Microsoft highlights the pressure sensitive Surface stylus pen

Reading time icon 2 min. read


Readers help support Windows Report. We may get a commission if you buy through our links. Tooltip Icon

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial team Read more

Microsoft Surface Pro stylus pen

One of the cool features of the Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 is the pressure sensitive stylus pen. This pen allows you to have fine thin lines or thicker lines based on how much pressure you add.

“The Surface Pen is far more powerful than a traditional stylus because it is pressure sensitive – meaning that you have control of the thickness or darkness of the lines or brushstrokes you’re creating based on how hard you press the pen against the screen,” Microsoft stated in an official blog post.

Microsoft is touting the Surface Pro 2 as a “creative powerhouse” allowing one to get the most out of Adobe’s Photoshop software. In fact, the fantastic pen experience is thanks to the combination of the ten point multi-touch for app navigation and the palm blocking technology which prevents your palm from registering as a touch.

“Palm blocking technology basically ensures that you can rest the palm of your hand on the screen without it registering as a touch – when Surface Pro detects the presence of the pen, it registers the input provided by the pen alone. While drawing or sketching your hand can rest on the glass naturally — this is a huge plus over devices that support only capacitive pen,” Microsoft explains.

Microsoft suggests grabbing the Wacom driver (download listed below) and once you install the drivers, simply open the Pen Tablet Properties from the Control Panel. Here you can adjust the tip feel, along with the ability to calibrate your screen. Try it out and see how you like it.