Dell Active Pen and Surface Pen are two well-known digital pens in the market. Their demand is high in the modern world. These two devices do not have vast differences. It is solely based on the preference as well as the budget of the user.
To be sure which one to select, we must know their features individually. This shall help us find the perfect fit.
Key Takeaways
- Dell Active Pen is designed for Dell devices, while Surface Pen is designed for Microsoft Surface devices.
- Both pens offer pressure sensitivity and palm rejection, but Surface Pen has higher pressure sensitivity.
- Surface Pen includes an eraser and customizable buttons, while Dell Active Pen has fewer customization options.
Dell Active Pen vs Surface Pen
The Dell Active Pen is designed for specific Dell tablets and laptops, providing a seamless pen to paper writing experience. The Surface Pen is designed for Microsoft Surface devices, offering tilt support for shading, exceptional pressure sensitivity, and virtually no lag.
Dell Active Pen is an affordable option and is a good choice if we want to save money. According to its price, it comes with a great deal. It can work with more than one protocol and is very user-friendly. It comes in a ball-type pen structure. It has a single button that can be customized to form three different functions.
On the other hand, the Surface Pen is quite expensive. It has an attractive modern structure and comes with a rechargeable battery. This helps in saving power in the long run. It has three different buttons for three different purposes. It is considered the best choice for a digital pen.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of comparison | Dell Active Pen | Surface Pen |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol Support | It can work with more than one protocol. | It can work with only Microsoft Pen Protocol. |
| Eraser Option | It does not possess eraser functionality. | It does possess eraser functionality. |
| Cost | It has an affordable price. | It is very expensive. |
| Battery | It lacks a rechargeable battery. | It has a rechargeable battery. |
| Buttons | Has three individual buttons for three different functions. | Has one button performing three different functions. |
What is Dell Active Pen?
Dell Active Pen is quite affordable and user-friendly. When the budget for the surface pen is low, this is always a great option to choose. It can work with both Wacom APS as well as MPR protocols. Thus it provides a wide range of options.
It has tilt support and 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity. However, it does not come with the eraser feature. Many users might be disappointed in this particular point. However, considering the price range, it provides us with adequate features.
Besides the lack of eraser functionality, another drawback is that it does not come with a rechargeable battery. This, in the long run, may result in quite an increased energy consumption. This is one of the reasons people choose surface pen over it.
The active pen can be attached to the side of the device magnetically. It comes in a ball-shaped structure. It has three individual buttons with three different uses. However, none of them has the function of an eraser. Overall, it is a good choice if we want to save money and buy something affordable.
| # | Preview | Product | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Dell Active Pen PN5122W | Check Price on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Dell Active Pen PN350M, Black (DELL-PN350M-BK) | Check Price on Amazon |
What is Surface Pen?
The surface pen from Microsoft provides us with the best experience. According to customer reports, it has the best performance. It comes with tilt support and 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity. One of the best features is its eraser functionality. Many users consider it their favorite feature of any pen protocol. It eases their work.
Here, the bottom end of the pen itself acts like an eraser. Hence this makes it even more convenient and hence scores great. It is especially helpful for people who need to take frequent notes. There is a single button. However, it can be activated t perform three different functions. It is yet another impressive function.
Coming to the structure, it has a very slim as well as flat design. This compact structure gives it a stunning look. Many users shall love this classic modern concept instead of an old round style. It uses a USB-C rechargeable battery. This is one of the best features of the surface pen.
Despite being such popular in the market, it has certain cons. First, it does not support any protocol other than the Microsoft Pen Protocol. Hence we can not say it is very user-friendly. It can not adapt to a variety of situations. Another drawback is its cost. It is quite expensive and is not possible for anyone and everyone to afford.
Main Differences Between Dell Active Pen and Surface Pen
- The most distinct difference between Dell Active Pen and Surface Pen is their protocol support. Dell Active Pen can work with more than one protocol. However, Surface Pen can work with only Microsoft Pen Protocol.
- Coming to the feature which the user prefers in a digital pen eraser functionality. Dell Active Pen does not possess eraser functionality. In contrast, Surface Pen does possess eraser functionality.
- Coming to cost, Dell Active Pen has an affordable price. On the other hand, the Surface Pen is quite expensive.
- Dell Active Pen has three individual buttons for three different functions. On the other hand, Surface Pen Has one button performing three different functions.
- Last but not least, battery type. Dell Active Pen lacks a rechargeable battery. In contrast, Surface Pen has a rechargeable battery. It is considered a great feature since it saves power in the long run.
- https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/1978942.1979376
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1566119915000634
Last Updated : 21 July, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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