[Updated Nov 1, 2019 with new Slim Pen for the Surface Pro X]

Microsoft has not always made it easy to to understand the differences in pen/stylus support between device generations. The table below summarizes compatibility between different pen generations and Surface device models. Pressure sensitivity, latency, initial activation force, and tilt functionality are detailed using best available information. Following the chart is a list of frequently asked questions regarding Microsoft pens.

3d-printed pen clip for Ver.4 pen

Disclaimer: This information is subject to change if/when Microsoft releases additional technical details; some assumptions about pen implementation are based on n-Trig/Microsoft patent filings.

* Tilt is not supported on SL1/SL2/SP4/SB1 models. Tilt is not supported on Classroom pens.

** Some customers have reported issues using the Ver.2 pen on newer devices with latest drivers/firmware so this combination is not recommended.

*** Surface Studio 1 received partial tilt support in June 2018 via firmware updates.

How to read the table:

256 , 1024 , or 4096 indicates the number of pressure sensitivity levels available when using the pen and device model together [256=8-bit, 1024=10-bit, 4096=12-bit]. The more available pressure levels, the more detailed certain artwork features can be with the right software. Available pressure levels depends on a combination of the pen, Surface digitizer hardware, and Windows device driver software. Not all customers will notice differences in pressure sensitivity between pen and Surface models due to limited hand dexterity and dynamic range compression/clamping side-effects of some software applications.

, , or indicates the number of pressure sensitivity levels available when using the pen and device model together [256=8-bit, 1024=10-bit, 4096=12-bit]. The more available pressure levels, the more detailed certain artwork features can be with the right software. Available pressure levels depends on a combination of the pen, Surface digitizer hardware, and Windows device driver software. Not all customers will notice differences in pressure sensitivity between pen and Surface models due to limited hand dexterity and dynamic range compression/clamping side-effects of some software applications. Tilt indicates that the Surface device has an accelerometer and the Pen incorporates some device enabling the Pen/Ink system to detect the angle of the pen with respect to the screen. This allows software to both improve the accuracy of the pen and change brush strokes on-the-fly based on the angle of the pen. According to n-Trig patent filings, this device could be an accelerometer, mems gyroscope, or a secondary radio emitter positioned such that the digitizer can infer the pen orientation.

indicates that the Surface device has an accelerometer and the Pen incorporates some device enabling the Pen/Ink system to detect the angle of the pen with respect to the screen. This allows software to both improve the accuracy of the pen and change brush strokes on-the-fly based on the angle of the pen. According to n-Trig patent filings, this device could be an accelerometer, mems gyroscope, or a secondary radio emitter positioned such that the digitizer can infer the pen orientation. 21ms, 40ms, 55ms, 75ms, or 100ms indicates the minimum digitizer->screen latency or delay between when you do something with the pen vs the result being visible on screen. The lower the latency, the better the experience. Real-world latency may be up to 50ms higher depending on the software being used, the refresh rate of the screen, and the timing of the pen event with respect to the refresh of the current frame. Assuming worst case at a 60Hz screen refresh rate, you can conservatively add 8.33ms (half the time it takes to render one frame) to each of the quoted figures to get a more realistic latency. Device driver and software application updates can alter the latency behavior making responsiveness better or worse. The competing Apple pencil technology has a ~20ms latency achieved in part with a 120Hz screen refresh rate as compared to the Surface 60Hz screen refresh rate.

or indicates the digitizer->screen latency or delay between when you do something with the pen vs the result being visible on screen. The lower the latency, the better the experience. Real-world latency may be up to 50ms higher depending on the software being used, the refresh rate of the screen, and the timing of the pen event with respect to the refresh of the current frame. Assuming worst case at a 60Hz screen refresh rate, you can conservatively add 8.33ms (half the time it takes to render one frame) to each of the quoted figures to get a more realistic latency. Device driver and software application updates can alter the latency behavior making responsiveness better or worse. The competing Apple pencil technology has a ~20ms latency achieved in part with a 120Hz screen refresh rate as compared to the Surface 60Hz screen refresh rate. 9g, 10g, 21g, or 42g indicates the approximate initial activation force (IAF) in grams which is the minimum amount of pressure applied to the tip of the pen to register as a stroke on-screen. Less force is better for light strokes of the pen – but too little IAF can result in unwanted strokes. This is a crucial tuning factor for any pen/digitizer system. The ideal IAF is highly subjective depending on the artist. For example, artists that use charcoal or soft pencils may prefer lower IAF, while artists that use a fountain pen may prefer higher IAF. Wacom designs typically have an IAF of 1-10 grams while n-Trig designs are on the order of 10-50 grams although with each generation of n-Trig pens, the IAF has decreased. To compare IAF across pen manufacturers, each pen design must be mounted and tested on the same test apparatus at a variety of angles since the response may be different in a vertical orientation compared to a natural writing angle depending on the internal mechanical implementation. The Apple pencil design appears to work with ~0 IAF but tends to drain its battery quickly – possibly due to pre-load on the sensor. The Apple approach has other side effects, which depending on the artist, can be considered advantages or drawbacks.

indicates the approximate initial activation force (IAF) in grams which is the minimum amount of pressure applied to the tip of the pen to register as a stroke on-screen. Less force is better for light strokes of the pen – but too little IAF can result in unwanted strokes. This is a crucial tuning factor for any pen/digitizer system. The ideal IAF is highly subjective depending on the artist. For example, artists that use charcoal or soft pencils may prefer lower IAF, while artists that use a fountain pen may prefer higher IAF. Wacom designs typically have an IAF of 1-10 grams while n-Trig designs are on the order of 10-50 grams although with each generation of n-Trig pens, the IAF has decreased. To compare IAF across pen manufacturers, each pen design must be mounted and tested on the same test apparatus at a variety of angles since the response may be different in a vertical orientation compared to a natural writing angle depending on the internal mechanical implementation. The Apple pencil design appears to work with ~0 IAF but tends to drain its battery quickly – possibly due to pre-load on the sensor. The Apple approach has other side effects, which depending on the artist, can be considered advantages or drawbacks. n/a indicates that the pen and device combination does not work.

FAQ

Which pens shipped with which device models? What colors are available?

Wacom Ver.1 pens shipped with the Surface Pro 1 and Surface Pro 2. SKU numbers 5PT-00001/5PT-00012.

n-Trig Ver.2 (Model 1616) pens shipped with the Surface Pro 3 and was an optional accessory for the Surface 3. It had a purple eraser but individual models have different body colors: 3UY-00001 (Silver), 3UY-00012 (Black), 3UY-00021 (Red), and 3UY-00030 (Dark Blue).

n-Trig Ver.3 (Model 1710) pens shipped with the Surface Book, Surface Studio and Surface Pro 4 (except m3 model). It is an optional accessory for other models. It has a grey eraser but individual models have different body colors: 3XY-00001 (Silver), 3XY-00011 (Charcoal), 3XY-00021 (Dark Blue), and 3XY-00051 (Gold).

n-Trig Ver.4 (Model 1776) pens are optional accessories launched alongside the 2017 Surface Pro and Surface Book 2 but also work on other models. It has a grey eraser but individual models have different body colors: EYU-00001 (Black), EYU-00009 (Platinum), EYU-00017 (Cobalt Blue), EYU-00025 (Burgundy). Additional pen colors were launched in 2019: EYU-00041 (Poppy Red), and EYU-00049 (Ice Blue).

Classroom pens (Model 1896) ship in 20-packs for the education market. They are functionally equivalent to the n-Trig Ver.4 pen but are ~25% shorter to be suitable for children and are intended to be used with the Surface Go. SKU NWH-00001.

Two Surface Hub pens (Model 1640) based on the Perceptive Pixel (PPI) digitizer technology are shipped with each Surface Hub1. SKU is HV9-00020 (Black).

One Surface Hub 2 pen (Model 1865) is included with each Surface Hub 2S. SKU is LPN-00001 (Grey).

The Slim pen (Model 1853) is intended for the Surface Pro X but works with other devices as well. It charges either via an external charging dock or via the Surface Pro X type cover which integrates a charging tray for the pen. SKUs are LLK-00002 (Black) and LPN-00001 (Grey).

Replaceable pen tips?

n-Trig Ver.2 pens have a replaceable tip. OEM tips are no longer in stock at retail but you can contact Microsoft support via chat to see if they will ship OEM tips. 3rd-party replacement tips are available but the quality ranges from adequate to awful.

n-Trig Ver.3/Ver.4 pens use a differently shaped tip than Ver.2 pens. They come with a tip that has a similar writing feel to an HB pencil. Microsoft sells a 4-pack of tips each simulating the writing feel of 2H, H, HB, and B pencils. Depending on the region of sale, some customers have noted that as of September 2017, V2 tip kits only include 3 tips (2H, HB, B). Starting in 2019, MS started offering a 5-pack of the most popular HB tip.

Classroom pens and the slim pen use a replaceable “durable tip” that is larger than the tips in ver.4 and ver.3 pens.

Batteries?

Wacom Ver.1 pens use electromagnetic digitizers and need no batteries

n-Trig Ver.2 pens are powered by a AAAA battery for the main pen functions and two #319 (SR527SW) button cells for Bluetooth cap button functions

n-Trig Ver.3/Ver.4/Classroom pens are powered by a single AAAA battery for all functions

Surface Hub pens have non-replaceable rechargeable batteries and charge when docked on the Hub.

Slim pens have non-replaceable rechargeable batteries and charge when docked in the Pro X keyboard charging tray or a separate USB-powered charging dock. The Charging dock is only available when purchasing a pen without the keyboard bundle.

Buttons? Erasers?

Wacom Ver.1 pens have 2 buttons – one on the cap, and one on the barrel of the pen that doubles as a magnetic attachement to the tablet charge port.

n-Trig Ver.2 pens have 2 buttons on the pen body and 1 on the cap

n-Trig Ver.3/Ver.4 have 1 button on the pen body, 1 on the cap, plus a functional “eraser” built into the cap

EDU/Classroom pens have 2 buttons on the pen body, one serving as an “eraser”.

Surface Hub 1 pens have an “eraser” but no buttons

Surface Hub 2 pens have an eraser and two buttons one of which is integrated into the eraser.

Slim pens have a button on the side, a button on the cap, plus a functional “eraser” built into the cap.

Clip/Tether?

All full size pens have an integrated shirt-pocket clip except Ver.4. But you can 3D-print an add-on clip I designed: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2391069

EDU/Classroom pens have an integrated loop which can be used with an optional tether string

The Slim pen has neither a clip nor a tether

Magnets?

Ver.1 pens for Surface Pro 1 / Pro 2 dock to the charging port which means you cannot charge the Surface and dock the pen simultaneously.

Ver.2 pens dock to the left side of the various tablet models and clamp-style docking stations independent of the charge port, however the magnetic attraction is quite weak and the pen is easy to dislodge. There are no magnets embedded in the pen itself – metal in the battery and pen tip are attracted to magnets in the tablet and docking station.

Ver.3/Ver.4/have two strong neodymium magnets embedded in the pen approximately 80mm apart and attract to two magnets on most tablets making it less likely your pen will fall off the tablet. The latest pens (Ver.4) and tablets (Pro6/SB2/SGo) have stronger magnetic attraction than older pens and devices.

The classroom pen does not have magnets but an optional tether instead.

The Slim pen has magnets that are only compatible with the Surface Pro X keybopard with integrated charging tray

Surface Book 2 15″ models have magnets on both the left and right side of the tablet so you can dock your pen on either side (or dock two pens).

Surface Hub 2 and Surface Studio models have magnets along the top and both sides of the screen.

3rd-party pens may not have magnets that align with Surface devices, however these pens can be modified with adhesive magnetic strips to provide mild magnetic attraction.

Swapping top and bottom half between pens? Can I just get a new top half?

Some customers like to re-use parts from a broken pen and mix and match colors. For example a blue bottom and sliver top. You can freely mix and match colors within the same generation of pen. Unfortunately, it is not possible to order half a pen from Microsoft.

Ver.2, Ver.3, and Ver.4 top and bottom halves are not designed to be interchangeable. Ver.2 has a screw-on top while Ver.3 and Ver.4 have slightly different spring tab configurations. The sizing and fastening is slightly different between Ver.3 and Ver.4 so even if you can get it to fit, you may ruin the internal tab that holds the two halves together.

What other pen/stylus brands work with well Surface Pro 3 or later devices?

Some of these pens advertise 4096 pressure levels and tilt functionality but support for these features on Surface devices is not guaranteed. IAF is typically not advertised on these brands but will be similar to the Surface Ver.3 and Ver.4 pens. Some pens have fewer features than the Surface brand and exclude Bluetooth connectivity, dedicated erasers, and extra buttons.

Common issues

What is up with pen “jitter” and tip offset and on Surface Pro 2017?

Some customers have “jitter” and/or tip offset issues when using the Ver.4 pen on brand new Surface Pro 2017 and Surface Book 2 models. Symptoms can change if your hand touches the metal chassis of the tablet. See various threads collected by NiveaGeForce on Reddit: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfpro-surfhardware/intermittent-pen-inaccuracy-when-hand-is-on-the/28ef8566-0003-4c68-a964-6c2562423eb0?auth=1 https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/76q7xd/pencil_cursor_offcentered_to_pen_tip_when_writing/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/6ztvut/so_many_pen_issues/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK1Sqrjo7ic https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/7mptao/pen_inaccuracy_when_touching_metal_sides/ https://www.youtube.com/results?sp=EgIIBQ%253D%253D&search_query=Surface+2017+pen+issue https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/7p1kr9/

These issues have been fixed in the latest firmware updates as of August 2018. If your device or pen still has issues with the latest firmware, call customer support and have your tablet and/or pen swapped and post your story to help the community.

Does using an alternate pen work better for you? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Diagonal lines appear wavy on older models?

A side effect of the underlying n-trig technology is that diagonal lines may appear wavy. As the tip of the pen crosses each physical region in the digitizer grid, the inferred location of the pen tip follows a predictable and repeating curve. This phenomenon is only visible when the pen is traveling at certain speeds (slowly) along a diagonal such as 45 degrees and is especially apparent when using a ruler or other straight edge to trace. A common workaround used by artists is rotating the drawing canvas to minimize the number of lines drawn at ~45 degrees or using a drawing tool that has a software-based straight edge. Here are some examples. The effect is minimized on newer generations of the n-trig digitizers (SP 2017 and Ver.4 pens or later) but older combinations still have the issue.

Pen tip vs “ink” offset improvements on models supporting “tilt”

On Surface models and pens that support the “tilt” feature, the offset of the pen tip vs where the digital “ink” appears is more consistent across a wide range of writing and drawing styles. Older devices and pens without the tilt feature have an offset that changes as the pen angle changes which can be disruptive to some artists and note-takers. Running the pen configuration wizard can help minimize the offset for a particular writing/drawing angle, but the offset changing effect as the pen angle changes will always be present. See review video comparing the various pen generations.

Pen stops inking after ~130 seconds of continuous writing

Some customers report that the pen stops inking after about 130 seconds of continuous use. Users can work around the issue by raising the pen away from the screen for a few seconds or rotating the pen around while gripping, then resuming writing or drawing. Microsoft has not been forthcoming regarding whether this is an intentional design feature to conserve power or not.

References:

Did I miss anything? Please comment and I’ll add it to the article.