Key points
- The Deco Pro M comes with a stylish pen holder and a USB-C cable for a clean and organized workspace.
- The tablet’s surface is smooth and provides a decent drawing experience, but it lacks the textured feel of the Deco Pro M.
- The Deco Pro M is typically priced around $70, making it a budget-friendly option for artists seeking a quality drawing tablet.
Choosing the right drawing tablet can be a daunting task, especially with the plethora of options available. Today, we’re diving into the world of XP-Pen, comparing two popular models: the XP-Pen Deco Pro M and the **XP-Pen Star G640**. Both tablets offer an affordable entry point into digital art, but each has its own strengths and weaknesses. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which tablet aligns best with your needs and budget.
Design and Build Quality
XP-Pen Deco Pro M:
The Deco Pro M boasts a sleek and modern design. Its slim profile and compact size make it ideal for both desktop and travel use. The tablet features a textured surface that provides a comfortable drawing experience, while its eight customizable shortcut keys offer quick access to essential tools. The Deco Pro M comes with a stylish pen holder and a USB-C cable for a clean and organized workspace.
XP-Pen Star G640:
The Star G640, while slightly larger than the Deco Pro M, still retains a compact footprint. It features a simple and straightforward design with four customizable shortcut keys. The tablet’s surface is smooth and provides a decent drawing experience, but it lacks the textured feel of the Deco Pro M. The Star G640 comes with a basic pen holder and a USB-A cable.
Verdict:
The Deco Pro M wins this round with its superior design and build quality. Its textured surface, customizable shortcut keys, and sleek aesthetics make it a more appealing option for both casual and professional artists.
Active Area and Resolution
XP-Pen Deco Pro M:
The Deco Pro M offers a generous active area of 10 x 6.25 inches, providing ample space for detailed drawings and precise strokes. It boasts a resolution of 5080 LPI, ensuring smooth and accurate linework.
XP-Pen Star G640:
The Star G640 features a slightly smaller active area of 6.3 x 3.9 inches. Despite the smaller size, it still offers a decent drawing experience for casual users. The tablet’s resolution is 4000 LPI, which is sufficient for basic drawing tasks.
Verdict:
The Deco Pro M takes the lead again with its larger active area and higher resolution. This combination allows for greater precision and detail, making it a better choice for professional artists and those who require a more responsive drawing experience.
Pen and Pressure Sensitivity
XP-Pen Deco Pro M:
The Deco Pro M comes bundled with the XP-Pen Passive Pen, a battery-free stylus with 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity. This high level of sensitivity allows for nuanced strokes and precise control over line thickness and brush pressure. The pen features two side buttons that can be customized to your liking.
XP-Pen Star G640:
The Star G640 also utilizes a battery-free stylus with 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity. While the sensitivity level matches the Deco Pro M, the Star G640’s pen lacks the side buttons, limiting its customization options.
Verdict:
The Deco Pro M’s pen offers a slight edge with its two customizable side buttons. This feature enhances the overall user experience and provides greater flexibility for artists.
Software and Compatibility
XP-Pen Deco Pro M:
The Deco Pro M is compatible with Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, and Android devices. It works with a wide range of drawing software, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Clip Studio Paint, and more. The tablet comes with driver software that allows for customization of pen settings and shortcut keys.
XP-Pen Star G640:
The Star G640 also enjoys compatibility with Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, and Android devices. It supports various drawing software and comes with basic driver software for customization.
Verdict:
Both tablets offer comparable software compatibility and functionality. The Deco Pro M might have a slight edge with its more advanced driver software that provides more customization options.
Price and Value
XP-Pen Deco Pro M:
The Deco Pro M is typically priced around $70, making it a budget-friendly option for artists seeking a quality drawing tablet. Its features and performance justify its price point, offering excellent value for money.
XP-Pen Star G640:
The Star G640 is even more affordable, often priced around $50. Its lower price comes with some compromises in terms of features and build quality, but it’s still a decent option for casual users and those on a tight budget.
Verdict:
The Star G640 wins this round with its lower price tag. However, the Deco Pro M offers a more premium experience and better value for money if you’re willing to spend a bit more.
Which Tablet is Right for You?
XP-Pen Deco Pro M:
The Deco Pro M is a fantastic choice for artists of all levels who prioritize a comfortable drawing experience, precise control, and a sleek design. Its larger active area, higher resolution, and customizable pen make it ideal for detailed work, professional projects, and those who want to take their digital art to the next level.
XP-Pen Star G640:
The Star G640 is a solid option for casual users, beginners, or those who are on a tight budget. Its smaller size and basic features make it suitable for simple drawing tasks, sketching, and note-taking.
Final Thoughts: A Tale of Two Tablets
Both the XP-Pen Deco Pro M and the XP-Pen Star G640 offer a solid entry point into the world of digital art. The Deco Pro M stands out with its superior design, larger active area, and customizable pen, making it a more versatile and powerful option for both professionals and aspiring artists. The Star G640, while lacking some of the premium features of the Deco Pro M, is still a decent choice for casual users and those on a budget. Ultimately, the best tablet for you depends on your individual needs, budget, and artistic goals.
Answers to Your Questions
Q: What is the difference between the XP-Pen Deco Pro M and the XP-Pen Star G640?
A: The Deco Pro M offers a larger active area, higher resolution, a textured drawing surface, customizable shortcut keys, and a pen with two side buttons. The Star G640 is smaller, has a lower resolution, a smooth drawing surface, fewer shortcut keys, and a pen without side buttons.
Q: Which tablet is better for beginners?
A: Both tablets are suitable for beginners. The Deco Pro M offers a more comfortable and responsive drawing experience, while the Star G640 is more affordable.
Q: Can I use these tablets with my phone?
A: Yes, both tablets are compatible with Android devices via USB-C or USB-A connection, depending on the model.
Q: Do these tablets require batteries?
A: No, both the Deco Pro M and the Star G640 come with battery-free pens.
Q: What is the warranty period for these tablets?
A: XP-Pen typically offers a one-year warranty on its products. However, it’s best to check the specific warranty information on the manufacturer’s website.
