On top of the amazing pen control on the
Companion, there are controls to the left-hand
side of the screen, which make it even easier to
control the functions of Photoshop; this makes it a
device also suited to composite creators, and you
can even leave boxes of commands on display
while you work. The Companion has all the
necessary ports too, including headphones, USB
and charging, and the power switch is a
pull-and-hold kind of button, which makes it
impossible to accidentally knock.
And on top of all of these fantastic features, the
screen is absolutely perfect and pristine for
working on. The colour is superb, there’s a 4K
resolution of 2560 x 1440, and the 13-inch screen is
big enough to work with, but not so huge that you’ll
have to keep it on a desk. It’s compatible with a
Mac – so you can plug it in and use it the same way
as the biggest Cintiq models – and it even has a
built-in speakers and camera set.
The Cintiq Companion 2 is just about the most
advanced computer tablet of its kind. Ultimately it’s
the drawing features that you’ll probably buy it for,
the 2048 levels of pen pressure, tilt and multi-touch
features, but as an all-round Windows tablet, it’s
also superb: the processor within the machine
makes it a great choice of computer alone. But the
beauty of the Companion is that it’s not limited just
to artists or even just to professionals. It’s beautiful,
it’s powerful, but it’s also versatile.Features: 10/10
Ease of use: 8/10
Qualityofresults:9/10
Value for money:9/10VERDICT
FINAL SCORE: 9/10
ARTIST Q&A
ILLUSTRATOR AND ADVANCED PHOTOSHOP
DESIGNER REBEKKA HEARL EXPLAINS WHAT
SHE LOVES ABOUT THE CINTIQ COMPANION 2
WHY DO YOU FIND
USING THE COMPANION
SO MUCH EASIER
THAN OTHER
TABLETS, REBEKKA?
The Companion makes the
drawing process much easier because I can
directly look at where my hand is when I’m
drawing. It’s also great for sketching on the go.WHY WOULD YOU FAVOUR THE COMPANION
OVER BIGGER CINTIQ MODELS?
The portability is a major plus. Artists shouldn’t
be put off by its small size; it still offers the same
functionality as the bigger, stationery models. You
can’t curl up on the sofa and draw with a 27QHD!HOW USERFRIENDLY ARE THE HOTKEYS
ON SIDE OF THE TABLET?
They’re not as sensitive as the ExpressKey Remote;
it’s good to know I can use these convenient
hotkeys, and rebind them as and when I need to,
without accidentally setting off the zoom.JUST HOW CLOSE IS THE COMPANION TO
THE FEEL OF A REAL PEN AND PAPER?
There is a slight space between the cursor and
the nib of the pen when pressed against the
screen; it takes a little getting used to, but once
you get into the flow of drawing, you’ll forget all
about it.Protection:with a high-quality case to The tablet comes
protect it on-the-go. The pen also has its own box
Companion 2 comes with an Extra support: The
adjustable support that offers three levels of elevation