Comparing the Cintiqs 27QHD, 22HD, and Pro 13, 16, 24

          Ever since the Cintiq Pro arrived, artists are now faced with the tough choice of buying a Cintiq for size, portability, or affordability. Wacom did have the Cintiq 13HD, but the Cintiq Pro is really a whole other breed, it’s the mini-me of the 27”. Even though many professional artists already own the 27” or 22”, some of you might be thinking about upgrading from an Intuos or maybe you’re about to buy your first Cintiq, so which one should you get? Hopefully I can shine some light on the topic to help you decide (you really can’t go wrong with any of them).

           Let’s start with size and portability. Many artists work in very different working conditions compared to one another. The 27” can take up a lot of desk real estate, not to mention if you also get the Ergo Stand, quite a hefty edition to the already large Cintiq. But it’s a trade off for how much screen size you are getting! Designers can comfortably keep various menus and references on display, simultaneously having enough room to draw or paint in their favorite program.

The 22” is actually one of MacHollywood’s most purchased products for major studios. Smaller and lighter than the 27”, it is more maneuverable and takes up less space. Especially without such a large stand, depending on your office setup, you could more than likely include another monitor or laptop to any setup.

Now the 13” and 16” Cintiq Pros obviously have benefits from being the newer technology; but putting that aside, lets think about how they compare on the same footing. Having a smaller screen size means less active area for drawing and active menus, especially if you don’t have a second monitor set up. On the other hand, the Cintiq Pros are so thin and light that they are perfect for any desk size and can easily be maneuvered around a table or to a different location.

Almost any messenger bag one would use for a laptop of equal size will definitely have enough space to include the Cintiq Pro and cables. Thus, making it easy to take to a coffee shop or to client locations for freelancers.

          Understandably, cost can be a large factor in the type of device an artist invests in. You wont find a Cintiq cheaper than an Intuos tablet, but when it’s time to up your art game, any Cintiq is a worthwhile purchase.

The Cintiq 27” Touch Display will set you back $2,799, and $2,299 for the Non-Touch. It’s a little bit harder to swing if you are a student or just starting out in the industry, but I believe that’s why the 22”’s have been so popular with freelance and studio artists.

The Cintiq 22” Touch Display runs at $1,999 and the Non-Touch at $1,799. They are much more affordable (maybe not for students), but still provide a lot of active area for large projects.

Now the Cintiq Pros have arrived to merge the gap between the larger more costly Cintiqs and the smaller/cheaper Intuos tablets. Available in two sizes, the 13” goes for $999 and the 16” for $1,499. For students it still might sound a bit steep, but considering how much they’ve improved and have been able to pack into something so small, I think it’s a great investment. If you’re a stickler for resolution then you’ll be pleased to find out that the Cintiq Pro 16” is 4K ready. But if you’d like to read more about some of its Pros and Cons you can visit our complete review on the Cintiq Pro here.

Edit April 2018:

The Cintiq Pro 24
With the new addition of the Cintiq Pro 24 to the family, your options from reading this list might sway you in a different direction. It’s smaller than a 27 obviously, but the price difference and advanced features, similar to the other Cintiq Pros, make it a much more viable option. Compared to a CP16, you might go back to weighing your options based on size and portability.  

The new Ergo Stand can take up some more space but its ability to rotate is a vast improvement compared to its predecessor. And just like the 16, you now have the option of 4K Resolution, making your work look as sharp as ever. Currently the 22HD is the most popular among studios but slowly we’ve started to see a transition for the 24s. Artists are seeing the potential for the improved technology and Engine capabilities.

Check out our full review on the Cintiq Pro 24 here!
and our Unboxing Video on Youtube here!

Conclusion
          So are you an artist on the go, do you need more desk space, or more screen space? I wish we could give you an exact match that’s right for you, but ultimately it comes down to personal preference and budget. The best way to find out is to test them in person. If you happen to be in the area of MacHollywood, we have display units for almost every Wacom Product! I wish I could get the 27” myself, but as a student, the Intuos Pro has fulfilled all my needs. But I can guarantee that when I’m able, getting a Cintiq is at the top of my to-do list.

Check out our compiled chart below with all the detailed Cintiq specs.