GAOMON PD1161 Review Cheap Drawing Tablet With A Screen

by Just Creative Designs

Recently, we reviewed GAOMON S620 as one of the cheapest drawing tablets you can buy. The tablet is great but unlike GAOMON PD1561 and 1560, does not have an in built screen. So are there any cheap drawing tablets with a screen? GAOMON PD1161 is a cheaper alternative to GAOMON PD1561 and 1560 and still comes with a screen

What sets apart drawing tablets with a screen from the regularbudget friendly drawing tablets is the presence of an inbuilt screen. A screen on a drawing tablet ensures you need a computer for software instalation only and you can view the image on your computer screen on your tablet.

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GAOMON PD1161 Specs

• Display size: 11.6 inches
• Dimensions: 14.21*7.85*0.51 inches
• Resolution: 1920*1080 pixels
• Color Accuracy: 72% NTSC/100% RGB
• Viewing Angle: 178 degrees
• Pen: AP50
• Pen Pressure sensitivity: 8192 Levels
• Report Rate: 266PPS
• Pen tilt support: yes
• Pen type: battery-free
• Buttons: 8 customizable keys
• Display type: pre-applied anti-glare film
• Weight: 866g
• Tablet stand: no

GAOMON PD1161 Body And Build

The PD1161 holds a dimension of 14.21*7.85*0.51 inches and a diagonal size of 11.61 inches. This build enables you to move around with the tablets easily without the expense of the working area.

Portability is further made easier by a lightweight build of only 880g and since the PD1161 doesn’t come with a stand, can simply be slipped into your backpack.

The dark-themed color then gives the tablet a premium look with a smooth feel to it.

Additionally, having express buttons on one side of the tablet is quite advantageous as this leaves room for more working area

Screen Display And Resolution

The 11.6 inched tablets as stated before create a large working area for more comfort and accessibility when drawing and note-making.

When it comes to screen resolution, you are offered 1920 by 1080 pixels for a high-definition display made better by an aspect ratio of 16:9. Colors are then magnified by a color gamut of 72% NTSC and 100% RGB, making them richer and crisp. Moreover, a 178 degrees viewing angle maintains the tablet’s color saturation even when viewed from the side.

Different drawing tablet companies have come up with various technologies to enhance the quality and efficiency of your screen. The GAOMON PD1161 incorporates the anti-glare film that helps reduce glare on the screen for a more transparent visual. Although the tablet is not a standalone tablet meaning you can use it in outdoors, the film is helpful in bright room conditions.

Stylus Pen

Quality and effective work rate and long fatigue-free working hours are achieved by the comfortable AP50 stylus. The ergonomic build is responsible for the comfortable feel, making your experience similar to that of an office pen.

The stylus holds an impressive 8192 levels of pen pressure sensitivity, offering you control over your designs with accuracy and precision.

You are also offered a market maximum pen resolution level of 5080 LPI, which when combined with a 266 PPI response rate ensures quick detection of the stylus to the tablet. This helps eliminate line jitters for a more quality pen paper-like experience.

The ability to support the 60-degrees tilt function provides you with access to more brush options for a more effective workflow.

This feature is only present in some drawing tablets but can be a difference when it comes to saving time and the production of a lovely shading effect.

It is quite stressful having to plug your pen to power or use it while it is still charging. That is why GAOMON comes in and makes the AP50 battery-free, using electromagnetic resonance technology to auto-charge the stylus.

Two programmable buttons on the stylus offer shortcut options closer to your fingers. This in turn eases navigation and maintains your designing shortcut habits for more effectiveness.

Shortcut Keys

Apart from the 2 buttons on the AP50 stylus, the GAOMON PD1161 has 8 customizable express keys on the right side of the tablet. This ensures your shortcut traditions are maintained for a more effective work rate. Additionally, navigation is not only made faster but easier.

The 8 express keys are situated on the left-hand side of the tablet, but you can work your way and set the tablet to support a left-handed user. Most drawing tablets’ build favor right-handed users especially when it comes to the position of the buttons.

The left-hand support option helps left-handed users use the tablet without having to settle with the original right-hand build.

How To Set The GAOMON PD1161 To Left-Hand Mode

Go to extended mode on your computer. In GAOMON drivers, go to 180 degree settings and further select 180 degrees screen setting. You can now rotate the tablet and the 8 express keys are now on your right hand.

Connection And Compatibility

It is quite obvious by now that it is compulsory to have a computer connection in order to use the GAOMON PD1161. This is for the lack of an inbuiltcomputer system.

You can connect the PD1161 with Windows and macOS computer operating systems. Sadly enough, the tablet is not compatible with either ChromeOS or Android devices.

connection to Windows and macOS operating systems is made possible by the available 3-in-2 integrated cable. The cable also offers connections to an external display if you wish to have a display output.

How To Set Up And Install GAOMON PD1161 Drivers

Download: GAOMON PD1161 Drivers.

First, Make sure all wires are well connected.

Visit the official GAOMON website to get the correct drivers. If you are using mac, add a whitelist according to the link. Click here

Since it is a pen display tablet, you will have to set duplicate/mirror mode. For Windows operating system, select duplicate mode and press ‘P’ as you hold the ‘Windows’ key.

When it comes to MacOS, go to ‘system preference’, select ‘arrangement’ and then ‘mirror display’.

After downloading the drivers, try to open them and you either get a ‘device connected’ or ‘device disconnected’ notification.

When connected, you will be able to move the cursor on the tablet using your pen. You can now install software and explore your artistic ideas. Note the tablet does not exhibit programs/software and you will have to purchase them separately.

Some of the popular software includes Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Clip Studio Paint, Sketchbook and Sai version2.

Since all the above programs are charged, we can recommend software like Krita, Gimp, Fireplica, meidibang, iscape, and blender which are free.

Connection

When it comes to the HDMI adapter, follow the tips below;

We recommend the use of VGA, DVI, Display port etc to the HDMI adapter in accordance with the port available on your computer.

Make sure your connection is  VGA, DVI, Display port to HDMI adapter, not HDMI to  VGA, DVI, Display port adapter.

Since USB is for data transmission, we do not recommend USB to HDMIm for it does not work for signal or video transmission.

Lastly, we highly ask you to avoid multi-port hubs and instead prefer a one to one HDMI adapter connection.

Frequently Asked Question

Does GAOMON PD1161 Need A Computer Connection?

Yes, although the GAOMON PD1161 has an inbuilt screen, it lacks a computer system and therefore cannot host an operating system. This further limits it from hosting software\programs responsible for executing commands by users.

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing a quality drawing tablet with a screen, you will encounter a pile of great tablets proving a challenge to separate the best.

Some of the notable advantages you will find in the GAOMON PD1161 include portability and the presence of an inbuilt screen.

Additional quality features such as the stylus’ tilt function support, anti-glare film on the screen surface, and multiple shortcut options make it a drawing tablet with a screen of choice.

Overall, the GAOMON PD1161 is a good pick and it can serve you well whether you are a beginner or even a professional. Ideally, it is a great steal for beginners since the budget is quite friendly.

Discount:

Only 59.99$ for refurbished PD1560

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Justcreativek do not own the images used in this article. They are fully owned by GAOMON