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Does Surface Pen work with all touch screen devices?

cboner

New Member
Hey all,

Does Surface Pen work with all touch screen devices? If not, what kind do I need for a Lenovo Miix 2 tablet (Windows 8)?

Just a few days ago, I bought a new Lenovo Miix 2 tablet and am fast finding out just how fat my fingers are. So I go looking for a stylus pen (or is it called just a "stylus"?) and am seeing so many options. Soft touch tip, ultra-sensitive capacitive, universal (really?), hybrid (of what and what?) ... And some say "For iPhones", "For Kindle Fires", or give a list of a lot of things.

Never having had a touch pad device except a phone that came with it's own stylus, I'm lost. Can anyone guide me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance for the help.
 

GreyFox7

Super Moderator
Staff member
The Surface Pen does NOT work with all touchscreen devices and requires a digitizer built into the screen.

The Miix 2 8's capacitive touchscreen does not have any digitizer function. Pen input is only possible with capacitive universal models that use rubberized tips to imitate finger input while offering more precision than a finger.

Something like this would definitely work. (I have both of these that I use on various capacitive Touchscreen devices).
https://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Android-Capacitive-Surfaces-CS140E/dp/B00ER52GLU/

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Capacitive-Stylus-Touchscreen-Devices/dp/B008HJGPVO/

There are newer models with finer points (1.6, 1.5mm etc.) I don't have any of these, I don't know if there are any issues with the smaller point sizes. They say they work with ipad 1/2/3... All capacitive screens. Probably worth a try especially if it can be returned if you don't like it.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Capacitive+styles
 
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cboner

New Member
Thanks for your suggestions. I'll agree with your ideas. But I have one question to ask.

As I never used the stylus, I don't know in which device is SP used.

Personally I don't like Wacom stylus by little as the price is too high, I am afraid I can not afford that.

Any recommendations for a cheap one ?
 

GreyFox7

Super Moderator
Staff member
The [Amazon Basics](https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Capacitive-Stylus-Touchscreen-Devices/dp/B008HJGPVO/) one is $7.95 in the US.

Beyond that I can't really recommend any but you can use the Amazon reviews as a guide. The Amazon one has a 4.2 rating with 1,385 reviews.

There's a [Metro](https://www.amazon.com/METRO-Capacitive-Sensitivity-Precision-Screens/dp/B01MSUJODJ/) one that looks similar to Amazon's for $6.99.

Bargain Depot has two for 6.99 https://www.amazon.com/Bargains-Depot-Upgraded-0-18-inch-Replacement/dp/B00D5GVMK8/

There there's a 10 pack for $3.70 https://www.amazon.com/Purple-Stylus-Universal-Screen-Capacitive/dp/B0075XYS4E/ color me skeptical on this category.

Choose wisely grasshopper.

None of these are the Surface Digital Pen style.
 

MikemanSP4

Super Moderator
Staff member
PLEASE BEWARE!!!!!!!!!

In regards to your question - I have basically ruined 2 Surface Pens in an attempt(s) to "pair" them with a device they are not intended for. I put my Surface Pen into "pair" mode and tried to pair it with my Samsung Note 8. It would tell me its paired, but never worked. I then attempted to use a different pen (pair) with my Surface Device - But the pen would NOT go into Pair mode at all. Basically I managed to BRICK my pen. So what did I do later, down the road? - I tried it again using yet another Surface pen - but I attempted to pair the pen with a different device! What a genius! Same results - Bricked Pen - Yayy - So please BEWARE!!! Do NOT attempt to pair your pen with another device.

I have tried everything to clear the pen out, or reset it - no luck. So I have two, very expensive Refrigerator Magnets as a wonderful reminder. The good news is - they work really well as kitchen magnets.
 
OP
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cboner

New Member
The [Amazon Basics](https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Capacitive-Stylus-Touchscreen-Devices/dp/B008HJGPVO/) one is $7.95 in the US.

Beyond that I can't really recommend any but you can use the Amazon reviews as a guide. The Amazon one has a 4.2 rating with 1,385 reviews.

There's a [Metro](https://www.amazon.com/METRO-Capacitive-Sensitivity-Precision-Screens/dp/B01MSUJODJ/) one that looks similar to Amazon's for $6.99.

Bargain Depot has two for 6.99 https://www.amazon.com/Bargains-Depot-Upgraded-0-18-inch-Replacement/dp/B00D5GVMK8/

There there's a 10 pack for $3.70 https://www.amazon.com/Purple-Stylus-Universal-Screen-Capacitive/dp/B0075XYS4E/ color me skeptical on this category.

Choose wisely grasshopper.

None of these are the Surface Digital Pen style.

Thanks for your suggestions. I will thoroughly check these styli. Few days ago, I saw an ad near my home and posted one stylus called Meko stylus. As I never use that stylus before, I wonder to know if it is good. Anyone having used Meko stylus can share your purchase experience ?
 
OP
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cboner

New Member
PLEASE BEWARE!!!!!!!!!

In regards to your question - I have basically ruined 2 Surface Pens in an attempt(s) to "pair" them with a device they are not intended for. I put my Surface Pen into "pair" mode and tried to pair it with my Samsung Note 8. It would tell me its paired, but never worked. I then attempted to use a different pen (pair) with my Surface Device - But the pen would NOT go into Pair mode at all. Basically I managed to BRICK my pen. So what did I do later, down the road? - I tried it again using yet another Surface pen - but I attempted to pair the pen with a different device! What a genius! Same results - Bricked Pen - Yayy - So please BEWARE!!! Do NOT attempt to pair your pen with another device.

I have tried everything to clear the pen out, or reset it - no luck. So I have two, very expensive Refrigerator Magnets as a wonderful reminder. The good news is - they work really well as kitchen magnets.

Thanks for your remind. My ideas is to pair one stylus with one tablet, or laptop to test if it can work. With your advice, I will take the notice that I will not pair any stylus with one tablet as there is no comparison between them. What a foolish idea I have. Ok, I've got it. Thank you very much.
 

MikemanSP4

Super Moderator
Staff member
Thanks for your remind. My ideas is to pair one stylus with one tablet, or laptop to test if it can work. With your advice, I will take the notice that I will not pair any stylus with one tablet as there is no comparison between them. What a foolish idea I have. Ok, I've got it. Thank you very much.

I cannot of course speak for any other devices and the Surface Pen - But again - I have two very expensive Kitchen Magnets. Sure I can use them to click on items, scroll, select etc - But the FULL Functionality is lost. Whenever I hold down the Top Pen Button in an attempt to get the Pen to Pair, no green or white light appears. Additionally I have scoured the internet to see if there is anyway to do a "Hard Reset" on the Surface Pen - I have came up with nothing. My unsolicited advice, Don't attempt to use the Surface Pen with any other product. Cheers! - Mike
 
OP
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cboner

New Member
Thanks for your advice. I know that any device can be comparable with others, but based on my using experience, Surface pen is not so good as people think. Though this stylus has high pressure sensitivity, it can just work with Surface Series rather than all capacitive devices. So when people consider which stylus they should buy, comprehensive thoughts are needed and necessary.
 
OP
C

cboner

New Member
The [Amazon Basics](https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Capacitive-Stylus-Touchscreen-Devices/dp/B008HJGPVO/) one is $7.95 in the US.

Beyond that I can't really recommend any but you can use the Amazon reviews as a guide. The Amazon one has a 4.2 rating with 1,385 reviews.

There's a [Metro](https://www.amazon.com/METRO-Capacitive-Sensitivity-Precision-Screens/dp/B01MSUJODJ/) one that looks similar to Amazon's for $6.99.

Bargain Depot has two for 6.99 https://www.amazon.com/Bargains-Depot-Upgraded-0-18-inch-Replacement/dp/B00D5GVMK8/

There there's a 10 pack for $3.70 https://www.amazon.com/Purple-Stylus-Universal-Screen-Capacitive/dp/B0075XYS4E/ color me skeptical on this category.

Choose wisely grasshopper.

None of these are the Surface Digital Pen style.

I heard from my neighborhood that Mixoo stylus is good, especially this stylus. I have never heard of that stylus so have little about Mixoo stylus. Do you have that experience ?
 

GreyFox7

Super Moderator
Staff member
I heard from my neighborhood that Mixoo stylus is good, especially this stylus. I have never heard of that stylus so have little about Mixoo stylus. Do you have that experience ?
I don't know anything about it but the reviews are good and Amazon seems to think it's alright. With the two different tips it seems like it would work one way or the other.
 
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