Learn About Styluses

What is it?

It is an input device that captures user input from surface movement on the display, then sends them to your computer. It allows users to navigate graphical user interfaces (GUI) with ease. It makes handwriting and drawing much easier. They are usually used with touch screens. There are mainly 2 types:

• Passive

  Also known as "Capacitive", it is merely an extension to your finger. Because it simply conducts the electrical charge from your finger to the screen. It will not work if you are wearing insulating gloves.

• Active

  It has electronic components that connect with your device wirelessly, and can detect tilt and pressure. It can have multi purpose buttons.

How does it work?

Stylus works by doing the following (over simplified) steps:

1. Capture movement
2. Send data to computer

Look for

• Comfort

  Check how comfortable it is to use

• Precision

  Check how precise is it in tracking your movement

• Buttons

  Check how many buttons it has

• Pressure Sensitivity

  Check the pressure sensitivity

• Tilt Sensitivity

  Check the tilt sensitivity

• Battery Life

  Check how long is the battery life if it is an active stylus.

• Compatibility

  Check compatibility with your computer and OS

Avoid

• Uncomfortable

  Avoid uncomfortable styluses

  It is very important to get a stylus that is comfortable for you. Nothing matters as much as comfort. Best way to know is testing it yourself. See if you can try the stylus before purchase.

• Inaccuracy

  Avoid inaccurate styluses

  It is very important to get an accurate stylus.

• Non-rechargeable batteries

  Avoid active styluses with non-rechargeable batteries