Getting into digital art can be a daunting task. With so many different avenues available, it can be difficult to make the right choice, particularly if you’re just starting and want to transition from paper to pixels. Enter the UGEE U1600 Drawing Pad, or in other words, a full HD 15.4” screen-based drawing tablet. Compatible with Windows, Mac and Android/Linux-based devices, this review will focus on Windows performance as the model sent did not include the additional USB type-C cable required for mobile platforms.
Aside from the UGEE U1600 drawing pad itself, the box ships with a drawing glove, quick start guide, warranty card, the necessary USB-C to HDMI splitter, stylus and a USB-powered wall adapter with optional adapters for different regions.
The only omission that I would have liked to see included with the UGEE U1600, even for a more budget-friendly device, would be the inclusion of some kind of kickstand, or even a built-in solution, as the tablet by itself, can only really be operated on a flat surface. Additionally, it should be noted that the included stylus does not seem to have the option to remove its nib, which may cause issues down the line after some wear.
Setup on Windows is relatively simple, requiring the installation of the necessary drivers, which can be found on UGEE’s official website. From here, I didn’t have to calibrate any settings, and Photoshop and some other painting applications (SAI, Paint, Krita) all seemed to detect the U1600 out of the box, making using the tablet an easy transition from my usual Huion Kamvas tablet. In fact, using the UGEE 1600 is very comparable to something like the Kamvas series by Huion.
If you’ve never used a dedicated drawing tablet before, the UGEE U1600 features a resistive style matrix for registering your input and pen strokes, which has a distinct feel to it. This is especially true if you’re coming from something like a phone or iPad that uses capacitive-touch technology.
From a design and drawing perspective, the resistive screen feels natural as it requires the user to press into the screen, which feels tactile and familiar, with the only significant trade-off being a lack of multi-touch. Regardless, the UGEE U1600’s resistive screen should provide an easy transition for those who are only accustomed to drawing traditionally.
“The 15.4” IPS display of the UGEE U1600 drawing pad is also a nice upgrade from the smaller screens often found on tablets…”
The 15.4” IPS display of the UGEE U1600 drawing pad is also a nice upgrade from the smaller screens often found on tablets while offering a wide colour gamut that accurately reproduces colours at a full 1920 x 1080, which should be more than enough for most projects.
The overall drawing experience on the UGEE U1600 is great and feels right at home with the higher-end tablets I’ve used. Outside of the lack of a kickstand, the only area the UGEE U1600 seemingly cuts some corners is the lack of any additional shortcut keys on the device itself. With the stylus featuring two buttons, the drawing experience feels limited in terms of quickly having hotkeys for your desired shortcuts. Thankfully, this isn’t a big deal.
Aside from some small drawbacks, the UGEE U1600 drawing pad looks and feels good during use. Paired with a competitive price, it will be hard to beat.
