[looktothesky]

Hey all.

I've been thinking about buying myself a computer/graphics/whatever tablet, since I'm in Graphic Design, and I'll need it for Typography and digital art and that.

I just was wondering, what type of tablets are available out there? Which are good, which are bad? Recommendations? Opinions? Prices? Free food?

All thoughts and opinions are welcome.
And also, money is no object here. lol I just need ideas.

Thanks a lot.

[LiocModnar]

In my amateur experience, Wacom makes the best tablets. I got the smaller Graphire2 about 4 years ago and it's been pretty reliable. Wacom tech support was great when I needed replacement tips for my stylus - hard to beat free. My only complaint about it is that after 4 years, the scroll wheel on the mouse no longer functions. It's been relegated to my travel tablet and I've got a 4x5 Graphire3 for the main. The design is nice and 512 levels of sensitivity are sufficient for me. Me being a biochemist who uses it primarily for figure creation, with some minor photo retouching and freehand sketching on the side.

My mentor's daughter is a graphic's artist and she's also using a Graphire3. Unlike me, she has the 6x8 version and finds it meets her needs. The Intuos model has a nicer pen and mouse as well as more pressure sensitivity. How well can you modulate your hand? An entry level tablet will run around $100 but if you shop around you can probably get by with $80.

[srmoore]

If you want control and accuracy go for the Wacom Intuos line (Granted they are more expensive.) I've had one for several years and love it. Actually just ordered a new Intuous 3 one this week. Oddly I've never used the mouse for them.. But the new one is coming with one.

As a side benifit, the pen helps in an ergonomic way.. once you get used to using it, it just feels better in the wrist and such.

One of the new things that the intuous 3 line will do is not only watch pressure, and angle, but will also watch how you rotate the barrel of the pen. I find that unless you have serious desk space anything bigger than the 6x8 is too big (and expensive) I will admit to looking into the 9x12s though.. just because it fits a sheet of paper.

IN anycase, I would strongly suggest going with wacom. I've had nothing but good things with them for the past 8 or so years. Also a lot of the tablet PCs that are coming out actually use wacom's technology, so you can download enhanced drivers for them to get good stuff.

If you are going to be doing graphics work, and have $150 (thats discounted because you have a wacom), I'd look into Alias' SketchBook Pro. It is like photoshop but designed for pen usage. (The guys at penny-arcade.com use it.) You can download a 15 day trial for free though. (I have it, but am waiting on the new tablet. Stupid me loosing my Intous1 pen, then accidently buying a replacement for the intuous2, which won't work on the 1, btu should work on the 3)

Anyway, good luck, and hope this helped!

[looktothesky]

It has helped. I'll continue my research, but I'll also keep your suggestions in mind. Thanks a lot!!

[srmoore]

It has helped. I'll continue my research, but I'll also keep your suggestions in mind. Thanks a lot!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No problem

If you end up finding out info about other tablets that seem good, I'd like to hear about them. (Just out of curiosity for the next time I get one...) I still have to figure out how to use one when doing my 3D animation stuff... (Although i'm starting to use it for story board purposes. (err was.. and will be once the new one shows up))