Wacom DTU-1031. The most affordable graphics tablet-monitor

Today we will talk about a device that simply has no competitors in its price category. As well as about its pros and cons. We will talk about the Wacom DTU-1031 graphics monitor and its variations.

Although I am not an artist, I have been dealing with graphic tablets for quite a long time. I don’t remember exactly where it all started, but over the years I have had some experience with both repairing ( I was talking about restoring the stylus of a Huion graphic tablet ) and configuring graphic tablets. I have had both large devices (XP-Pen Artist 22 Pro) and small ones, which I will talk about today. What exactly made me fall in love with the cheapest tablet from Wacom?

Signature tablet

If you look at it objectively, devices like the DTU-1031 are not exactly graphics tablets, but devices for digital signatures. In order for your signature on a document to look more or less natural, you don’t need things that are typical of more expensive tablets (such as tilt response, a large number of pressure levels, additional buttons, etc.). So technically this is a device of a different order. But nothing prevents you from using it for both drawing and photo retouching. Let’s go through its technical characteristics:

Screen size: 10.1″
Resolution: 1280×800 pixels (WXGA)
Aspect ratio: 16:10
Viewing angle: 170°/170° (horizontal/vertical)
Brightness: 210 cd/m²
Contrast: 800:1
Response time: 14 ms
Colors: 262144
Pen: passive (without battery)
Technology: Electromagnetic resonance (EMR)
Pressure levels: 512
Report rate: 200 points/sec
Coordinate resolution: 2540 lpi
Accuracy: ±0.5 mm
Dimensions: 310x211x14 mm (without stand)
Weight: 0.99 kg
Interface: USB 2.0
Stand: 15° and 20°.

The specifications may not be outstanding, but let’s take a closer look at its strengths.

Pros

Let’s compare it with the model that is currently relevant – Wacom One 12. In the store it costs more than $299. For this price we get a 12″ diagonal, 4096 pressure levels, a response time of 18 ms, a coordinate resolution of 2540 lpi and a screen resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. In the case of the DTU-1031, for a price of (approximately) $50 we get a 10″ screen, 512 pressure levels, a pen that works without charging. The tablet is powered by a single cable with data transfer (USB 2.0, standard mini-USB-USB cable), so you can connect such a device anywhere to a computer or laptop and use it to work in a place convenient for you.

Compared to most modern models that have a plastic-coated screen, the 1031 uses full glass, which means it’s less likely to get scratches while working. This is actually a significant advantage, as one of Wacom’s budget drawing models (Wacom One 13) has a plastic screen that quickly picks up small scratches, which spoils both the feel of the device and its appearance.

The old basic models from the same Huion had a certain drawback, which I mentioned in the post above. Their styluses were made in an active version and needed charging, and from time to time their batteries would fail, and they had to either repair them or buy new ones. In this model, the stylus is passive, so you don’t have to worry. Moreover, passive styluses for laptops with a Wacom sensor are suitable for this model (as an example of a model like the HP EliteBook 2760p or a Fujitsu model of the same time), so, in case of need, you can find a completely budget replacement for your native pen.

Despite the low resolution and number of colours, the tablet will be more than enough for people who are just starting their creative journey and want to try something new. The difference in price between the basic model of a graphics tablet with a screen in a store and this model on the secondary market is several times, allowing you to feel without unnecessary expenses how much you need a tool of this type. After all, not everyone can spend about $299 on a thing that may not be needed.

Compatibility

The tablet works without problems on the main versions of Windows (7, 10, 11). There should also be no problems with compatibility on MacOS. The only place where questions arise is working in Linux systems such as Ubuntu, where, unfortunately, the driver does not support displaying the image on the screen and the tablet can only be used as a classic graphics tablet. Most likely, these limitations are caused by the age of the platform on which the tablet is based. The newer Wacom DTU-1141 model does not have such shortcomings, and works perfectly in the latest version of the same Linux Mint, after installing the official DisplayLink drivers. I will tell you about it a little below, but for now let’s return to our hero.

My own opinion

When I am asked which tablet is better to take – cheaper or more expensive, I always recommend taking the one that you will lose less money on selling. Because there is always an option that a person will be uncomfortable working on a graphics tablet, or they will decide that it is simply “not for them”. And this model is the most basic option if you want to try your hand at retouching and drawing. Due to certain advantages (glass screen surface, passive stylus, power supply and data transfer via one cable, relatively compact dimensions), this model will find its supporters among people of different professions. Because it is not always and not everywhere convenient to carry a graphics tablet with a diagonal of 13.3″ or more. For working on the spot – yes, a larger diagonal will be more convenient. If you are a student or a person who is often on the move – compactness will be exactly the advantage that will allow you to always have a tool with you to correct work errors and finish projects on the go.

Usage experience

It would be appropriate to mention here the experience of use that we encountered. The fact is that we donated several tablets to the local library . The idea was to create a pilot project, according to which local children and adults would have the opportunity to try drawing on a real graphics tablet (or, more precisely, a graphics monitor). This became possible, not least due to the fact that our local library created a public space and updated the equipment (including the donation of new computers). So now, the institution always has two graphics tablets freely available, which any library visitor can work on. Now, literally every day, the library is visited by children who are interested in coming and drawing. So these devices open up opportunities for both creativity and for determining a future profession. Nowadays, there are many areas of work where you can work remotely, being in your hometown, and at the same time receive a salary higher than the average in the city.

Similar projects based on budget devices could improve the digitalization of the population and create favorable conditions for the development of children in accordance with the working realities of the modern world.

Alternatives

Among the alternatives, close in cost, you can also consider the DTU-1141 model. The name is a bit misleading, because it is not an 11″ model. But it has received significant improvements compared to the DTU-1031 model.

The screen diagonal remained 10.1″, but the resolution increased to 1920*1080 (Full HD). The number of pressure levels of the tablet has also increased and is 1024 (2 times more than the 1031 model). The number of colors covered by the matrix has also increased – 16.7 million. The pen now has an additional key, and the panel above the screen has four touch keys to which you can assign certain functions. It is worth mentioning here that there is a DTU-1031B model, which also has four additional keys on the body. The tablet also receives power via a USB cable, but there are tablet options for both mini-USB and micro-USB cables. Like the 1031 model, the 1141 has a special stand that allows you to work with greater comfort. Its alternative is to mount the tablet on a VESA mount, which is present in both models.

The 1141’s screen has a protective matte layer of tempered glass, but from my “inner feelings” the glossy glass on the 1031 was more scratch-resistant. However, both screens are no worse than more expensive tablet counterparts from Xp-Pen, Huion, and other Chinese manufacturers.

Wacom DTU-1141 is a completely logical continuation of the model that was in today’s review. It is a little more expensive in price, but it also offers more features. So the choice is yours.

Author: Sa Crea

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