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Wacom to get creative with Cintiq Companion options at CES

The company introduces new models of its Windows 8 tablet/secondary desktop display along with a couple of bigger desktop Cintiq displays.

Lori Grunin Senior Editor / Advice
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Expertise Photography, PCs and laptops, gaming and gaming accessories
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Lori Grunin
2 min read

wacom-cintiq-companion-2-43-mfr.jpg
For its second generation, the Cintiq Companion gets more configuration options with some much cheaper entry points. Wacom

LAS VEGAS -- Upping the resolution to Quad HD (2,560x1,440 pixels) is only one of the enhancements that Wacom has made to its next generation of Cintiq pressure-sensitive pen display products. The Cintiq Companion 2, which can operate either as a standalone

or as a secondary display connected to a computer has redesigned and additional controls -- called ExpressKeys -- plus it will be available in a couple of cheaper options with storage capacities smaller than the current 256GB entry point. (Actual Australian pricing to come.)

  • Entry (Value in the UK)
    $1,300; AU$1,609; £1,200
    64GB SSD
    Available in February.
  • Value (Standard in the UK)
    $1,600; AU$1,981; £1,300
    128GB SSD
    Available in February
  • Standard (Premium in the UK)
    $2,000; AU$2,475; £1,600
    256GB SSD
    Available in February
  • Premium (Enhanced in the UK)
    $2,500; AU$3,095; £2,000
    512GB SSD
    Available in spring 2015
  • Enterprise
    $2,700; TBD elsewhere
    customizable
    Available in spring 2015

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The 27-inch Cintiq models have a wireless remote. Wacom

It can also share media and settings via Wacom's Cloud services. Now that Photoshop's interface supports interface scaling, the Cintiq Companion is more usable with that application. However the first version had rather underpowered hardware; I'm not sure if any of the key specs have changed for the better.

Wacom also unveiled the Cintiq 27QHD and the multitouch-enabled 27QHD touch, redesigned 27-inch versions of the 24-inch pressure-sensitive displays that they replace -- at lower prices, to boot. The new displays have a separate remote that docks on the bezel instead of ExpressKeys on either side of the display. Given the size of the displays, using controls on either side of the display was probably too awkward.

The displays are expected to begin shipping at the end of January; the 27QHD will run $2,300 (£1,800; directly converted, AU$2,847) and the touch version $2,800 (£2,100; directly converted, AU$3,740).

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