PROS
- HD screen resolution (1920 x 1080px) for pin-sharp details
- Wide color gamut of 87% Adobe RGB
- Etched glass surface provides tactile resistance for pen-on-paper feel
- High levels of responsiveness with included Pro Pen 2 & compatibility with Pro Pen 3D and Pro Pen Slim
- Affordable price point
- Compatible with optional ExpressKey Remote for best workflow speeds
CONS
- 250 cd/m2 brightness is not top standard
- Stand needs to be purchased separately
Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 Review
The Cintiq Pro 13 is the smallest pen display by Wacom and was released back in 2016. Coming from its size, it combines the creative features of a pen display with the compact dimensions of a regular tablet device, like the iPad Pro.
The Cintiq Pro 13 is surely not the only compact pen display on the market. But it’s the only one that comes packed with Wacom’s high-quality technology.
That makes the Pro 13 the first pen display that offers all the top specs we know from professional Wacom tablets, while remaining highly compact and highly affordable to most consumers.
The small #Wacom #CintiqPro13 doesn’t compromise quality for portability and affordability. Unique in its class.
The Cintiq Pro 13 is very much like its larger sibling, the Cintiq Pro 16 – just smaller. The two Cintiqs come with the same design, the same materials, and the same pen technology.
They vary only in screen specifications… and price! The small Pro 13 currently retails for less than US$800, while the larger Pro 16 costs more than twice as much.
So the Cintiq Pro 13 is not a bad deal at all, considering that you will get:
- 11.57 x 6.53′′ Active Area
- 13.3′′ 1920 x 1080 IPS Touchscreen
- Wacom Pro Pen 2 with 8,192 Levels of Pen Pressure Sensitivity
- 87% of Adobe RGB Color Coverage
- Multi-Touch Support
- Built-In Stand
- Wacom Link Plus Adapter
- USB Type-C, Mini-DisplayPort & HDMI Connectivity
- Windows and Mac Compatibility
But now let’s deep dive into our Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 Review and see how the pen display fares in all relevant aspects!
Getting Started – Unboxing the Wacom Cintiq Pro 13
What will most likely strike you most right out of the box is how slick this little Cintiq Pro 13 is. Its dimensions are 14.2 x 9.3 x 0.55 inches, and its weight is just 2.43 lbs (1.1 kg), without stand.
You see that the Pro 13 is a super-slim and portable tablet – something you could easily toss in your bag and carry around with.
In fact, the Cintiq Pro 13 is the most compact among its family members – the Cintiq Pro 16, Pro 24, and Pro 32.
Still, the Pro 13 is not made for some quick editing on the go. Keep in mind that the tablet is not stand alone and doesn’t have a built-in battery. Plus, you’ll always need a few cables to hook it up to your computer, because the Pro 13 doesn’t support wireless Bluetooth connections.
The easiest way to connect the Cintiq Pro 13 to your PC or Mac is via USB-C. If your computer doesn’t have a USB-C port, you’ll need some dongles and adapters to make things happen. So even though the Cintiq Pro 13 is easy to transport, you want to use it as a stationary device most of the time.
The Cintiq Pro 13 comes with a high-end glass finish that covers both the 13-inch screen and the black bezel around it.
There are five light-up buttons in the top right corner that illuminate as soon as you power on the device. The buttons open up the display settings, an onscreen keyboard, and the Wacom Control Center where you can customize ExpressKey Remote and Pro Pen 2.
The fifth button lets you toggle on and off touch functionality (more on multi-touch later on in this Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 Review).
What’s in the box?
- Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 (obviously…)
- Wacom Pro Pen 2 with 4-color pen ring set
- Pen stand with 10 replacement nibs (6 standard, 4 felt nibs) and nib removal tool
- Pen holder
- AC adapter
- Power cable
- Wacom Link Plus with Micro-USB, Mini-DisplayPort, HDMI port and 2 USB-C ports & cables (USB-C to USB-C, Mini-DisplayPort to Mini-DisplayPort, USB-A to Micro-USB)
- Quick Start Guide
- Regulation sheet
- Cleaning cloth
Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 Review: Display Technology
The screen of the Cintiq Pro 13 is just a little bit smaller than a typical sheet of A4 paper. It measures 13.3 inches (33.8 cm) diagonally and has an active area of 11.6 inches in width by 6.5 inches in height.
The screen is a 1,920 x 1,080 pixels HD resolution, capable of displaying 87% of the Adobe RGB color spectrum. Even though that’s not the highest available on the market, the colors are extremely accurate and will satisfy most creative needs.
For comparison: the Cintiq Pro 16 comes with the same color spectrum, but features a 4K 3840 x 2160 pixels screen resolution.
The display of the Pro 13 still looks sharp and crisp. However, when directly compared to the Pro 16, differences in color rendition and pixel smoothness become slightly noticeable as you are zooming in.
Immersive editing with no parallax effect
On the positive side, the Cintiq Pro 13 practically doesn’t have any parallax. Parallax is the small noticeable gab between the pen tip and the cursor on the display.
Cheaper devices tend to have a parallax effect, meaning the line you are drawing appears slightly off from where you pen tip is.
The Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 – like all Cintiq Pro models and the MobileStudio Pro – has bonded glass, which effectively eliminates the parallax issue. For you, this means a more precise and intuitive drawing experience!
Etched glass for tactile resistance and glare reduction
What makes your drawing experience even better is the etched glass surface. Drawing on etched glass feels really nice and natural, because the etching offers more tactile resistance.
It’s more like working with a pen on paper – and not so much like plastic on glass… This also makes your brushstrokes much more accurate.
Plus, the etched glass significantly reduces unwanted glare and reflections. Altogether, you’ll get a great creative experience!
The Cintiq Pro 13’s screen brightness admittedly isn’t top class. But 250 cd/m2 along with 16.7 million displayable colors and 87% Adobe RGB will still give you vivid and vibrant images.
And btw, these specs can well keep up with what you’d get with the much more expensive 13” MobileStudio Pro, which has 253 cd/m2 and only 80% Adobe RGB.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 Key Specs
- Screen: 13.3 in, 1920 x 1080 px, IPS FHD
- Color gamut & brightness: 87% Adobe RGB, 250 cd/m2
- Active area: 11.6 x 6.5 in (294 x 166 mm)
- Pen technology: 8,192 pressure levels, ±60 levels tilt recognition, 5080 lpi
- Buttons & Touch: No hotkeys, Multi-touch functionality
- Size: 14.2 x 9.3 x 0.55 in (360 x 235 x 13.9 mm)
- Weight: 2.43 lb (1.1 kg) without stand
What to keep in mind
All in all, the Cintiq Pro 13 Creative Pen & Touch Display is definitely a great piece of kit, but there are a few things to consider:
First of all, 87% of Adobe RGB color depth is surely a good standard for most displays. The vast majority of digital artists and photographers don’t even need higher color coverage. However, if you’re planning to produce professional prints, you might want to think about an HDR display.
The larger 16-inch Cintiq Pro has 94% of Adobe RGB color coverage. The highest color spectra come with the large and high-end pen displays: The Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 has 99% and the Cintiq Pro 32 has 98% of Adobe RGB.
→ Best Graphics Tablet For Professionals – Top 10 Picks
Depending on the work you do, you might also want to ask yourself if a 13-inch screen is big enough for you. If you work with large-format images, then 11.6 x 6.5 inches of active are might not be sufficient.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 Review: Pen Technology
The Cintiq Pro 13 comes with the best pen technology currently available on the market – the Wacom Pro Pen 2. All Wacom Cintiq Pro models, as well as the MobileStudio Pro and the Intuos Pro line, do use the Pro Pen 2.
The Pro Pen 2 is ergonomic, has two programmable side-switches and an eraser on the back. The silicon-free rubber grip makes the stylus comfortable to hold. The shaft is a little bit thicker than your regular ball pen, which helps relieve strain on the hand, even during extended editing sessions.
Thanks to Wacom’s patented EMR (Electromagnetic Resonance) technology, the Pro Pen 2 doesn’t require any battery or cable. It’s light in the hand, and drawing feels immediate and natural.
The Pro Pen 2 is extremely sensitive. 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity account for super-accurate and jitter-free brushstrokes at all times.
Adding up to 60 degrees of tilt recognition, the Pro Pen 2 reacts like a real brush and makes you feel like working with traditional media.
Pen stands and replacement nibs
The sophisticated Wacom stylus comes with a pen holder and a pen stand. The pen holder can be attached to any side of the tablet and can hold the pen horizontally and vertically (think ‘pen and quill‘).
The pen stand, on the other hand, is something you would place somewhere on your workspace. It can hold the pen vertically to store it safely for longer periods of time. But there’s also a little dent that allows you to lay down the pen horizontally, so you can quickly grab it to continue your work.
The pen stand also houses the nib removal tool and 10 replacement nibs – 6 standard and 4 felt nibs. The felt nibs offer more resistance than the regular nibs and intensify the feeling of pen-to-paper when used on the etched glass.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 Review: Creative Experience
The Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 combines the functionality of a top-class pen display with the compact dimensions of a tablet device.
Its active screen area is approximately that of an A4 sheet of paper, providing you the most natural way to interact with your digital artworks as if you were drawing on real paper.
So if an A4 piece of paper is the size you like to work with, then you’ll love the Cintiq Pro 13. It’s lightweight, compact, and doesn’t occupy much real estate on your desk.
The good thing is that you won’t be hearing any fan noise when working with the Cintiq Pro 13. Contrary to the larger Cintiq Pros, the small Pro 13 does not have a built-in fan. So you can create in real Zen stillness…
There are two foldout legs on the back panel that allow you tilt the screen to a 20-degree angle for more editing comfort and to reduce neck strain.
If you like to have more flexibility, then there’s the optional Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 stand that you can purchase separately.
The Mobile Stand for the Cintiq Pro 13 & 16 allows you to raise the tablet to three different angles. When not needed, you can fold it flat for easy storage and transport.
Wacom Stand for Cintiq Pro 13 & 16
The Mobile Stand can hold the Cintiq Pro 13 at three different angles, offering you more flexibility and drawing comfort.
Once the Cintiq Pro is connected to your PC or Mac, you can press the power button at the top right side and start off on your digital work.
The creative process itself is impeccable. The glass surface is matte and etched, reducing unwanted glare and providing the exact amount of resistance to your stylus.
Brushstrokes are precise and smooth, with no sign of jaggedness and jitter.
Standard Multi-Touch Functionality
Another feature of the Cintiq Pro 13 is its multi-touch capability. Some people love it, some hate it.
If you favor gesture-based input, then the Pro 13 has everything you desire, including flawless palm rejection technology. If you hate it, then you can easily toggle it off at the push of a button.
Artists who are used to working on touch-capable, screenless graphic tablets should keep in mind that the Cintiq can be used like a regular drawing tablet. Putting the Pro 13 into tablet mode effectively turns it into an Intuos Pro Medium.
… and artists who tend to use the screen a lot as input device should know that there’s an onscreen keyboard that you can easily pull up with one of the light buttons at the top.
The digital keyboard gives you convenient access to shortcuts and other commands, completely eliminating the need of ever lifting a finger off your tablet.
Wacom ExpressKey Remote
Wacom Cintiq pen displays used to have built-in ExpressKey buttons, like the Intuos Pro tablets, allowing users to customize them for functions like zoom, rotate, undo, and so on.
However, there were quite some user complaints about the built-in ExpressKeys getting in the way of their editing process. So, some time ago, Wacom decided to get rid of all on-tablet buttons to achieve a cleaner design for their new pen displays.
If you still want to have your hotkeys handy, you’ll need to get the additional ExpressKey Remote. The ExpressKey Remote contains 17 programmable buttons and is included with the Cintiq Pro 24 and the Cintiq Pro 32.
With the smaller Cintiq Pro 13 and Cintiq Pro 16, however, you need to purchase it separately for around US$100.
ExpressKey Remote
The Wacom ExpressKey Remote with 17 customizable buttons puts your favorite shortcuts right at your fingertips.
Compatibility & Connectivity
The Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 is compatible with Windows 7 or later and Mac OS X 10.11 or later.
Despite being really slim (.55 in), the Cintiq Pro 13 holds a number of important ports around the side: two USB-C ports and a headphone jack on the left. A third USB-C port and an SD card reader on the right.
However, what needs to be mentioned in this Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 review are the cables. Cable management can be a bit of a hassle. There’s a minimum of two cables that you’ll need to have plugged into the device at all times: one for power and one for data.
And if you are still using an older computer without USB-C port, then get ready for some cable clutter. Because in this case you’ll need to make use of Wacom’s included Link Plus Adapter to connect it via one of the tablet’s USB-C ports to a Mini-DisplayPort and a USB-A port on your computer. Not exactly what you would call user-friendliness…
The easiest way to avoid this cable tangle is by having a newer laptop or desktop computer with USB-C connectivity. But even then you might encounter connection issues. The USB-C connections on both tablet and computer tend to be so loose that even tiny movements may interrupt the data transmission.
So if you suddenly find yourself with a black screen, the only thing you can do is hard-reboot your device. That means turning it off, plugging the cables back in, and powering it on again. Mmmh…
Wireless Editing
If you think that all these cable issues give you allergies, the larger Cintiq Pro 24 and Pro 32 as well as the 13-inch MobileStudio Pro can work completely wireless.
The MobileStudio Pro is a Windows computer on its own that you could also use for some quick editing on the go. And the Cintiq Pro 24 and Pro 32 are both easy to turn into a stand-alone PC with Wacom’s Cintiq Pro Engine.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 Accessories
Replacement pens
One thing we shouldn’t forget to speak about in this Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 Review is the multiple pen alternatives that you can use with the tablet.
The Cintiq Pro 13 is compatible with a whole range of other Wacom styluses, so every digital artist finds the right pen for their work. The compatible replacement pens include:
- Pro Pen 3D,
- Pro Pen Slim,
- Classic Pen,
- Airbrush Pen,
- Art Pen, and
- Previous Pro Pen 1.
Wacom color manager
As an optional accessory, the Wacom Color Manager will help you calibrate the Cintiq Pro 13 to achieve perfect color accuracy.
The Wacom Color Manager is a standalone unit, powered by X-Rite and consisting of a colorimeter and calibration software. It will auto-adjust parameters like screen color, grayscale gamma, white point and others.
It’s a great add-on for all professional users whose workflow depends on precise color and display calibration.
Color Manager
Wacom Color Manager for the Cintiq Pro 13 to auto-adjust color accuracy.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 Alternatives
Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 vs Wacom One
The Wacom One is Wacom’s new low-budget pen display for beginners and was released in 2020.
To make the Wacom One 13 as affordable as it is, Wacom had to make some trade-offs. First of all, the Wacom One Pen features ‘only’ 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and has just one side-switch – half of what you get with the Pro Pen 2.
While the lower pressure sensitivity might not be noticeable to the blank eye, it’s actually useful to have two shortcut buttons on your stylus.
The Wacom One supports additional pens, but unfortunately none of Wacom’s Pro Pens.
The Wacom One and the Cintiq Pro 13 have the same size active drawing area (11.6 x 6.5 in). And both tablets are no stand-alone devices.
Just like the Cintiq Pro 13, the Wacom One doesn’t have Bluetooth and a built-in battery, so you’ll need a video cable and a USB cable to connect the Wacom One to your computer.
However, contrary to the Cintiq Pro 13, you can connect the Wacom One to your smartphone.
The tablet works with a select group of Android phones, mostly in the Samsung Galaxy and Galaxy Note lines as well as in the Huawei Honor and Mate series.
On the downside, the Wacom One doesn’t support touch gestures. So if you’re used to gesture-based input, you probably want to go for the Cintiq Pro 13 because it offers a better pen and multi-touch functionality.
The Wacom One’s screen specs are a bit lower than the Pro 13: 72% of NTSC color coverage, 200 cd/m2 of brightness, and 2540 lpi of display resolution.
But if you’re more of a beginner or hobbyist, then the Wacom One might be just fine for you. Check out our full Wacom One Review here to get the big picture.
→ Wacom For Beginners: Which Wacom Tablet Is Best For Beginners?
Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 vs Pro 16
In terms of Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 vs 16, the Pro 16 – apart from being larger – has slightly better specs than the smaller 13-inch model.
Color representation is more accurate with 94% of Adobe RGB, as compared to 87% for the Pro 13. The Pro 16 also supports Ultra-HD resolution, which means you’ll be able to see maximum detail when you are drawing.
Still, the 1920 x 1080 px HD resolution of the Cintiq Pro 13 is adequate for all kinds of photo editing and digital illustration. Anything above is more like a luxury than a necessity.
What is the difference between Cintiq and Cintiq Pro?
Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 vs Wacom Cintiq 16
As with all Wacom Pro and non-Pro models, there’s the full-featured Pro version and its stripped-down counterpart. The Cintiq Pro 13 is just slightly more expensive than the basic Cintiq 16.
Just like the Cintiq Pro 13, the Cintiq 16 comes with the ergonomic Pro Pen 2 with 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, tilt recognition, two side buttons, and an eraser.
And just like the Pro 13, the Cintiq 16 has foldout legs to raise the tablet to a comfortable 20-degree angle. Stand and ExpressKey Remote are not included and need to be purchased separately.
So if you know that you prefer a larger drawing surface and are willing to sacrifice some screen resolution and color depth, then go for the Cintiq 16.
Is Wacom Better Than iPad?
Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 vs iPad Pro
Apple’s iPad Pro comes with Procreate, a software that allows you to do digital painting and sketching on the tablet device.
When comparing the Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 to the iPad Pro, the most obvious thing to notice is that the Cintiq Pro needs to be hooked up to a computer to work. The iPad Pro, on the other hand, is standalone, wireless, and mobile.
Along with the Apple Pencil, you can carry it along wherever you go and do some quick editing on the move.
That’s the upside about the iPad Pro.
On the downside, however, the iPad Pro’s screen is lacking the matte, tactile surface of the Cintiq Pro. Drawing on the iPad is quite a slick and slippery affair – it actually feels like working with a plastic nib on glass. The pen-to-screen feel is much more natural on the Cintiq.
Let’s have a look at the two pens. The Apple Pencil features a nice amount of pressure sensitivity and tilt recognition. But it cannot keep up with Wacom’s market-leading Pro Pen 2.
Just like a Wacom stylus, the Apple Pencil is lightweight, battery-free, and wireless. It’s as sleek as a real pencil. The Pro Pen 2, on the other hand, is more bulky, which makes it comfortable to hold, even for longer periods of time.
Overall, the iPad Pro definitely has an edge when it comes to mobility. But Wacom is surely the better option for creative professionals and hobbyists who are serious about making digital art.
Procreate is a fun software to use, but if you want to take your digital art to the next level and are used to working with professional apps like Photoshop, then the Cintiq is what you need.
Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 Review:
Overall rating
So what’s the takeaway of this Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 Review in a nutshell?
If you’re looking for a professional pen display that is top class and highly affordable, look no further. The Cintiq Pro 13 is an incredibly well made digital tablet that unites the pro specs of high-end devices with compactness and portability.
Even though Wacom had to make some trade-offs to make this pro tablet available at such an attractive price point, the Cintiq Pro 13 still is a world-class machine. Precise input, accurate color representation paired with adequate display resolution and brightness satisfy all kinds of creative requirements.
If you like to work on an A4-paper size drawing area and don’t mind a bit of cable tangle, the Cintiq Pro 13 will be an amazing asset to you!
PROS
- HD screen resolution (1920 x 1080px) for pin-sharp details
- Wide color gamut of 87% Adobe RGB
- Etched glass surface provides tactile resistance for pen-on-paper feel
- High levels of responsiveness with included Pro Pen 2 & compatibility with Pro Pen 3D and Pro Pen Slim
- Affordable price point
- Compatible with optional ExpressKey Remote for best workflow speeds
CONS
- 250 cd/m2 brightness is not top standard
- Stand needs to be purchased separately
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My name is Angie and I’m a self-taught digital artist. On this blog, I am sharing my knowledge and discussing the best software and hardware for different artistic needs. My desire is to offer options for all creative stages and budgets so that everyone can follow their dream and create art!
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