It took me a VERY long time to realize what was wrong with that, cause I used to always hold my pen over my mouse when using a mouse with my Intuos, to switch between them. I used to use 2-3 monitors and the Intuos to navigate them all... I just had a hotkey set to flip between monitors on the tablet, and I also used the pen on mouse mode so mapping was never an issue. Now I use my Mac + Cintiq (and really want a splitter for the thunderbolt hub so I can use my extra monitor again) and have a key on the Cintiq so I can use it to navigate my main screen, or I use the trackpad.


My Cintiq is to the right of my laptop and I sit in an ergonomically correct position... I rest my hand on my tablet, my elbow at my side, neck up and shoulders where they belong. There's no hunching involved, I have my CIntiq raised up even more than the prop on the stand of it would normally allow because, uh, my "desk" is not a real desk right now, it's an electric piano, so the prop is about three-four inches higher than where the bottom of the Cintiq sits, more like using an art easel. But I think I'm also acutely aware of my body and how it works and what makes it hurt and what makes it okay.

Does the Surface come with a pen, or do you have to buy that separately? A Surface Pro seems like a good choice for my needs and budget.

The Surface Pro does come with a pen, though if you get a Surface 3 I recommend purchasing the pen for the Surface 4 (about $80CDN, dunno how much USD)-- while the 3's pen is fine, the 4 has more levels of pressure sensitivity and accuracy.

I have a Surface Pro 3 and I really like it (especially with Manga Studio which I am attempting to finally learn XD) although for additional disclosure it has not replaced my desktop PC + wacom intuos which is still my primary workstation.