeable one, and while I don't know what has been done behind the scenes, I would say there is a clear improvement in palm rejection over the last model.