Wacom One 14 review: A drawing tablet fit for beginners

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I would never claim to be an artist; I have a way of working with words much more than lines and colors. But I’m interested in graphic design, and I love the feel of pen on paper, so when a lot of my writing is on keyboard I go back to basics. However, as someone who tests tablets, I’m familiar with the world of drawing tablets, particularly Wacom’s offerings.

Drawing tablets are different from mainstream tablets like the iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab. The Wacom One 14 was my first experience with a drawing tablet, and as a beginner, it was the ideal model to learn how to use it. I used my expertise – and amateur artistry – to get acquainted with the Wacom One 14, and I believe it to be an accessible and intelligent piece of technology.

• Dimensions: 13.2 by 7.9 by 0.4 inches

• Display Size: 14 inches

• screen resolution: from 1920 to 1080

• weight: 1.65 pounds

• Source of power: USB-C

• Compatibility: The latest versions of Windows 10, macOS 13, and ChromeOS

• pen: electromagnetic resonance technology

• price: $299.95

Having never used a drawing tablet before, I found setup for the Wacom One 14 easy, with only some minor troubleshooting required. The Wacom One 14 operates as a peripheral device and requires a computer connection; Think of it more as an extension of the computer rather than a standalone device.

Once connected to a computer or laptop via USB-C port, the device will turn on. When you turn it on for the first time, you may encounter a few things. The screen may appear as a blank desktop, which means you need to access your system settings and make sure ‘Mirror Screen’ is enabled. The included stylus will start working, but may require calibration. For that, you’ll need Wacom’s software.

The Wacom One 14 doesn’t have a touchscreen, and you’ll navigate the tablet using the stylus, which allows you to click, draw, write, and select items on the screen. It can serve either as a mirror of your main display or as a secondary monitor, and you can even set buttons on the Wacom stylus to cycle through different displays.

Wacom tablets, including the Wacom One 14, are primarily known as drawing tablets, which means you’re going to use them for just that. The creative applications are virtually endless. You can use it to draw, sketch, animate, edit photos, and create 3D models. Apart from creative activity, it is also convenient for making comments and taking notes.

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The screen has a lovely matte feel, which adds a bit of friction to the screen, so it feels like real pen and paper. I liked it much more than the smooth, smooth surface of the iPad and Apple Pencil.

Its digital note-taking capabilities make the Wacom One 14 an excellent application for teaching. As I used the tablet, which allowed me to draw and reflect the image on the laptop screen, I was reminded of the projectors of my youth, where teachers would write equations and project them on the screen. It seems that the Wacom One 14 is an upgraded version of the same.

The Wacom One 14 comes with several programs to help you get started, but it also works with free programs like Canva, which is how I tested the Wacom tablet.

Using the device is incredibly intuitive. I’d never used a drawing tablet before, but I was up and running within 20 minutes of taking it out of the box. It is an accessible tool even for beginners. Teachers, even those not in the creative field, will find the Wacom One 14 useful in the classroom.

It’s an affordable unit at $299.95, which is cheaper than any iPad on the market. That being said, it is best for people who want to use the device with a computer and are not looking for a standalone tablet.

The Wacom One 14 is an excellent drawing tablet, especially for beginners. Setup of the device is straightforward and allows you to get started quickly, without any steep learning curve. Plus, it’s somewhat affordable at $299.95. If you have a teen or tween in your life who is interested in digital art or you want to try it yourself but don’t want to make a big investment, this is a valuable starting point.

This won’t be for everyone. It’s not for those who want a standalone tablet or a more advanced drawing tablet. For that, consider a tablet with an OLED display and better resolution – such as the iPad Pro with the M5 chip.

But if you’re just starting out, the Wacom One 14 is a beginner-friendly drawing tablet.