Introduction
Tablets have been around for a while now, but they have only recently gained widespread popularity. Thanks to the release of the iPad, tablets are no longer seen as a niche product; they are now mainstream. With the release of Windows 8, Microsoft is also hoping to cash in on the tablet market.
One of the features that set tablets apart from traditional computers is the fact that they can be used with a stylus. This allows you to interact with the tablet in a more natural way, using your fingers or a stylus to write or draw on the screen.
The Surface Pro 3 comes with a stylus called the Surface Pen. If you’re thinking of buying a tablet, you might be wondering how the Surface Pen compares to other styluses on the market, such as those from Wacom or Adonit. In this article, we’ll pit the Surface Pen against one of its main rivals, the bamboo Stylus Solo from Wacom.
History of the Surface Pen
The Surface Pen is a digital pen designed for use with Microsoft’s Surface tablets. The pen was first introduced alongside the Surface Pro 3 in May 2014. The pen uses Wacom technology and has 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity. It supports Bluetooth 4.0 LE and can be used to activate Cortana, Microsoft’s digital assistant.
The Surface Pen was updated in November 2015 to include magnetic storage and a rechargeable battery. The new pen is also compatible with all previous Surface devices.
In May 2016, Microsoft announced that the Surface Pen would be available in five different colors: black, blue, red, silver, and gold.
History of the Bamboo Pen
The Bamboo Pen was first introduced in 2008 as a part of Wacom’s line of ” expandsion” products. The pen was designed to be used with Wacom’s then new “Bamboo” line of tablet computers. The Bamboo Pen is a pressure-sensitive stylus that uses Wacom’s electromagnetic resonance (EMR) technology.
The pen was well-received by critics and consumers alike, and became one of Wacom’s best-selling products. In 2012, Wacom released an updated version of the pen, which featured a new tip design and increased pressure sensitivity.
Despite its success, the Bamboo Pen was discontinued in 2015, with Wacom citing declining sales as the reason for its discontinuation.
Key Differences
When it comes to digital art, Wacom is pretty much the gold standard when it comes to drawing tablets and pens. But even they have competition these days, specifically from Microsoft and their excellent Surface Pen.
So, if you’re in the market for a pen to go with your digital canvas, which one should you choose? In this article, we’ll be pitting the Surface Pen against Wacom’s Bamboo Ink in a number of key categories and declaring a winner in each.
Category 1: Price
The Surface Pen is far more expensive than the Bamboo Ink, with a list price of $99.99/£99.99/AU$145. The Bamboo Ink is much more affordable at $59.95/£49.99/AU$79.95.
Winner: Bamboo Ink
Category 2: Feel
With its aluminum body and plastic tip, the Surface Pen feels great in the hand. The Bamboo Ink feels a little cheap by comparison, with its all-plastic build feeling light and flimsy.
Winner: Surface Pen
Why the Surface Pen is Better
The Surface Pen is a digital pen designed for use with Microsoft Surface devices. The pen was first released in 2015 and has been updated several times since then. The most recent version, released in 2019, features improved pressure sensitivity, latency, and palm rejection.
The Surface Pen is compatible with all Surface Pro models, Surface Laptop models, Surface Go, and Surface Book. It can be used for a variety of tasks such as taking notes, drawing, and signing documents.
The pen uses Wacom EMR (electromagnetic resonance) technology to function. This means that the pen does not require batteries or any other external power source; it gets power from the tablet itself. The Pen also features Bluetooth 4.0 LE for wireless connectivity.
The biggest advantage of the Surface Pen over other digital pens is its pressure sensitivity. The pen can detect 1024 levels of pressure, which allows for a much more natural and precise writing or drawing experience. The new 2019 version of the pen also features reduced latency and Palm Rejection technology, which ignores your hand when it resting on the screen while you’re writing or drawing.
If you’re looking for a digital pen that will give you the best possible writing and drawing experience on your Microsoft Surface device, the Surface Pen is the obvious choice.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that both the Surface Pen and the Bamboo Smart are excellent choices for digital drawing and note-taking. The Surface Pen has a more natural feel and greater precision, while the Bamboo Smart is a bit easier to use and more affordable.