Microsoft Surface Slim Pen vs. Dell Premium Active Pen: Stylus showdown

Best Functioning

Microsoft Surface Slim Pen

Surface Slim Pen

Best Versatility

Dell Premium Active Pen

The Dell Premium Active Pen.

The Microsoft Surface Slim Pen offers the strongest possible performance out of any stylus on the market, but information technology's expensive. It only works with Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP) devices, too, which may disappoint some.

$145 at Microsoft

Pros

4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity
One programmable button (three inputs)
Tilt support
Eraser functionality
Rechargeable battery

Cons

Expensive
No back up for other pen protocols

The Dell Premium Agile Pen is a less pricey culling to the Surface Slim Pen that works with more than 1 type of protocol but lacks the advantages of an eraser function and a rechargeable battery.

$100 at Dell

Pros

4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity
One programmable button (three inputs)
Tilt support
Works with both Wacom AES and MPP protocols
Less expensive

Cons

Non-rechargeable bombardment
No eraser function

Overall, the Microsoft Surface Slim Pen is the best choice if you merely use a Surface device and want the benefits of eraser functionality and a rechargeable battery. Withal, the Dell Premium Agile Pen should exist your pick if yous have a Wacom AES device instead of (or in addition to) a Surface, or if yous simply want to relieve some coin.

Surface Slim Pen vs. Premium Active Pen: Performance or versatility?

Surface Pro X Slim Pen Source: Daniel Rubino/Windows Central

In many ways, these two devices are actually incredibly similar. Both of them feature 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity that let for advanced inking, and they both also back up tilting for inking in finer, more nuanced item. They too both have buttons that can be customized to perform specific actions; the Microsoft Surface Slim Pen has one push button that can be pressed in three ways for separate effects, while the Dell Premium Agile Pen has private buttons for each of these three actions. Lastly, both pens can magnetically adhere to the side of devices.

	Microsoft Surface Slim Pen	Dell Premium Agile Pen
Force per unit area levels	4,096	4,096
Programmable buttons	1 (3 inputs)	3
Tilt support	Aye	Yes
Eraser	Aye	No
Magnetic	Yes	Yeah
Protocol	MPP	Wacom AES, MPP
Battery	Rechargable	AAAA
Price	$145	$100

The differences between the ii, still, are pregnant. The Microsoft Surface Slim Pen uses a USB-C rechargeable bombardment as opposed to an AAAA battery that y'all have to bandy out every so often, which volition save you some money in the long run. On elevation of that, it has an eraser function, which is something that artists and notetakers akin will find very useful. The Dell Premium Active Pen, though, notably has multi-protocol compatibility as it works with both MPP and Wacom AES devices. Information technology'south also a lot less expensive than the Microsoft Surface Slim Pen, too.

Information technology's likewise of import to highlight the slimmer, flatter design of the Microsoft Surface Slim Pen. Some users may like this shape more than the traditional round-style stylus pattern that the Dell Premium Agile Pen is modeled on, just it ultimately comes downwards to personal preference.

Surface Slim Pen vs. Premium Agile Pen: Which should you buy?

The Dell Latitude 7400 2-in-1 with a Dell Premium Active Pen Source: Windows Key

At the cease of the day, neither of these pens is definitively improve than the other. It entirely comes down to what you would prefer and/or find more useful.

Most of your choice will come up downwardly to what device or devices you need the stylus for. If y'all only accept a Surface device, like the idea of using rechargeable batteries, desire an eraser office, and want a slim, flat type of stylus, the Microsoft Surface Slim Pen will be perfect for yous. However, if you want a stylus that will piece of work with both MPP and Wacom AES protocols, has a traditional rounded pattern, and won't cost you as much, the Dell Premium Active Pen should be your pick.

Best Performance

Surface Slim Pen

Microsoft Surface Slim Pen

The most advanced Surface stylus

The Microsoft Surface Slim Pen offers the strongest possible performance out of any stylus on the market place but is expensive. It only works with Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP) devices, besides, which may disappoint some.

Best Versatility

The Dell Premium Active Pen.

Dell Premium Active Pen

A fantastic alternative

The Dell Premium Active Pen is a less pricey alternative to the Surface Slim Pen that works with more than than ane type of protocol only lacks the advantages of an eraser part and a rechargeable battery.

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