The Ultimate Tip List for Wacom Graphic Tablets
Many people ask what would be the best graphic tablet for them.
While there are many factors and variables to consider,
the staff at DrawitTablet.com have assembled 25 tips
which can help narrow down your choices.
But before we start, lets have a look at the basics first.
A) Basically, you have 4 different Wacom graphics tablet models to choose from.
From the least expensive to the priciest, these are:
Bamboo / Bamboo Touch (512 – 1024 pressure sensitivity levels) ($70 US to $200 US)
Designed for the general public, Wacom’s recent line of pen and touch input tablets is geared towards personal and general office use.
Graphire Bluetooth (512 pressure sensitivity levels) ($250 US)
One of Wacom’s first pen tablet , this unique wireless drawing tablet is in a class all by itself.
Intuos4 (2048 pressure sensitivity levels) ($230 US to $790 US)
The new 4th generation of Intuos graphic tablets, with 4 sizes to choose from, is intended for intermediates and professionals in graphic arts and design.
Cintiq (1024 pressure sensitivity levels) ($1 000 US to $2 000 US)
This is the best of the best in pen tablets anywhere. You literally work, draw and paint directly on the monitor screen providing pixel-perfect detail and a rich, ultimate experience all serious professionals desire.
B) Next, there are different sizes and/or styles for each Wacom graphic tablet model mentioned above…
Bamboo – 5 models: (small) Touch, Pen, Pen & Touch, Craft Pen & Touch and (medium) Fun Pen & Touch
Graphire Wireless - the one and only (other Graphires are discontinued and replaced by Bamboo)
Intuos4 – 4 sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large
C) Now, here are 25 tips to help you choose the computer drawing tablet that will suit you best.
1- You have a standard 4:3 monitor … then the most popular graphic tablet is the wireless Graphire Bluetooth.*
2- You own a wide screen monitor and you want a drawing area which matches its wide screen format perfectly without adjustments … then all 5 models of Bamboo, all 4 sizes of Intuos4 and the Cintiq 12WX are better suited for a wide-format display.
* Please note that all Wacom graphic tablets will work very well with all multiple monitor set-ups and all monitor sizes (thanks to Wacom’s mapping software). However, if you prefer to work in the EXACT dimensions of your screen, then the wide-format Wacom drawing tablets (#2 above) corresponds better with the 16:10 aspect ratio of wide screen monitors.
3- You teach, hold seminars, conduct workshops, give presentations or need to be away from the computer screen … then a wireless Graphire using Bluetooth technology will let you control your computer from 30 feet away. This graphic tablet’s battery can be used for 25 hours before the next charge.
4- You travel a lot, therefore size and portability are of utmost importance … then the Bamboo line, the wireless Graphire Bluetooth and the Intuos4 Small and Medium graphic tablets will do the trick superbly and are very easy to slip into travel bags or laptop bags due to compact size. To make packing even easier, Intuos 4 also features a detachable USB cable.
5- You only need a mouse-equivalent or better to perform basic computer navigating tasks … then Bamboo Touch multi-touch tablets will serve you well.
Bamboo Touch
6- You have a small desk or small work space … then the Bamboo family, the wireless Graphire Bluetooth and the 2 smaller Intuos4 pen tablets will be perfect. Rest assured that smaller graphic tablets have the same Wacom high quality as larger graphic tablets of the same line.
7- You only want the bare bones graphic package and don’t need any extra software or a wireless mouse or ExpressKeys … then the slim Bamboo Pen digitizer tablet is just for you.
8- You are a beginner or you just want to see what graphic tablets are all about … then the Bamboo Pen drawing tablet will help get your creative juices flowing at an affordable price. If you are a beginner and desire both pen and multi-touch inputs, a Bamboo Pen & Touch will certainly inspire you.
9- You are left-handed … then the reversible Bamboo family, the Graphire Bluetooth and the ambidextrous Intuos4 pen tablets provide a variety of choices for any profession or computer level.
10- You suffer from RSI (the Mouse Syndrome) or arthritis or other ailments which cause pain in your hand, wrist, arm or shoulder when using a mouse … then any Wacom graphic tablet will help relieve the pain. However, the Intuos4 and Cintiq graphic arts tablets are recommended due to their cushioned Grip Pen which reduces the gripping tension by as much as 40%. Those who do not want a pen tablet, can choose a Bamboo Touch multi-touch input tablet which allows you to command your computer at the touch of your fingers.
Bamboo Fun & Bamboo Craft Pen & Touch
11- Your budget is tight … then the Bamboo / Bamboo Touch tablets offer excellent choices and value at affordable prices.
12- You are into digital crafts and scrapbooks… then the Bamboo Craft Pen & Touch is perfect for the job, with a treasure trove of software and bonus scrapbooking and crafts material. You are creative but are more into photo editing and retouching, then Bamboo Fun Pen & Touch and the smaller Intuos4 will perform wonderfully.
13- You are a student with basic computer skills, but with a lot of homework involving projects … then the Bamboo Pen & Touch, Bamboo Fun Pen & Touch and the Intuos4 Small or Medium pen tablets will help you earn a better grade.
14- You are a student learning graphics, architect, design or photography … then the Intuos4 L and XL graphic tablets plus both Cintiq pen displays will help you achieve better results because of greater work surface area, and in Cintiq’s case, the unique sensation of working directly on the monitor screen.
15- You desire the experience of a textured pen-on-paper feeling … then the Bamboo family and the Cintiq 21UX. digitizer tablet feature a textured surface.
Wacom Graphire Bluetooth Packaging
16- You use expressive, wide strokes when using a pen … then larger graphic tablets like the (medium) Bamboo Fun Pen & Touch, the Intuos4 M, L & XL plus both Cintiq interactive pen displays will give you plenty of working space. If you draw using traditional movements from the shoulder or the elbow, then the Intuos4 Large and the larger Cintiq are excellent options. Using even larger, longer sweeping strokes will require the Intuos4 Extrra Large or the Cintiq 21UX.
17- You prefer to use small movements of the wrist when working … then smaller drawing tablets like the Bamboo Pen family, the wireless Graphire and the Intuos4 Small are just the thing.
18- Your computer does not have a USB port … then the wireless Graphire Bluetooth pen tablet will save the day. However, it does require that your computer have a Bluetooth adapter (not included with the pen tablet), and you will need a power source to charge the graphic tablet battery. The power adapter is included. The wireless Graphire digitizer tablet is ideal for use with a laptop since Bluetooth capabilities are built into many newer laptops.
19- You want to kick back and relax while your work … then the wireless Graphire pen tablet with Bluetooth technology is your ticket to ultimate freedom where you can be as far as 30 feet from your computer ! You can even kick back while charging the graphic tablet battery due to the included 12-foot cord. Just make sure that your computer has a Bluetooth adapter.
The other options are any of the Intuos4 digitizer tablets with the second longest USB cord of all Wacom tablets. You can also adjust your 8-foot cord’s position vertically or horizontally for greater workspace flexibility.
Of course, there is the crème de la crème of working freedom with the adjustable Cintiq series of graphic arts tablets (tethered to a 6.5-foot USB cord) where you can write, draw and design directly on the screen but the price itself needs quite a bit of adjusting to.
20- You desire more precision, the highest pen sensitivity, and pen tilt control … then all the Intuos4 graphic tablets (with the highest pressure sensitivity level of 2048) plus both Cintiq interactive pen displays (1024 pressure sensitivity levels) are recommended.
New Intuos4 Graphic Tablet
21- You need the most keyboard shortcuts possible for the fastest work output available … then the Intuos4 M, L & XL offer the most ExpressKeys (8 in all) and many more innovative, time-saving features. The only graphic tablet with a higher number of ExpressKeys is the Cintiq 12WX (10), but this Cintiq interactive pen display also comes with the highest price tag.
22- You are in a profession requiring precision, professional results, intricate detail and ultimate control … then the Intuos4 M, L & XL drawing tablets plus both Cintiq graphic arts tablets will perform magnificently with amazing accuracy.
23- You need a variety of tools to work with other than the included digitizer pen … then Intuos4 and Cintiq digitizer tablets have the most accessories available anywhere. Among them are, the 6D Art Pen, the Airbrush, the lens cursor, a Grip Pen accessory kit and more!
24- You think Wacom graphic tablets are too expensive … then Adesso, Aiptek (the only other manufacturer of wide-format pen tablets thus far), DigiPro, Genius, Pablo, Trust, UC Logic are some of the other brand names of graphic tablets. But, please keep these facts in mind when comparing Wacom graphic tablets to other brands:
a) All other pen tablets (at the moment) DO NOT have battery-free pens. This means heavier, thicker pens, plus the inconvenience and worry of replacing batteries (usually AAA). Some other drawing tablets have tethered pens, which greatly hinders freedom of movement.
b) No-name brand pen tablets lack accuracy and precision.
c) Wacom is the world leader in graphic tablets and has won many awards for outstanding design and quality.
d) Wacom’s included extra software (except for Bamboo Touch) adds a lot of value
e) Registered Wacom users get privileges (driver upgrades) and discounts on other software
f) Wacom offers discounts for academic purposes
25- You are none of the above … then e-mail us at contactus@drawittablet.com and we will happily welcome the challenge and do our best to find the right graphic tablet match for you.
Wacom Cintiq Interactive Pen Display
The above tip list is by no means perfect. Choosing and purchasing a graphic tablet is like buying a vehicle – you basically know what you want, need and can afford. The choices then fall into place.
For example – you are a beginner in pen tablets, you have a home office with limited desk space, and you have many creative projects to accomplish … then depending on what you can afford, the small Bamboo Pen & Touch, the medium Bamboo Fun Pen & Touch, the wireless Graphire Bluetooth or the Intuos4 Small or Medium graphic tablets are your best choices. But you also need top of the line precision with ultimate pen sensitivity, tilt and many time-saving components … then Intuos4 M graphic tablet will suit you well. Oh! but you are left handed ! Don’t worry ! All Intuos4 pen tablets are reversible!
By the simple process of elimination, you will be able to make the right choice.
We hope this has helped in choosing the best drawing tablet at the proper size for you. Feel free to use the Compare Tablets chart or the Compare Bamboo table on DrawitTablet.com to clearly see your options. Use it to compare Wacom graphic tablets with other brand tablets as well or just explore more details and information in choosing the right digitizer tablet for you.
Wishing you continued success,
Staff at DrawitTablet.com
updated October, 2009
