Digital writing utensils are becoming increasingly popular.
It has been Microsoft’s policy to approach interface accessories in a forward-looking manner.
To accomplish this, it is often necessary to add all novel features at once, such as touchscreen, speech recognition, pen digitizer, touchpad, keyboard, and USB peripheral accessory support.
To accomplish this objective, hardware developers almost always seek to set the standard with their products.
To achieve mainstream support and accessibility, hardware standards should be established. This is the same approach that Microsoft took when adding the Surface Pen and built-in digitizer to the Surface Pro.
What other devices can be used with the Microsoft Surface Pen?
Surface Pens can be exchanged between the Surface Pro 3 and newer Microsoft devices. However, they are not compatible with products of other manufacturers, such as iPads.
Using the same digitizer type, n-Trig, Microsoft created Surface Pen tracking for its products beginning with the Surface Pro 3. In other words,
Wacom and n-Trig have long been rivals in the world of laptop digitizers.
Microsoft decided that it required more direct control of the key components of its Surface Pro models after using Wacom’s digitizers for two versions.
The Surface Pro 3 had to be fitted with N-Trig digitizers as a result of this and Microsoft ultimately purchased N-Trig.
By acquiring n-Trig, Microsoft has further developed the Surface Pen into a fourth version and introduced a new version known as the Surface Slim Pen.
If you own a brand new Surface Pen, you may be wondering what devices you can use it with.
In today’s world, the answer isn’t quite as straightforward as it used to be.
Can the Surface Pen write on a variety of devices?
It is possible to use the Surface Pen versions 2, 3, and 4 interchangeably with the Surface Pro 3 through Surface Pro 7, the Surface Book 1 through Surface Book 2, the Surface Laptop 1 and 2, both models of the Surface Studio, the Surface Go 1 and 2, and the Surface Laptop 3 and 4.
All Surface Pens are compatible with the Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2.
As well as the Surface Pen models, each device has different specifications.
Pressure sensitivity, weight, and device latency are among these changes.
The Slim Pen 2 is the most lightweight and best-performing pen available for devices such as the Surface Pro X and Surface Duo.
However, users of the Surface Pro series and Surface Duo 2 must activate the wireless charging feature to use the Slim Pen.
After being paired with the above Microsoft devices, versions 2 through 4 of the Surface Pen are capable of interacting with them.
Note that a single AAAA battery is required to power Surface Pen Versions 2 through 4.
Batteries in this category are not typically available in retail stores and must typically be ordered or purchased online.
You should be able to use your Surface Pen for six months to a year with just a single battery, depending on how heavily you use it.
Slim Pens are equipped with rechargeable batteries.
In addition to being easier to maintain, this extends the lifespan of the Slim Pen as well.
After a certain period, rechargeable batteries begin to lose their ability to hold a charge.
Once this occurs, the Slim Pen will need to be replaced with a new device.
Surface Pens and Their Different Models
The following is a list of the different Surface Pen models to date.
The physical and functional characteristics of each model differ slightly.
A breakdown of the Surface Pen is primarily based on pressure sensitivity, latency, and physical weight.
As well as the digitizer, the Surface Pen tip determines the sensitivity of the pen.
This is why pressure sensitivity will be listed with three numbers for each device. For instance, Surface Pro 3 and Surface 3 belong to Group 1.
Surface Pro 4, Surface Book 1, and Surface Laptops 1 and 2 are considered to be in Group 2, or G2.
In the third group, or G3, you will find the Surface Pro 5, 6, and 7, Surface Book 2, Surface Book 3, Surface Go 1 & 2, Surface Studio 1, Studio 2, Laptop 3, Laptop 4, and Hub 2.
Pen Version 1 for Surface
Surface Pen’s first version is distinguishable from its successors.
One of the major differences is that they are not compatible with the newer Surface devices.
The Surface Pen originally used a Wacom digitizer in conjunction with the Surface Pro 1 and Surface Pro 2. This is because the original version of the Surface Pen used a Wacom digitizer.
The pen is unlikely to be available for sale in-store or online unless you are an avid collector of older technology.
When you are seeking a modern Surface Pen, it is easy to avoid accidentally purchasing this version.
Its pressure sensitivity is 256 when it is running on SP1 and 1024 when it is running on SP2
Time delay: 100 milliseconds
The weight of this tablet is 10 mg
Version 2 of Surface Pen
The Surface Pro 3 was accompanied by a new Surface Pen.
There was a promise of lower latency and better software support.
Unfortunately, it also gained quite a bit of weight as well.
Compared to the first model, this pen was capable of four times more pressure sensitivity.
The following pressure sensitivity values are available: 256 (G1), 1024 (G2), and 4096 (G3)
Latency: 75 milliseconds (G1), 40 milliseconds (G2), and 21 milliseconds (G3)
The weight of the object is 42 grams
3rd generation Surface Pen
Surface Pen version 3 attempted to regain the lighter weight of the original Surface Pen.
Due to the weight reduction, the potential pressure sensitivity was also reduced by half.
Sensitivity to pressure: 256 (G1), 1024 (G2), 1333 (G3)
Duration: 75 milliseconds (G1), 40 milliseconds (G2, G3)
The weight of the object is 21 grams
Pen Version 4 for the Surface
The Surface Pen has been further refined by Microsoft.
This fourth version has been designed to reduce weight even more without sacrificing functionality.
In this process of refinement, a breakthrough was achieved and the Slim Pen was born.
The pressure sensitivity ranges from 256 (G1) to 1024 (G2, G3)
Latency: 75 milliseconds (G1), 40 milliseconds (G2, G3)
The weight of the item is 9g
Slender Pencil
The Surface Slim Pen has retained the high-pressure sensitivity of the heavy Surface Pen 2.
Microsoft was only able to maintain the Slim Pen’s weight of 9g this time.
Rather than a pen, the new design was reminiscent of a drafting pencil.
(G1), (1024) and 4096 (G3): Pressure Sensitivity
Latency: 75 milliseconds (G1), 40 milliseconds (G2), 21 milliseconds (G3)
Weight: 9 grams
A tilt feature is included with the Slim Pen as an extra feature. This feature is only available with devices from the G3 family.
The tilt feature allows the user to tilt the Slim Pen to obtain different effects from the software they are using.
SMALL PENS 2
The Slim Pen 2, Microsoft’s second attempt at improving upon the design of the Slim Pen, is part of a larger effort to refine inking devices.
The Slim Pen has all the characteristics of the Slim Pen but is designed to be as light as possible.
(G1), (1024) and 4096 (G3): Pressure Sensitivity
Latencies are 75 ms (G1), 40 ms (G2), and 21 ms (G3)
Weight: one gram
In addition to the tilt feature, the Slim Pen 2 is also part of the G3 family of devices.
Pen/pencil 2 for classroom use
Classroom Pen and Pen 2 are redesigned Surface Pens (version 4 with version 3 bodies).
To provide educational enhancement devices, these pens were designed to be sold in bundles.
The Surface 3 and later the Surface Go series was recommended by Microsoft to many school districts for use in educational environments. Towards this end, Microsoft created Surface Pens specifically designed for use in educational environments.
Pen 1 Hub
Microsoft Surface Hub 1 is a large format Surface designed to be used in the workplace as a development tool as well as a presentation tool.
The Hub Pen was designed specifically to work with the device and was intended for use by business professionals.
1024 pressure sensitivities are available for Hub 1 only
Latencies: 55 ms
Ink 2 Penhub
As with the Slim Pen, the Hub Pen is based on the same technology as the Slim Pen.
The G3 group of devices is also equipped with the tilt function.
(G1), (1024) and 4096 (G3): Pressure Sensitivity
Latency: 75 milliseconds (G1), 40 milliseconds (G2), 21 milliseconds (G3)
Weight: 9 grams
