I’m not an artist or a graphic designer; therefore, you may be wondering why I’m looking at the GAOMON PD1161 Pen Display. In short, I love the freedom of creativity, especially when it comes at an affordable price point. Additionally, the chance to let my creative juices flow while maintaining a technical approach is hard to resist.
This art tablet is compatible with Windows and Mac devices. This was versatile enough for me, but Android-only users will feel left out. This was a shame as it isolates a large chunk of people. If you can overlook this shortcoming, you’ll adore the lightweight pen, the functional design, and the no-nonsense design.
There are a few cons alongside the lack of Android access. GAOMON haven’t provided a stand in the box. Instead, this is available to buy from their store. This wasn’t a sticking point for me, but those with a strict budget may not be happy. Additionally, the 3-in-1 cable is a little bulky. I’m never worried about cable management, but this may make some people uncomfortable.
What’s in the box of the GAOMON PD1161 Pen Display?
- The packaging is durable and vibrant. Furthermore, it has a professional edge, and it can be recycled.
- The GAOMON PD1161 Pen Display is a good size, and the functional buttons have a nice tactile feel. Moreover, the UI is easy to manage, and it is relatively straightforward to handle.
- A chunky 3-in-1 cable requires an HDMI and USB port.
- The battery-free pen is lightweight and requires no charging.
- Learn the basics with the user manual.
Technical aspects.
The GAOMON PD1161 Pen Display isn’t a standalone product. Therefore, artists, students, and hobbyists will need a Mac, a laptop, or a PC to complement this device. This isn’t unusual for this type of product, and would-be investors shouldn’t be worried or surprised about this demand.
The screen supports ±60° tilt for a comfortable and easy-to-manage working platform. It can be used for an array of tasks, but it thrives when focusing on its key role as an artistic drawing pad. With 8192 levels of pen pressure, you can hover the AP50 stylus approximately 10 mm from the display. This was weird at first, but once you get the hang of it, it creates a smooth, easy-to-handle drawing feel.
Connecting the tablet to your PC or laptop was a walk in the park. You can download the relevant drivers with ease, and installing them was a cinch. Once installed, the software is intuitive. Changing the customisable buttons and pen sensitivity was as easy as drawing on the screen. This was perfect, as it made it a wonderful, user-friendly, entry-point-focused device. Those with little technical know-how will not feel out of their depth as they play with every aspect.
Usability.
The GAOMON PD1161 Pen Display doesn’t have a laminated screen, and this impacts the feel of the AP50 stylus. Unlike more expensive devices, you don’t get that pen-on-paper experience. Instead, you must almost hover the pen over the tablet for the best results.
This wasn’t a problem as such, but it does take some minor adjustments to get the best out of the device. Additionally, there isn’t that audible scratching of a pen on paper. This isn’t a deal breaker as much as an aesthetic observation.
If you’ve used other branded art tablets, you may have experienced input lag. Thankfully, this one has little to no noticeable lag between the stylus and the screen. This is perfect as a slow responding screen can interrupt creative thoughts and make one feel unduly alienated.
Finally, the 1920 x 1080 (FHD) resolution and aspect ratio 16:9 offer a crisp and clean display for you to work with. I found the screen to be bright, and the settings can be adjusted if you want something intense.
Build quality.
I would be lying if I said this wasn’t a plastic overload. The GAOMON PD1161 Pen Display is a fully hardened plastic device with a strong and deep black livery. There isn’t a feeling of upmarket metal premium, nor does it feel cheap and flimsy. Instead, it sits comfortably in the middle ground. The lightweight design is perfect if you need to transport it, and the strong case resists some minor dropping issues.
Alongside this, the buttons have a pleasant actuation distance and a noticeable click. This may not be for everyone, but I like the definitive movement. Although the cabling is necessary, I found it to be a little too chunky for me. This makes your setup unnecessarily bulky and tougher to carry around.
Is the GAOMON PD1161 Pen Display worth it?
If you are after an advanced art tablet for a professional application, the GAOMON PD1161 Pen Display may not be for you. Instead, this is perfect for anyone who is testing the water or needs an art tablet for their studies. It excels as an entry-level product, and you will not be disappointed by many of its core aspects. The pen is comfortable to use, and I like the responsiveness. Moreover, the software is intuitive and user-friendly. Accordingly, I think it is fantastic, and I recommend buying it here!
(More information on GAOMON can be found here!)
(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)
