Discover the Fun and Affordable Wacom MovinkPad 11: A Perfect Gateway for Aspiring Digital Artists
The digital art community has thrived since the rise of the internet, fueled by creativity and technology.
Wacom, a renowned Japanese company established in 1983, stands as a pioneer in the digital art landscape. As one of the oldest makers of graphics tablets globally, Wacom has recently updated its MovinkPad series—a tailored Android tablet designed for creators to effortlessly produce digital art using either a quick tap or a stylus swipe.
As someone who isn’t a professional or even a casual artist, my intrigue as a technology enthusiast led me to explore how a novice could interact with a device like the MovinkPad.
Wacom provided TechCrunch with the MovinkPad 11, the inaugural tablet in this series. While it’s not Wacom’s newest model—having been succeeded by the MovinkPad Pro 14 launched last fall at a higher price of $899 and featuring several enhancements like a 3K OLED screen and a wider color range—I opted for the first version to understand the original MovinkPad.
The conclusion: The MovinkPad 11 is user-friendly and offers solid performance at a price of $500. Although it may feel steep for casual users uninterested in digital art, it strikes a balance for art enthusiasts seeking affordability—positioned between more budget-friendly options like the Huion Inspiroy H640P (around $30) and high-end choices like Wacom’s Cintiq Pro 27 (approximately $3,500) or an iPad (costing up to $1,100).
For those new to digital art, it may be surprising why one would prefer digital platforms over traditional methods like paper and pencil.
Advocates argue that digital art provides a unique creative outlet that is hard to replicate through conventional means. It attracts a diverse audience including graphic designers, cartoonists, animators, and video game developers. Some traditional artists utilize tablets for sketching and drafting concepts before transitioning to paper, while others may take their paper sketches and adapt them digitally. The appropriate tablet can significantly enhance the realization of creative ideas.
Specifications and Setup
The MovinkPad 11 features an 11.45-inch display, 8 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of storage, all while being battery-free and rechargeable via USB. At just 1.3 pounds, it’s portable and convenient to carry anywhere.
Included is the Pro Pen 3, a 6.3-inch stylus that is user-friendly and has three programmable side buttons. Users can customize the buttons to suit their preferences and are offered a range of $15 replacement nibs for added variety.
I found the stylus to be lightweight and easy to maneuver, much like using a fine-tipped felt pen.
Setting up the tablet was generally straightforward, but an initial pin number is required for access. Though I questioned the need for this level of security for my sketches, it provides peace of mind against unauthorized access. Configuring the pin is simple: navigate to Settings > Security > Privacy to choose between swipe or no unlock.
Being an Android device, the MovinkPad can be linked with a Google account to streamline access to creative resources.
Additionally, it comes equipped with Wacom Canvas, a free digital art app with essential tools to kickstart digital sketches. For those seeking more features, Clip Studio Paint is available for purchase, offering a wider range of tools and capabilities.
Depending on the application, the stylus nib’s style and functionality can be adjusted. For example, within Clip Studio Paint, users can select from various options like pen, brush, or sketching pencil, each with countless variations.
The MovinkPad faces stiff competition from devices like the iPad, which also offers various art applications and the Apple Pencil. However, the MovinkPad provides a more focused experience tailored to artists, backed by a company with a long history in the graphics tablet industry.
Whether digital art is your passion or just a passing interest, the MovinkPad 11 is an enjoyable device. I spent several hours experimenting with it recently and created some amusing sketches. Although none of them are headed for an art gallery, it was a delightful way to spend an afternoon.
