Wacom has announced a major overhaul of its Intuos Pro drawing tablets, targeting industry creatives like 3D artists, illustrators, and photo editors. The 2025 Intuos Pro lineup boasts a new compact design, relocating user controls from the side to the top of the tablet and replacing the previous touch ring with mechanical dials.

The Intuos Pro is Wacom's pen tablet that doesn't have a built-in screen, making it easy to connect to computing devices and throw into a bag. The new design features three sizes: Small (€269.99), Medium (€399.99), and Large (€549.99), each smaller than its equivalent predecessor yet with larger active areas. For example, the 2025 Medium measures 11.5 x 8.1 inches versus 13.2 x 8.5 inches for the 2017 version, yet features a drawing area of 10.4 x 5.8 inches compared to 8.7 x 5.8 inches for the previous model.

The most noticeable change is the layout, shifting user controls like customizable buttons and mechanical dials to the top of the tablet. This design greatly reduces the space on either side of the active pen area, making it easier for left-handed or ambidextrous users to configure for their workflows. The mechanical dials provide more precision when scrolling through tools and actions, replacing the previous touch wheel.

The customizable express keys have also been updated to a round space-saving design, with five buttons on the Small and ten on the two larger models. The Intuos Pro lineup works with devices running Windows 10 or macOS 13 or later, supporting both a wired USB-C to USB-A connection and wireless via Bluetooth 5.3, providing up to 16 hours of battery life when fully charged, according to Wacom.

Users can jump between USB and Bluetooth via a switch on the side of the tablet, allowing it to pair with two devices simultaneously. The Intuos Pro comes with the same customizable Wacom Pro Pen 3 stylus that ships with Wacom's Cintiq Pro and Movink display tablets, featuring adjustable thickness and buttons. One perk if you already own these tablets is that the Pro Pen 3 can switch between devices, which is useful if you're working across multiple tablets.

The new Intuos Pro is also compatible with previous-gen Wacom Pro Pens and EMR styluses from Pilot, Dr Grip, LAMY, and Staedtler. In a brief hands-on experience, the slimmer design felt well-constructed and wasn't flimsy. The slope wasn't significant enough to feel noticeably more comfortable, but the new layout is a welcome improvement compared to having the buttons and wheel on the sides where my wrist may accidentally activate something.

The tactile mechanical dial was a delight to use, and it didn't take long to adjust to the new design. A full review will come later when a final version is available for testing. The redesigned Intuos Pro lineup is a significant upgrade for creative professionals, offering improved customization options, a more compact design, and enhanced precision with the mechanical dials.

The implications of this redesign are significant, as Wacom continues to cater to the needs of industry creatives. The new Intuos Pro lineup is expected to be a popular choice among professionals, offering a more streamlined and efficient workflow. As the creative industry continues to evolve, Wacom's commitment to innovation and user-centric design will be crucial in meeting the demands of artists, designers, and editors.

In conclusion, Wacom's 2025 Intuos Pro lineup marks a significant milestone in the company's pursuit of delivering high-quality, user-friendly products for creative professionals. With its redesigned layout, mechanical dials, and improved customization options, the Intuos Pro is poised to become a go-to tool for industry creatives.