An Android tablet with a thoughtful design

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Thats where XPPen aims to make life easier for digital artists.

XPPen Magic Drawing Pad sitting on an outdoor table against a backpack.

XPPen Magic Drawing Pad.Lifewire / Jerri Ledford

The XPPen Magi Drawing Pad isntyour average Android tablet.

Even with those enhancements, though, is it really worth $499?

I was immediately curious but also a little concerned that this might not be the tablet I expected.

Back view of he XPPen Magic Drawing Pad on an outside table, leaning on a backpack.

Back view of he XPPen Magic Drawing Pad with the cover on.Lifewire / Jerri Ledford

Turns out there was no need to be worried.

Right out of the box, I noticed the screen on the tablet.

It’s not the shiny, glossy screen you’ll find on most tablets.

XPPen Magic Drawing Pad stylus compared to an Apple Pencil, both sitting on the tablet screen.

XPPen Magic Drawing Pad stylus and an Apple Pencil.Lifewire / Jerri Ledford

Drawing and More

That matte screen is for more than viewing.

I really liked the way the stylus felt when I used it on the screen.

It’s also pretty stable.

The XPPen Magic Drawing Pad displaying a drawing in progress and sitting on an outdoor table leaned on a backpack.

The XPPen Magic Drawing Pad.Lifewire / Jerri Ledford

I found that I really like the feel of the felt tip nibs on the screen.

One thing I wasn’t fond of wasthe amount of bloatware on the gear.

It does have a MicroSD card slot, so that helps, too.

Is the XPPen Magic Drawing Pad Worth It?

And it is specifically designed to appeal to artists.