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

Best versatility

Dell Premium Agile Pen

The Dell Premium Active Pen.

Best performance

Microsoft Surface Pen

The Microsoft Surface Pen.

Though it lacks a working eraser, the fact that Dell's Premium Agile Pen works across both Wacom AES and MPP protocols makes it an excellent selection if you own two or more devices that use them.

$100 at Dell

Pros

4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity
Three programmable buttons
Tilt support
Works with both Wacom AES and MPP protocols

Cons

No eraser functionality

If you have a Surface and you're looking to become the best of the all-time in terms of performance, Microsoft's Surface Pen is the best option available. However, information technology's worth pointing out that information technology only works with devices that apply Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP).

$100 at Microsoft

Pros

four,096 levels of pressure sensitivity
One programmable push button (3 inputs)
Tilt back up
Eraser functionality

Cons

No support for other pen protocols

Overall, the Microsoft Surface Pen is the meliorate selection in terms of sheer performance — provided you're using a Surface. If you have a device that uses Wacom AES, or if you want a pen that can be used across both a Wacom AES device and a Surface device, the Dell Premium Active Pen will be perfect for y'all.

Surface Pen vs. Premium Active Pen: Functioning or versatility?

The Surface Pen with a Surface Go. Source: Windows Cardinal

When it comes to raw performance, these ii digital pens are nearly identical. Both of them have 4,096 levels of pressure level sensitivity and support for tilting, which is very useful for artists, and both of them also take 3 programmable functions that yous can configure (the Surface Pen has a single push that can be activated in three different means; the Premium Active Pen has 3 buttons). On summit of this, both of them can be magnetically attached to the side of devices, making taking them with you a cakewalk.

However, one key difference that gives the Surface Pen the edge is that you can use the bottom finish of the pen as an eraser, which is something that both artists and note takers will love. While you can bandy to the eraser tool by pressing and holding the Premium Agile Pen's lower button, this isn't the aforementioned as having the manual erasing functionality that the Surface Pen does.

	Microsoft Surface Pen	Dell Premium Active Pen
Force per unit area levels	four,096	four,096
Programmable buttons	1 (with 3 different inputs)	3
Tilt support	Yes	Yep
Eraser	Yes	No
Magnetic	Yes	Yes
Protocol	MPP	Wacom AES, MPP

However, don't count out the Dell Premium Agile Pen if you're either not using a Surface or using both a Surface and a Wacom AES device, as it works with both Wacom AES protocol and MPP. Since the Surface Pen only works with MPP, you are limited to using Surface devices with information technology. If versatility and device compatibility is more important to you, then Dell's option will exist a better pick.

Surface Pen vs. Premium Active Pen: Which should y'all buy?

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

At the terminate of the 24-hour interval, there isn't actually a definitive winner in this match-up. Rather, it depends on what you're looking for in a digital pen, and what will be the most useful for you.

If you're someone who just uses a Surface device and would prefer to accept an eraser for higher performance, than the Surface Pen is the pen you should choose. It doesn't piece of work with devices that have other protocols, but if y'all only programme to use Surface, that won't matter to you anyway.

However, if you do desire to have the ability to use your pen with Wacom AES devices, such equally well-nigh of Dell's, than your best bet volition be the Dell Premium Agile Pen. Aside from the lack of an eraser, Dell's pen performs identically to the Surface Pen, and the compatibility with both Wacom AES and MPP gives it excellent versatility.

Best versatility

The Dell Premium Active Pen.

Dell Premium Active Pen

Cross-device compatibility

Though it lacks a working eraser, Dell'southward Premium Agile Pen works across both Wacom AES and MPP protocols, making it an excellent option if you own several uniform devices.

Best functioning

The Microsoft Surface Pen.

Microsoft Surface Pen

Surface speciality

If you have a Surface and you lot're looking to get the best of the best in terms of performance, Microsoft's Surface Pen is the best option bachelor.

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