Wacom has been making graphics tablets for computers for years — now the company is making graphics tablets that are computers. The company’s new Cintiq Companion and Cintiq Companion Hybrid are 13.3 inch tablets that run Windows 8 and Google Android tablets, respectively.

The Windows model is a full-fledged PC that can run Photoshop, Lightroom, and other professional software, while the Android model can be used like a normal Cintiq when you plug it into a computer. On the go, you can use it as an Android tablet and use Android graphics apps to sketch on the go.

Both models have 1920 x 1080 pixel displays, digital pen input with 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity, and very high price tags. The Cintiq Companion Hybrid will start at $1499, while the Cintiq Companion will run $1999 and up.

Wacom Cintiq Companion

When considering those prices, keep in mind that Cintiq 13HD graphics tablet typically sells for around $1000 — and that’s the price for a graphics tablet that’s useless when it’s not connected to a PC. For creative types and graphics professionals that want a single device that fits all their needs, there aren’t a lot of alternatives to the new Cintiq Companion devices, which could help justify the high price tags.

Wacom says the Windows and Android models will be available from the Wacom eStore in October. A 16GB Cintiq Companion Hybrid will cost $1499, while a 32GB model will run $1599. The Cintiq Companion with Windows 8 will start at $1999 for a model with 256GB of storage. A $2499 model with Windows 8 Pro and a 512GB SSD will also be available.

Note that while the images show the Windows 8 model, I’m told the Android version looks virtually identical.

Here are detailed specs for each tablet:

Wacom Cintiq Companion Hybrid

  • 13.3 inch, 1920 x 1080 pixel IPS display
  • Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
  • Multi-touch input and 2048 levels of pen pressure
  • NVIDIA Tegra 4 ARM Cortex-A15 quad-core processor
  • 2GB RAM
  • 16GB to 32GB of storage
  • microSD card slot
  • 802.11b/g/n WiFi
  • Bluetooth 3.0
  • USB 2.0 port
  • Micro HDMI port
  • 2MP front camera, 8MP rear camera
  • 48 Whr or 72.8Whr battery
  • Works as a Cintiq graphics tablet when connected to a Windows 7 or later, or OS X 10.6.8 or later system
  • HDMI input
  • Apps include Wacom Creative Canvas, Wacom Manga Canvas, ASTRO File Manager
  • 14.8″ x 9.8″ x0.6″
  • 3.6 or 3.9 pounds (depending on battery)

Wacom Cintiq Companion

  • 13.3 inch, 1920 x 1080 pixel IPS display
  • Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro
  • Multi-touch input and 2048 levels of pen pressure
  • Intel Core i7-3517U Ivy Bridge processor
  • 8GB of RAM
  • 256GB or 512GB SSD
  • Mini DisplayPort
  • 2 SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports
  • 802.11b/g/n WiFi
  • Bluetooth 4.0
  • 2MP front camera and 8MP rear camera
  • 64.4 Whr battery
  • 14.8″ x 9.8″ x 0.7″
  • 3.9 pounds

Both the Windows 8 and Android tablets will come with an adjustable, detachable stand, a carrying case, and a Pro Pen with its own case and 9 replacement nibs.

As you’d expect, Wacom put a lot of attention into display quality for this tablet. What the company didn’t necessarily focus on was making these devices as small or portable as an iPad, Samsung Galaxy Note, or even a Microsoft Surface Pro.

With weights approaching 4 pounds, these aren’t tablets you’re going to want to hold in your hands for a long time. But they’re not really designed to be used for playing games, surfing the web, reading eBooks, or watching videos (although you can do any of those things). Instead, they’re designed to let you take your graphics workstation on the go — and when you  look at things that way, 4 pounds is actually pretty light for the kind of power the Cintiq Companion tablets offer (to those that can afford them).

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27 replies on “Wacom introduces Cintiq Companion Android and Windows 8 tablets for graphic artists”

  1. So is manga studio, and sketch book pro compatible with the w8 cintiq or not.

  2. If the android version works as a cintiq when connected to a pc or mac , then what about the windows version ?? Does it work as a cintiq as will if i connect it to my windows 7 ??? Or do i have to upgrade to 8 ?? Or maybe it wont work at all ???

      1. That’s really sad 🙁 , i was hoping it works so i can take manga studio 5 and photoshop with me , but with the android version it appears that it wont happen at all , unless you can install windows 7 in it then its ok .
        Oh well , looks like im gonna buy myself the normal 13HD then .

        1. you can use adobe cloud to install a photoshop subscription on the cintiq windows 8 version as your second computer.manga studio 5 also works on windows 8.

          1. ok, so I’m still a little confused…the Windows 8 version of the Wacom cintiq Tablet will not need a computer at all? Or will I still need to have a computer or laptop to go with it? because it says that it is compatible with only windows 8…
            Unless, when they say that it is only compatible with windows 8, They are talking about the software that you install into it? But, How would you install Programs such as Manga Studio into it? I’m so confused about this… if the windows 8 version is designed to be a standalone PC, Will it be able to run full programs and software while on the go (completely away from and disconnected from an actual laptop or desktop)?
            If anyone can clear up this confusion of mine, it will be greatly appreciated 🙂

          2. the windows 8 cintiq comes with windows 8 already installed in it. It is a completely independent machine,no need for connecting to anything.totally mobile. You will need to instal a virus software, just like any PC computer. You can install any compatible application to the windows 8 operating system within.

          3. …you can connect to other computers only to transfer files but NOT to share the connected computer’s programs like the hybrid.

          4. the hybrid cannot accept full programs like windows 8 version.Only android apps.But, once you connect the hybrid to a computer, the android goes to sleep sort of speak, turning it as a regular cintiq, and you run the programs from connected computer

          5. just a reminder-windows 8 version comes with windows 8 pro on one with 512GB storage n regular windows 8 on the other with less storage. The confusion of connecting computers might come from wacom site, where you see a drawing with the cintiq win8 version connected to a computer- that’s for adding an second display to it. 😉 the win8 version is a much more powerful machine than hybrid, with more ram n better processors, reason why it has more cooling fans than hybrid.

          6. Thank you, HQCariello !!! You have been VERY helpful!!! I think I will start saving up for W8 version Wacom tablet!!! 🙂 Never thought Wacom would be able to pull off something like this so soon!!! I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!!! >_<

          7. You’re welcome, Alexis!!! Yes, I love Wacom Products! Have the 24HD Touch, the 13HD n waiting for my W8 version to arrive in 4 days so I can put to test everything I’ve learned about it from Wacom guys themselves.

          8. Love my new cintiq companion. Only negative thing I found was that photoshop CS6 and CC Are not fully functional as painter, manga studio and sketchbook pro. Adobe multi touch rotation is non existent and there is a bit of jitter in the brush strokes( same issues I had with my old PC 🙁

          9. I’m sorry if I confused you about my last question but I wasn’t talking about installing software into the hybrid model, I was talking about installing software into the window 8 model. Also what do you mean by USB…could I install software to W8 version through USB?

          10. W8 version does not have the optical drive where you insert the disks so you have to use a portable disk drive(optical drive) just like they do it on new apple iMacs
            connecting it with a USB cable to 3.0 USB ports in cintiq

          11. Thank you, but I just have one more question…How exactly would I install software and programs into the tablet…would I have to get a downloadable version…or would I be able to install via disc??? There is no cd drive on the tablet right? so, How exactly would I install Manga Studio 5 to it…??? Thanks 🙂

  3. WACOM IS PULLING A FAST ONE!

    I, like a number of creatives, purchased the Cintiq 13HD, along side the Mac Book Air, which has a 12 hour battery life, as oppose to the new Wacom Companion, which only has a 6 hour battery life. They (meaning Wacom) designed this tablet (meaning the Cintiq 13HD) with a 3 in 1 chord.

    1. a power chord

    2. a usb chord

    3. HDMI display chord

    As I’m sure most of you know, the power chord is DETACHABLE from the 3 in 1 chord, with a connector that looks like your old iphone power chord, but is just different enough that it is not compatible.

    Now, I contacted the waco’s at Wacom and the jerks have no plans of releasing a stand alone lithium ion battery to make the Cintiq 13HD a portable device. Which is perfectly doable and would most likely happen via a third party company if the jerks hadn’t customized the connector to the plug.

    Hello guys! They did this for a reason! They introduced the Cintiq 13HD to fish the market! They put it out there to see if we would bite… and we did… and then moved on to a “more portable unit.”

    So stop cheerleading! They aren’t on your side! They are… as I’ve stated… pulling a fast one, on let’s face it, the poorest subculture there is in the world at large… ARTISTS!

    1. The “Companion” is a computer, capable of running programs on an OS. The 13HD is an external monitor with a wacom digitizer, incapable of running any programs. If you got your battery you would be powering a black screen unless you hooked it up to another computer.

  4. I have a Sony Duo 11 and have looked forward very much to the rumored Wacom built tablets. I also have a giant Wacom Intuos digitizing tablet and I’m well aware of the limitations of the Duo 11 and its NTrig digitizer. (Though I still like it.) I’m not surprised, but still disappointed at the Wacom announcement. Just way too expensive and heavy and overwrought. And no Haswell, huh.

    I am looking at getting a Samsung 8″ or 10″ Note tablet as soon as they upgrade their displays to at least 1080p with the next generation within the next year. I would love to have a small sketchpad that is light and responsive. I certainly realize that with only around 2GB of RAM I am not going to be working on hi res canvases. That certainly takes mountains of RAM and Android OS is only 32 bit at this point. Still, having a nice light affordable not-too-precious-and-fragile portable digital sketchbook will be a godsend. It just looks as if it will be Samsung rather than Wacom that delivers it.

    1. Looks like you are going to get what you asked for! Note 10.1 has been revised with hi-res screen, more RAM etc. Still the big issue with Android is no killer art app… no Procreate. Sure SBP is OK, as is Artflow, but they pale in comparison to iOS apps. I’ve been happy with my Duo 11 since I’ve started using Manga Studio 5…. I’ve completely stopped whining about ‘no Photoshop, no Illustrator’! LOL. Manga friggin’ rocks, *and* it should be getting a full touch upgrade soon, which means it will pretty much smoke everything else for artwork, and that includes PS.

  5. I bet they would price this above their 13″ however, I didn’t think it would be this much more! I’ll stick with my Surface Pro for now and wait until the next generation…

    1. You don’t even KNOW what graphics tablets is nor how to use them if you really think a Vaio Due is better.

      1. Well I don’t like VAIO Duo 13, it force you in certain angle view only, and graphics card is only HD 4400. So was hoping for the news from Wacom Tablet, to give me alternative, but was so disappointed that it was not even Haswell CPU T_T

        Really like Dell DUO 12, but it does not have Digital Stylus Pen like VAIO and Wacom T_T

        Now waiting for Samsung, hopefully their Haswell refresh is better

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