For instance, graphics tablets, which are the cheapest of the three, can range anywhere from $30 upward to $600. Pricing can vary widely based on the type of drawing tablet you purchase. Some of these tablet computers may already include their own pen stylus, but others like the iPad require you to buy it separately. This category includes tablets such as the iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Microsoft Surface Book. These powerful multitaskers not only work as traditional tablets used for streaming and everyday tasks, but offer enough pressure sensitivity and capabilities to perform as drawing tablets. They’re the tablets most people are familiar with. Because they have their own monitors, you watch your creations as you draw them, without the sense of disconnect you get from graphics tablets. Pen displays, on the other hand, are drawing tablets with highly sensitive built-in touchscreen monitors that you can use to draw with a stylus.

They offer a pressure sensitive surface that processes the stylus movements and lets you see them on your computer screen, where your creations can be saved In fact, they’re high-tech pads with no display or monitor that connect to the computer through a USB cable. These traditional drawing tablets resemble a trackpad or mousepad.

Graphics tablets, also known as pen pads, are the most affordable of the three. Read on to learn more about how they work, then check out our picks for the best drawing tablets. There are three types of drawing tablets: graphics tablets, pen displays and tablet computers.

Requires Apple Pencil 2, which costs extra ($120).Ī drawing tablet is a dedicated tool that allows digital artists to create everything from quick sketches to polished masterpieces online - with much more flexibility and speed compared to traditional pens, pencils and brushes.Ī staple tool for many digital artists is a drawing tablet.ĭrawing tablets typically consist of a rough surface or a highly sensitive LCD monitor upon which you can draw using a pen-like stylus that’s responsive to different pressure levels.

Apple drawing pad for macbook pro