Even more so considering the $1900 price tag attached to it.
Disclaimer:This review was made possible thanks to a review unit provided byXencelabs.
The company did not see the contents of this review before publishing.
The Xencelabs Pen Display 24 is bundled with the Quick Keys controller which can be mounted anywhere on the display via an included clip.
It weighs a respectable 13.3 pounds, considerably more lightweight than its 24-inch peers.
Drawing tablets and pen displays are niche devices, making them unlikely to be found in brick-and-mortar stores.
When it comes to thebest drawing tabletson the market, you’ll likely need to purchase them online.
Xencelabs has taken it further and decided to limit its Pen Display 24 availability.
However, you’ve got the option to’t order it from Best Buy, Newegg, or Amazon.
The carefully packaged display is encased in foam alongside all its in-the-box accessories.
L-shaped Display Port and HDMI 2.0 cables are also both provided as options.
It only takes 3 of the included cables to get your Xencelabs Pen Display up and running.
To connect the pen display to your setup, use the DisplayPort or HDMI port.
Xencelabs' quick key controller is one of the best-kept secrets in the creative space.
It is fitted with an adjustable dial and eight customizable buttons.
Both the inputs and the orientation of the controller can be adjusted using the driver.
The Xencelabs Pen Display 24 is bundled with the Quick Keys controller which can be mounted anywhere on the display via an included clip.
Quick Keys can be connected to your gear using Bluetooth or a USB-C cable.
Along with the Quick Keys controller, Xencelabs includes two pen options with the Pen Display 24.
The second option is a thin-barreled stylus, more reminiscent of a Surface pen from Microsoft.
The LED lighting on the display’s physical buttons can be customized via software.
The thin pen features a customizable rocker button for two inputs and an eraser button on the tip.
There is currently a debate in the art community regarding the future of the eraser button.
As an artist who works in traditional and digital mediums, I find eraser buttons incredibly valuable.
The Quick Keys controller features a radial dial that can be customized for 4 different settings.
I appreciate the ease and natural feeling of flipping the pen to erase.
Xencelabs is the only alternative to Wacom that includes an eraser button on its stylus.
A hard case is included for storing the pens when unused.
Xencelabs includes a hard plastic pen case for storing the two included pens, nib pull ring, extra nibs, and dongles.
Creating with the pen display
Photos do not do the Xencelabs Pen Display 24 justice.
The display’s 4K resolution is paired with exceptional color quality that is Pantone-certified.
Xencelabs' laminated screen also minimizes parallax, further improving the drawing experience.
Both nib pressure sensitivity and eraser sensitivity can be adjusted using Xencelabs software.
Creating illustrations on the Pen Display 24 feels snappy, with quick strokes of the pen tracking accurately.
I mentioned before that the Pen Display 24 features an edge-to-edge laminated tempered glass screen.
Xencelabs states that the screen features ‘Super-AG etching.’
Xencelabs includes two pens, a thicker “traditional” pen and a thin barreled stylus.
In other words, it is jittery.
When using a ruler to assist in creating straight lines, it becomes much more noticeable.
Buggy drivers, excessive screen parallax, slick displays that were prone to extreme glare.
The Xencelabs Pen Display offers an active drawing area that is just shy of 21 inches.
Those first few iterations of “Wacom Killers” were rough around all the edges.
That is, unless you know that Xencelabs is a sister company to XP-Pen.
However, you will be sacrificing 4K screen resolution and Pantone certification to hit the budget-friendly price point.
There is significant pen wobble when using both pen types to draw lines slowly.
Still, this is an excellent large display for hobbyists and beginners while still being well-suited for professionals.
Pen Display 24: Should you buy it?
The XP-Pen Artist 24 Pro is a lofty competitor to the Xencelabs Pen Display 24, and is considerably cheaper at just $899.
The pen display from Xencelabs is a striking 4K monitor bundled with all the bells and whistles.
