Xencelabs Pen Show 16 assessment: Specs, efficiency, value – Uplaza

The Xencelabs Pen Show 16 in use

Artists in 2024 are working in additional areas and methods than ever earlier than. From dwelling places of work to colleges, shared workspaces, libraries, and occasional retailers, the necessity introduced to the pen show business is easy: Mobility.

In recent times, corporations like Apple and Wacom have labored to deal with this want, by way of choices such because the Apple Pencil and the Wacom Cintiq Professional 16.

As with each business, there might be newcomers who method issues from a brand new route. Utilizing the readability of listening to their viewers first, relatively than leaning on gimmicks or shortcuts.

Xencelabs is an organization making massive strikes with its unbelievable Pen Show 24. Its new Pen Show 16 as a viable choice for artists on the transfer, or who need a devoted pen show that’s inexpensive than a devoted desktop show.

As of this writing, I take advantage of a 2022 Mac Studio with an Apple M1 Max chip, 32GB unified reminiscence, with a 512GB SSD. This Mac Studio is my on a regular basis machine and handles all my initiatives with zero points.

That is to not say that you just want Mac Studio energy for the Xencelabs Pen Show 16. I simply retired an Intel Mac mini, and it carried out effectively on that too.

The Xencelabs Pen Show 16 field

With the discharge of the Pen Show 16, Xencelabs is providing up two buying choices for purchasers — The Pen Show 16 Bundle and Pen Show 16 Necessities.

The Pen Show 16 Bundle gives loads, together with the Pen Show 16 and plenty of equipment. This features a cellular easel, two pens, a number of cable choices, hub driver, the Xencelabs Fast Keys dongle, a carrying case, pen case, further nibs, and a drawing glove.

The bundle is the whole lot related to the Pen Show 16. It is aimed towards clients who’re both cellular or require HDMI and alternate knowledge connection choices with their workspace.

Among the Xencelabs Pen Show 16 equipment within the field

The Pen Show 16 Necessities streamlines down the general bundle. It incorporates the Pen Show 16, two pens, pen case, a single USB-C to USB-C cable, carrying case and a drawing glove.

This feature is decrease in worth and is geared toward clients who don’t foresee transferring round typically with the Pen Show 16. The lacking gadgets on this choice in comparison with the Pen Show 16 Bundle can all be bought a la carte from the Xencelabs eStore.

• Dimensions (W x H x D): 16.25 x 10.25 x .47 in
• Lively space measurement: 13.5 x 7.75 in
• Show decision: 4k OLED
• Weight: 2.67lbs.
• Displayable colours (Most): 1.07 billion colours
• Colour gamut protection ratio: 5 factory-calibrated shade areas: Adobe RGB (98%), P3-DCS (98%), sRGB (99%), Rec 2020 and Rec 709.
• Pens: 3-Button Pen v2 + Eraser / Skinny Pen v2 + Eraser
• Pen know-how: EMR
• Pen stress ranges: 8192 ranges (Finely Tuned Strain Curve)
• Pen tilt angle: 60 levels
• Pen decision: 5080 lpi
• Pen sort: Strain-sensitive, cordless, battery-free
• Fast Keys dimensions (W x H x D): 6.2 x 2.46 x 0.47 in
• Fast Keys weight: 142 g
• Fast Keys show: 3.12-inch OLED show; clearly shows key features
• Fast Keys instructions: 4 instructions (0 levels / 90 levels / 180 levels / 360 levels); textual content symbols might be learn horizontally or vertically
• Fast Keys battery life: 25-53 hours (1.5 hours charging time)
• Fast Keys controls: Customized buttons: 8 per set. There might be 5 units giving a complete of 40 short-cut keys. 4-mode dial

For ports, the Pen Show 16 gives a single USB-C port on the high of the pill. To make the most of HDMI or exterior energy and knowledge choices, additionally, you will want the Xencelabs Hub Driver to route your cables and choices to satisfy your particular wants.

Within the unboxing of the Pen Show 16, I used to be completely shocked at how gentle the unit is. I do not know what I anticipated, precisely, however the show is light-weight and feels sturdy.

In the event you learn the assessment of the Xencelabs Pen Show 24, you may know that I sang the praises for a way the Xencelabs {hardware} doesn’t really feel low cost or second-rate. The identical might be mentioned for the Pen Show 16.

The sting-to-edge glass is gorgeous and the unit is skinny. It additionally feels prefer it might be fairly sturdy.

A facet view of the Xencelabs Pen Show 16

Whereas not examined, it feels prefer it might be bumped or dropped onto a desk or carpet, and never instantly really feel like I ruined it.

Once more, constant design and software that focuses on high quality.

Let me say this proper on the high — I’ve by no means had a neater expertise with establishing a brand new peripheral in my life.

I’ve unboxed, arrange, and configured many items of {hardware} over my 20+ yr profession and that is by far the best. This contains the set-up of the Pen Show 24.

For my Mac Studio and dealing area, I unboxed the Pen Show, Cell Easel, pen case, pens, and the included USB-C cable. After setting the show on the easel, plugging within the USB-C cable, and turning all of it on,the whole lot was there, seen, and able to go.

The proprietary Xencelabs driver was already put in for my Pen Show 24. If it hadn’t the set-up directions comprise hyperlinks and QR codes to take you to directions and the drivers you’ll need for Home windows, MacOS, or Linux.

The driving force interface for the Xencelabs Pen Show 16The driver interface for the Xencelabs Pen Show 16

By means of the driving force, I used to be capable of calibrate the whole lot for the pen buttons, the show itself, pen pressures, shade profiles, and so forth.

Your complete course of from unboxing to working was a couple of minutes and you’ll need to regulate to search out your individual consolation zone. However the driver makes it a straightforward and intuitive expertise.

I want I might use the identical pen for each my Pen Show 24 and Pen Show 16 on the similar time. Particularly for the moments the place I is perhaps utilizing the Pen Show 16 as a second display screen.

It’s a small and really particular request, however as issues stand with the {hardware}, the pens are separate for every unit sort.

Initially, there aren’t any fan noises. This can be a massive deal for customers, because it helps hold a nice working surroundings.

One of many massive speaking factors for Xencelabs and this new show is the 4K OLED display screen. There may be an emphasis on vivid colours and extra lifelike and/or correct illustration of line artwork and work on display screen.

Xencelabs delivered on these speaking factors. The display screen is beautiful, vivid, sharp, and with the edge-to-edge anti-glare floor, it’s extremely straightforward on the eyes.

Simulating a public workspace in my workplace by turning on all of the lights, the Pen Show 16 nonetheless works and works very, very effectively.

Throughout testing, there was little or no glare, and when you convey this show into your ultimate area with non-direct gentle, it’ll excel. The colours and high quality of element for a 16-inch pill is staggering.

Xencelabs gives two battery-free EMR pens with the Pen Show 16 — A chunkier 3-button mannequin and a slim Apple Pencil model mannequin. In the event you’ve used Wacom or Xencelabs merchandise, you may be acquainted with some of these pens.

Pens included with the Xencelabs Pen Show 16

Each pens are fully customizable by means of the Xencelabs driver. It is also nice that each pens are made out there to make use of.

I want the chunky stylus pen based mostly by myself consolation and muscle reminiscence, however I do know many artists who recognize the pure really feel of one thing near a pencil in form and weight.

The smaller pen could also be useful to people who’ve carpal tunnel or different bodily points with grip energy. The scale, weight, and responsiveness of the stylus on the Pen Show 16 might really feel like a recreation changer.

Each pens ship 8,192 totally different stress ranges with a decision of 5,080 lpi. They can be utilized with a 60-degree tilt in any route, in keeping with the Pen Show 24.

Consistency is vital, and for years, Wacom was the one firm getting it proper. It’s a real reduction to see that Xencelabs is holding their requirements for high quality and utilizing these pens shines a highlight on that.

The Pen Show 16 Bundle additionally contains the Xencelabs Fast Keys Controller. I’ve lined this peripheral in my Pen Show 24 assessment, however it’s price overlaying the highlights right here as effectively.

The Fast Keys Controller is a good software that has the potential so as to add pace and adaptability to your total workflow with the Pen Show 16.

The Xencelabs Pen Show 16 Fast Keys controller

The Fast Keys Controller options eight customizable buttons that may be assigned and organized into units of shortcuts, instructions, and choices. There’s assist for a variety of software program companions, together with Adobe, Foundry, and plenty of extra.

A dial on the Fast Keys Controller provides extra customization and that dial means that you can change between saved configurations based mostly on the software program you’re utilizing.

If you’re new to your most popular software program or simply aren’t the form of one who retains key instructions, the Fast Keys Controller is amazingly useful. It could actually prevent time and stop you from doing the menu spotlight/drop/choose lots of of occasions a day.

That point-saving alone is price the fee to some.

Nevertheless, in contrast to the Pen Show 24, this Fast Keys Controller doesn’t connect to the Pen Show 16. It will be impractical based mostly on the dimensions, however you’ll need to put the Fast Keys Controller close by to make the perfect use of it.

Included with the Pen Show 16 Bundle is the Xencelabs Cell Easel. This can be a sturdy and light-weight stand for the Pen Show 16 that permits positioning between 18 levels and 32 levels for a variety of movement and choices to avoid wasting your posture.

The Cell Easel is powerful, and it’s good to have the choices, however it’s nonetheless not ultimate for somebody on the taller facet. They would want to raise the easel and pen show additional or drop right into a decrease seat.

A standing desk might assist this fairly a bit, however that’s not an choice for everybody.

The Xencelabs Pen Show 16 cellular easel

Xencelabs states in its press literature {that a} Desktop Easel with quite a lot of tilt angles utilizing a normal VESA mount and fast launch is coming in the summertime of 2024.

The concept of extra choices and a VESA mount for an Ergotron arm sounds very cool, and I might be trying ahead to seeing what Xencelabs gives.

Spending days with the Pen Show 16 and creating art work from begin to end with it, I can report that it is a superb expertise.

After testing quite a lot of show tablets that focused the “mobile” way of life, from iPad to Wacom’s choices, it is protected to say that the Professional Show 16 is healthier total for my use and requirements.

The pill is vivid, quiet, and insanely responsive. The one slight stumble was adjusting from the actual property of the Pen Show 24 all the way down to the Pen Show 16 from a muscle reminiscence standpoint.

I’m a “shoulder illustrator,” which means I’ve a variety of movement in my arm after I draw and the smaller footprint took about an hour to get used to. As soon as I did, it was easy crusing.

That mentioned, the 4K OLED show is beautiful. Nevertheless, the native decision and measurement of menus, toolbars, and UIs meant I needed to modify font sizes to account for my older eyes.

It’s a small change to make, however folks with progressive lenses or readers would possibly wish to hold this in thoughts.

To check the Pen Show 16, I created a current fee piece that I knew could be vibrant and enjoyable as soon as accomplished.

A fee piece drawn on the Xencelabs Pen Show 16

The method was fantastic and as an added check, I labored to implement the usage of the Fast Keys Controller as effectively. I can say that whereas it’s not my commonplace, it did give me concepts for the way it might be labored into different apps that I take advantage of exterior of Photoshop.

In the end, it appears like Xencelabs took the method it all the time takes. Specifically trying on the business and specializing in features it could possibly enhance or simply do flat out higher than everybody else.

As somebody who was a decades-long Wacom fan who thought the period of high quality show tablets had come to an finish, it’s a real reduction to see Xencelabs thriving.

Having a show pill like this for cellular work, conferences, and for the easy, occasional change in venue, is superb. It’s good for artists, and it’s good for the business.

With all of this mentioned, it all the time comes all the way down to the underside line. It’s simply price anybody’s funding.

Xencelabs is providing the Pen Show 16 Bundle for $1,249 MSRP USD and the Pen Show Necessities for $999 MSRP USD.

Neither of those choices are what you’ll name cheap, however you’re getting nice worth for cash. Wacom’s Cintiq Professional 16 retails for $1,599 MSRP USD within the Wacom eStore and whereas it’s a good show pill, I feel the Professional Show 16 is healthier total.

The Pen Show 16 is just not an informal buy. It is nonetheless advisable that interest artists ought to experiment with engaged on an iPad for some time earlier than making the leap and funding.

Nevertheless, when you love the thought of getting a devoted pen show that delivers, that is the best choice on the market. You will save slightly cash with even the Pen Show 16 Bundle in comparison with the Wacom, and you will have a greater pen show.

{Hardware} like that is an funding of money and time. You want a pen show that won’t solely meet these wants however vastly exceed them.

Xencelabs continues to point out the world what is feasible with {hardware}, widespread sense options, and pricing. They’re nonetheless the breath of contemporary air this business wants.

• Straightforward arrange and driver set up.
• Unbelievable display screen show.
• Clear proprietary driver with buckets of customization choices.
• Zero fan noise.
• Sturdy development.
• Fast Key Controller (not important however a very good peripheral).
• Wonderful pen responsiveness and line high quality.
• Prices lower than comparable Wacom choices (see beneath).

• Not a “cheap” choice interest for artists (see beneath).
• No native VESA mount.
• The native show measurement for UIs might be a pressure on poor eyesight.
• The Cell Easel is just not included in each bundles.

The Xencelabs Pen Show 16 is out there from Xencelabs, priced at $1,249 for the bundle.