This is my current laptop and Cintiq 13HD set up. Very mobile.

The new Pro Pen.

I use a laptop as my full-time computer set up. I do not actually work on a desk at home. I work sitting in a recliner in the living room, at the kitchen table, or at a coffee shop. I like being able to fit all my computer hardware into a backpack. The Cintiq 21UX is a large device and cannot fit into a backpack. So it’s a bit difficult to be mobile with the larger Cintiq models. When the Cintiq 13HD was announced I realized that it would be a perfect addition to my set up. So I ordered one and anxiously waited by the front door for it to arrive.

Hardware

The hardware is well built. It’s sturdy but light. The cable is thin and doesn’t require a lot of wrapping up. The pen is their most comfortable yet. The pen is a bit thinner than past Wacom device pens, which makes it closer to an actual pen (Although not quite there yet). The penholder case is probably the best part (and that’s actually a large challenge). The penholder case feels like a spy movie gadget. It is well built and designed for easy use. The pen case is magnetic and has just enough hold to keep the pen closed but not struggle to hard to open it.
The corners on the actual Cintiq 13HD hardware are rounded and not pointed. The device weight is near an Intuos 4 medium tablet. The size is almost identical to an Intuos 4 tablet (though a smidge thinner).

The hotkey/button configuration. All customizable.

There are 4 programmable buttons, a d-pad like circular buttons set and a center button for the d-pad. In total that is 9 buttons to program how you see fit. Each of these buttons is raised slightly from the surface and is easy enough to press.

The cable connecting into the 13HD unit.

All the cables!

The connector does not connect very securely. It feels as though it could snap off if you move the device around while it’s connected. It’s not a deal breaker. This is just something to be aware of. If you’re setting it on a table or not moving it’s fine.
The stand is thin and light yet can support your arm weight on it just fine. There are 3 levels to adjust the stand to. There are 2 slots on the back of the Cintiq for the stand to snap into. The bottom one acts as a hinge and the top one holds the stand firmly snapped in if you want to flatten the stand but still keep it attached to the device. You can also remove the stand completely if you decide to.

This is the stand on the highest setting.

The stand on the medium setting.

The stand on the lowest setting.

The stand fully collapsed.

These are the 3 tiers to the stand flattened.

This is the back of the unit. The two slots is where the stand connects.

The backside of the stand is metal with rubber strips on the top and bottom to help grip the table.

The Cintiq 13HD also fit nicely in the Intuos 3/4 medium case that the company directly manufactures. You also have enough room for the pen. This makes carrying around the device a bit easier if you’re worried about the screen getting damaged in transportation.

The Cintiq 13HD and Pro Pen fit nicely into Wacom’s Intuos 4/5 Medium bag.

The Software
The software side is very similar to recent Wacom drivers. The system set up is very easy and allows you to customize all 9 buttons on it.
One nice thing the software adds is an on screen keyboard. This is great it’s small and convenient to use. You can only assign it to the 5 buttons around the d-pad. Which is a shame. It would just be nice to be able to assign that to another button.
It would be nice to be able to adjust the screen brightness a little easier. I like to turn up the brightness on my screen and the 13HD seems like it’s one step below max brightness on my laptop. You have to adjust the brightness in the default operating system preferences and not in the Wacom drivers or on the device.
But how does it work?
This device is comfortable and very easy to use.
The pen moves around on screen very smoothly. Since this is essentially a screen device lag only occurs on an underpowered machine. My 2010 Macbook Pro had no lag or issues with this on the OsX or Windows 7 side. I have not tested it on any other computers.

Summary
So to bring it all together this device is the current cream of the Wacom crop design-wise. They have outdone themselves and instead of just iterate on past designs they have really retooled as pushed things further than with previous iterations. It’s a bit pricey at $999 but for what you are getting and the quality of the device it’s worth it in my book.
If you have a desk, desktop machine that you never leave and need a second monitor then get one of the larger Cintiq devices. If you’re on the go more, use a laptop, or want to store the Cintiq while not in use then get the 13HD.

Score: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Note: I will add additional images of the screen in use and pen case at a later time.