XENCELABS Drawing Tablet (Medium Bundle) - A SERIOUS Wacom Competitor!

[@JH-pe3ro]

I got this the other day and I've been having a blast with the remote. Because it's context-sensitive, has a screen and mode toggles, I'm seeing a lot of use out of it in art apps by setting up a mode for a specific workflow like "draw" or "transforms" - it's something that lets me actually be creative about how I work by defining things down to specific tasks. Eight buttons, wheel plus the pen and tablet buttons are enough to describe most of the workflows I use and I don't have to chord or memorize, so I can set up a mode for something I don't normally do a lot of and not feel like I've lost my flow.

[@billbowman8747]

I replaced my 10 year yr old Intuos tablet with the Xencelabs medium bundle. Love it. Definitely a premium tablet with nice extras. The tapered front edge is a nice touch as is the included 2nd pen.

[@A.realMan]

never watched you so this is the first time and.... I was chocked by your voice man dang. I'll be watching your videos from now on. thanks for the great content!!

[@vladrevenko3004]

Hey, Adam, those little furs on your hat are very cute)

[@AdamDuffArt]

I just noticed too lol There’s a little bit of my cat Link in this video too :)

[@786itube]

Excellent review. Only comment is that the remote, Quick Keys, has an OLED display

[@riccardodesantis765]

Hey Adam! The video editing is awesome. Every new video, new tecniques and new good stuff lo look at. Beautiful the idea of showing the unboxing while you're reviewing the product. Excelent job !

[@GloryArtDraws]

Hey Adam, I have to say that the production quality and the content value (not only this video in particular) is outstanding! I admire you as a creative person and mentor and your work. Now once that I've said that let me ask a couple of more specific questions: I am slowly building my dream studio and have this problem with my CINTIQ 13HD a constant "bending and looking down" so I was wondering is there some arm or stand that you would recommend (sadly the Cintiq does not have VESA)? Also I completely agree that Wacom has been a "golden standard" for drawing tablets for years now, as a user have to say I love them and the quality they provide BUT I also like the fact that new competitors are poping up with different features and price ranges. Thank you for sharing your honest opinion on this tablet, I am a "display kind of gal" but it was still interesting for me to hear what you have to say about this one.

[@AdamDuffArt]

Hmm, so it doesn’t have the screw holes in the back for a vesa arm? Well, the only other thing I’d be able to recommend would be a Wacom stand like an ergo or something. Maybe you could look up “cintiq 13 stand” see if anyone has creative solutions for it That said, I’d also like to thank you for your very kind words as well :)

[@UrsulaDorada]

Hey Glory! BoroCG has a video on a stand for a 16" tablet display that may do the trick for ya! I think the trick is rasing the thing up from the table so you're not looking down.

[@JDenim88]

1. Buy a small vesa arm that holds about 20lbs, 2. Buy a laptop or tablet holder w/ a vesa mount back plate. 3. Put your tablet on it, and there you go.

[@AntHonyTeisenKamijou]

This is an amazing review. If my current tablet ever breaks, this will be one of my first pick for a replacement!

[@danasantos6949]

I've been rocking a tiny wacom intuos and my wrist would really appreciate a bigger drawing area 😩 thanks for bringing this tablet to my attention

[@janvisagie231]

Price wise you will likely come out on top when buying Wacom for a larger writing area. The biggest benifit of this product seems to be the external controller, but many of these features can be mimicked if you just set up your own personalized toolbar widget thingies for your writing pad in the wacom app.

[@Ty6260]

I love mine personally. My only tiny gripe is that the pen doesn't have barrel rotation support, which, good luck finding that for the price anyways. Still has great tilt and sensitivity. Haven't had a driver or tablet snafu in ~ 200 hours, pretty much plug and play.

[@brucekennedy5274]

New to the channel. Love your relaxed no-nonsense style and slick production. Excellent review. Subbed.

[@PhiddyPford]

Replaced my Wacom with this, big difference for my workflow. Quality is evident

[@octaviocordova1302]

Hi there! Wanting to try this tablet, any feedback on your experience? Currently I am using an intuos pro L paper edition

[@octaviocordova1302]

Hi there! Wanting to try this tablet, any feedback on your experience? Currently I am using an intuos pro L paper edition

[@digitalsmear]

"Offers 95% of what Wacom offers..." What is the 5% that is missing from this product? You make the suggestion that it's not quite as good as the Wacom multiple times but never actually address what's missing. It seems like it offers everything Wacom does, and more. 3 button pen in the box, straight and jitter free lines, all the sensitivity and tilt levels, the remote, better drivers, case, glove, better drivers (I'll say that one 3 more times if need be!) The only thing different, it seems, is that the new Intuos Pro has bluetooth, and this has the dongle, same as the previous Intuos Pro line (which was also an upgrade at the time). I'm seriously considering this product and I'd really love to know what seems to be holding it back from where you think Wacom is? Is it just the pen weight and rubber texture?

[@Trish12303]

Great review! Thanks very much!!

[@GhostCry100]

I can't wait for them to make a display tablet

[@Ish12]

Gloves are underrated, they make drawing so much easier and really make you FEEL like an artist. And I really appreciate companies which go the extra length to make their gloves out of quality matter.

[@jaymesrads9969]

Great Review i purchased off the back of this and its a work of art truly inspiring.

[@danielrko9895]

it will probably be a while untill I change my old wacom tablet but I am glad there is some real competition now

[@lagerea]

large model and I'm sold.

[@AdamDuffArt]

I personally always go with the medium model for desktop - for pen displays, bigger is better imo

[@SeaSerpentLevi]

I would definately get one, but last time i checked you cant get one in Brazil. Looks like a great product tough.

[@briankerrison8504]

Quality product.. quality review.. I run this tablet with procreate..& paint water scapes.. the feel of this product..although new product effect.. calls to me spending more time with it.. 👍👍

[@alululululu]

I'm glad i decided to wait out on buying an intuos pro medium after my payment failed and the sale of 100 euros less was gone after a week of customer support lol this is my new choice once i get to buying my first ever drawing tablet~

[@Spetti521]

Hey Adam, I had the chance to test one of these too, and one of the few things i didnt like was the ergonomic slope at the bottom edge of the tablet. Even though the active drawing area is unaffected, any lines drawn from top to bottom would be thrown off by my wrist suddenly changing trajectory on that slope. Did you notice this and did it bother you? Thanks!

[@bruceborrowman4342]

Great well put together video. I have the medium bundle on order because of this video. Currently using a Wacom CTH-490/k on Win10. I know with the Wacom you have to add a text file into the PS configuration in order for the pen pressure to work properly. Do you need that same text file in the configuration for the Xencelabs? Thanks for posting this info. BruceB

[@Astryca]

Awesome review! i was considering buying this too already hehe

[@SweatiestDegree]

I've been using my old wacom intuos 3 for years and if my pen didn't get wrecked (My fault) I wouldn't have "upgraded" I decided to try out Huion since they're cheap and maybe since my wacom was ancient they'd be at least as good as my old one... It's decent, my main problem is the pen is much worse than the apple pencil or wacom equivalent I have to press much harder(albeit no hard) to get my lines out. Moral of the story I'll probably get back to wacom soon

[@kien9350]

Is it that bad?, I'm planning to buy Huion Kamvas 16 (2021). What Huion tablet did you used?

[@SweatiestDegree]

@@kien9350 it's not bad, it's just not as good and it makes the process a tiny bit more annoying(if you switch over to it from wacom or ipad) But maybe the display ones are better ( though I think that's a pen issue and not a tablet issue may be 100% wrong tho) I'm using an inspiroy Q11 If it's your first tablet you'll probably not even notice what I'm saying

[@sniegasx]

Very profesional review! I really wish to know your thoughts on their new 24 display. I hope you do that review also!

[@ZephrusPrime]

It's almost 2023 any updates or are you still using your Cintiq?

[@R0undbrush]

Ah! I was looking for a review for this and who do I find. very epic

[@littlemoon6523]

I use kamvas 22 plus no buttons on it and im left handed so using a keyboard for shortcuts its not ideal for me it feels wrong since I always use it with left hand not right... so xenelabs quickkeys remote is something im going to look into for sure rn Im using xbox controller for shortcuts bcs I got nothing else :D

[@all4cyrus]

Wait...you can use an xbox controller? Jeez I was just thinking about a remote minutes ago and I have this xbox controller on my desk I've been ignoring. My goodness the internet wins today!

[@littlemoon6523]

@@all4cyrus Yeah you can worked with my xbox one controller it would be even better if you had Bluetooth connection for it less annoying cables :D

[@pawpotsRS]

Im switching from display back to non display drawing tablet, but the price! I just hate wacom because of their appleness so probably still getting the medium but without the extra keypad.

[@jonathanedwardgibson]

The external knob+dial box you show didn’t get a name mentioned and I’ve looked for this all-controls-unique inputs before… still available?

[@AdamDuffArt]

From what I know - it's the Xencelabs Remote? I believe that's what RandomFrankP called it? I recommend looking up his "best tech under $100" video - a very recent one. It's the first product he mentions in his video

[@Axiasart]

A Lil sad I already command a new tablet before watching this but will get the remote I think

[@octaviocordova1302]

Hi there! Wanting to try this tablet, any feedback or personal experience? Currently I am using an intuos pro L paper edition

[@patrizioscherini9008]

I wish you were left-handed so I could get a good review on the quick keys. Since you never use it and you can use a regular keyboard I cannot tell if is good or not =( . Wacom one has definitely more buttons so as long as you remember them you have definitely more combination possible.

[@digitalsmear]

This has toggles, just like Wacom.

[@goddessjones6559]

HELLO Adam I plan on buying my 14 year old daughter a drawing tablet I was planning in Wacom but seeing your review I will look into this brand. She has never had one but she is excellent at drawing (though she costantly is critical of her art) she use to draw mostly on paper then 2 years ago she switched to mostly digital on her 369 laptop (though I still find drawings on everything in the house). Please give your honest opinion what would be best for her in the cheapest range but willing to go up to $500 if I have too. Also If I go with this one in your review can you use a Wacom pen/pencil with it or do you have to use the brands pens/pencils. S.O S. Pleaae help. PLEASE RESPOND

[@RandomnessCreates]

Heyho Adam, I'm wondering if you could give feedback for top-of-the-line drawing tablets from alternative companies like XP-Pen and if they're worthy against wacom devices they bump shoulders with at that price point? I'm designing my part of the room/house and I've been eye-ing the Pro 24 from XP-Pen ever since you made that Pro 16 review from them.

[@Greg.Mika.]

So that means you can’t use it wirelessly without the dongle, right ?

[@mezimforte79boribay79]

Hi Adam! as I could not find information on the official website of the product. could you help me? Is there an automatic profile switching function in the software as in wacom tablets? will be very grateful for feedback!

[@lavallion7471]

My wallet is crying seeing these prices.. but it looks so gooood

[@AdamDuffArt]

It’s not that bad at all in the grand scheme of things

[@lavallion7471]

@@AdamDuffArt I still think it's pretty pricey. Compared to the one I have now these up to 5 times more expensive. They of course can do more but are very similiar at the core. But if my old huion breaks I will consider a used xencelabs. (Mainly because I will probably have more money at that point xD)

[@DjokoT-p6b]

9:40 actually your video is one where this remote doesn't show as flickery

[@idkwayta1722]

hey adam I remember you have a deco pro review? did you delete it?

[@annequach777]

Hi from Vietnam

[@nemo9540]

I would love a large wacom tablet or something similar that doesn't require to be connected to a PC, I'm on a tight budget and won't be able to afford both. Can anyone recommend any models for me please? I'm currently using the Samsung galaxy tab s7 plus which has a lovely large screen with the infinite painter app which I've fallen in love with but I feel now I've found I love digital art as well as conventional im thinking that one day in the near future I would love a bigger screen than the s7 plus. I would greatly appreciate any help at all. Peace, love and empathy to you all ❤️

[@imclueless9875]

OMG the stupid curve in wacom settings drives me absolutely insane.

[@angryozziebogan3046]

They are about the same price but; the Intuos Pro has more and better positioned buttons, built-in dial, and industry wide support, not to mention replacement mats... In other words, this is too expensive just by an Intuos Pro if you are in this price range.

[@digitalsmear]

The Intuos has fewer buttons... 8, dial, toggle. This has 3 on the pad, plus 9, dial, toggle, on the remote, and comes with a 3 button pen, plus a slim pen ($99, and $70~ upgrades only). So the price is lower and you get more from this. What do you mean by industry support? Everything the Wacom supports is done through their own drivers, not the 'industry' afiak..?

[@janvisagie231]

Chinese made vs Japanese made. Take your pick.

[@snoot6629]

Wacom is made in china Look at the stickers and the wireless dongles at the back of your wacom lol

[@yesyes9698]

Being more expensive doesn’t make it a “true” Wacom competitor. Also, that expensive for a brand no one knows…. Good luck with actually selling that much. No wonder why people straight jump for the Wacom

[@PhiddyPford]

@@yesyes9698 obviously never used one, bye bye Wacom