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Welcome to the "Which tablet should I get?" Megathread! I'll be your host for the next short while, explaining the features and advantages of all the different tablets and tablet-related accessories that I'm sure more than a handful of you are looking forward to buying or selfishly receiving for free this holiday season! In this thread I will show you a slew of examples of all the different sizes, types, and... sizes... of tablets and their relatives in the computing world.
Suggestions will be made to help you decide which one is best for you or whoever you're getting it for.
Disclaimer- I will be talking only of wacom-related tablets, as other companies' tablets tend to be cheap, and you get what you pay for. I can cover others if people bring up actual good ones in the comments, but... fat chance anyone will out-do Wacom in this industry.
if you actually need to ask this, I kindly ask that you hold your ALT key and press F4 way at the top of the keyboard.
Thank you, and goodbye
It is NOT, in any way, shape or form, Viagra for your creative side. If you draw stick figures in your English class notebook, you'll be drawing stick figures in MS Paint or Photoshop. It's understandable to get one as "incentive" to start learning art, and that can work, but there's a good chance that it will just end up being the most expensive mouse you'll ever browse the internet with.
It cannot be used for gaming with the pen, as cool as that should sound. The way the pen feature works conflicts with the way a game wants to track the mouse. I'll explain how a tablet tracks the pen in just a bit.
They come in many different sizes and formats, mostly the standard board with a special pen and a fancy mouse-shaped paperweight with felt on the bottom so you can playfully throw it at children's heads.
There are newer models of boards that bypass the pen and act like a massive laptop touchpad, rendering themselves completely useless as an art tool...
(unless you love fingerpainting)
At any rate, it takes people a little getting used to with the pen'n'tablet, since you're looking at your screen and moving your hand around a big empty space off to the side or in your lap. This becomes second nature, and you'll pretty much be able to feel where you're moving without thinking at all.
Aside from the standard board, there is also the Tablet PC, which usually comes in the form of a fancy laptop with a screen that swivels 180 degrees so you can fold it flat and hold it like a clipboard. As useful and more coordinated as it seems that should be, detail-oriented people (such as myself) find it infuriatingly difficult to get it calibrated so the cursor resides PERFECTLY under your pen's tip. There tends to be distortions in the positioning at times, and one of the damnedest things, my hand gets in the way of things I'm trying to work with when I'm drawing on-screen, which is something that becomes surprisingly frustrated when you're so used to seeing your damn screen.
Honestly, this is a great tool if you're a casual sketcher, or need a clipboard so you look busy while you're browsing porn in class.
t]http://www.passmark.com/images/WirelessMon%20Screenshot%20tablet%20PC.png[/t]
damn that map is sexy
Similarly, there are computer monitors (see Wacom Cintiq) for your desktop that act the same, but the tablet variety are being overwhelmed by the new wave of touch screens that you see at best buy but never work because some eight year old punched it trying to open the interblag. The pen-tablet screens are MUCH better than the laptops as far as calibration and precision is concerned, but you're stuck to a desk and don't have the option of holding it, which leaves you to either angle it whilst sitting on a table, or keep it upright like a monitor and use it like you would an easel...
If you LOVE painting on an easel... hey... there ya go.
assuming I've scared you away from getting anything other than a standard pen-and-tablet setup, let's discuss what type of that you want.
I will first suggest getting a small tablet, either a 3x5 or 5x7 (or widescreen-format equivalents). You will want to decide, though, which type is right for you.
-Are you just toying around and thinking of kinda doing art here and there? I will suggest the Bamboo series of tablets.
With this, you have all the basic functionility you need for the low, low price of $69. avoid the 'touch' version of the product, as it is more or less an unnecessarily large laptop touchpad.
-Are you learning graphic design, art, and/or how to be a porn star? Congratulations, you get to see moderately attractive and/or less-than-acceptably horrifying nudes, either in old paintings, sculpture studios, or uncomfortably close in-person.
You will also want to invest in the Intuos line of Wacom's tablet selection. These are highly versatile, the latest versions having a unique setup of completely customizeable buttons and a multi-function "speed-ring" that can control brush size, zooming, scrolling, and causing awkward arousal without you realizing why.
ooh, just like that.
I will suggest you find a big piece of paper and see how much movement you're really comfortable with. Stare at your computer screen and scribble from left to right about how big your screen "feels" to you. Measure it, and find a tablet size that fits that range, more or less. you need to be comfortable.
I will just say you'll probably want the Intuos line for their versatility, as mentioned before.
ungh~
The "Airbrush" Pen
This little thing apparently emulates how a real airbrush works, including tilt and angle sensing technology to really pack that "I'm airbrushing on a computer!" kick you so desperately need (allegedly).
The "Inking Pen" pen
this handy little pen is for all you pencil'n'paper people who just happen to have a tablet and want to trace "your" artwork onto photoshop or the like. Simply tape down your art, set up the screen so it can catch it all, and spend some time using this pen to trace down the picture and keep track of what you've traced by laying down a line of ink on your paper as it draws on-screen.
Remember to switch back to your normal tablet pen when you're done.
The "Art Pen" pen
this is basically your standard tablet pen, except it's got some fancy extra sensors to tell how it's rotated so you can use the included calligraphy 'chisel'-shaped tip like it actually should work.
FAQs!
Well, I personally use dual monitors with my 9x12 intuos 3, but it should be noted that one is landscape, the other portrait, forming a roughly 4:3 aspect ratio area. I TRIED using my old 3x5 on two big 22"(ish) monitors (both landscape), but with such a small tablet I ended up accidentally moving from my start menu on the left to the middle of the other screen every time I wiggled my ear. Way too much range to cover with a tiny board.
Now, you have one of two options: one, you can give up and just set the tablet to work on a single screen and switch over to a mouse every time you want to play a totally legal copy of a song on itunes, which is docked 3 inches out of reach.
Two, If you want to use the tablet across both monitors, You will want a larger-format wide-screen aspect tablet, so you can cover both monitors with moderate control. A problem you will still have is that your screenspace is much, MUCH wider than it is tall in comparison to your tablet still, so you'll want to go to your wacom options and toy with the settings pictured here-
(click the thumbnail)
Simply stretch the tablet-space to fit your screen's real aspect (roughly), or be a nerd and figure out the correct coordinate input to fit your screen-space's aspect ratio one-to-one. If you don't match the size correctly, your cursor will move much faster up-and-down than side-to-side because it's compressing the area of your screens into the area of the tablet. I'd draw up something to show this better, but... I'm lazy. Technically.
This thread is subject to continued editing and will be updated with new information such as accessories, FAQ's, and links to popular retailers with low prices and such. Happy shopping on black friday, ev'rybuddy! :buddy:
Thanks to TH89 for the support in getting this thread running!
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Winteresting. Informative.
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sweet
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Thanks!
Oh, and I've actually received a request to look up some specs on different Tablet PCs, so expect an update on that sometime sooner than later.
I still personally avoid those nowadays.
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If I were you I would've divided your article into three simple most-asked questions
Which tablet?
Size?
and
Price?
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Drawing on a Cintiq is not like drawing on an easel at all. It can be be adjusted from flat to vertical and can be rotated 360 degrees at any time. It's effortless to tilt it up and down, it's spring loaded and you just use the paddles behind the display to raise or lower.
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yes, but it's still limited to sitting on a deskspace, despite the amazing freedom of movement. Y'know... if you have a cintiq, maybe you could write up your own detailed analysis of them? I can add anything to the OP. Same goes for tablet PCs to anyone else.
and yeah, Xer, I'll probably organize it a little better later this week. I wrote this at 5 in the morning, after all
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When I used my old Intuos3 I was also limited to a desk space and never could see the benefit of trying to draw on a tablet while holding it on your lap or something, in fact I actually rigged up a cardboard stand for my intuos so I could draw as if I were on a drafting table.yes, but it's still limited to sitting on a deskspace, despite the amazing freedom of movement. Y'know... if you have a cintiq, maybe you could write up your own detailed analysis of them? I can add anything to the OP. Same goes for tablet PCs to anyone else.
and yeah, Xer, I'll probably organize it a little better later this week. I wrote this at 5 in the morning, after all
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yeah, my big intuos 3 is on a laptop desk that tilts at an angle. There's a major difference, at least to me, in having that next to me and me looking at the screen, than having the drawing surface on the screen. I used the laptop like a clipboard or sketchpad because that was comfortable, but when I set it up on that laptop table, nomatter the angle, I couldn't get comfortable. :/
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I've never liked any tablet PC I've used, they just felt small, inaccurate and uncomfortable for my tastes.
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I have an Intuos3 A4 (297mm × 210mm) sized tablet; takes a lot of desk space as aforementioned, and is generally a nuisance when it comes to working effectively thanks to this. You'd be better off with a smaller sized one unless you have a lot of space.
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inaccurate indeed. I can assume the cintiqs have much a much more finite feel to them? I've avoided buying any, and there are no stores in the area with anything other than "shiny" new HP Touch screens.
Edited:
agreed, you need a good space to put larger tablets. I personally bought a laptop table with wheels so I could set it next to me. at my desk. Sits JUST right for how I feel, but no two people are the same.
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The Cintiq is indeed very accurate, you still have to calibrate the pen but it's effortless and quick. I need to get other nibs since I lost my pack of nibs and would love to try the felt ones.
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my OLD intuos 1 (bought off of ebay 4 years back) came with a felt nib... but I think it wasn't in mint condition... Ever take a dried up sharpie to paper? it's like nails on a chalkboard to me :ohdear:
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Sent shivers down my spine (literally) just thinking about that, lol.
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I like my intuos 3. I'm no good with it, but it's fun and I enjoy it. I've got the standard pen with the tiny spring nib and it's great. Switching from the normal nib to the spring one was really different, surprisingly.
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Great thread daijitsu, added it to the section sticky.
If any of you guys have links to threads with helpful tutorials relevant to this section (tutorials on other sites are good as well), PM me or Perfumly and we'll consider adding them.
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Intous4 representin'
Great tablet. Especially since I got mine for the price of a Bamboo.
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Sweet, thanks a ton TH89.
:siren:UPDATED:siren:
• updated information on the cintiq's superior-to-laptop-tablets' calibration and precision
:siren:UPCOMING:siren:
• Adding an index with numbered 'chapter' points, so you just have to hit CTRL+F and type in the number and *BAM!*, you're right at the section you wanted!
...but first, I have about 400 words left on my essay, due at 9am, 10 hours from now... and I'm running out of crap to say. How the hell do you write a 1000-word essay on a friggin' photograph? My professor took the saying WAAAY too seriously.
Also PROCRASTINATION!
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Thanks for even more info..
Do you know if the Bamboo Pen&Touch always recognizes skin as the cursor? Drawing without resting your hand would suck.
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I really need to look into that. If anyone knows someone with one, ask!
:siren:edit:siren:
it de-activates the touch function when in pen mode.
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I asked my mom if I could get a tablet for Christmas; and she said yes, as long as it's under $150. So what's a good tablet under $150?
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if you can convince her to buy one today (black friday), I see lots of sales on sites like Amazon.com for tablets that are usually 250 for 150-199. Looks like you could probably catch yourself this Wacom Intuos3 6x8 for 199, down from 329 if you can convince your mom ;D
http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Intuos3-...9308230&sr=8-2
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I don't know. We're pretty tight on money. I thought $150 was pushing it. :ohdear:
Also I've never really used a tablet before, so maybe I should start with a Bamboo or a Funzo or whatever they're called.
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bamboo may be good if you're not looking for all the added functionality of the intuos line.
bamboo pen is down from 80 to 50 on amazon right now! :D
http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Technolo...9308841&sr=8-3
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Alright, I'll ask my mom about the Intuos first; If I can't convince her I'll get that one.
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I just got one of these : http://www.trust.com/products/product.aspx?artnr=15358
I've used Wacom tablets and I would say the Wacom is only slightly better, and seeing as it is a fraction of the price of a simiarily sized Wacom I don't see why I should have chosen otherwise on my meager budget (cost me about £80).
Thats not to say that when I have the money I wont get something from Wacom (those Cintiq's are drool-worthy)
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Anyone have some professional tablet work? Couple images were posted in a thread a while back, and I can't seem to find them. One of them was like some sort of monster beast thing being attacked by some sort of warrior in mid-air -- it was pretty awesome.
Sorry if off-topic, I didn't want to start a new thread requesting art.
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well, most of my stuff on deviant art is tablet-drawn. link under my avatar.
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update: My mom said that if the Intuos still has that price when she gets paid, she might get it. Thanks Daijitsu.
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So, I've got like, 200$ saved up. I'm really hoping that if I get a tablet I'll be able to get into arty stuff more, I'm not too bad with art, I can do decent perspective things and whatever, but I'm lazy, and it just seems much easier to draw with a tablet then on paper, more room for detail and what not, zooming in etc etc... So I want to get a Intuos4 Large, I've taken a piece of cardboard, and cut it out to the size of the large's active area, and it seems too big, but then I drew the medium on it and it seems too small, if only barely. For the record, I have two monitors, so being able to stretch the tablet across both with a 1:1 aspect ratio would be nice. Should I get the large or medium? I'm really leaning toward the large one.
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like I mentioned, getting a large one would be beneficial for multiple monitors. Using the settings I pointed out at the end, since you have to have both going across one tablet. If you end up using the tablet for a smaller screen for one reason or another (I sometimes attach my 9x12 to my laptop), you can always squeeze the settings on said laptop to where the active area is smaller than the total tablet size.
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I just about to get a Wacom Bamboo Pen for Xmas. I have a feeling i'm going to regret not getting the Pen & Touch.
I'm buying from the official Wacom reseller so I have 14 days to try it out or can get a full refund.
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I ordered the bamboo pen for my girlfriend then canceled my order because I saw it only had halved sensitive and pen pressure at only 512 levels versus the 1024 levels on most any other Wacom (and on the Pen & Touch)
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take a scale of black to white and separate it into 512 and 1024 shades, then squeeze it down to a 1mm area. You still go from black to white, it's just that there's an extra shade inbetween. If you're using something like the bamboo, I REALLY don't think you're going to notice, let alone need that sensitive functionality.
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I felt I'd rather play it on the safe side since the resolution was also doubled on the Pen & Touch over just the Pen. I trust Wacom but if you look at their add campaign for the Wacom Bamboo Pen, they market it as a tool to edit photos and sign digital signatures on documents with a slight mention of drawing. They push the slightly more expensive Pen & Touch for entry level digital art.
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I received my Intuos 4 Small a few days ago. My first tablet and a perfect one at that. I am very glad I chose it over my other choices. Got it 30 dollars cheaper, too.
The "Small" in the name of it is misleading in my opinion. The size is quite big in comparison to what I had believed before.
Here is a comparison size I used before choosing it:
http://www.sizeasy.com/page/size_com...all-vs-CD-Case
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I read a review of the pen/touch, it apparently has some issues when doing fast strokes where it ends up making jagged lines or something of the like. Something to be aware of, though that could be an issue with just that one model, or the fact he was scribbling like a madman.
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Hello, I am interested in purchasing a Wacom Intuos4 Medium and am wondering if they sell any cases for specifically for tablets or will I need to get a laptop bag or alike?
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I don't know if I should ask this in here or not but I will anyway, just got my first tablet, it's a Wacom Pen, I'm loving it so far, having some problems with the drivers downloaded from Wacom to install but it should be fixed soon. Any tips and tricks for tablets? Photoshop setups? I don't know, anything is useful, will I get used to the pen, in the way that, I tried tracing something and it came out really bad, what I mean is, will I be steadier with the pen with time?
Thanks.
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