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The Xencelabs PD24+ marks a shift for this Wacom different, but it surely additionally appears like not a month goes by with out one firm or one other releasing a brand new pen show for digital artists and graphic designers. You would be forgiven for considering that was all easy advertising and marketing and a option to seize as many client purchases as potential, however I believe there’s extra to it.Just some brief years in the past, Wacom dominated the market, and competitors was minimal, if not nonexistent. Lately, nevertheless, a handful of recent corporations have emerged, difficult one another to create higher merchandise at extra engaging costs. To realize this, they’ve needed to push their choices to the restrict. Xencelabs is one such firm, and with the Xencelabs PD24+, this revered model, which made the wonderful Pen Show 24 and Pen Show Medium, is aiming squarely on the top-end, professional artwork person, promising some spectacular options, together with built-in Calman software program.I’ve been utilizing pen shows and tablets for the reason that early 90s and have examined greater than I care to depend, owned many, and have quite a lot of expertise, so it’s at all times attention-grabbing to see what is occurring at any degree. For reference, my day by day driver is likely one of the greatest drawing tablets, the Wacom Cintiq Professional 22, which I exploit for almost every part, from day by day admin duties to 3D artwork, video modifying, and picture retouching. I used to be very to see if the Xencelabs additional couple of inches, plus a number of additional options, might come shut, and I’ve combined emotions.Xencelabs PD24+: what’s within the field?You get all you want within the field, it doesn’t matter what your setup. (Picture credit score: Rob Redman)The packaging right here is slim and minimal, however boy, do they pack quite a bit into it. Not solely do you get the pen show, with stand, however the Fast Keys distant and holder, US and UK energy provides, a beautiful case for the twin pens and spare nibs, an enormous variety of cables, a few pen clamps for the aspect of the show, and a big fast begin information.That’s quite a lot of stuff, and a few of it you gained’t use, as they provide every part you want, regardless of your setup. For instance, you get DisplayPort, HDMI, USB-C, and energy cables. For me, utilizing a MacBook Professional, all I wanted was energy and the USB-C cable. The remaining can keep stashed.Xencelabs PD24+: setup and buildThe fast begin information is sweet however for a lot of a single cable is all that is wanted. (Picture credit score: Rob Redman)I can solely decide the setup primarily based on my use case, but it surely was a breeze. I plugged within the energy and the USB-C cable (through my Ugreen hub), and it fired up immediately, as did the Fast Keys distant, which didn’t require pairing or some other setup. It merely displayed a message to obtain the drivers, which I did, and that was it.The PD24+ truly labored high quality with out the drivers, but it surely’s greatest to put in them, so that you get full entry to options, like the flexibility to map buttons to features, which will be completed per software program, which is at all times welcome.Every day design information, critiques, how-tos and extra, as picked by the editors.Construct high quality is usually superb. There are a number of barely brittle and cheaper-feeling plastics right here and there, but it surely all feels sturdy and safe. There are slots on the highest and aspect of the show the place you possibly can insert pen holders. I a lot desire these to the chonky screw in factor on the Wacom.The flip aspect of that is the stand. My Wacom stand is easy, infinitely adjustable, takes quite a lot of lengthy classes of me leaning on it, and is usually constructed like a tank. The Xencelabs feels somewhat feeble compared. That mentioned, it nonetheless does an incredible job, with good variability from 16-72 levels, so discovering the best place is simple, however I’m not a fan of the protruding rubber ft on the entrance edge. They do an incredible job at stopping slippage, however they don’t look good.The opposite draw back to this stand is the dearth of peak adjustment. I really like dropping my pen show off the sting of the desk, however that simply isn’t an choice right here. What I do love is that you may regulate the stand with one hand. Hook a finger over the again, depress a paddle, regulate, then let go. That simple.Pens will be saved shut at hand on this clips. (Picture credit score: Rob Redman)Previously, after I’ve used pen shows with pucks and button pads, I haven’t loved the expertise. They’re high quality, however I like a tidy workspace, and so they have a tendency to maneuver round, get knocked, and I desire buttons on the principle machine, ideally on the sting, or underside, retaining a clear look. So I used to be apprehensive about utilizing the Xencelans’ distant.Nonetheless, I received on nicely with the Fast Keys distant. The little field presents quite a lot of customisation, with pretty, clear labeling on the central OLED display screen and a pleasant rotary encoder. I used to be going to say on the prime, however you possibly can set this to be oriented in any course, so should you desire to make use of it at 90 levels, you possibly can, and the holder that it sits in will work simply high quality anyplace on the show, good for left-handed use, or to suit a good house.Trying on the images, you may spot the three illuminated circles on the prime proper of the display screen. These aren’t bodily buttons however are contact delicate and will be set to open / shut numerous issues. I just like the default settings / pen settings / shows personally.The pen case may be very good, with house for each the usual and slim pens. I a lot desire the usual pen, however I believe that’s a power of behavior, having used a similar-sized pen for many years. I did, nevertheless, swap to a felt nib inside minutes. Once more, this can be a private choice. I simply actually like a barely extra paperlike really feel, however I do know many desire a smoother interplay.The case holds numerous each nib varieties, in addition to the elimination software and a USB dongle for the short keys, do you have to want it. I hold the case close by however hardly ever delve into it, selecting as an alternative to retailer my pen in one of many clips, on the best aspect of the show.So, aside from a few small niggles, I’m very impressed by the construct high quality of the PD24+. It’s sturdy, feels good to make use of, and, aside from the rubber ft, seems to be the half too.Xencelabs PD24+: performanceThese contact delicate buttons are customisable (Picture credit score: Rob Redman)Whereas that stand might not be the perfect in school, it’s sturdy, permitting me to lean my weight on it for prolonged drawing or 3D modeling classes. As a lot as they don’t look nice, these rubber ft maintain it in place.There’s loads of room on the entrance face of the PD24+, across the precise display screen, which I’m a giant fan of. All of us appear to attempt for minimal bezels on screens, however with a pen show, a bigger bezel is fascinating, as you aren’t blocking components of the display screen whereas working, particularly if you’re a leaner, like me. This additionally means there’s room for the short choose buttons and the Fast Keys distant in its holder.I discovered the interplay with the PD24+ to be very pleasing, in addition to mishap-free. I by no means as soon as had a glitch or a difficulty. No button presses went unregistered and, better of all, there was no lag within the pen. This is likely to be partly because of the laptop used, so hold that in thoughts. I’m on a 2025 M4 Professional, which you’d hope would have wonderful efficiency.Now on to the precise display screen. This sits behind a laminated glass prime that’s, in flip, lined by an excellent antiglare coating. I’ve to say this is likely one of the greatest anti-glare coatings I’ve used. In case you have a look at the picture, you possibly can see this sits slightly below my major monitor, and sure angles might trigger some glare, however I didn’t face this problem in any respect right here, so props to Xencelabs for that.The display screen is a 4K (3840 x 2160) show, and it runs at 60Hz, at 330cd/m2, which is loads vivid and quick sufficient for many artwork and design wants.Dock it to the show, maintain it or put wherever, the short keys is actually helpful. (Picture credit score: Rob Redman)The PD24+ additionally has wonderful color accuracy, with 99% Adobe RGB, REC.709, and 93% DCI-P3 protection, which is superb for a pen show. You additionally get Pantone and Skintone certification. That is good for any person anticipating to see correct color, however important for picture finishers and colourists.On prime of this, there may be Calman Auto calibration, completed through Calman’s software program, which provides you the perfect color accuracy, through software program and the Studio 24+ firmware. In case you work in video modifying or colouring, animation, texture portray, or different colour-critical fields, this very welcome addition.It is price noting that some pen shows like XPPen’s Artist Professional 24 (Gen2) 4K are Calman verified, the PD24+ has Calman software program inbuilt, so it talks on to Xencelabs, permitting computerized calibration of your pen show, conserving color replica as correct as potential.I mentioned earlier how I desire the usual pen, however for many who desire a sleeker, slimmer one, it really works simply as nicely. Nib adjustments are an identical, button layouts match too, and each are battery-free. They do use completely different clips, so be sure to hold them each for occasions whenever you wish to swap.The precise drawing expertise is superb right here. Whichever pen, nib combo you select, the response to stress is phenomenal, with none of these odd begin factors or stroke tails you will get on some gadgets. Parallax is minimal, too. It appears like you’re drawing immediately on the pixels, in contrast to some pen shows the place there could be a seen hole between nib and ‘paper’.All of the stress curves, button layouts, and so forth are very simple to regulate in case your undertaking leans towards needing a heavier or lighter hand. Simply press the settings button up on the prime proper, and you may make swift adjustments with out having to depart your artistic utility.I like how the Fast Keys distant holder will be slid across the perimeter of the display screen, too. I’m a keyboard shortcut form of person for lots of duties, however discovered myself utilizing this extra incessantly as I spent extra time with it, reducing it for some initiatives and pushing it up and out of the best way at different occasions. Nice design.Xencelabs PD24+: purchase it ifColour accuracy is a mustYou need a big vivid displayXencelabs PD24+: do not buy it ifYou don’t have quite a lot of desktop spaceXencelabs PD24+: Worth Comparability
