Help deciding on pen and tablet [Archive]

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annfield

11-19-2006, 04:06 PM

Winterfox

11-19-2006, 07:12 PM

I bought the $99.00 WACOM Tablet and it is just the right size to work with. I have a laptop that sits on my lap. I disengage my touch pad when I connect my WACOM and it works beautifully for working in sensitive areas in my photoshop elements work space.
Carol

Jan

11-19-2006, 07:38 PM

Ann,
If it's any comfort to you, I've heard from more than one person about how they bought the larger tablets because they were sure they'd need one, then once they began using it, how they wished they had bought the smaller one! So much easier to work with, in most cases. I have the Wacom Intuos 2 4x5 tablet and I love it!

maggiemaylove

11-20-2006, 05:40 AM

After much studying and reading the forums here, I decided to purchase the wacom graphite 4x5 tablet and pen. I found it at Amazon for 89.00, free shipping. It was easy to hook up and start working with and I wondered how I ever worked without it. I really like it and am so glad I got the small size, it keeps your hand movements small and for the things I do with it, it couldn't be better. Hope this helps with your decision!

Priss

11-20-2006, 06:29 AM

I have decided that a pen and tablet will make my life easier. I have done some checking on the net and in the stores. Now I am really confused. I don't want to waste money buying more than I need. What is the minimum size tablet that works well? I have a horror of buying the $99.00 dollar small tablet and immediately knowing that I need the larger one.

All suggestions appreciated.

Ann

I have the CTE-640; it's a little bigger than Jans...and it is a good size for me. I am not very good on it, and while I'm not "sorry" that I got that size, I think I might be able to work more easily on the smaller one. Presenters I've seen that use them, always have the small one. The Wacom people at conventions always have the big one, and the computer's keyboard is not even within five feet of their tablets. I think you will be very happy with the small one and that is a good price for it.

troush

11-20-2006, 08:34 AM

I have found the 4x5 perfect. It does take some getting used to the fact that the pad maps to the screen, but once you get over that, it is great.

-Trish

Franny

11-20-2006, 12:58 PM

Thanks for this question and answers. I want to buy a Wacum too and didn't know which one.

tirzam

11-20-2006, 06:16 PM

:rolleyes: This is the item I'm asking Santa for.;)

GardenGal

11-21-2006, 10:07 AM

I just bought the Intuos3 4x6 (it's a new size) because it is the same ratio as my widescreen monitor. After a day or so I pretty much was comfortable with where to put the pen and have it correspond with where I wanted it to be :) It does sit directly next to my keyboard (with barely a 1/2" to spare on my pull out keyboard shelf. All in all it is a good size, but I KNOW I wouldn't want one any bigger.

siraacsa

11-21-2006, 02:59 PM

I just bought the Intuos3 4x6 (it's a new size) because it is the same ratio as my widescreen monitor.

I had decided after reading many posts on this topic to go with the 4x5 model, which also seems to be reasonably priced, but now you have mentioned the ratio aspect and I am not sure again. I have a laptop and PC monitor that are both widescreen. Aaaghhhh. Also although the Intuos looks very nice it is a bit out of my price range.

Does anyone else use a 4x5 on a widescreen?

letdolphin

11-21-2006, 09:18 PM

I just got a Wacom 4x5 graphire4 and it is perfect. I have a desktop PC & a laptop MacBook Pro and it seems to work great with both ... I have just started playing with it today as I just picked it up at 5pm this evening :)

dmrdm

11-22-2006, 05:55 AM

I bought the Graphire 4, 4 X 5 and I love the size. It's perfect for me. I dwelled on the size and type for many months. I got it a couple of months ago on sale for $69.00 at Best Buy, so I said what the heck. I had really, really wanted to purchase the Intuos 4 X 5, but I am left handed and read a lot of stories about it not working well for lefties. I even emailed Wacom twice to ask to confirm my readings and also if they were going to redesign that model for lefties and they weren't any time in the future. So since I wanted a 4 x 5, I had to go with the Graphire...and since I saw it so cheap....I did that.

Now if you haven't heard, they are making wide panel formats now. That might be cool.

Now if you buy a big one and decide you hate having to drag your hand so far across the screen...you can set up the drawing space on the table to work in only a portion of it.

I'm not a designer or anything....just a hobbiest. Good luck.

Penny

11-22-2006, 04:19 PM

I just purchased an Intuos3 4x5. Love it. It does take some getting use to. I used it to do my WBWT #10 this week. Sure made things easier to do. It was a breeze to add to my computer. Did have to download an update on the driver but no problem with that. Now I need to customize the buttons on the left side and the pen to suit my needs.

Your digital life will be much easier when you purchase a tablet. You will have to force yourself to put the mouse away until you get use to using your tablet. Oh yes, don't try writing with you tablet pen on paper. It doesn't work - I picked the pen up thinking I had my ball point pen in hand and wondered why it wasn't writing.:eek:

annfield

11-26-2006, 04:37 PM

I have been having some problems getting this thank you out but am back from Thanksgiving and will try again. Thanks to all of you for taking the time to respond. I am going with the Wacom 4x5.

Ann

odark30

12-05-2006, 05:24 PM

You asked about the wide screen with a 4x5. I do have a widescreen (laptop & Desktop ) and I do tend to "run out of room" occasionally! You learn to work within the space! (And swear occasionally)...

annfield

12-08-2006, 03:11 PM

I just opened up my Wacom Graphire4 4X5. I love it. I'm trying to figure out how to make it draw and write. Once again, Thanks for all the input. If there is an easy way to do the above.. Let me know. Please.

Ann

Wendy

12-08-2006, 03:14 PM

Hi Ann ...

If you look on the Wacom site ... there are some tips there that may help you get started :)

http://www.wacom.com/tips/index.cfm?category=Photoshop

Wendy

eratcliffhr

12-09-2006, 07:51 AM

Thanks for inquiring about this Ann. I've been wanting to purchase this as well. Now I know which one to ask Santa to bring to me.

Wendy

12-09-2006, 08:38 AM

Eileen ...

Do let us know if Santa manages to choose the right one :)

Wendy

NMarti

12-11-2006, 10:22 PM

Ann
Unfortunately the only way is practice, practice, practice. I wrote my name about 100 times before I was satisfied with the way it looked. The more you use it the more comfortable you will become with it.

Franny

01-01-2007, 11:56 AM

My screen is 9" X 12." My Wacom Graphire is 4" X 5" and it works fine. I got it at Best Buy for $70. It was the only one they had and my DH was anxious to get my christmas present and get out of there so I brought it home. It is fine. I am not good with the pen yet, but it has a mouse also. Although I am not an expert at using it - it has not frustrated me at all and I am glad I got that size because my keyboard fits fine next to it.