why is it not the GPU that is the most critical when talking about the FPS and refresh rate for things like pen input?
GPUs are typically about reducing latency for a large amount of parallel processing. Things like stylus latency are more about reducing the latency for a very tiny amount of serially processed data, where the latency requirements are quite a bit more strenuous. (A kerjillion triangles, versus under 4 bytes total for x,y, and pressure, though there is a bit more than just that for rendering a drawn line with attendant mathematics.)
People who edit sound and do studio recording know from experience that people paying close attention can start noticing lags upwards of 5-10 ms or so. When you're concentrating on drawing, you're definitely paying close attention.
The way game input works compared to OS input is very _very_ different.
Games go through a more direct mode of user input (directX) whereas the OS has to take into account that where your clicking can do a million different things (basically games take -almost- exclusive use of your mouse/keyboard). This becomes even more problematic when it's in a drawing application and they're now running math over your input to figure out exactly what you meant.
I'm with you though. They really shouldn't have come this far with screwing up the latency on the pen again (this fixed it on the surface 2 after talking to gabe last time as well...)
GPUs are typically about reducing latency for a large amount of parallel processing. Things like stylus latency are more about reducing the latency for a very tiny amount of serially processed data, where the latency requirements are quite a bit more strenuous. (A kerjillion triangles, versus under 4 bytes total for x,y, and pressure, though there is a bit more than just that for rendering a drawn line with attendant mathematics.)
People who edit sound and do studio recording know from experience that people paying close attention can start noticing lags upwards of 5-10 ms or so. When you're concentrating on drawing, you're definitely paying close attention.