LincStudio S1 Windows Tablet Review: iPad Killer? Artist Review

The LincStudio S1 Windows Tablet from Lincplus is known for its large 13-inch display and Wacom EMR pen support!

It promises smooth performance with an 11th gen Intel processor, but how does it fare in real-world use?

And what about its battery life? Does it meet the demands of a busy artist or designer?

Let’s explore these aspects to help you decide if it’s truly worth your investment.

Review unit sent by Lincstudio, but they did not influence our review.

Key Takeaways

• The LincStudio S1 features a 13-inch Windows display and Wacom EMR pen support for professional digital artists.
• Powered by an 11th gen Intel processor (Intel Core i7-1165G7)
• The tablet offers minimal lag with 4096 pressure levels and tilt functionality.
• The battery life ranges between 4 to 5 hours, up to 8 hours if you use it lightly.
• The keyboard case feels ok, but I was expecting a sturdier feel.

LincStudio S1 Tablet At A First Glance

Unboxing The LincStudio S1 Tablet

Update: Do you prefer video? Check out my review on YouTube and draw along with me!

Unboxing the LincStudio S1 tablet reveals a well-thought-out package that includes all essential accessories for digital artists.

This tablet was originally in a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo and has been shipped worldwide starting April 2024. 

From the start, you’ll notice the attention to detail in the neat packaging.

All items are securely placed and really well distributed!

The box contains:

• The tablet itself, along with an attached sturdy stand;
• 1 x Wacom EMR pen;
• 1 x Pen case;
• 4 x Standard Nibs;
• 1 x Nib Remover;
• 1 x 60W USB-C charger;
• 1 x USB-C to USB-C cable;
• 1 x Detachable Keyboard (that you can use as a front cover as well!);
• 1 x Microfiber Cleaning Cloth;
• 1 x Drawing Glove;
• 1 x User Guide.

The package is very complete, and everything feels very professional and of superior quality!

Update: Here’s a video of me unboxing the LincStudio S1!

Now that we’ve finished the LincStudio s1 unboxing let’s move on to the other specs and their pros and cons.

Specs Of The S1 2-in-1 Tablet

When you look at the LincStudio S1, you’ll notice its 13-inch matte display and robust 11th gen Intel processor, making it a solid choice for digital artists.

The included Wacom EMR pen offers impressive pressure sensitivity and tilt support, enhancing your drawing experience.

But let’s go over more specifics of each part!

The Tablet

The LincStudio S1 2-in-1 tablet has a 13-inch matte textured display and an 11th-generation Intel processor.

Some more specifications of the LincStudio tablet itself are below:

• Product dimensions: 31.6x 21.3x 1 cm
• Weight: 1.10 kilograms
• Batteries: 1 lithium polymer battery, 39.33 watt-hours (included)
• Display size: 13 inch (Touchscreen)
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3
• Screen resolution: 2160×1440 pixels
• Max Resolution (HDMI): 4096×2304@60Hz
• Max Resolution (DP): 7680×4320@60Hz
• Processor type: Intel Core i7-1165G7
• Processor speed: 4.7 GHz
• Processor cores: 4-core
• Memory size: 16 GB
• Storage size: 512 GB
• Hard disk technology: SSD
• Graphics processor: Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
• Camera: Front 8MP, Rear13MP
• Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
• Number of USB 3.0 interfaces: 1
• Number of USB C Thunderbolt interfaces: 2
• Shortcut Keys: 12
• Detachable Keyboard: Included
• Pen: Wacom Shinonome 2nd Generation
• Pen pressure sensitivity: 4096
• Extra: 3.5mm headphone jack
• Speakers: 2 Speakers total, 1 on either side 
• Wireless & Bluetooth: Yes.

This makes it a wonderful laptop + tablet 2-in-1 (including a handy kickstand!) for about 1200$ USD.

The screen itself was a pleasant surprise. As with most laptops and tablets, I was expecting a smooth screen that would reflect the smallest glare.

But no, drawing on the LincStudio S1 is very comfortable, with no unwanted reflections! The pen slides smoothly through the surface, offering a pleasant drawing experience.

With the added bonus of a Windows operative system, allowing you to do much more with this tablet!

The two USB-C ports (one on each side) allow you to charge your device easily.

You can even use a USB-C to HDMI adapter to plug this tablet into an external display and use it there!

The Stylus

The Wacom EMR pen is an essential component of the LincStudio S1. It features 4096 pressure levels and tilt functionality for precise, responsive drawing.

 This stylus offers unparalleled pen support, allowing you to create with accuracy and fluidity.

The pen’s matte texture guarantees a comfortable grip.

Since it’s battery-free, all you have to do is pick it up and start drawing!

There are a few handy features, such as the ability to use the back of the pen and an eraser and the tilt feature, which is amazing for shading. This makes it ideal for professional artists and designers.

Sadly, there are a few downsides to the pen as well. First, there are a few bugs and calibration issues when changing from pen to touch on the screen’s surface.

Second, it’s impossible to control and change the pen’s pressure sensitivity anywhere. Although Lincplus is working hard to fix this issue!

Finally, this pen does not have buttons, which is not a deal breaker since the tablet itself has 12 Shortcut Keys that you can assign to any action you want.

These shortcut buttons, plus the ability to perform shortcuts through hand gestures on the tablet, are more than enough to facilitate your drawing experience!

Unlike many competitors, the Wacom EMR technology embedded in the LincStudio S1 ensures minimal lag and exceptional performance.

So, if you’re looking for a Windows Tablet with Wacom EMR, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one like this anywhere else!

Keyboard Case

Moving from the stylus’s impressive capabilities, let’s examine the keyboard case.

Although not bad, I was expecting a bit more.

As an essential accessory to the tablet, the keyboard case lacks the premium feel expected at this price point.

However, it does have a very easy-to-use magnetic connection that is plug-and-play!

Not only that, but it also doubles as a screen cover when you fold it against this tablet.

Quite useful!

Design And Build Quality

When you first handle the LincStudio S1, you’ll notice its solid build quality and sleek design, reminiscent of the Microsoft Surface Pro.

The tablet’s metal stand and slim profile give it a premium feel, though the keyboard case feels a bit cheap in comparison.

It also has a useful and sturdy kickstand, so you can draw and paint on a desk or use itas a laptop!

Setup And Software

Setting up the LincStudio S1 is straightforward. It’s a regular Windows 11 installation that will walk you through the setup step by step.

Just connect the charger to an electrical socket and hit the power button!

The pre-installed software immediately allows for easy customization of the 12 hotkeys and sliders.

You’ll appreciate these features:

1. Seamless Setup: The software walks you through the initial setup efficiently.
2. Driver Functionality: Customize hotkeys and sliders to streamline your workflow.

Basically, setting aside the shortcut keys, it’s the same as setting up a new laptop or a Microsoft Surface tablet!

There isn’t any pre-installed drawing software, but you can use whichever software you like on Windows!

My general recommendations are:

• Clip Studio Paint (paid);
• Krita;
• Medibang;
• ibisPaint.

Krita is open-source software, so you can use it for free. The others are all paid; however, you can use Medibang and ibisPaint for free, with some limitations.

If you enjoy them, you can buy a paid license to use them to their full potential!

Pros And Cons Of The LincStudio S1 Tablet

When weighing the pros and cons of the LincStudio S1 tablet, you’ll find it excels in display quality, port selection, and drawing performance.

However, its somewhat low battery life and subpar keyboard case might give you pause.

Let’s explore how these strengths and weaknesses could impact your user experience.

Conclusion: Who’s The LincStudio S1 For?

The LincStudio S1 is for digital artists looking for a powerful Windows Tablet that can work as a Laptop!

If you like the Windows OS to run software such as Photoshop or 3d software (Autodesk 3ds Max, Blender) and want Wacom Pen technology, this is a wonderful choice.

This is especially useful for artists who like to draw on different parts of the house or want to go out for short drawing sessions at a coffee place or library.

This “drawing tablet” is also great for other tech enthusiasts who want a mix of a tablet and laptop PC for their day-to-day use!

Related Questions

Let’s go over other questions you might have about the LincStudio S1.

When considering the LincStudio S1 for artistic work, you might wonder how it compares to an iPad or Samsung tablet.

They differ quite a bit regarding operating system preferences, battery life, and performance.

It’s important to know that the LincStudio S1 comes with Windows pre-installed, offering flexibility in app usage that other tablets mightn’t provide.

Let’s compare these devices and go over other questions you might have!

LincStudio S1 or an iPad For Artists?

Choosing between the LincStudio S1 and an iPad for your artistic needs involves evaluating your preferences for software flexibility, hardware features, and battery life.

The iPad Pro excels in battery life and portability, making it perfect for on-the-go artists.

However, LincStudio S1’s Windows OS offers greater flexibility with professional drawing apps.

Consider these factors:

1. Software Flexibility: LincStudio S1 runs all desktop apps (Windows 11), while iPad Pro offers optimized mobile apps (iOS).
2. Hardware Features: LincStudio S1 includes hotkeys, sliders, and Wacom EMR support, enhancing drawing experiences. The iPad Pro has the Apple Pencil 2nd gen, which is also an amazingly responsive stylus.
3. Battery Life: iPad Pro’s battery lasts 10 to 12 hours, outlasting the LincStudio S1, which averages 4 to 4.5 hours.
4. Price: While the LincStudio S1 costs $1.200 (including a keyboard case and pen), the iPad Pro costs between $1.149 and $2.499 (depending on the storage capacity & if you want Cellular) without accessories. You would have to pay an extra $99 for the folio keyboard case and $79 for the Apple Pencil.

So, if you want portability, can’t live without iOS, and have extra money to spend, go for the iPad Pro or choose a cheaper iPad Air.

Otherwise, if you prefer using Windows and want more flexibility in software for a lower price, go for the LincStudio S1.

Does The LincStudio S1 Have Windows Installed?

Yes, the LincStudio S1 Windows tablet has Windows 11 installed, allowing you to run desktop applications seamlessly.

You can install other operating systems, such as Linux if you have the technological know-how. 

LincStudio S1 VS Samsung Tablets

Comparing the LincStudio S1 with Samsung tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra reveals distinct differences in operating systems, battery life, and pen compatibility, each affecting your overall user experience.

The LincStudio S1, a Windows tablet, excels in drawing performance with Wacom EMR support but suffers from a shorter battery life (around 4 to 5 hours).

In contrast, Samsung tablets offer:

1. Longer battery life: Up to 14 hours.
2. Android OS: More optimized for mobile apps.
3. Pen compatibility: Samsung’s S Pen is integrated and offers smooth performance.

Once again, if you prioritize a versatile OS for running desktop apps, the LincStudio S1 is the choice for you.

However, Samsung tablets might be more suitable for longer battery life and mobile app optimization.

LincStudio S1 VS Microsoft Surface Pro 9

While the LincStudio S1 and Microsoft Surface Pro 9 are very similar, your choice depends on your budget and hardware requirements.

A Surface Pro 9 with similar specs is usually more expensive, especially when you consider that you also need a keyboard case and pen, which are sold separately.

That said, if you want a Windows Tablet without accessories, the Surface Pro 9 is a great choice.

It also has more brand recognition than the LincStudio S1.

But if you want a ready-to-use package that includes a keyboard and pen at a good price, do check out the LincStudio S1.

Conclusion

To sum up, the LincStudio S1 Windows Tablet is a solid choice for artists and designers who prioritize precision and innovation.

Its 13-inch display with Wacom EMR pen support, combined with a powerful 11th gen Intel processor, guarantees smooth performance for creative tasks.

While the keyboard case may feel somewhat cheap, and the battery life is limited to 4.5 hours, the tablet’s overall build quality makes it a wonderful tool for short, focused creative sessions.

Curious about Traditional Art Instead? Check my article on the Ohuhu Marker Pad Review here!

Want more art supplies?

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Keep on drawing!

– Patricia