For osu!, start with a screenless graphics tablet that controls the cursor on your computer. The One by Wacom Small CTL-472 is a straightforward first option to compare. XPPen’s Star G640 Rev B is another possibility if you also want a compact drawing pad, but the revision deserves attention. Neither device runs osu! by itself.
An iPad, Android tablet, pen display and basic LCD writing board are different purchases. This guide concerns the small USB input pads used while looking at a separate screen. A standalone tablet’s stylus support does not establish that it can replace one of these devices in your existing desktop osu! setup.
The two options at a glance
| Exact model | Maximum active area | Why consider it? | Main check |
|---|---|---|---|
| One by Wacom Small, CTL-472 / CTL472K1A | 152 × 95 mm | Compact USB input pad with a documented model and current driver path | Buy the Small CTL-472, not a similarly named Wacom One display or another tablet |
| XPPen Star G640, Rev B | 6 × 4 inches | A compact pad for drawing as well as occasional osu! play | Check the revision explicitly; an older Rev A recommendation is not a review of Rev B |
1. One by Wacom Small: a clear model to start with
The model here is CTL-472, with the selected US listing identified as CTL472K1A. Wacom’s product information manual gives it a 152 × 95 mm active area. Its roughly 8.3 × 5.7-inch outer dimensions describe the body, not the usable tracking area. That distinction matters when comparing it with a listing that advertises only a tablet’s overall size.
One by Wacom Small CTL472K1A, USB graphics tablet with pen
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The selected package is one tablet with a digital pen and USB cable. Wacom documents 2,048 pressure levels for the pen; that is a drawing feature, not a measure of aiming speed or proof that the tablet will improve your score. The appeal for this shortlist is the specific, verifiable model and its available driver support.
Wacom’s Windows driver 6.4.15-1 notes include CTL-472 and list Windows 10/11 x64 and Windows 11 ARM64. That is driver compatibility, not a promise that every game build supports those same platforms. Check the current Wacom driver selector for your computer, or check the tablet against the driver path used by your osu! client.
Choose it if you want a small, uncomplicated input pad and a clearly identified model. Its tradeoff is the fixed small physical surface: if you also make broad drawing strokes, check whether that size suits you. For a USB-C-only computer, check the required data connection and adapter before ordering.
2. XPPen Star G640 Rev B: check the revision before buying
XPPen’s Star G640 product page identifies the selected product as Rev B, with a 6 × 4-inch drawing area and a battery-free pen. The manufacturer presents it for both drawing and osu!. That makes it an option to consider for mixed use, while keeping realistic expectations about what a specification sheet can establish.
The revision is important because older G640 recommendations may refer to Rev A. In its product-page replies, XPPen says Rev A has been discontinued. A retailer title that says only “G640” does not resolve that difference. Use the manufacturer’s revision label as your starting point, and check the exact revision and package contents before ordering from any seller.
The G640 driver page separates Windows, macOS and Linux downloads and retains older packages, including an older Windows download labeled for OSU. Do not choose an old package solely because its filename mentions the game. Match the release notes to your operating system and decide whether you will use the manufacturer driver, an external OpenTabletDriver installation or osu!(lazer)’s built-in tablet support.
Choose this model if the compact size and drawing role suit your needs and you are willing to verify the revision. There is no measured latency advantage claimed here. Manufacturer report-rate figures, pressure-level counts and old Rev A praise cannot establish how the selected Rev B will feel in your own setup.
Check the game and the driver as separate requirements
The current osu! Windows download specifies Windows 10 or later and x64. A tablet vendor listing Windows 7, Android or Chromebook compatibility is therefore insufficient evidence for that game build. If you use macOS or Linux, check the game’s platform download and the tablet driver’s requirements for the exact operating-system version.
The osu! wiki documents OpenTabletDriver built into osu!(lazer). That can avoid a separate driver installation for gameplay, but it should not be generalized to osu!stable. The OpenTabletDriver supported-tablet list is also useful for checking exact models. Wacom CTL-472 is listed; XPPen entries distinguish G640 variants, so confirm that the connected device is recognized rather than guessing from its shop name.
Use one deliberate tablet-input setup at a time. OpenTabletDriver’s troubleshooting guide identifies another tablet driver running in the background as a cause of two moving cursors. If input behaves unexpectedly, check for competing drivers and follow the instructions for the driver you intend to use before changing unrelated game settings.
Choose a comfortable area, then keep it consistent
The full active area is the maximum sensing surface. Your mapped play area can be smaller. A smaller mapping makes a given hand movement cover more of the screen; a larger mapping requires more travel. Neither is automatically better. Start with an area you can reach comfortably, record its width, height and position, and adjust one setting at a time. The osu! tablet-conversion guide explains how those mapping measurements relate.
What to check before you order
- Exact model and revision: CTL-472 and G640 Rev B are specific products; a family name alone is not enough.
- Included pen and cable: Check that the listing is a complete tablet package, especially for used or renewed offers.
- Computer and game support: Check both the driver and your chosen osu! client.
- Active area: Compare the sensing area, not just the plastic body dimensions.
- Seller and condition: Recheck the selected variant, package contents and return terms before paying. A familiar photo cannot prove an internal revision.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a tablet to play osu!?
No. osu! supports other input devices, including a mouse. A graphics tablet is an alternative way to control the cursor; it does not guarantee better aim or higher scores.
Can I use an iPad or Android tablet instead?
A standalone tablet is a different device from the USB graphics tablets in this guide. Its stylus support does not establish compatibility with your desktop osu! input setup. Check the exact game client, platform and connection method before buying one for that purpose.
What is the active area of the One by Wacom CTL-472?
Wacom specifies 152 × 95 mm for the Small CTL-472. Its outer body is larger. You can map a smaller play area in compatible tablet settings.
Is every XPPen G640 the same revision?
No. The manufacturer’s current product page selects Rev B and says Rev A has been discontinued. Verify the revision explicitly; a retailer title that only says G640 does not establish which revision it describes.
Does osu!(lazer) need a separate tablet driver?
osu!(lazer) includes OpenTabletDriver support, so a separate external driver is not always necessary for gameplay. Check that your exact tablet is recognized and avoid conflicting drivers. This built-in support should not be assumed for osu!stable.
