Best Graphics Tablets for Linux

Gone are the days when you had to really struggle through the marketplaces to find the best graphics tablet for Linux. In part, we have to give credit to Linux 5.1 kernel cycle. It opened up new vistas of compatibility for high-end graphics tablets for an artist using the likes of Krita and GIMP. Previously, the main problem was you couldn’t work straight away with Linux. Messing with settings and installing shady drivers always came with the risk of compromising security. Anyway,  those days are over. Below are the top seven graphics tablets for Linux we believe you should definitely look into!

Wacom dth1320 K0 Cintiq Pro 13

Of course, Wacom tops our list of the best graphics tablet for Linux. And why it shouldn’t? With 2048 pressure sensitivity levels and a tilt Wacom pro brush, this is the closest you will get to work as a traditional painter. Now, there might be some exaggeration to what we said previously. Still, the pencils, brushes, and markers work flawlessly here, maybe because the stylus feels similar to a regular pen in size. Also, the buttons come preconfigured. You can always reprogram them, but it’s a cool feature nonetheless.

One reason why working with this model feels so natural is because, At 13.3 inches, the drawing surface is similar to a sheet of notebook paper. It supports HD (1920 x 1080) display with a wide viewing angle. The tablet itself is lightweight and compact, yet it is big, which limits its portability. What’s more, the package comes with a tablet stand that can be used in three different positions for your comfort

With it’s an immersive editing experience, expect to boost your speed, productivity, and accuracy.  However, like most Wacom tablets, you should also be ready to empty your pockets.

Pros

• Small size, ideal for photo retouching and sketching
• Comes with a position stand
• Fine display
• Minimizes use of keyboard

Cons

• Not very portable as compared to other Wacom tablets
• The cable attachment is very thick
• Expensive

Wacom Intuos Pro Digital Graphic Drawing Tablet

The Intuos Pro comes in small, medium, and large sizes (each with a different size of active area). And give you the option to customize it by selecting the pro, paper, or regular bundle. In many ways, it reshaped the professional standards in creative graphics tablets.

For instance, it was first to introduce 8192 pressure sensitivity levels in pen technology to give pinpoint accuracy. That said, the pen here also has a built-in tilt response and provides lag-free tracking. Besides, it needs no battery, which means you don’t have to worry about charging it time and again.  As a cherry on top, it has a sleek pen stand to make sure the pen is always nearby when needed.

Other notable features of this model are radial menus, multi-touch gestures, customizable keys, USB cord, pen side switches, extra nibs, pen stand, and a battery – all in one package.  Well played, Wacom!

Pros

• Slim, lightweight and compact design
• Available in three different sizes
• Higher pressure sensitivity for pinpoint accuracy
• The pen doesn’t require charging

Cons

• The Bluetooth performance is terrible
• Comes with two different pen nibs

Huion KAMVAS GT-221 Pro Drawing Tablet

Huion KAMVAS is one alternative to Cintiq that comes at one-third of the cost. It improves on many notorious problems of earlier models like wobbling, ghosting, or bleeding.

The 19.5 inches screen has an anti-glare glass, for clear and fine finishing. For consistent image processing, it utilizes an IPS panel along with 178 degrees viewing angle. It also led to better color accuracy and increased light transmission from all angles.  In addition, the 5080LPI resolution and 233PPS report rate ensure better display effects and faster recognition. The Huion KAMVAS GT-221 Pro has 10 customizable press keys along with two touch bars.

Lastly, ballpen is ergonomically designed. It has a reinforced tip for extended performance and does last a while. Nevertheless, you do need to charge it often. With 8192 sensitivity levels, it does provide excellent precision with every stroke. That said, like all budget options, Huion seems to have made a compromise on sharpness. The images are somewhat fuzzy. But that’s understandable considering its price and the fact that it is geared towards beginners.

Pros

• Thinner bezels
• The protector is mounted on the screen out of the box
• 14ms response time
• A very economical option for people on a budget
• The package comes with two digital pens

Cons

• The display isn’t very sharp
• Pen needs recharging

Huion Inspiroy H950P Tablet

This is another affordable option by Huion – an all-around great tablet with a comparatively large work area (8.7 x 5.4in). The pen pressure sensitivity of up to 8192 levels is on par with most higher-end graphics tablets available today. Additionally, it comes with a 233 PPS report rate and 5080 LPI resolution, offering you much better quality images.

There are ten programmable keys on the tablet, including two on the pen. Although its surface is prone to smudges but is slick and very easy to clean. The super-thin design makes it extremely portable.  Like other Graphics tablets on this list, it supports the Linux distro.

All in all, Huion Inspiroy H950P is a smart option for beginners who draw on the go and don’t want to turn their pockets inside out for a graphics tablet.

Pros

• Slim body, stylish looks
• Comes with a branded charge-free pen
• 10 programmable keys for handy shortcuts
• The pen is lightweight and needs no charging
• Easy to install and use
• Economical

Cons

• The pen is rather flimsy and prone to breakage
• Not intended for professionals

GAOMON PD1560

The PD1560 is a tablet that shows GAOMON can really go toe to toe with popular brands like Wacom and XP-Pen. Though GAOMON doesn’t develop specific drivers for Linux systems, you can still run it on a Linux system using Wacom’s drivers. There are several other ways to make it work, too, but we won’t go into specifics.

This budget-friendly graphics tablet has a 15.6 inches display and shorter express keys on one side. The stylus is so lightweight that you feel like using a real brush. You can set up custom key bindings in order to map directly to its display and to map the two screens together.  Doing so is very helpful for getting reference images on one monitor and paint on the other – all with a simple keybind.

In addition to the Tablet and stylus, the package includes an adjustable Tablet stand, a stylus holder with spare nibs, screen protector, carrying case, and a drawing glove.  It is definitely the best art tablet you can find under $500.

Pros

• The tablet stand is very easy and effortless to adjust
• The screen is super crisp and allows many options for customization
• Comes with a carrying case for portability
• Colors are pre-calibrated
• Suitable for beginners as well as professionals

Cons

• Linux driver support is limited

XP-Pen Artist 15.6 Pro 15.6 Inch Graphics Drawing Tablet

For folks who are old-fashioned and want a tablet that feels more like a drawing pad, XP Pen Artist 15.6 pro can be a great option.  In terms of features and performance, it can be compared to Wacoms, but it comes at a much lower cost. It’s driver, though still in beta version, works like a charm. XP-Pen is the pioneer among others to offer company developed drivers for Linux.

The assembly is straightforward, and if you feel lost, then the instruction manual comes quite handy. It has a USB C connection, which means you can take it anywhere you want along with your laptop. Its pen feels very well balanced in your hands. The two adjustable keys work perfectly, and like Wacom models, it’s a passive pen. Hence it needs no charging.  While drawing, the pen pressure is so predictable and smooth that you

Furthermore, with 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, full HD support, and an affordable price fewer than 400 bucks, this is one Tablet you can use for extended periods of time without any problem.

Pros

• 8 adjustable express keys
• Fantastic screen quality
• Good value for the price
• Affordable
• One year limited warranty

Cons

• No pen tilt sensitivity
• Drivers require frequent updates
• Must be connected to the computer to work
• Comes with no stand

Yiynova MVP20U+FE(V2) Full HD Tablet Monitor

This big-screen tablet monitor offers full HD capabilities with 4000 LPI resolution and a crisp 230 FPS tracking speed that makes for quite a dependable drawing interface. When you combine this with 2048 sensitivity levels of the stylus pen, you get pinpoint accuracy for every stroke. Besides, the screen has a 3000:1 contrast leading to a display many graphics tablets aim for.

The tablet works flawlessly. There’s virtually no lag with quick strokes, and the same can be said for jitter (no matter the speed). That means you can draw details as much as you like. The programmable buttons (2 on the pen) aren’t very trigger happy, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally pressing one.

Moreover, Yiynova MVP20U+FE(V2) Full HD Tablet Monitor runs on 100/240V (AC) power through 5V3A USB port. In addition to the tablet, the package includes a 1.8m USB cable, one 1.8m DVI to HDMI cable, and a pen kit. All at a very market competitive price of under $350. Hence it is ideal for all those who want a Cintiq but can’t afford one.

Pros

• Much more linear pressure sensitivity levels
• 8 Programmable buttons
• Affordable
• One year limited warranty
• Exceptional customer support and technical support

Cons

• The monitor adjustment buttons take some getting used to
• Some reviewers have reported issues with pen calibration

That’s about it. Our list of the best graphics tablet for Linux is by no means exhaustive. The market is rapidly expanding. Thanks to technology, newer models are introduced every month. For this article, we looked into display, performance, Linux support, and customer reviews to round out the top seven. Do you think we missed out on a great graphics tablet for Linux? Let us know your thoughts in the usual space!

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