Graphics tablets

Dale C. · 08-02-2009, 15:01

I've been thinking about buying a graphics tablet, but I have no idea which one I should buy.

I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction...

I don't want to spend too much on one, but like I have no idea how expensive a decent one would be because i've never looked into this sort of thing before

Wireless would be preffered aswell, if at all possible, but its not a serious requirement

So any recommendations would be appreciated

I was thinking something like this one maybe?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wacom-Bamboo...4107424&sr=1-6

Cheers in advance

Dale C. · 09-02-2009, 16:52

Come on Arty people, help?

**Kevthedrummer** · 09-02-2009, 17:00

I'm currently in the process of saving for one (as well as a mac, and car insurance and holiday haha). Ideally I want an actual monitor so I can draw straight onto the screen. I bought one for about 35 quid maybe 6 years ago, and it's ok, not as good as what I need, but worth investing in just to get used to using them. I mainly use it for colouring hand drawn stuff in as it doesn't seem accurate enough to draw things from scratch.

I mean as always it depends exactly what you will use it for. On the wacom site there used to be a good search engine that would find the right tablet for your needs, but they seem to have got rid of this. They do however have a rundown of what each models capabilities are: http://www.wacom-europe.com/index2.a...=en&pid=3&gm=3

I would advise at least an A4 sized one. Verrry expensive kit though.

Deckz · 09-02-2009, 18:21

Are you going to use this for professional purposes, or simply for pleasure?
Whats your budget? Cause even though you say you don't wanna spend too much on one, i reckon you'd have to pay at least 100 pounds for something decent.

I bought a Wacom Intuous 3 A4 two/three years ago and I can highly recommend this product, the accuracy and pressure control is fantastic though you need abit of practicing to grasp the full potential of the tablet. - The price for this was around 250 pounds, two years ago so I guess there is a slight chance that the price has dropped abit by now.
Though this is not wireless, the price is very decent and the quality is great. Kinda shows why this is their most popular tablet. I think they also have a "Special Edition" for the Intuous 3 now.

If you want something more flashy, then you can go for the Cintiq - one of the monitor tablets Kev was referring to. This is obviously at the higher end of the price chain and I remember that it costs a grand or two for the 21 inch. I hear there are now smaller alternatives these days.

If you just want one for fun, then go for the A5 Intuous 3, or Intuous 2 (second hand). I also hear the Graphire 2 is quite decent.

But overall, I recommend the Intuous 3, it's that great. ;)

Hope this helps abit.

**Cookie** · 10-02-2009, 12:02

If it's not a real serious requirement, that Wacom Bamboo should do you fine Dale. I have a Wacom Intuos 6X8 and it's great for design work. I takes a while to get used to, drawing on the surface and having it come up on screen but you soon get well used to it, but nothing beats the control you have drawing with a pencil and paper. As Deckz has said, the Cintiq would be perfect for Kev but it's fairly pricey. The Bamboo model won't have the same pen pressure sensitivity and features of the Intuos, but if you're just using it for pleasure it should be fine.

Dale C. · 10-02-2009, 12:09

Spending a grand

Naa its just for pleasure that I want it for, just for drawing and stuff

Any ideas on software I have to buy for it? Or is photoshop fine?

**Cookie** · 10-02-2009, 12:17

Photoshop is fine, my tab came with Corel Painter which is a great little piece of drawing software. It has tons of different types of brushes, pencil, ink, watercolour, oil, charcoal and loads more. I'd recommend you mess around with Corel if you get the chance as it really utilizes the feature of the graphics tab.

Dale C. · 10-02-2009, 12:28

Cool, what about retailers like, it if wanted to try before I buy?

Like do PCworld and places like that sell them?

**Cookie** · 10-02-2009, 12:42

I'm not sure about retailers, I couldn't find one anywhere in my local town so bought it off of amazon.

Dale C. · 10-02-2009, 12:43

Sweet, thanks for the help lads

Dale C. · 10-02-2009, 16:47

Got another question...

Whats the difference between these two products, apart from the price (they seem to be the same product

)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wacom-MTE-45...4284152&sr=8-4

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wacom-Bamboo...4284366&sr=8-2

Deckz · 10-02-2009, 18:08

I think you're right, they really do seem like the same product...
Here's a link that compares the three different Wacom Bamboos to give you more choices:
http://www.wacom-europe.com/index2.asp?lang=en&pid=225
But to be honest, it just looks like a table to encourage you to go for the most expensive version. =p

Also, there is a cheaper (and smaller) Cintiq availible now, a 12 inch version for around half the price of the 21 inch original.

Dale C. · 10-02-2009, 20:02

Just bought me a Wacom Bamboo Fun....

I'm impressed!! Its my first tablet, and I can see myself having much fun with this one, as the name suggests mwahah

Id bloody love one of them monitor ones though

Deckz · 11-02-2009, 16:37

Nice, that was quick!...can see you really wanted one.
How much did the Bamboo Fun come up to??

Yeh, I'd love to have a Cintiq too, may have to consider saving up for one...it looks too sexy to miss out on. =p (...Though I'll only be able to afford the 12-inch version.)

Dale C. · 11-02-2009, 16:47

It was £60 or thereabouts...its really good man, It also came with Photoshop elements 6, and a program called Artrage 2.5 or summat like that, which is quite poo really, but meh

I'm glad I bought one though!