Wacom tablet

[KHDZN]

Does anyone out there use a Wacom Tablet? I would like to purchase one but am not sure what I should get. I am a full-time professional graphic designer so I figure I should get a better quality tablet. But I don't want to pay $300+

Any reviews/suggestions/advice?

Thanks!
Karen

[Gerhard Schlee]

I have a Genius one, 4x6 inches... I paid equivalent to U$ 60... it's quite simple, but it fits me well, as it is not my main work tool...

[Rockhart]

I have a bamboo tablet (about 8.5 X 5.3) and it didn't cost to much... I think about 120$... Anyways it works great! the pro one just offers more sensitivity ... which is hard to notice anyways unless you're a pro. I wouldn't go any smaller than the tablet size I have though... In fact I'd go bigger if you have the $. hope this helps!

[KHDZN]

Thanks guys -- helps a lot!!

[computerlove]

I have a graphire that I bought initially to stop carpal tunnel, and it is great. I use it as a mouse replacement, very happy with it, now I rarely use the mouse.

[eyeball-design]

Things to consider when getting a tablet

1. Pressure levels - example. Wacom offers two series of tablets. The intous series features more pressure levels which is critical if you are doing airbrush, sketches, painting and similar forms of artwork. The pressure level determine how strong or light your stroke will be.

2. Size - 4 x 5 is small. 6 x 8 is a good size but again it will depend on what you are going to use it for. If you are trying to do traditional art techniques (sketches, painting) with the tablet then a bigger size might be your only option.

[Bumblebee_Dsgn]

I have a Wacom Intuos3 6x8 and I'm very pleased with it but I can't tell you how much it was it because it was a gift from my mom but I think it wasn't very expensive.

[Chung Dha]

I got one graphire not using it because it got a Tablet PC, can draw on my screen now to dont use it anymore.

[brian_lsf]

I use my Intuos3 6x8 for everything; browsing, design stuff, painting, 3d modelling-anim, video stuff, even video games haha... to the point that using a mouse feels awkward now lol

Originally Posted by eyeball-design

If you are trying to do traditional art techniques (sketches, painting) with the tablet then a bigger size might be your only option.

umm i don't think so.. it really depends on the user
I'm a digital painter/illustrator and 6x8 is perfect for me, bigger is too big (except if it's a cintiq)

[slbergh]

I have an Intuos3 6x11 (widescreen) that I use with my TabletPC. It has finer control than my computer's built-in tablet, though normally I only use the Wacom when I'm docked.

[B.T.Klemensowsk]

I use a wacom tablet, at work, it is 11 by 6. Not sure what the price is exactly but i would defiantly recommend it. I use it with a dual monitor mac and i cant live without it now. Although some applications are a little dependent on a mouse i still need to have both, but the tablet comes with a stylus and a mouse so you dont need anything else.

[awhipl]

A tablet is definitely my next step in terms of hardware. I was thinking about getting a Bamboo but I'm wondering if they won't be sensitive enough.

[LPC]

Originally Posted by KHDZN

Does anyone out there use a Wacom Tablet? I would like to purchase one but am not sure what I should get. I am a full-time professional graphic designer so I figure I should get a better quality tablet. But I don't want to pay $300+

Any reviews/suggestions/advice?

Thanks!
Karen

I absolutely HATED the wacom tablet I had, it was a gift so I feel bad for saying that but it was very difficult to deal with. I'd try drawing something and the line would appear across the page somewhere else or it just wouldn't work altogether, so if you are going to buy one make sure you find a decent brand and don't go the cheap route. Since I had that wacom tablet I just kept with the mouse to draw, which i found tremendously easier when it's wireless...

I would like to get a new wacom one day but for now that one spoiled it for me, it was so frustrating. So DO be careful when you buy yours, because you don't want it to ruin your experience with them like it did mine.

[awhipl]

I just got an intuos3 and I love it. Wacom definitely has good customer support too. I'm guessing your bad experience was due to the individual tablet having a problem since almost any designer will tell you they love their Wacom.

[brian_lsf]

I love my wacom!!

[strato]

Bamboo , baby!Well at least to begin with.It's my first so wanted to play it safe.I'm an illustrator so i use it for drawing and painting and it's just fine!

[RODRO]

After reading all these posts.. I'm definitely getting one...

[Vovikus]

I got Intuos-3 (A6 format) and it is making life a lot easier

[mangoseedstudio]

I've got a bamboo but i kind of regret it now. I was a cheaper model but the sensitivity was just not there to do the upper level jobs that I wanted. I recommend spending the little extra dough and getting the better model

[awhipl]

Originally Posted by mangoseedstudio

I've got a bamboo but i kind of regret it now. I was a cheaper model but the sensitivity was just not there to do the upper level jobs that I wanted. I recommend spending the little extra dough and getting the better model

That was my though process. Even though I don't need the intuos3 levels on a daily basis I figured over time I would end up upgrading so I just went ahead and got the intuos.