XPPen Artist 12 (2nd Gen) Review: A Tiny, Cheap First Screen
Quick verdict
A small, sharp, cheap pen display with a comfortable pen. There's no stand, the single-cable USB-C lead costs extra, and you'll outgrow the size.
Buy it if
- You want the cheapest way to try drawing on a screen.
- You have very little desk space.
- You want to draw on the go with a laptop.
Skip it if
- You can stretch to the Huion Kamvas 13 (Gen 3), which includes a stand.
- You want an eraser on the pen.
- You plan to draw for hours a day.
Specs
| Screen size | 11.9 in |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (16:9) |
| Panel | IPS, fully laminated |
| Glass | Anti-glare matte |
| Color (claimed) | 127% sRGB, 94% Adobe RGB |
| Brightness (claimed) | 220 nits |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz |
| Pen | X3 Elite, battery-free, no eraser |
| Pressure levels | 8,192 |
| Tilt | 60° |
| Shortcuts | 8 keys |
| Touch | No |
| Connection | 3-in-1 cable (USB-C to USB-C sold separately) |
| Stand | Not included |
| Weight | - |
| Works with | Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Linux (Android limited) |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Comfortable pen that starts a line with very light pressure.
- Sharp for its size: about 185 pixels per inch.
- Laminated, so the line sits under the nib.
- Pastel colors at no extra cost.
Cons
- No stand in the box.
- Single-cable USB-C use needs a cable you buy.
- No eraser on the pen.
- Some jitter on slow lines; driver can forget settings.
Real-world math
Drawing space. The active area is 263 x 148 mm, about 390 square centimeters. The Kamvas 13 (Gen 3) is about 488. So you get about 20% less room.
Sharpness. 1080p on 11.9 inches is about 185 pixels per inch. That's as sharp as the Kamvas 16, because the screen is so small.
What you'll add. A stand and, for one-cable setups, a USB-C to USB-C cable. Windows Central and Draw Your Weapon both called out the missing stand.
The pen
Windows Central called the X3 Elite "one of the most comfortable pens" they'd used. It starts a line at about 3 grams of pressure. There's no eraser end. Both Windows Central and Draw Your Weapon saw some jitter on slow strokes.
Drivers
XPPen's driver is easy to use, but Windows Central found it didn't always save pressure curves between restarts. Draw Your Weapon's tip: always hit OK after changing settings, or they won't stick.
How it compares
| Spec | XPPen Artist 12 (2nd Gen) | Huion Kamvas 13 (Gen 3) | XPPen Artist 16 (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|---|
| My rating | 7.3/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.6/10 |
| Screen size | 11.9 in | 13.3 in | 15.4 in |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (16:9) | 1920 x 1080 (16:9) | 1920 x 1080 (16:9) |
| Panel | IPS, fully laminated | IPS, fully laminated | IPS, fully laminated |
| Glass | Anti-glare matte | Anti-glare etched (2nd gen) | Anti-glare matte |
| Color (claimed) | 127% sRGB, 94% Adobe RGB | 99% sRGB, 90% Adobe RGB | 127% sRGB, 94% Adobe RGB |
| Brightness (claimed) | 220 nits | 220 nits | 220 nits (Parka Blogs measured about 176) |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Pen | X3 Elite, battery-free, no eraser | PW600L, battery-free | X3 Elite, battery-free, no eraser |
| Pressure levels | 8,192 | 16,384 | 8,192 |
| Tilt | 60° | ±60° | 60° |
| Shortcuts | 8 keys | 5 keys + 2 dials on the frame | 10 keys |
| Touch | No | No | No |
| Connection | 3-in-1 cable (USB-C to USB-C sold separately) | 3-in-1 cable, or full-featured USB-C (cable not included) | 3-in-1 cable (USB-C to USB-C sold separately) |
| Stand | Not included | Included (Amazon version) | Not included |
| Weight | - | 0.87 kg | - |
| Works with | Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Linux (Android limited) | Windows, macOS, Android (USB-C with video), Linux | Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Linux (Android limited) |
| Check price | Check price Review | Check price Review |
FAQ
- Does the Artist 12 (2nd Gen) come with a stand?
- No. XPPen sells stands separately, or you can use any small tablet stand.
- Can I run it on one USB-C cable?
- Yes, with a full-featured USB-C cable and port. That cable isn't included; the box has a 3-in-1 cable.
- Is there a newer model?
- Yes. XPPen now sells an Artist 12 (3rd Gen) with a 16K pen and a dial. It's newer, with fewer reviews so far.
- Does it work with Android?
- Only with limited devices. Reviewers found Android support very limited.
Bottom line
It's a fine way to find out if you like drawing on a screen. But once you add a stand and a USB-C cable, the Huion Kamvas 13 (Gen 3) is the better buy.