Tablet Upgrade

[RLT_Byers]

I'm a teacher and a preacher and have used a Samsung tablet for both jobs since 2013. The tablet has become integral to how I function in both jobs, and becoming more important as technology continues to progress. My current Galaxy Tab S6 has an issue, and my Alienware laptop is due for replacement. My gaming days on that computer are over except the occasional Genshin Impact session. I'm thinking of killing two birds with one stone and replacing both with a Windows-based tablet, but am not sure which ones to consider. I need to use Several Adobe products so RAM is an issue. Storage is not a big deal as I use Google Drive and a home storage system. I'd like to get a bigger display, and a good stylus and handwriting (notation) program is a must. I'd like to keep to a $2500 budget. 

[jaslion]

Ok so basically windows as a pure tablet experience kinda sucks

 

Also keep in mind that there are basically no android apps on there

 

If you want to do this I HIGHLY!!!!! recommend a 2 in 1

 

The last gen asus x13 flow from 2022 is goig for about 1000 ish now and is very good

[Qyygle]

Big caveat to Jaslion's suggestion.

A loooot of windows 2in1 stylus implementations are terrible. Unless you're shopping the surface line, or looking at devices using EMR technology, you will feel a definite decrease in the pen performance (especially in diagonal line jitter, pressure, tilt, etc.).

I personally had the x13, and though it was a great device, I swapped it for a surface laptop studio because it's pen was too much of a let down for my use.

 

If perfect pen performance isn't a big deal to you, it's a great machine (gave it to my sister). Just be aware, the galaxy tab is using basically the best stylus setup available right now (Wacom EMR), so stepping to anything else is a downgrade which you may notice.

 

Also keep in mind, the one good stylus integrated pdf editor I've been able to find is Drawboard and they recently changed to a stupid subscription charge model with most of the pen features hidden behind it. Otherwise, I use OneNote for general notes and projects, and it works well.

 

If you're ok with a less performant option, Samsung sells 2in1 laptops with the same s-pen config:

Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 2-in-1 15.6" FHD AMOLED Touch Screen Laptop Intel 13th Gen Evo Core i7-1360P 16GB Memory -1TB SSD Graphite NP750QFG-KA1US - Best Buy

There's a 15" and 13" model, both with 16gbs RAM, Bestbuy has both on sale (though not sure where you are, so you may have to shop local stores instead)

 

Alternate suggestion, you could also look at the growing selection of e-ink devices on the market that use pens for your tablet needs, and get a normal laptop for your other uses. A Remarkable2, Onyx BOOX note air, etc. could be considerations. The pen enabled ones are basically all using EMR as well, so pen feel will be very similar to the S6, with the added benefit of the e-ink display (but also the drawbacks of an e-ink tablet)

[jaslion]

On 12/6/2023 at 3:04 PM, Qyygle said:

Big caveat to Jaslion's suggestion.

A loooot of windows 2in1 stylus implementations are terrible. Unless you're shopping the surface line, or looking at devices using EMR technology, you will feel a definite decrease in the pen performance (especially in diagonal line jitter, pressure, tilt, etc.).

I personally had the x13, and though it was a great device, I swapped it for a surface laptop studio because it's pen was too much of a let down for my use.

 

If perfect pen performance isn't a big deal to you, it's a great machine (gave it to my sister). Just be aware, the galaxy tab is using basically the best stylus setup available right now (Wacom EMR), so stepping to anything else is a downgrade which you may notice.

 

Also keep in mind, the one good stylus integrated pdf editor I've been able to find is Drawboard and they recently changed to a stupid subscription charge model with most of the pen features hidden behind it. Otherwise, I use OneNote for general notes and projects, and it works well.

 

If you're ok with a less performant option, Samsung sells 2in1 laptops with the same s-pen config:

Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 2-in-1 15.6" FHD AMOLED Touch Screen Laptop Intel 13th Gen Evo Core i7-1360P 16GB Memory -1TB SSD Graphite NP750QFG-KA1US - Best Buy

There's a 15" and 13" model, both with 16gbs RAM, Bestbuy has both on sale (though not sure where you are, so you may have to shop local stores instead)

 

Alternate suggestion, you could also look at the growing selection of e-ink devices on the market that use pens for your tablet needs, and get a normal laptop for your other uses. A Remarkable2, Onyx BOOX note air, etc. could be considerations. The pen enabled ones are basically all using EMR as well, so pen feel will be very similar to the S6, with the added benefit of the e-ink display (but also the drawbacks of an e-ink tablet)

X13 uses the same tech as the ms surfaces so its pretty darn good!

[Qyygle]

5 hours ago, jaslion said:

X13 uses the same tech as the ms surfaces so its pretty darn good!

Using the same tech isn't very definative when it comes to Microsoft Pen Protocol or Wacom AES implementation unfortunately.

Individual calibration by the end manufacturer is still critical, since MPP can vary wildly even between individual devices if the OEM doesn't bother to implement strong calibration QC.

 

Microsoft's surfaces are still the only major manufacturer lineup that puts in the effort. Any other device I've tried since has been a crap-shoot of device/pen interaction. Sometimes older surface pens would work better in diagonal lines, sometimes not. Sometimes using new Slim-pen's would cause increased jitter, sometimes not. Sometimes the OEM pens would work better, but often at the loss of comforts like tilt support or initial activation force.

 

If you're not using the device for ditigal art, it's on average, 'good enough'. For people who're sensitive to pen quality however, it's often, once you've tried a 'good' implementation, it's impossible to step backwards. Brad Colbow's reviews of MPP devices often give a pretty good idea of why digital art can be difficult on windows devices, which often have poor MPP implementation (the x13 being one of them)

[jaslion]

5 minutes ago, Qyygle said:

to Microsoft Pen Protocol

Its mpp 2.0 and I can personally confirm it has quite excellen calibration

 

Id gladly take it over my s6 lite for drawing

 

Im well aware of Brad and he made me buy a lenovo Yoga that I dearly loved and was wacom emr based.

 

I have the chance to use a x13 at work and I'd very much at the least say its as good as that yoga better even. I'd say near the level of my old wacom 13 but a smidge worse. Basically excellent device.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Qyygle]

1 hour ago, jaslion said:

Its mpp 2.0 and I can personally confirm it has quite excellen calibration

 

Id gladly take it over my s6 lite for drawing

 

Im well aware of Brad and he made me buy a lenovo Yoga that I dearly loved and was wacom emr based.

 

I have the chance to use a x13 at work and I'd very much at the least say its as good as that yoga better even. I'd say near the level of my old wacom 13 but a smidge worse. Basically excellent device.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's great. Glad to see they may have improved? The one I had last, was awful, diagonal wobble really threw off any use for my purposes.

 

If the OP has the ability to test the pen in a physical store location and can be satisfied with it's performance, that's a great option then.

With any luck, if this SLS dies on me, I might move back to the x13 going forward.