Wacom DTK2100 21-Inch Pen Display - Graphics Monitor with Digital Pen

by Wacom

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 22 x 1.9 x 16.6 inches ; 19 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 29.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0038PQCQK
• Item model number: DTK2100
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #8 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Computer Accessories > Keyboards, Mice & Input Devices > Digital Pens
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 1, 2010

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Work directly on screen with the new Cintiq 21UX

The newly-redesigned Cintiq 21UX incorporates Wacom’s most advanced pen technology in a sleek new industrial design. The combination of the color LCD with industry leading pen input capabilities allows photographers, designers, animators and other creative professionals to work naturally and intuitively directly on the surface of the large-format, 21.3" LCD screen. The new Cintiq 21UX detects 2048 levels of pressure, giving you even more control over pressure-sensitive pen effects such as line weight, opacity, and exposure. With Wacom's new Tip Sensor, the pen now features a lower activation force that captures even the most subtle nuances of pressure. The ambidextrous design of the 2nd generation Cintiq 21UX features a pair of rear-mounted Touch Strips, along with accompanying Touch Strip Toggle Buttons. In this manner, gain instant control of up to four application-specific Touch Strip functions on each Touch Strip, such as brush size, zooming, scrolling and canvas rotation. Sixteen ExpressKeys (eight on either side of the display) boost productivity by providing quick access to keyboard shortcuts and modifier keys.

What's New with Cintiq 21UX

	Slightest Nuance Featuring Wacom's new Tip Sensor, Cintiq 21UX now captures the slightest nuance of pen pressure, starting with as little as a single gram of force.		Working Under Pressure With 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity, you’ll feel just like you’re working with a traditional paintbrush, marker, pen or pencil. Dynamically adjust exposure, brush size and line weight simply by varying the pressure of the pen on the screen.
	At Your Fingertips All 16 ExpressKeys™ are customizable, giving you handy access to application-specific keyboard shortcuts and modifiers. The Show Settings key displays your current key settings on-screen.		Touch and Go Two rear-mounted, finger-sensitive Touch Strips, along with two Touch Strip Toggle buttons speed your workflow and let you comfortably control up to four functions (including zoom, scroll, brush size and canvas rotation) in each of your software applications.
	Change Your Point of View In addition to reclining, the Cintiq 21UX freely rotates up to 180° in either direction to accommodate your arm’s natural drawing movements, or to quickly change your viewing angle.		Reclines for Comfort The Cintiq 21UX reclines from 10° to 65°, allowing you to find your most comfortable working position. The Cintiq 21UX can also easily be removed from the stand and laid flat on a tabletop or mounted on an articulating arm (not included).
	Big and Beautiful The large, stylish 21.3" display with its 1600 x 1200 pixel resolution, delivers both a high-quality visual experience and plenty of room to edit, design and create. Color calibrate the Cintiq to match other displays, as well as your output or printing process.		Switches, Where You Want Them User-defined switches are preset to "right-click" and "double-click", or can be set to your most commonly- used functions.
	Natural Feel The Cintiq 21UX Grip Pen features a new contoured barrel designed to minimize grip effort, reduce stress to your hand and wrist, and otherwise emulate the feel of your favorite writing instrument.		True Value The Cintiq 21UX combines two powerful tools in one – an extra large professional pen tablet and a high-quality, color-accurate graphics monitor. The result is a tool that helps you work faster and more naturally.
	Peek Inside The new pen stand not only functions as a convenient pen holder, but also provides a handy twist-off storage compartment containing pen nibs and a pen nib removal tool.		Accessorize To complement your Cintiq, choose from a variety of accessories, including alternate pens such as the Art Pen, Airbrush or Classic Pen, as well as pen nibs and other replacement parts.

Use your Cintiq 21UX Pen Display's new features: 2048 levels of pen pressure sensitivity for precise pen pressure control New pen tip sensor technology lowers activation force and captures every nuance of pen pressure control 16 User-defined ExpressKeys™ put time saving shortcuts, modifiers, scrolling, zooming, and more at your fingertips. Touch Strips, with Touch Strip Toggle buttons, control up to 4 application-specific functions Custom radial menus for rapid navigation New contoured Grip Pen and Pen Stand Included in the Cintiq 21UX package: Cintiq 21UX Interactive Pen Display Grip Pen Pen Stand Display Stand DVI-I to VGA cable adapter DVI-I to DVI-D cable adapter AC Power Adapter Power Cable Rotation Lock Screws (4) ICC profile created with X-rite MonacoOptixXR Bearing hub recess cover plate and screws Quick Start Guide and User Manual Installation CD (includes driver software and electronic manual) Application DVD Includes valuable creative software from Corel® and Nik®

Product Description

Work directly on screen with the new Cintiq 21UX. The newly-redesigned Cintiq 21UX incorporates Wacom’s most advanced pen technology in a sleek, black, display, allowing photographers, designers, animators and other creative professionals to work naturally and intuitively directly on the surface of the large-format, 21.3” LCD screen. The Cintiq 21UX now detects 2048 levels of pressure, giving you even more control over pressure-sensitive pen effects such as line weight, opacity, and exposure. With Wacom’s new Tip Sensor, the pen now features a lower activation force that captures even the most subtle nuances of pressure. The ambidextrous design features rear-mounted Touch Strips, along with the accompanying Touch Strip Toggle Buttons, which give you control of up to four application-specific Touch Strip functions like brush size, zooming, canvas rotation and scrolling. Sixteen ExpressKeys (eight on either side of the display) boost productivity by providing quick access to keyboard shortcuts and modifier keys.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing improvement!, April 3, 2010

By 

S. Dicken (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wacom DTK2100 21-Inch Pen Display - Graphics Monitor with Digital Pen (Personal Computers)

The new 21UX (DTK-2100) is AWESOME!

Not only is it a nice looking device, but I could swear it sports a new LCD panel too (something that critics have panned about the new model as lacking... 5 year old technology, etc. I don't believe it). The firmware / OSD is definitely different, but the screen also seems a lot sharper with much better contrast, and without the washout issues that all the older 21UXs I've used before have exhibited. The new body has a texture similar to the 12wx, kind of a pebbled matte black. The new buttons are cool too, and them putting the touchstrips on the back like the 20wsx is also killer (no more hitting them with the side of your hand as you brush over them). The touch strip function toggle button is a great idea too. Overall, it's definitely a step up. I'm mixed about the lack of OLED labels for the buttons. While it would be "cool" for them to be there, I don't think it's as necessary as it is on the Intuos4, as you can tell what button you have your finger on without looking at it, since they're all angled in a unique way relative to each other. Of course, there's also the new digitizer. Can I tell it's got twice the pressure sensitivity? Well, for most of what I use it for (Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Maya, ZBrush), I can't, but I can tell you that it does take a lot less pressure to get pixels flowing from the tip. The new stylus and stylus holder (with nib storage) are nice too!

Of all the Cintiqs I've played with over the years (18sx, 21ux, 20wsx, 12wx), this new 21UX definitely has the best first impression. I used a 21UX at work for years (both the original and the upgraded versions), and I never was interested in having one at home, mainly because of the screen contrast and color inaccuracy problems (the fact that the ones at work were on 24-7 for 4+ years probably didn't help them at all). All in all, in my opinion, this version is a huge improvement. I like it.

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE THIS!, May 3, 2010

By 

V. Hutson (Duluth, MN) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wacom DTK2100 21-Inch Pen Display - Graphics Monitor with Digital Pen (Personal Computers)

I never thought I could justify paying this much money for a pressure sensitive display--but I did, and I absolutely love it!

For years I have been looking at the Cintiq, wondering how "good" is it. Several months ago I thought I would give it a try--but then I decided to wait because I felt a new version would be coming out this year. When I read that it had--I ordered one, telling myself that if it wasn't very good I would send it back. I'm not sending it back--it's great!

I have been using an Intuos3 tablet for years, and while I can draw reasonably well with it I still found myself frustrated at times. I have a pressure sensitive laptop but the screen is small and the calibration and sensitivity isn't that good. That is why I didn't even consider purchasing the smaller 12-inch Cintiq.

Why I love this Cintiq:

1. The calibration of the stylus is very good. I do notice that when I get to the extreme edges of the screen (to open and close palettes or windows) the calibration is off--but otherwise, everything in the area I use to draw in is accurate. My laptop would drive me crazy because the calibration on that would often be off and it was extremely frustrating.

2. The screen is large and I can have several palettes open and still have my image at a relatively large size. I also have a 22-inch regular monitor set up as a secondary monitor and while I can use that I found over the last couple weeks that when I'm drawing or painting this 21-inch Cintiq is enough space. I do like the "Display toggle" on the Cintiq. This is how it works--when I push the display toggle button on the Cintiq I can use the stylus on the Cintiq to move my cursor onto the other monitor. I know that probably doesn't explain it very well. It's one of those things you have to actually do or see to fully understand it. The bottom line is that you can use the Cintiq and the stylus to move your cursor over the entire space of two monitors.

3. The sensitivity of the pen just feels right! It really feels like I am drawing right on the surface. The first time I used the airbrush in Painter XI I felt like I had merged into a virtual world. It actually seemed like the spray was shooting out of the tip of the stylus!

4. It tilts is so many ways I can easily get the angle or the slant I need.

5. It works great as a primary monitor even when you are not drawing or painting with it. I was concerned that the tilt might not be tall enough--but it is. I was also concerned because I read a review that said the screen would be darker and not as bright as a typical monitor. I haven't noticed this at all.

At first I found the different buttons on the Cintiq useful--but over the last couple weeks I found myself using standard keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop more than the buttons.

The driver for this Cintiq works with the Intuos3 tablet as well--so it is possible to have both hooked up if you want. I first removed the old Intuos 3 driver and installed the Cintiq. After that I merely plugged in my Intuos 3 and it worked. I used both tablets for the first two weeks because using the Intuos3 allowed me to quickly navigate both my monitors (something I was used to doing). However, a couple times I got an error message with the tablet software and ended up disconnecting the Intuos3. Plus I found that I didn't really need the Intuos3 anymore and removing it freed up a lot of space on my desk!

I'm a bit embarrassed to write this, but the second night I was using it I actually felt my eyes watering up with tears of joy! $2000 is a lot of money. To justify spending this much on me--I just sent a generous check to a worthy charity.

I think this is the longest review I have written. Perhaps that is appropriate because this is the most expensive item I have purchased from Amazon!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great drawing surface - good monitor, September 14, 2010

By 

Steamwerx - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wacom DTK2100 21-Inch Pen Display - Graphics Monitor with Digital Pen (Personal Computers)

I agree with the general consensus of many artists and art publications' reviews of this product. It is a great product, but overpriced at $2000. I give this product only 4-stars because of the high price, average monitor quality, average resolution, finicky drivers, and at least one noticeable dead pixel within the 1st week.

As a long time TabletPC owner and user I already knew I could get the speed benefits of being able to work directly on screen. What I didn't have was the CPU power of my desktop backing up demanding programs like CS4 and Painter. This second generation cintiq has finally given me the best of both worlds, but at a tremendous price. Personally, I think a fair price for this product is at $1000-1200, but I suppose everything is worth what a buyer will pay for it and I caved in.

As an amateur artist I spend about 8 hours a week drawing, 3D modeling, or painting, but don't have the color accuracy demands as the pros. People have said that the screen is bland and lacks vibrancy and contrast. To my untrained eyes, I feel it's fine with excellent viewing angles, but it's not as sharp as my Samsung 204T. For the physical size of this tablet the resolution should be in the 1920x1200 area, but it's adequate for my needs at 1600x1200.

The cintiq 21ux is large and heavy to lift. Once mounted on the sturdy stand though it is easy to manipulate and rotate. I think Wacom did a good job on mounting this hefty tablet. The back legs of the stand have rollers which allow me to easily push it to the rear of the desk when I'm not drawing to save desk space (which you'll need a lot of to use this). Note that the stand cannot present the tablet at a true vertical nor can the 21UX sit perfectly flat on a desk without the stand.

While I love Wacom technology I feel their drivers have progressively become more "challenging" to use. On Windows 7 64-bit the product installed fine with the latest drivers, but every once in a while the system will cease to recognize the cintiq on startup. The screen will be present but the pen will not respond. This apparently is not uncommon and some hunting on the interwebs yielded an unintuitive solution - remove your preferences using the control panel. This works and no functionality is lost, but annoying to have to do at all. Hopefully future drivers will eliminate this issue. YMMV.

The Cintiq surface can get rather warm after about an hour or so worth of use. All monitors get warm though (we just don't touch monitors usually) so I'm not seeing this as a defect but it can be uncomfortable. The heating seems uneven though and I can deflect the problem by rotating the hotter surfaces away from my work hand.

All-in-all it's changed the way I work and is something to experience even after 7 years of working on TabletPCs. It's improved my work from the stand point of being about to use my quad core desktop to keep up with the demands of today's monstrous graphics programs. The large size is worth it if you can afford it.