Had to pick between a cheap tablet and a used Cintiq for my first real project

I was about 2 months into learning digital painting and landed a small freelance logo job. I had around $300 to spend on a drawing tablet. I went back and forth between a brand new entry level tablet and a beat up used Cintiq 13HD off Facebook Marketplace. Ended up going with the used Cintiq because I wanted that screen to draw directly on. The setup was a nightmare at first, the cables were messy and the screen had a few dead pixels. But once I got it calibrated, the control felt way more natural for line work. Has anyone else taken a risk on older gear and had it work out better than expected?

2 comments

2 Comments

uma_baker9917h ago

3 months ago I grabbed a used Intuos 4 off Craigslist for $60 and it had seen some things. The surface was all scratched up and the pen nib was basically gone. But honestly it's been way more reliable than my friend's new Wacom that keeps disconnecting. I get why people chase the screen experience though, that direct eye-hand thing is hard to beat. My only worry with that beat up Cintiq is how long those dead pixels stay dead before they spread. Older gear can be a steal if you're willing to fight with drivers and janky cables.

wyatt_shah8514h ago

@uma_baker99 $60 Intuos 4 is a legendary find, bet it outlasts us all.