Microsoft Buys N-Trig


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Microsoft has acquired N-trig, the Israeli company behind the Surface Pro 3 pen, according to a new report.Calcalist states the deal is worth at least $200 million and will see the 190 workers from N-trig integrated into Microsoft Israel to form a new research and development center.

After switching from Wacom to N-trig for the Surface Pro 3, Microsoft has taken the time to explain why their new pens are a better choice for the tablet experience over the industry favorite. Microsoft also owns 6.1% of N-trig, and an all-out purchase would make sense with the company continuing to back the styluspen.

http://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-reportedly-buys-surface-pro-3-maker-n-trig

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ambivalent. good purchase from them, but it means we'll never see MS return the surface pro to wacom and get better driver support as well as support for wacoms more advanced pens for their tablets...

 

on the other hand the have the capital to really push n-trigs development

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ambivalent. good purchase from them, but it means we'll never see MS return the surface pro to wacom and get better driver support as well as support for wacoms more advanced pens for their tablets...

 

on the other hand the have the capital to really push n-trigs development

 

 

I agree, but I also don't think that wacom is needed.

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From my experience, I prefer the Wacom in the SP2 hands down to the n-trig in the SP3. Oh well, the SP is less and less appealing everyday.  

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Between Wacom and N-Trig so far, I am liking the N-Trig better and here's why:

  1. The SP3 pen is by far the quality active pen I've used
    Wacom pens never quite impressed me, not even the Bamboo Feel. I did use the Bamboo Feel at one point, but eventually the pen started to have a crack form. The SP3 pen feels substantial and has just the right weight for me to write with.
  2. Magnets don't interfere with pen
    I've used to use a Note 10.1 for note taking, but it's been replaced by my SP3 now. One of the first things I buy for my electronics is a case of some kind. For my Note, it was a simple case that used magnets to close. At first I did not notice any issues, but over time it became apparent that there was a deadspot around the area where the magnet was on the back. The 'ink' would warp around this spot and it was difficult to write without having to adjust the screen around this point. Other users have stated that magnets can have long term damage where the pen will no longer work. The SP3 has the type cover, which has magnets in it and based on my usage I have not seen any issues.
  3. Button layout
    The N-Trig pen has 2 buttons, 1 for erasing and the other for lasso/right clicking. Wacom usually only has 1 button for right clicking/samsung functions and sometimes the pen will have the top nib be an eraser.

Personally, I really can't tell the difference between how precise N-Trig and Wacom are when it comes to sensitivity. Artists are going to hate me for saying this, but I think the 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity isn't any better than N-Trig's 256 levels of pressure sensitivity.

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From my experience, I prefer the Wacom in the SP2 hands down to the n-trig in the SP3. Oh well, the SP is less and less appealing everyday.  

Why is it less and less appealing every day? Just cause of the pen? Is there a specific issue with the N-Trig vs the Wacom, e.g. issues with the writing, pressure, buttons, pen quality, tip, eraser, functionality, or buttons?

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Why is it less and less appealing every day? Just cause of the pen? Is there a specific issue with the N-Trig vs the Wacom, e.g. issues with the writing, pressure, buttons, pen quality, tip, eraser, functionality, or buttons?

I have had my Pro2 since Nov. '13, and I've just grown frustrated with it. I thought I would like the overall experience of having a tablet and a laptop, but I realized the SP is the worst of both worlds. It doesn't make a good tablet, because it's far too heavy, and it's awkward to handle. It makes a horrible laptop because the type cover is miserable to use for longer than 30-45 minutes, not to mention it's an expensive keyboard. Also the trackpad on the type cover is borderline useless. I basically use it if I really have to. Anyways, I digress. Nope, I tried the N-trig early on with SP3 - just didn't like it compared to the Wacom. I recall hovering, edge detection, and sometimes inaccuracy being problems with the n-trig. Not sure if this was fixed with software/drivers in future releases. Also, not ideal that the SP3 pen is battery powered, but not a deal breaker. I do love the extra buttons, and the instant launch to OneNote. 

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I have had my Pro2 since Nov. '13, and I've just grown frustrated with it. I thought I would like the overall experience of having a tablet and a laptop, but I realized the SP is the worst of both worlds. It doesn't make a good tablet, because it's far too heavy, and it's awkward to handle. It makes a horrible laptop because the type cover is miserable to use for longer than 30-45 minutes, not to mention it's an expensive keyboard. Also the trackpad on the type cover is borderline useless. I basically use it if I really have to. Anyways, I digress. Nope, I tried the N-trig early on with SP3 - just didn't like it compared to the Wacom. I recall hovering, edge detection, and sometimes inaccuracy being problems with the n-trig. Not sure if this was fixed with software/drivers in future releases. Also, not ideal that the SP3 pen is battery powered, but not a deal breaker. I do love the extra buttons, and the instant launch to OneNote. 

The SP3 is solves most of your problems. It's lighter and the keyboard is much better. Also, the problems you stated with N-Trig doesn't affect me, in fact, it's the opposite. Here's a test between my Note 10.1 using Wacom and the Surface Pro 3 using N-Trig:

IMG_20150212_191050.jpg

 

 

I've did some handwriting and then a few strokes to the edges of the screen. Handwriting is the same on both devices for me, but the strokes tell a different story. As you can see, the strokes on the Note 10.1 doesn't draw all the way to the edge and it also gets messed up. The Surface Pro 3 pen was able to draw all the way to the edge and it stays smooth throughout.

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The SP3 is solves most of your problems. It's lighter and the keyboard is much better. Also, the problems you stated with N-Trig doesn't affect me, in fact, it's the opposite. Here's a test between my Note 10.1 using Wacom and the Surface Pro 3 using N-Trig:

 

 

 

I've did some handwriting and then a few strokes to the edges of the screen. Handwriting is the same on both devices for me, but the strokes tell a different story. As you can see, the strokes on the Note 10.1 doesn't draw all the way to the edge and it also gets messed up. The Surface Pro 3 pen was able to draw all the way to the edge and it stays smooth throughout.

Surface Pro 2 for comparison.

5IXwOo2.jpg

 

 

The SP3 presents the same problem the SP2 does. It's still too big for a tablet, and the type cover while improved from the SP2, is not great for extended periods of use, imo. It's a portable device, but I'd rather have a dedicated laptop with a better keyboard/trackpad.

 

Anyways, I hope Microsoft does great things with this acquisition! 

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