ZBrushCentral

Alternatives to Cintiq Companions

Community
#1

Hi Everyone,

So for the last few weeks I’ve been looking around for an alternative to the Cintiq Companion. My max price would be around $1,300. I’ve looked at the Surface Pro’s, the Thinkpad Yoga’s, HP Spectre’s and HP Envy’s. I also looked at the All-In-One Computers as well (Asus and Fujitsu I believe). My main concern is that some if not most options do not support a stylus. I am willing to sacrifice pen pressure for something that simply works at all with a stylus. I’ve seen some artists go with the Surface Pro, which is great and all, but I am hoping I can use this on my lap (lay it down on my lap and just work from there.)

Of course I know ZBrush doesn’t require much to operate since it’s software accelerated and not GPU accelerated but it would be nice to play a game here or there every so often. So I was wondering if anyone had any luck, experience or preference with any of the above mentioned laptop/tablets.

Right now I’m leaning either a Surface Pro (will wait for the 4 to come out if I have to) OR an HP Envy x360 i7 which apparently do cater to pen pressure levels. I am still on the fence with a refurbished Cintiq although I would consider it, but I am NOT looking for a computer/monitor extension, I AM looking for a separate computer entirely.

Any insight is greatly appreciated.
Thanks! :smiley:

Andrew D. Roberts

#2

I thought the build of the Cintiq Companion was overall pretty impressive, outside of the stand. It had a nice brushed aluminum finish on the back and the cover was mostly plastic and the screen had the standard Cintiq film coat on it that gives it a little texture when you’re drawing. The texture is nice, but it did mute the colors a little bit, but not as much as previous Cintiqs I had tried [the 22HD and the Cintiq Companion Hybrid]. I was a little worried about if the film would get cuts or scratches over time.

The stand, though! It’s awkward and clumsy and really makes you appreciate the design of the stand of the Surface Pro and its ease of use. I found myself either just mostly drawing with the Companion flat on a table or on my lap sitting on the couch because the stand was so lousy.

I was really bummed sending it back, but it just wasn’t right for me. The more I work on my Surface Pro 2.