For Novice Artist: Asus EP121 or X201T ?

**StewartJoseph** · 03-21-2011, 11:08 PM

Hey Folks,

I want to explore more in the digital realm of sketching and painting, using Sketchbook, Artrage, Painter. I am looking for portability, and am in the dabbling stages for now, no Cintiqs quality required.

I like the idea of having the touch capability of the Slate EP121 with a very nice screen (reading comics/nook/kindle books, using touch to manipulate artwork, while drawing with pen)

But am also tempted by having a convertible tablet with a Superbright Outdoor XT201. (as per Fox-orian and other recommendations on the Web).

My enthusiasm for the XT201 has waned considerably after reading problems with "wave shift" in Superbright Screen in the X201 Forum, meaning perhaps a downgrade to 285 nit indoor screen. Also my enthusiasm has waned a little bit for EP121, as it does not do 24 bit color, according to EP121 forum (still love the dual touch stuff though)

Anyone on the artist side of things have any recommendations regarding these Tablet PCs or other Wacom-based ones?

Many thanks for your feedback, SJ

**darkmagistric** · 03-21-2011, 11:28 PM

The ep121 may not have 24 bit color....but if your really a novice with no need for Cintiq quality, The ep121 is more then sufficient. Plenty of professional grade artists had made due with Tablets with far inferior screens. Time was all tablet PC's had grainy screens. The ep121 is my 5th wacom penabled tablet and its the best quality out of any of them.

The screen quality on the ep121, while not as bright as the 400 nit x201's outdoor display, is still plenty bright and because of the Boe Hydis screen its still quite viewable outdoors. And although you may be able to find refurb/ebay deals, the x201t with outdoor display easily will go for $1500-$2000+. The Ep121 can be had for a $1000.

The only issue that should concern you is weither you would be fine with a Slate tablet or if you would prefer having a convertible.

For strict art use, as well as reading/ebooks, the Ep 121 would be your best bet because it weighs less and although not as thin as an Ipad, it is thinner then any convertible tablet. When holding a tablet, thickness and weight are pretty important.

But with a convertible tablet...if you decide you don't like doing art, you could then at least use it as a regular laptop.

**Steve B** · 03-21-2011, 11:28 PM

Hey,
As a follow up to my PM to you earlier- there's a lot to be said for having a keyboard around. Having owned some Motion Computing 1700's-- well, I personally found it rather debilitating to have to use a pen ONLY to input text when I wanted to. It's great to do so when you want to, but it's nice to also have a keyboard around as well. I mean, this post took me 3-4 minutes to type out and correct. But hand written? 10 mins minimum. IMO.

I was amazed at how.... liberated I felt when I got a computer with a keyboard and a wacom screen at the same time. I've been lusting after the ep121 as well, but I'm just not convinced I want to pay over 1000$ to get something that doesn't have a keyboard I can use on a moments notice.

My two cents.

**StewartJoseph** · 03-22-2011, 12:01 AM

Hey Darkmag,

Been following your posts closely. Than ks for the valuable feedback.

I am leaning towards the EP121 a little more now. I have a regular Dell Latitude notebook, so I guess this is going to be more of a glorified etch-a-sketch for me. I like the idea of doing the touch stuff too, I feel the constraint mouse a little too much.