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You’re probably a graphic designer, a business professional, a digital artist, or a student who needs to use their laptop for both taking notes and writing if you’re seeking for the best drawing tablet for Mac.
The drawing tablets for MacBooks in this article have been hand-tested and chosen because they can handle professional animation, writing, graphic design, annotating, and drawing.
The MacBook drawing pad you select may also be used for interior design, college, classes, 3D modeling, and related hobbies, depending on the application.
The advantages of the top drawing tablets for MacBooks will be discussed in this post, along with any drawbacks that may exist.
| Image | Product Name | Editor's Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Wacom Cintiq 16 | Check Price | |
 | Xencelabs XMCTBMJPKR-SE | Check Price | |
 | XP-Pen Artist12 | Check Price | |
 | Apple 11-inch iPad Pro | Check Price | |
 | Huion Kamvas Pro 13 | Check Price |
5 Best Drawing Tablets for Mac Reviews
In order to give you the best guidance for your decisions and projects, our staff has tested these and compared them to earlier models. In this article, we’ll discuss both drawing pads and Mac drawing tablets.
1. Wacom Cintiq 16
The top drawing tablet for Mac is the Wacom Cintiq. The Cintiq 16 is a top-of-the-line Wacom tablet in general and has all the features any kind of artist might want. Although this is a pricey solution, the benefits it offers more than make up for it.
Because the Wacom One’s drivers are updated frequently and this promotes device compatibility, it is the ideal drawing tablet for both Macbook Air and Macbook Pro.
Additionally, it has a striking built-in screen for drawing and editing. Be warned that it costs more than other brands like XP-Pen, GAOMON, and Xencelabs (on average).
With 16.7 million color options and a 13.6 by 7.6 inch drawing surface, the Wacom Cintiq model provides the most robust sketching experience. Included is a battery-free pen with 8192 pressure levels that only needs a light touch to activate.
The integrated HDMI cable makes it simple to connect Cintiq to any Mac or Windows computer. There is also an eBay listing for this item.
The Cintiq comes in a number of variants that differ in size. 16′′ and 22′′ are available. This large size will make zooming in and out less necessary, which is a huge benefit when drawing on Mac programs like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator.
2. Xencelabs XMCTBMJPKR-SE
When looking for a drawing pad for their Mac, digital artists are increasingly choosing Xencelabs. Wacom and XP-Pen are two particular rivals.
The XenceLabs drawing tablet is perfect for artists because to its distinctive and contemporary appearance, wifi functionality, and LED color options.
When used for drawing, the Tablet medium requires a connection to either a Mac or Windows-based computer and lacks a built-in screen.
Why it’s special:
The tablet has a lot of features designed specifically for artists, including configurable LED colors and shortcut keys (a really nice feature).
The following is a list of some of the factors that make this device superior than many others. By pushing the pen pressure control button on the tablet, you can change the pen’s sensitivity in real time.
Things we liked
- On the pen, there are three programmable shortcut keys in addition to an eraser.
- Drawing is functional on macOS (X10.2 or later).
- The Quick keys remote allows for remote control of the creative process.
- Both the buttons and the wheel dial can be modified.
- has 8192 pressure levels, palm rejection, and tilt control.
Regarding the accessories. Everything from replacement nibs to gloves and cables is contained in the box. Last but not least, the area is big enough for graphic designers, students, and business people to work in, and the drawing experience is good.
3. XP-Pen Artist12
If XP-Pen is a name you are not yet familiar with, you should know that it is one of the most well-known suppliers of graphics tablets. Creatives that require a fluid sketching and editing experience frequently choose the second generation XP Pen Artist 12.
The XP-Pe works with Mac and has a stylish design, palm rejection, 8192 pressure sensitivity (high), and straightforward operation, making it excellent for photographers, designers, and artists.
This drawing tablet for Mac truly has a built-in screen when being used for drawing, unlike the XenceLabs drawing tablet for Mac that we previously described. For drawing, it is also compatible with laptops running Windows.
The device is 11.9 inches in size and includes a USB-C cord.
Due to its compatibility with so many operating systems, including Android, linux, Windows, and Mac, as well as programs like Sketchup, GIMP, Krita, Medibang, and FireAlpaca, the tablet has many features geared specifically toward artists.
This device performs better than many others for a number of reasons.
Things we liked
- Full HD display with a resolution of 5080 LPI is built-in. Shortcut keys can be adjusted.
- It enables drawing on Macs running MacOS X 10.1 or later.
- has a 12-month warranty and is manufactured by a reputable company
- It contains 8192 pressure levels, palm rejection, and tilt control.
- One can customize buttons.
What we didn’t like:
- While working on a Chromebook, we discovered that it wasn’t as seamless.
- There are various XP-Pen variants, but only for smartphones with thunderport capabilities.
For some users, USB-C occasionally had issues and required accessory replacement. Everything from a premium stylus to pen nibs, a nib extractor, and drawing gloves are included in the box. The warranty card in the packaging was a great addition.
4. Apple 11-inch iPad Pro
When it comes to interoperability with graphics tablets, the iPad Pro is one of the best tablets for drawing on Mac.
The device’s cutting-edge M1 chip, which Apple recently unveiled, offers a razor-sharp visual experience. A Liquid Retina XDR display, a True Tone display, P3 wide color, and software that seamlessly integrates with AstroPad and duet displays are also included in the device. This facilitates the rendering of illustrations and app switching.
There are a ton of advantages to utilizing an iPad for drawing on a Mac, in addition to its svelte design, palm rejection, and high pressure sensitivity (high). Comparatively to other models on this list, it is often simpler to use because to its lighter, more portable form.
It has special applications like Procreate, possibly the most well-known software for producing digital art. The iPad Pro delivers a better user interface, navigation, shortcut gestures, and many other advantages when used with the Apple Pencil.
Advanced 3D modeling and animation could require a full workstation with more RAM and graphics processors; neither the iPad Pro nor iPad Air would be sufficient; an alternative would be the Macbook Pro or the Asus Zephyr with an Xp-Pen drawing tablet attached.
The iPad Pro is big enough and offers many of advantages for artists who draw on Mac. The iPad Pro is more portable, lighter, and best used for graphic design and drawings for people who prefer Apple & iOS over Microsoft & Windows devices.
This device performs better than many others for a number of reasons.
It doesn’t come with any extras, and the Apple Pencil 2 is a separate purchase, but it supports digital whiteboards and Zoom and Procreate and Photoshop.
5. Huion Kamvas Pro 13
The HUION KAMVAS Pro 13 emerges as a cutting-edge graphics drawing monitor, catering to the needs of digital artists and designers. Featuring a 13.3-inch full-laminated anti-glare screen, this monitor minimizes parallax and reflections, providing a clear and immersive drawing experience. The anti-glare glass, coupled with a 60° tilt support, adds precision and comfort to the creative process.
Connectivity is seamless with the 3-in-1 USB-C HDMI Signal, ensuring compatibility with various devices. The battery-free stylus with 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity delivers responsive and nuanced control, allowing artists to capture intricate details in their work.
The KAMVAS Pro 13 supports multiple operating systems, including Linux (Ubuntu), Mac OS 10.12 and above, and Windows 7 and above, making it versatile for a broad user base. The full lamination further enhances the display quality, reducing parallax and providing a more natural drawing experience.
With programmable press keys, users can customize shortcuts for a streamlined workflow. The inclusion of a stand adds ergonomic flexibility, allowing users to find the perfect angle for their work. The HUION KAMVAS Pro 13 stands as a testament to Huion’s commitment to delivering high-performance drawing monitors that elevate the digital art and design experience.
Can you use a Drawing Tablet for Mac?
Yes, most drawing tablets, drawing pads, and graphic tablets can be connected to Macs using wired and wireless methods, including HDMi, USB-C, or Bluetooth. Updated drivers are available for Mac OS for drawing tablets from well-known brands like XenceLabs, XP-Pen, and Wacom. As a result, utilizing drawing software on a Mac is a seamless process with few compatibility concerns.
Since most of these devices include a preferred device that comes in the box, your choice of drawing stylus for Mac primarily depends on the Drawing Tablet you use.
As an alternative, you can connect your iPad Air or iPad Pro to your Macbook Air or Pro using Astropad or a program like Duet Display and use it as a drawing tablet. Drawing sessions between the two Apple devices are now effortless.
The absence of the iPad-exclusive Procreate app on Mac is the only obstacle to drawing. You may make use of all the same programs that Windows offers, like GIMP, Medibang, Krita, Toon Boom, Blender, Maya, and others.