Comments on: Reviewing the Cintiq 12wx

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:13:46 +0000

C.K- I mostly use my full sized Cintiq 20 at the studio so my time on the 12wx has been limited. Still, I have used it a fair amount and after reading over my review I would have little to add or subtract. Great review, BTW.

As I only use this with my MacBook Pro the cable lengths are not an issue with me. I have a few simple velcro cable ties that I keep the cables wound up with in my carrying bag, and these are useful for wrangling the cabels when in use as well.

By: c.k.

c.k. — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:42:22 +0000

Hey thanks for this review. It helped me decide to get one of these for myself, and I recently did a first look review of the device over at Obsessable:
http://www.obsessable.com/feature/wacom-cintiq-12wx-first-impressions-review/
I also added a link to your review on our product page for the device:
http://www.obsessable.com/display/wacom-cintiq-12wx/
I’ve just had the 12WX for about 5 days now and I absolutely love it. After I have spent some more quality time with the device I’ll be writing a more detailed review. I was wondering if after soaking in the device for a while, so to speak, if you’ve noticed anything new / any revisions you would add to this review.

Also, how do you deal with all the cables associated with the device. I bought a few cable turtles and have the USB and DVI cable going from my laptop to the converter box wrapped around them, but I find myself wanting to look for some smaller cables for the distance between the computer to the box, as the display’s integrated cable is plenty long enough for moving the tablet around and drawing on it.

Thanks for this great review.

Cheers,

C.K.

By: Tom

Tom — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 11:50:52 +0000

Dan- Oluseyi is right, you need to color calibrate your monitor. Color profiles exist specified for each monitor and there is software (and hardware including a USB sensor) that allows for calibration of each monitor as well. My two monitors do not match but I don’t really care about that, because all I need is for one to give me a good approximation of print color and I base my work on that.

Color calibration is important in that respect, but I would only be concerned with how it looks on your Cintiq, as that is where you do the work. I calibrate my monitor using the “eyeball” method. Basically I a printed piece and hold it up to my cintiq, then adjust the RGB and temperature setting to match the colors and values as best I can. It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty workable.

Shaunyue- yes, you can unplug the video cable and the Cintiq becomes a regular Wacom tablet. Likewise you can unplug the USB and it becomes just another VGA monitor.

I’m glad folks liked the review.

By: shaunyue

shaunyue — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 10:39:33 +0000

Hi Tom,
Thanks for the great review. One thing I was wondering was if you wanted to use it as just a standard wacom tablet without the screen capabilities, are you able to unplug the tablet from the VGA/DVI port on the laptop to free it up for an external monitor? For general non illustrative uses..

By: Oluseyi

Oluseyi — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 05:33:46 +0000

@meredithd:
I’ve dealt with Wacom customer service before, and found them very friendly, professional and highly knowledgeable. Give them a call.

@Dan:
Sounds like you need color calibration, buddy.

@Tom:
Nice review! I’m still more interested in the 20wsx, as I do very little computing on the go (and use a traditional drawing pad or sketchbook when I’m away from my desktop). I am considering a notebook as a backup/accessory, though, for when I’m traveling, and your review – more in terms of how you use it than the actual hardware review, as I’ve read several of those – has made me marginally more interested in the 12wx.