Microsoft loves Surface pen maker N-trig so much it bought it – report

> When asked for confirmation of the N-trig deal, Microsoft told El Reg, "We have nothing to share."

Never a truer word ...

Wacom has a far better technology, wasted money

I own a Surface 2 Pro, and one of the reason I would not buy a Surface 3 is its pen technology. Not only the different pressure level capabilitis (mostly useful for graphic artists, less for the average user), but Wacom use a passive technology that doesn't require a battery in the pen - as long as your tablet works, so does the pen. And no need to pair it or the like as happens with bluetooth devices.

Thickness, in a tabtet 10" or more, is more a marketing problem than a real issue - you don't put it in a pocket, a few mm won't change your life.

MS should have kept on using Wacom technology, even if more expensive or requiring thicker screens - it just delivers a better "user experience".

n-Trig pens give 256 levels of pressure (not 1024) but if you can tell the difference you're a better man than me.

n-Trig pens are metal, nicely weighted by the battery, and feel much better than the light, cheap, plastic Wacom pens.

n-Trig pens only use the battery when they are actually in use, so battery life is long, at least a year.

AAAA batteries are unusual but not difficult to get hold of. Next day delivery from most places.

Surface Pro 3 Pens use Bluetooth only for the purple OneNote button. Pairing is simple, fast and reliable. All other pen functions are provided by the n-Trig digitiser.