For less than $50, XP-Pen proves you don't get what you pay for- sometimes you get a lot more.

For the graphic drawing tablet , I use a XP-Pen, they are fairly inexpensive and work pretty well for a beginner-medium level digital artists.

I'll link a few, and if you want I can tell you about the specific one I have which is the XP-Pen Deco Fun Large.

First impressions

With offices closed and remote working the way forward; a lot of us have set up offices at home. Desk space is at a premium, so the more compact the better.

With Their XP-Pen Deco Fun L, XP-Pen has managed to distil the responsive, pen and paper feel of their most expensive models to a drawing tray the size of an A4 piece of paper. Most of the tray is tactile drawing area, so no space is wasted. The result translates well on both a laptop screen, or a 4k monitor.

Add to that the pressure sensitive nib, and you have immediate control over your lines. The pen itself is responsive- giving immediate feedback in Photoshop, Kirita or even MyPaint.

As well as that, the pen does not need charging or batteries ( it's electromagnetic) so you just need to plug in the tablet itself and download the drivers.

Getting Started

USB cable is included in the box. One meter long, it will work with most set ups, though those with a computer under the desk, or further from their work station may need to buy a longer one.

Compatible with PC: Windows 7, 8.1 and 10, Mac: OS X 10.10, it should run on any home PC with a USB-A port. The majority of computers will install them immediately ( so long as they have an internet connection).

Download and install the latest driver from XP-Pen's site here ( https://www.xp-pen.com ). The provided software is easy to install and configuration of the tablet and pen and can easily be reached from the Control Panel. Reliability of the software and drivers was never a problem and always worked as desired. The tablet and pen are fully configurable and functional well with the newest version of Photoshop CC .

The Feel

The surface is smooth, with the same feel as paper, and the small surface means you can fill the screen quickly with just a flick of the wrist. The smooth feel does not last as long as we'd like. Repeated sketching and scribbling can lead to scuffs on the pad after only a few hours.

Those who like to press hard with their mark making or shade the same area over and over may find more wear. While these scuffs have little or no effect on the tablet's sensitivity, they impact how it feels to draw on and it can get a little scratchy in areas.

The pen is more resilient- and the nib should last around 2-3 years with repeated use. As the pack comes with ten replacement nibs, these should see you through the lifetime of the tablet. ( Unless you nibble or sit on it.)

The tablet can be used as a touchpad in place of a mouse. You can rotate, scroll, zoom, click on stuff, right click by tapping with two fingers.

Comparison

XP-Pen Deco mini 7 Tablet (Size: 7 x 4.37 inches working area ) - $50

The size is larger than Deco Mini7, though not necessarily better, alternative. As responsive as the XP-Pen Deco Fun L, and as just as prone to scuffing, the only real difference we noticed was the size.

For those who draw with wide brush strokes, this may suit them better. It isn't the perfect fit for everyone- as it dominates more desk space, and requires whole arm movements rather than wrist.

XP-Pen Deco Pro Medium Tablet (Size: 11 x 6 inch drawing area) - $99.99