Graphic Tablets- input, if you please

[choklit]

I've been thinking about buying a graphic tablet for my drawing use. If you do use one, can you tell me what it is, how much it costs, and how happy you are with it, and why? It'll be a great help in my search for one. Thanks, all.

Oh, now I see this is a tech question. My apologies, honored mods. Move it if you wish.

[Ante Bellum]

Do NOT get UC Logic! I have one, and it's very poor. And when I tried to contact customer service, none of their email addresses worked!

(Other than that, a lot of people will probably recommend Wacom. Maybe Bamboo, if you are just getting into it.)

[mechana2015]

I use a Wacom Intuos, and I really like it. It cost me around 300 dollars.

[Radical Dreamer]

Definitely go with Wacom. They're really the best out there. XD I use an Intuos 2, myself, and though it put me out about $300, it's lasted me for...at least five years, and it still works like a charm. XD I think they're up to Intuos 4 now, but they have a lot of other, cheaper models available that won't cost as much. If you're thinking of going into a career where you'll be using a tablet, definitely get an Intuos, but if you're just looking for one for fun, the cheaper models (like the Bamboo) would be a good choice!

[mechana2015]

The bamboo is actually a pretty good tablet from what I've seen, and pretty durable.

[Whitefang]

I have used a Wacom cintiq before, just for playing around as I have no artistic skills. Even so, I found it quite useful. The reason I don't have it now is because it was leftover property from a prof who moved and I no longer have access to the tablet now. It's a very good tablet and it works great with photoshop and every day use. Unfortunately, I was unable to test it with any other graphics programs, but it should work just fine for those as well.

Of course, these are obscenely expensive, so stick to your budget, but I highly recommend a tablet monitor. It is that much more satisfying to draw on the screen than on a pad, provided you can afford the cost (I cannot, and thus I have neither input device). One issue, however, is that Windows, in its infinite wisdom, does not allow the pen input tools to be used on a secondary monitor, so if you would want to use the tablet monitor for everyday tasks, it would have to be your primary display. Yes, it's very irritating and I hope MS fixes that in their next OS...we'll see.

If you can't afford the monitor version, then yeah, I definitely recommend Wacom. Their drivers work well with Windows and so does their software. I don't know about Macs, but usually drivers are simpler in OS X than Windows.

P.S. I like the pun in the thread title.

[Alcuinus]

I use the Wacom Bamboo Fun CTE-450, but Wacom doesn't seem to carry it any more :\

It's my first tablet so I can't provide a lot of insight but I have liked it so far.

[Shao Feng-Li]

I have a, I think it's a 12" diagonal, Wacom Intuos2. Cost $250 from a friend. It's wonderful. (Hopefully it'll last, or I'll be toast.)

Go with Wacom.

[mechana2015]

I don't know about Macs, but usually drivers are simpler in OS X than Windows.

Mac and PC drivers for Wacom have the same functionality as far as I can tell, though the only major driver issue I ever saw was on a Vista PC.

[ChristianKitsune]

I have a Wacom intuos 3 that cost me around 200 dollars I ordered it right before the new model came out. It's only 4 x 6 but it gets the job done Its very spiffy!

[choklit]

Thank you all very much for your contribution; I'll be sure to keep all this in mind. I'll keep checking this thread; you guys are really helpful.

Whitefang: haha, i actually didn't intend to put a pun. Maybe it was subconcious.

[Okami]

I believe my tablet is a Wacom Intuos 2, can't recall how much it was, given it was a birthday present many years ago...but it still works great, and I've got no complaints.

[Shao Feng-Li]

I also want to add, since mine's fairly large, it's a bit cumbersome and I even have to keep in on the floor between the desk and wall XD The frame around the drawing surface adds about 6 inches.

Anyway, I think also they make some that'll match the ratio of your display.

[jim_wijit]

I have a Wacom Bamboo Fun CTE-650 which, as far as I'm concerned, is THE GREATEST INVENTION OF ALL TIME! But I've not really messed around with any other tablets so I'm not very balanced on my opinion. It was about $220 last time I checked.

[ST. Attidude]

I have a Wacom Bamboo Fun CTE-650 which, as far as I'm concerned, is THE GREATEST INVENTION OF ALL TIME! But I've not really messed around with any other tablets so I'm not very balanced on my opinion. It was about $220 last time I checked.

Is that the most recent bamboo tablet with the wider touch surface?