Osu!, the music game, has seen the number of its players increase considerably in recent years. And it's no surprise: the game is terribly competitive and addictive! It asks you to abandon the traditional mouse + keyboard style to explore new ways of playing. And if you've ever talked to gamers, you've probably heard about these famous tablets.
Simply connect the device to your computer. When you hover the pen over the pad, the mouse cursor moves with the pen, and tapping the pen is equivalent to clicking the mouse. You might consider trying a tablet for Osu! the same way you might opt for an arcade controller for fighting games.
Better gaming comfort and better performance, it may well be the OSU graphics tablet that will help you climb to the top of the rankings.
So if you want to see your name there, you will also have to think about opting for a graphics tablet . Let's take the tour together!
Comparison of the best OSU graphics tablets
Graphics tablets for OSU: what to know before purchasing
- OSU graphics tablets allow you to play the Osu! music game.
- They offer better gaming comfort than the mouse + keyboard combo and offer a more natural gaming atmosphere
- When making your choice, pay attention to the price of the tablet (some manufacturers are more expensive than others), the power supply source (batteries), the execution speed and the latency. Another important detail: take into account whether you are right-handed or left-handed. Some tablets will be more convenient to use than others
1. XP-Pen G640 OSU: a versatile and cheaper tablet
Features and Reviews
The OSU G640 graphics tablet has been designed for an elegant and attractive design. With dimensions of 19 x 16.2 x 0.8 cm and light weight, you can take your OSU XP-Pen tablet anywhere and create your drawings. Sold at €44.99, this graphics tablet has potential to offer its users.
With an ergonomic and ambidextrous design, the G640 tablet is thin, making it easy to hold even for a child and giving you the feeling of drawing on paper. Its pressure sensitivity level is 8192, with an active area of 6 x 4 inches, giving you the ability to navigate, create and edit your drawings with a wide range of brushes and styluses.
Delivered with the P01 stylus, it performs the functions of a pen and is really practical. To facilitate the transfer of your data, the speed of this version is 266 RPS. Regarding compatibility, the XP-Pen G640 matches with most computer systems, such as Microsoft Windows 7/8/10, Mac OS X 10.10 and previous versions.
But also with common graphics software such as Photoshop, Painter, Illustrator, Clip Studio... And to create writing or electronic signatures online, the graphics tablet can support One Note, Zoom Whiteboard, Microsoft Whiteboard, Openboard.
2. WACOM One: a popular graphics tablet
Features and Reviews
For a price of €41.58, this One By Wacom pen tablet is specially designed for OSU. It will allow you to draw, paint or even retouch your images. The design of the tablet is aesthetic, making it very attractive to the eyes with its black color. It has the configurations required to carry out your various tasks.
With dimensions of 21 x 14.6 x 0.9 cm, this One By Wacom tablet is very light, weighing only 440 g. Comes with a lightweight stylus with impressive precision, you will find the feeling of pen on paper. This tablet will be useful for making electronic signatures.
It supports recent graphics software, but also free educational software with trial periods. This One By Wacom tablet is compatible with Windows 7/8/10, Mac OS X 10.10 and earlier operating systems and Chrome OS.
3. TWDYC G430S: the graphics tablet specially designed for osu!
Features and Reviews
This G430S model from the TWDYC brand is a graphics tablet dedicated to OSU. Its light and thin design will allow you to store it in your bag and use it wherever you go. Sold at €149.92, treat yourself to this TWDYC graphics tablet to play OSU.
With an ergonomic and ambidextrous design, the white color gives it an aesthetic and eye-catching touch. Offering easy handling, using this tablet is not complicated at all. Benefit from a 4 x 3 inch active area with pressure sensitivity levels of 2048.
You can also use it to make drawings, painting, sketches and electronic signatures. Delivered with a passive ergonomic Pen p01 stylus, it has no battery, and can be used directly on the graphics tablet with impressive fluidity to boost your creativity.
Powered by 5V DC supply voltage, this graphics tablet for OSU has wide compatibility with PC operating systems, namely Windows 7/8/10/Vista/XP and Mac OS. Its report rate is 266 RP, allowing you to create blurred lines faster and smoother.
4. XP-PEN G430S: enjoy its incredible performance!
Features and Reviews
Designed by the XP-PEN brand, this G430S graphics tablet offers unparalleled performance to surprise you. For a price of €35.00, it represents good value for money. Its dimensions are 16.5 x 0.2 x 10.6 cm, the G430S is very light, giving you the possibility of taking it anywhere.
With an ergonomic design, the aesthetics of this tablet imitate those of other XP-PEN models. With its 2 mm thickness, it offers an easy and pleasant grip, and gives you the feeling of drawing on paper. With an active surface of 4 x 3 inches, play, draw or work on this graphics tablet.
The 8192 levels of pen pressure will let you edit or create with a selection of brushes and pens. The battery-free stylus is very smooth with a frequency rate of 266 RPS. Particularly designed for OSU Gameplay, you no longer have to install the driver to play it.
With wide compatibility, this tablet can be used with Microsoft Windows 7/8/10 and Mac OS operating systems. The XP-PEN G430 is also compatible with graphics software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Painter, Clipt Studio Painter... and with OneNote, Jamboard, Zom Whiteboard, Microsoft Whiteboard if you need to make an electronic signature or make writing or online courses.
5. TWDYC G640: an ambidextrous graphics tablet
Features and Reviews
The TWDYC G640 is arguably the most expensive OSU graphics tablet available on the market today. With a simplistic, yet attractive design, this tablet offers ergonomics with its ambidextrous shape, which is suitable for right-handed and left-handed users. Sold at €198.42, you can take the G640 with you, you can store it in your pocket with its very thin thickness and easy handling.
It is made from ABS plastic. Equipped with an ergonomic stylus, draw, play OSU or even sketch on this tablet easily. The stylus supports 60° tilt degree, which will give you more imagination and creativity. Being independent of a battery or battery, this accessory delivered with the tablet works like a real pen.
Pressure sensitivity levels are 8192 with an active area of 6 x 4 inches. Requiring no software or driver installation for OSU, all you have to do is launch your game and enjoy it. To connect it to your devices, the G640 tablet has a USB port and is powered by a voltage of 5 V. Compatible with Windows operating systems, this TWDYC tablet is suitable for versions 7/8/10/Vista . It can also be connected with Android devices.
OSU graphics tablet: The advantages
Natural gaming experience
The biggest advantage of OSU graphics tablets is that they make the game much more enjoyable to play. There's a natural feel to playing OSU on a tablet. Unlike using the mouse and keyboard, it feels like the game was designed to be played with this device!
Easy to use
Thanks to this natural side offered by the tablet, it is easier to reach a high level using it. It's much easier to become a great tablet gamer than it is to become a great mouse gamer!
Better performance
Here it all depends on the person... but in general, players who use an OSU graphics tablet have better scores than those who just use a mouse and keyboard. That's the whole point of an Osu graphics tablet! However, this is not a general rule: there are gamers who prefer mouse and keyboard.
Multiple uses
Let's keep in mind that the graphics tablet is not made for playing Osu!, basically... by opting for a tablet specifically for Osu!, you unlock a field of possibilities. The graphics tablet is an excellent tool for practicing drawing, regardless of your level. Between two games, why not practice?
OSU graphics tablet: the disadvantages
Gadget
However, one can question the real usefulness of the OSU graphics tablet. The game is completely playable with mouse and keyboard, so not everyone will find a use for the tablet. It should therefore not be a systematic choice, but a thoughtful choice.
Adaptation time
Switching from the mouse to the graphics tablet will inevitably require some time to adapt: if you are used to a game mode, you cannot change overnight so easily! So expect to stagnate a little in the rankings, or even drop, while you learn to master the game on the tablet. There is also a risk that you will give up beforehand.
The differences between the OSU graphics tablet and the mouse
The initial goal of OSU graphics tablets is to allow a greater degree of in-game control. The biggest difference of a tablet compared to a mouse is that it offers absolute tracking. This means that each point on the tablet corresponds to a particular point on the screen. If you lift the pen outside the sensitive area and then place it on another part of the tablet, the cursor "jumps" to that location.
Nothing to do with mice, which rely on relative tracking. This is the main selling point of OSU graphics tablets! All other settings such as pressure levels, tilt sensitivity, will not play such a big role in play! These features are aimed at digital art, where the tablet can detect things like the pen pressure you're applying to make a darker pencil mark, for example.
One of the features that will greatly change your Osu! gaming experience is LPI (lines per inch). This is the “resolution” of the tablet surface. In other words, the amount of movement you need to make for the tablet to detect it. If a tablet has an LPI of 100, you have to move at least one hundredth of an inch for it to register movement. However, even the lowest LPI should be much higher than any monitor you're likely to game on. Higher numbers have a virtually imperceptible effect on the game.
These features are basically intended for graphics. But it turns out that they work very well for playing Osu!
Osu!, what exactly is it?
Osu! is a musical game that involves pressing buttons to the rhythm of a song. For each song, a map is created which describes the movement of all the circles, sliders and lines which are the main elements of the game.
Maps are created by players, after which confirmation by other members of the gaming community is required. The highest status is considered ranked, which officially allows you to receive ranking points and experience for the card.
You can play solo, but also with other players at the same time. This is how all tournaments are played.
On which platforms is Osu! ?
Osu! is available on computer. It can be played under Microsoft Windows , Mac OS and Linux operating system. The game is not available on console like PS4 or Xbox.
How to install OSU?
Let's start at the beginning, that is, with the download and installation. Download Osu from the official website osu.ppy.sh.
The installation itself should not cause any difficulties: first, a window appears where you can change the installation folder for 10 seconds, then Osu! download and install all necessary files. Once the installation is complete, it is recommended to restart your computer to avoid problems occurring in-game. That's it! The game is now installed and almost completely ready. All that remains is to create an account.
Right after launching, you will be greeted on a screen with background music. Click “Register” and enter a nickname. Choose it wisely, since it can only be changed if you opt for a paid subscription. You will also be asked for your email address and password.
Please note, there is no “re-enter password” field so avoid typos! There you go, you now have an Osu account!
Then you can look into the settings to configure the game the way you want.
What are the most important features on the OSU graphics tablet?
The first thing to check is the cursor timeout. Taking into account that the tablets generally used by Osu! are designed for drawing, the built-in driver may cause delay in drawing smooth lines. Make sure you can manually disable the driver.
Check the active area, which is the area where you have control of the screen. You can opt for a larger or smaller area depending on your preferences and comfort. Tablets usually allow you to adjust the active area, but if you don't have the drivers installed, you won't be able to change this setting.
Also check the hover distance, which is the maximum distance from which the screen detects the stylus. Regarding the stylus, make sure it gives you a good grip. The texture of the screen surface is just as important: test, and make sure it doesn't stick.
On the technical side, check that the tablet supports the operating system you need. See how it can connect, whether with or without a cable. Even if the wireless connection seems more practical, the connection with a cable is faster… and reliable!
Also, be sure to check pressure and tilt sensitivity. Tablets that are initially intended for drawing on paper include this setting by applying pressure or tilting the pen. But these features are completely useless for playing Osu!
Touch capability is an option that, when enabled, allows you to use the graphics tablet as a laptop trackpad, which is also not essential just for Osu!
Another thing to consider is how often the pen position and pressure are sent to the computer. The reporting rate directly affects the response rate of the tablet. In general, tablet size is directly correlated to reporting frequency.
The larger the tablet, the higher the report rate per second. So if you can get a large tablet… don’t deprive yourself!
And finally, take a close look at the resolution. When you click on a location on the tablet, it is expected that the cursor will always be directed to a specific pixel on the screen. This isn't always the case, but the accuracy or resolution of a tablet defines how often the tablet can do this.
Of course, favor tablets with the highest precision, especially if you reserve a use for it other than Osu! (typically, drawing).
There are other secondary criteria that can support your choice, such as the manufacturer's brand. Wacom, typically, is considered the high-end and reliable version. The source of power supply must also be explored.
In other words, are they batteries or a battery? A criterion forgotten by most players: the hand with which you write. Comfort will not always be the same for right-handed and left-handed people!
Can you “recycle” a graphics tablet to play Osu! ?
You may have a graphics tablet lying around, or you may have bought one for graphics, without thinking for a second about using it for Osu! Can you connect any graphics tablet to the game?
Imagine that it’s possible! On the other hand, it is not recommended if the tablet is too old. The older the device, the more likely it is to lack speed and battery life, which will have a direct impact on your game.
Buy an OSU graphics tablet: yes or no?
The graphics tablet is an essential tool if you are competitive and want to climb the rankings on Osu! But it is not essential. Some gamers are very comfortable with the classic mouse + keyboard combo.
But beyond the performance and precision side, the big advantage of OSU graphics tablets is the ease and ease of use. Play Osu! with a graphics tablet looks totally natural. The game fits this format perfectly.
And then it should also be noted that few games are played on a graphics tablet: a little change is good!
Whatever your game mode on Osu!, practice and don't give up. This is how you will become an expert!
