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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Best deals for GREAT tablets?

Roberto Lequeux

Roberto Lequeux

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Title says it all. Can anyone recommend a GREAT tablet that might also be a good deal?

After some VERY basic Googling I found this article saying to go with the Intuos 4 PTK-640, which can be had at B&H for $349.- shipped. The article gives Wacom the top 5 spots on their top 10 list... Here is an other site that also calls to pick the Intuos. And one more.

...is Wacom the undisputed ruler of the tablet market? Well, good for them if them are. And if so, then I guess PTK-640 might be the best choice. Or is it? Those are just the top Google hits. I could use someone with a more educated opinion.
 
Go for it! You can't go wrong with Wacom. I have had my old Intuos2 for over 10 years and it is still going strong. I also have an Intuos4 but only use it every once in a while on the laptop. One of the best features is the wireless mouse that doesn't use batteries. It is the only mouse I've used these past 10 years.
 
Back in 1989 I was in our art department of the printing company I worked for at the time and was talking with one of the artists at the time about his artboard and the advantages of the Mac I owned (an SE at the time), "One of these days, your art table will be a computer screen that you'll just draw on it", I boldly proclaimed to his laughter. Almost there now, and I agree with Curran. I've had my Intuos2 for years and it works exactly the same as it did when I bought it. However I prefer the wireless pen as it is mightier than the mouse.
 
I just about have a 1:1 Computer to Wacom ratio here :-)
The Wacom tablets have all been superb and I use them for all computer work, replacing the mouse. I personally recommend them. They take about a week to "learn" and from then on, you're laughing!

Graeme
 
Graeme Nattress said:
I just about have a 1:1 Computer to Wacom ratio here :-)
The Wacom tablets have all been superb and I use them for all computer work, replacing the mouse. I personally recommend them. They take about a week to "learn" and from then on, you're laughing!

Graeme
Click to expand...

I also love my Wacom... Intuos 2 XD-0912 U.... I use it 100% of the time, learned to type very fast with the pen still in my right hand. It's probably a 6 year old tablet, but works incredibly well... and the scale of it works very nicely with a 30" display.
 
Yep - get that Wacom. The tablets are very sturdy and last for ages.

- my previous history of tablets was:
- Summagraphics FX (not Wacom) - great but had some reliability problems
- Wacom Graphire - given to me. Worked perfectly. I gave it to a friend when I upgraded (it's still working)
- Wacom Intuos2 6"x8" - bought on eBay used. Worked perfectly. Again, I donated it when I upgraded (it's also still working)
- Wacom Intuos4 Large - bought new. Works perfectly.

At work I use a 12"x9" Intuos2 - still works perfectly too.

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com
 
Love my Wacoms... They do last for ages. And sorry for the sales pitch, but if anyone wants an older Wacom ArtZ II series tablet for cheap, let me know. I have both a 9x6 and a 12x18 that I've upgraded to Intuos4 models. Still work great, still supported by their current drivers. I use them with a USB to Serial adapter under Windows. Probably would work just fine with a such an adapter on the Mac too, but I haven't tried. Both include the stylus and 4-button puck.

Just thought I'd throw that out there. They're awesome. Only difference between these older ones and the latest is they don't have the fancy buttons on the sides of the drawing surface and they have fewer levels of pressure sensitivity.
 
Great. So it seems it is really just a matter of picking a size based on what can you fit comfortably on your desk. The price difference from medium to large is a little over $100, and coupled with all these great reports on durability it makes getting the right size for you seem like a wise investment... Not sure if I would travel with a large :) but that is a different story. The medium does seem 17" laptop bag friendly-ish.
 
I will say you can get too small of a tablet and that will be very frustrating. You need some real estate to work around on. Get the largest size you can tolerate.
 
Roberto Lequeux said:
Great. So it seems it is really just a matter of picking a size based on what can you fit comfortably on your desk. The price difference from medium to large is a little over $100, and coupled with all these great reports on durability it makes getting the right size for you seem like a wise investment... Not sure if I would travel with a large :) but that is a different story. The medium does seem 17" laptop bag friendly-ish.
Click to expand...

If you're using 1 screen (or laptop screen only) - medium is fine.

Once you start working across two 24" or 30" monitors, you want the large. That's my 2c.

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com
 
Great. Thanks for all the answers. Now all I am missing is the spare cash. Sorry Graeme, your Chivas will have to wait a little longer yet. :)

I am getting sick of eraser junk! And un-do would be so useful... drawing one great tree, or a few different ones and copying them... faster and more shading options. Resizing and moving elements! AGHH!!!!

lol

Not to knock pencil and eraser, and scanner, but I think it is about time. Onwards!
 
I would also strongly recommend picking up a pack of the felt nibs as well.

They have a much more natural feel to them in my opinion. I can't stand the standard plastic nib.
 
If you are just going to replace your mouse then I would recommend you to take a small one like bamboo. It's fine to work with most regular application used in post production. And It doesn't take too much space on your desk, so you can work comfortably with your keyboard at the same time. But if you have some special requirement like sketch drawing and you do it regularly, then probably a bigger one would be better.
 
Roberto Lequeux said:
Great. So it seems it is really just a matter of picking a size based on what can you fit comfortably on your desk.
Click to expand...


Depends on what you do and how big is your digital workspace - monitor area. Medium will do you just fine on one monitor, as Bruce said. Larger surfaces are doable but with a cost of loosing precision.
 
Pavel.Dolgov said:
If you are just going to replace your mouse then I would recommend you to take a small one like bamboo. It's fine to work with most regular application used in post production. And It doesn't take too much space on your desk, so you can work comfortably with your keyboard at the same time. But if you have some special requirement like sketch drawing and you do it regularly, then probably a bigger one would be better.
Click to expand...

I am actually just looking for the ability to draw. I don't really feel the need to replace my mouse, though some are making it sound like I might want to after I check it out! :)

Hrvoje Simic said:
Depends on what you do and how big is your digital workspace - monitor area. Medium will do you just fine on one monitor, as Bruce said. Larger surfaces are doable but with a cost of loosing precision.
Click to expand...

Yes, I use two 1920 x 1200 24" monitors so I took notice when Bruce pointed that out. It makes lots of sense. But is the surface of the tablet mapped out to the dimensions of your workspace? Sounds a bit confusing with different aspects and dual screens. Is it more of a speed setting easily accessible on the tablet?
 
Get the biggest ones. Most Quantel and Autodesk system are delivered with the large Wacom boards. There are reasons for doing so. One is the convenient position of the keyboard on top of the Wacom board. You can but you don't have to use the board's full area. The active area is selectable. With the large board you you've got the choice. With the smaller brothers your are limited.

I've got an Intuos 2 which is in daily use since over 10 years now. I also have an Intuos 4 for a new Smoke bay which is great as well but not so much better than the Intuos 2 that I would spend the money and replace it.

I suggest to look for them at ebay. They last for ever, so an used board won't lose much value but price. They are ergonomically much, much better than a mouse. No tennis elbow anymore.

And then, when you recovered from the investment, get a Herman Miller Aeron chair and your health package is complete (will last for ever as well).


Hans
 
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