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Cintiq, 27QHD, or 22HD

Hey guys,

Im wanting to get more into digital painting, and want to invest in a Cintiq.
Im trying to decide which one to get, If i got the 22HD, it would be a 3rd monitor setup with my current hardware, if i got the 27QHD, it would replace my main monitor - and id gain the higher screen resolution which would be nice. I spend most my time in 3d software, but want to get more into concepting.

Im hesitant with the QHD though because its so massive - I'm not sure if it will be a pain to use. Anyone have an opinion on this? The price of the non touch QHD isn't that much more than a 22HD, and I wonder if it would be more convenient having it as my main display as I might be more inclined to use it more often, rather than shifting things around on 3 monitors.

Any opinions appreciated!

Replies

  • Odow
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    Odow polycounter lvl 8
    To begin with, a cintiq monitor for a main monitor is a terrible idea. It's not made to be a screen it's mean to be a drawing tool. It's like an ipad screen, it heavy on the eye. It's fine if it's your second screen at work for example, but i wouldn't recommend it at all at home.

    I'm nowhere specialist so that could be total bullshit but : It's not a regular screen, cintiq get hot real fast after 2hours they are warm, pretty sure the longer it's open the smaller it's life get. Also cintiq are MASSIVE and heavy. And You can put them straight up except if you bought a special holder, the one provided doesn't got to 90° it stop around 80° and it doesn't feel stable everytime someone hit the desk i'm afraid it's going to fall.

    The cintiq 22hd is really big too, you need to be sure you have a great ergonomy else you'll ended up like many people who break their neck and back because they didn't had the proper chair or desk for a cintiq.

    The only reason you would want a cintiq as a main screen is if you used your computer ONLY to draw, like a concept artist computer at job, not for a home computer.

    Also be really sure you want a cintiq before getting the big pricey one. I bought a 22hd in my first year of school and realize i couldn't bring it ANYWHERE so i also bought a 13hd, and for the past 4 years i really regret buying the 22hd full price because i simply prefer the 13hd, I had a terrible workspace for a cintiq, after 3hours on it my back killed me. the lighting at home wasn't proper either it reflect on it and killed my eyes etc. Now i'm happy because they 22hd is at work where everything is fit for it, and i'm so happy i can use my 13hd at home without feeling bad that i paid 2600$ to not used the big one. From what i learn, buying a cintiq if you don't plan on using it everyday is a waste of money except if you have a medical condition that "forces you" to have one like me ( hand/feet and eyes have trouble connecting, so working on a intuos is really really hard for me) And even there if you don't plan on using it that much, buy a 13hd or a companion2. Big cintiq are made for illustrator and concept artist.
  • Justin Meisse
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    Justin Meisse polycounter lvl 18
    I've been running a Cintiq 21ux as my main monitor for about 6 years, it's a little harder to calibrate but it can be done, they have IPS panels so it's not a substandard screen. I've worked on the 22hd in studios and it's even nicer than the older model I have at home. I've put 8-10 hour days painting textures & sculpting on my Cintiq and it's still rocking, I guess the heat issue is more of a personal thing? I'm one of those people that's always hot and it doesn't bother me, I recommend taking one for a test drive at a trade show if you can.

    It's only my opinion but the 22hd is just the right size, you can mount them on an ergotron arm for more adjustability, just make sure you have a sturdy wood desk or the leverage will break it. My best advice is pull the cintiq to you, work on it like a painter with an easel or animator on an animation table.
  • rebel
    Thats why Im torn, the 22HD seems like it would be easier to pull near me, and get close to - where as the large 27QHD, might be kind of stuck in its place and awkward to get comfortable with. I don't know, maybe I'm over thinking it
  • Justin Meisse
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    Justin Meisse polycounter lvl 18
    OK, looking at the website..... the 27QHD actually weighs less than the 22HD!? That's pretty surprising, they must have done some work to drop the weight. I wouldn't be shocked if they launch a newer 22", the QHD looks like a beginning of a new Cintiq model lineup.
  • Odow
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    Odow polycounter lvl 8
    8-10 hour days painting textures & sculpting on my Cintiq and it's still rocking

    That's the thing, it's only useful as a main monitor if used that way. but it's useless to buy a cintiq as a first monitor if you plan to use is 5hours a week and the rest of the time play game, facebook or anything else.

    Anyways the 27QHD weight less because it's really slim and the support is not made of heavy metal like the 22hd got. However 27 is way too big, if you really want a cintiq wait for the new 22qhd it's probably going to be out soon.

    Also how the **** where you able to calibrate your cintiq, we try 8times at work never was able :/ we ask the Volta guys they said they just keep trying until the Xrite works.
  • Count Vertsalot
    Odow wrote: »
    To begin with, a cintiq monitor for a main monitor is a terrible idea. It's not made to be a screen it's mean to be a drawing tool. It's like an ipad screen, it heavy on the eye. It's fine if it's your second screen at work for example, but i wouldn't recommend it at all at home.

    I completely disagree. I use the 27QHD as my main monitor. It looks great. It looks like any other high end monitor out there. I had a 22HD for awhile, that looked horrible. Maybe that is where you're opinion is coming from.
  • Count Vertsalot
    OK, looking at the website..... the 27QHD actually weighs less than the 22HD!? That's pretty surprising, they must have done some work to drop the weight. I wouldn't be shocked if they launch a newer 22", the QHD looks like a beginning of a new Cintiq model lineup.

    The stand for the 27QHD is separate. If you add the weight of the stand it weighs a lot more than the 22HD.
  • CreativeSheep
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    CreativeSheep polycounter lvl 8
    I'd bypass the 27QHD, I use a 22HD Touch and I don't what Count Vertsalot is saying, sure it doesn't have as wide gamut as the 27HD but it's far from looking horrible. When you add the stand for the 27QHD makes the cost higher, there are alternative out there.
  • Lamont
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    Lamont polycounter lvl 15
    If you can, spend time with the two.

    I use 22HD and the size is perfect, fits in my lap (using arm). The thought of using the 27 was awesome, but I realized that the way my setup is, it would not fly (3 x 24 Dells), so I went for a 22HD.

    Just make sure you are comfortable using either of them, and if needed, can adjust your workspace.
  • rebel
    Im mostly worried about the ergonomics of the 27qhd, i don't have anywhere i can try it unfortunately. Im worried that I won't be able to fit my keyboard where I like it, or be able to get close enough to the screen in a comfortable position. I know people with the 24Hd's so i could ask to try those out. I also found a good deal on a used 24Hd, so thats an option.

    from the setups I've seen in pictures, the 27Qhd is massive, and it seems most people have a little keyboard off to the side that looks like it barely used. But i mostly do 3d modelling, and like to use a keyboard and mouse in front of me.
  • Lamont
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    Lamont polycounter lvl 15
    Then I would go for the 22HD, put it on an arm and move it in and out as needed.

    Maybe with an awesome KB tray the 27QHD can be comfortable? Or a large desk?
  • Chris Krüger
    Lamont; What kind of arm are you using for your 22HD?
  • WarrenM
    I had a 24" at one point and my desk -barely- supported it. There was bowing in the middle. A 27" ... you'd need a real sturdy desk.
  • Lamont
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    Lamont polycounter lvl 15
  • Odow
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    Odow polycounter lvl 8
    rebel wrote: »
    But i mostly do 3d modelling, and like to use a keyboard and mouse in front of me.

    None of my business but if you mostly do 3D modeling why the hell do you want to spend a fortune on something you don't really need ? I couldn't find any of your work but unless you're mainly doing handpaint a cintiq is kinda totally useless and IMO a 27qhd is real "throw your money at some cool gadget". zbrushing isn't that awesome on cintiq you need a lot of practice to make it faster than a regular tablet (mostly because of keyboard position). You would be better off buying license or a better pc no ? :/
  • Treece
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    Treece polycounter lvl 3
    Rebel

    22HD mate and add it to your 3 monitor setup. The 27" is huge, especially for home use. Unless you have a lot of real estate on your desktop. I have a 3 monitor setup myself. 27in as main, 19in for second - nice size to read single pages of PDF's and have reference images on and a 22HD Cintiq - drawing and 3d, but use as 3rd monitor when doing other things.

    Apologies, but disagree with Odow.... Zbrush is great on Cintiq. Yes it does take practice, which I have to agree with, but that's like anything. I personally don't use the main keyboard. Being a cack handed lefty, I started messing around with a gaming keypad as my keyboard for art work and in particular Zbrush. Works a treat - for me anyway.

    Oh many thanks Lamont for the Ergotron arm info. Definitely going to have a look into one of those.

    cheers
  • pior
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    pior grand marshal polycounter
    From what I have read the 27QHD is actually quite physically different from the 24HD.

    24HD
    13.7 kg (30.20 lb) without stand
    29.0 kg (63.93 lb) with stand

    27QHD
    9kg (19.8 lbs) without stand
    25kg (55.1 lbs) with ergo stand

    So yeah, the 27QHD is actually lighter. And for the sake of comparaison :

    21UX
    8.7 kg excluding stand.

    I hope this clears things up !
  • Justin Meisse
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    Justin Meisse polycounter lvl 18
    A Cintiq was one of the best purchases I've ever made, it's gotten to the point that it's hard for me to work with a regular tablet. Luckily it seems like studios are adopting them pretty fast, it's an easy sell because the higher ups/investors think they're cool looking.

    As far as what I calibrated with, it was just whatever calibration tool the studio had.

    A point about the ergotron arms: I was at a studio that hooked all the artist up with 22HDs on arms, the arm couldn't hold the cintiq up for a long time, it would slowly sink down to rest on the desk.
  • Lamont
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    Lamont polycounter lvl 15
    A Cintiq was one of the best purchases I've ever made, it's gotten to the point that it's hard for me to work with a regular tablet. Luckily it seems like studios are adopting them pretty fast, it's an easy sell because the higher ups/investors think they're cool looking.
    It was opposite for me.

    I got the 22HD, but at work we had regular Intous 4 large. Right when I got it we working on a 2D game. My hand/eyeSo I found myself putting Photoshop on another monitor and using the Cintiq as a normal Wacom. I had to slowly bring myself to using the Cintiq as a Cintiq.
  • slosh
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    slosh hero character
    A cintiq is an amazing tool for any digital artist. I had a 21UX for years and loved it and when it was time, I upgraded to the 24 which I now have at home and work...I love this thing. One thing I adjusted to was using it as my main monitor...it is fine. It is a little darker then my second monitor but nothing too heavy on the eyes. As for usable space, I really enjoy having the extra room since I can have more reference on my cintiq as opposed to always using the second monitor. The 27 must have even more room so even better I would think. The only drawback for the 24 is weight and size...you definitely need a fairly large and sturdy desk. Seems like the 27 isn't all that heavy so probably just size being the main issue.
  • CreativeSheep
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    CreativeSheep polycounter lvl 8
    They can last many, many years, as they should ! I opted not to get the 24 because of the weight, plus I didn't want it that big, personal taste.

    I'd like a Cintiq Companion 2, I always think money grows on trees :)
  • Count Vertsalot
    I'd bypass the 27QHD, I use a 22HD Touch and I don't what Count Vertsalot is saying, sure it doesn't have as wide gamut as the 27HD but it's far from looking horrible. When you add the stand for the 27QHD makes the cost higher, there are alternative out there.

    The 22HD has some weird anti-glare coating that messes with my eyes. It gives it a sort of sparkle effect. The 27QHD looks like any other monitor out there.
  • Count Vertsalot
    rebel wrote: »
    Im mostly worried about the ergonomics of the 27qhd, i don't have anywhere i can try it unfortunately. Im worried that I won't be able to fit my keyboard where I like it, or be able to get close enough to the screen in a comfortable position. I know people with the 24Hd's so i could ask to try those out. I also found a good deal on a used 24Hd, so thats an option.

    from the setups I've seen in pictures, the 27Qhd is massive, and it seems most people have a little keyboard off to the side that looks like it barely used. But i mostly do 3d modelling, and like to use a keyboard and mouse in front of me.

    Keyboard usage with a 27QHD is a no go unless you prefer a really high drawing surface. I had the same issue, but I got used to the Expresskey remote and it doesn't bother me anymore. It has more than enough buttons for shortcuts for me and can be placed anywhere so it's always comfortable.

    It is massive, but if you get the stand you can rest the keyboard on the stand base and use the 27QHD as a regular monitor when you're not drawing or sculpting. Sounds ridiculous, but having a massive monitor right in your face is actually nice for 3D modeling.
  • Count Vertsalot
    For those curious. I use a 2nd 24" monitor for work. It's on an Ergotron arm so I can position it wherever I need. My desk is tiny, but it all fits and works well. So the 27QHD is huge, but entirely usable.

    5e8533ebee.jpg
  • rebel
    thanks for the image man,
    Doesn't look overly massive there - I might want to get an L shaped desk for it.
    You have any complaints about the 27qhd?
    Do you adjust the stand to get closer to you when your going to paint?
  • Count Vertsalot
    My only complaints are with Wacom drivers in general, but they're always buggy for awhile when a new product ships. It functions so no real complaints. Yes, the stand lets me work really close and can easily be tilted to suit my needs.
  • Bumper
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    Bumper polycounter lvl 9
    Availability in the States is what is killing me (the touch model at least). They seem to be releasing them in spurts. I wonder if they have been having bugs or QA issues.

    After having used a Cintiq at my last studio, I am sold. Photoshop, Zbrush Sketchbook, etc. were a joy to use. I just placed an order for the 27 on BH Photo's site yesterday. ETA mid August. Fingers crossed that is true.
  • Odow
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    Odow polycounter lvl 8
    ETA are crap, mine took 5more months.
  • SnowInChina
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    SnowInChina interpolator
    wow, i never knew it would take so long oO
    its like buying a handcrafted sportscar
  • Ballo
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    Ballo polycounter lvl 9
    Hi there. I'm rescuing this post because I would like to buy a 27qhd non touch for Zbrush. I tested a 22hd and it is nice but I don't like the panel, so I'm deciding to move on the 27qhd but I'm wondering if the size is too much for Zbrush, because maybe your arm get tired quick after move around the interface, any thoughts? Thanks.
  • almighty_gir
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    almighty_gir ngon master
    I have a 22HD, and it's amazing. I want to upgrade to the 27 though.
  • battlecow
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    battlecow polycounter lvl 12
    I have the 27hd at home, the 2k+ resolution is great but the problem  is that you  have to use a pretty high resolution for your sculpting surface in zbrush otherwhise you'll feel like you're sculpting pixel art and, for me at least, it means a big performance drop when you turn up the subdivisions.

    The positives :  the big work surface is fantastic, there's no paralax problem, it doesn't get hot and the cursor lag is fine.

    A few negatives : some ips light bleed (but it's fine), it does tend to blind you a bit (big shiny screen in front of your face syndrome) and the glass coating tends to blur the image when the cintiq is laying flat. I found the build-in feet insufficient so you will have to buy an ergo stand if you don't want to wreck your back and your eyes :) ( I bought an ergotron stand, works fine!)
  • Stinger88
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    Stinger88 polycounter
    I have the 27HD at work. Some of the other artists here have the 22HD.

    I'd only recommend the 27HD if you have a lot of free desk space. Its bloody huge and took me a few weeks to organise a desk setup that works for me. I definitely recommend getting an ergotron with a double extended arm (You'll also need to buy a bracket mount). Unless you like working on a flat surface, but you'll need a raised seating position.

    Other artists here have the 22HD and sometimes I wish I had the smaller one. It allows for a keyboard and mouse to sit under it (with the standard wacom stand). I switch between mouse and pen a lot so this is important. With the 27HD I have to have the keyboard & Mouse off to the side, which isnt great but i'm used to it now. I could raise the 27HD on the ergotron but its not solid as a rock and has a little wobble, which I can work with but the higher drawing position doesn't work for me either.

    When other artist here are requesting a wacom they generally go with the 22HD because its easier to work with in the desk space we have. We also have 2 large monitors all to fit on a pretty standard corner desk. I wouldn't trade in the 27HD for a smaller one now that i'm used to it though. It is "Epic" but does have its draw backs.

    As a side note. I don't even use the side panel thing. I tried setting it up but I couldn't get used to it and prefer having hotkeys on a keyboard.
  • dystopianghost
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    dystopianghost polycounter lvl 10
    I would agree about not using a Cintiq as a main display, I use IPS monitors along with my Cintiq Companion 2. Which if your worried about space is an awesome choice. Very powerful undocked from the pc as well which makes it nice to travel with. 
  • battlecow
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    battlecow polycounter lvl 12
    the 27 works fine as a display , it's a high quality IPS monitor with 98% adobe colors.
    I had to ditch one of my screens because of the size of the beast so that it all fits on my desk.
  • refraction
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    refraction polycounter lvl 10
    A point about the ergotron arms: I was at a studio that hooked all the artist up with 22HDs on arms, the arm couldn't hold the cintiq up for a long time, it would slowly sink down to rest on the desk.
    Just wanted to address this - the ergotron's have adjustable tension in the joints, you can leave this loose if you like to be able to move the cintiq around with a gentle push, or snug it up so that the cintiq will never sink a single millimeter even when pressing the weight of your drawing arm/hand on it. I have a 22hd + ergotron arm at home and at work and I've adjusted them both to not move. I did have a co-worker who liked his set really loose though so it's a matter of taste I guess!
  • ambelamba
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    ambelamba polycounter lvl 6
    I bought my 21UX (2012 rev.) from ebay. I was lucky because some defunct studio in Miami was selling used 21 UXes for less than 400 bucks. Although the one I bought had some darker spot on the lower left side of the screen, it's basically unnoticeable. 

    Ironically, I don't like to use 3D on a Cintiq. I prefer practicing 3DCG on...my laptop which has 4GB GTX960M.
  • countpoly
    Hello people. Google search got me to this thread. I am looking to get the 27" QHD non touch version but hesitating because I feel it might get updated soon and also the Dell 27" Canvas looks quiet promising and cheaper. The Wacom remote thing works with it too.

    Any one else in same situation as me? What would you do? Wait more?

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