Buying a graphics tablet. Is Wacom really worth it? - Hardware & Software

So, I've been planing to purchase a graphics tablet for my pc, but I just can't decide which one to buy. I've spent days searching the internet for a tablet that would be best for me, and I found a few that look quite promising. But the thing is they all have their pros and cons. Also I have been told that Wacom tablet are the best and that I shouldn't even think of buying a tablet that isn't from Wacom, because they've all (except Wacom) got awfully bad drivers, quality and support (and lack the battery-less pen). So because of that I was mainly looking for a Wacom tablets that suit my needs. Is it true that Wacom is the best choice here? They surely are more expensive, are those cheaper tablets really that bad? Anyway I'm currently stuck between Wacom BAMBOO & Wacom BAMBOO FUN SMALL - they both have: - 512 Levels of Pressure Sensitivity - 2,540 lines per inch resolution - 4 express keys and 1 touch ring - they are completely the same except for these facts: Wacom BAMBOO - has no pressure sensitivity on the eraser - cheaper (about 123 in $) Wacom BAMBOO FUN SMALL - has pressure sensitivity on the eraser - more expensive (about 152 in$) - includes a mouse (which is useless considering it only works on the tablet which is too small for a mouse) - includes some software (which I already have) - includes 3 extra nibs for the pen Which one do you recommend? I am considering the BAMBOO version (not FUN), mostly because I don't want to pay extra just because of the mouse and software which I will never actually use, but the sensitivity on the eraser seems helpful. So I don't know. I also felt it would be useful to state that I am using Windows Vista Ultimate, and that my monitor is 17'' (but I'm planning to buy a 20+'' pretty soon) Please if anybody has any suggestions and/or experience please help me out. Thanks.

Wacom is the best, bar none.

Yeah Wacom's great. I agree it's fucking expensive, but it's worth it. Nice quality etc.

Yes.

Well, from Wacom themselves, they said the Bamboo Fun was [i]designed[/i] for drawing, & just shitting around with your tablet, the Bamboo was meant for some [i]degree[/i] of drawing, but was mostly used for "Autographs" Its up to you

Cant remember off the top of my head but im pretty sure the new Wacom Bamboo (The black one with the blue lights) has pressure sensitivity on the eraser. Cant be 100% certain though.

I got some rebranded Wacom tablet (Serif or something like that) for about £20 and it's really good.

Yes Wacom is the way.

I had bamboo fun until I spilled cuppa on it, but tablet is worth it, but the nibs get easily 'used' over time.

I had a Graphire 6X8, I loved it, but once I got my tablet laptop, I gave it away to a friend at university. I really wish I had it now with my 23inch monitor :( I'll buy a wireless one next time.

[QUOTE=Ajacks;16819727]Wacom is the best, bar none.[/QUOTE] I have the great antique from the old legacy macs that were awesome and green. The ones from '97.

I have a Wacom. It is indeed very good. I would recommend it to anyone who has the money to buy it. It even comes with photoshop and a few other programs (At least the one I got did :buddy:)

It's Wacom then. [QUOTE=Sharpshooter;16820764]Cant remember off the top of my head but im pretty sure the new Wacom Bamboo (The black one with the blue lights) has pressure sensitivity on the eraser. Cant be 100% certain though.[/QUOTE] I've downloaded the manuals for both BAMBOO and BAMBOO FUN, and it strictly says that BAMBOO (not FUN) lacks the pressure sensitivity on the eraser. BAMBOO is black only, while BAMBOO FUN comes in variety of colours (black, white, blue, silver), and they both have blue lights. [QUOTE=LorencBag;16820757]Well, from Wacom themselves, they said the Bamboo Fun was [i]designed[/i] for drawing, & just shitting around with your tablet, the Bamboo was meant for some [i]degree[/i] of drawing, but was mostly used for "Autographs" Its up to you[/QUOTE] Yeah, you are right. They do say one is for drawing and sketching (FUN), and other one is for autographs and office work. But I just don't get it. They are completely the same (except for a mouse, pressure sensitive eraser and software). So I think BAMBOO (not FUN) should be good for drawing too, shouldn't it? I'm mainly planing to use it for doing concept work, graphics design and even a bit of 3D modelling. Since I'll probably not use the mouse nor the software, so is it worth giving $30 more for pressure sensitivity on a eraser? Also, does size really matter? I can live without making long strokes with my pen. (that sounds dirty) Anyway, thanks for your replays, they are of great help.

Mine's the olddddd intuos, and it still runs perfectly fine. I use it for drawing in photoshop all the time.

Proud owner of a Bamboo Fun! Although I use it only from time to time.

Bamboo Fun hasn't let me down so far, so I'd recommend that one.

Thank you all very much for your replays. But please don't just replay with "I have that, it's good." because it isn't really helpful, please help me decide whether I should get the FUN or the normal version of the BAMBOO. Is pressure sensitive eraser really that important? Thank you.

I got my Wacom Bamboo on sale at amazong for 55$. Definitely worth it. As for the eraser pressure sensitivity. I just use photoshop's opacity setting. Minor inconvenience.

[QUOTE=SomeGuest;16833569]I got my Wacom Bamboo on sale at amazong for 55$. Definitely worth it. As for the eraser pressure sensitivity. I just use photoshop's opacity setting. Minor inconvenience.[/QUOTE] So you adjust the opacity when you need it manually? So it doesn't bother you? I actually like that idea of giving my eraser a low opacity and then spend more time one the spot I want to erase more. Thank you very much.

[QUOTE=PlazmaBurst;16833594]So you adjust the opacity when you need it manually? So it doesn't bother you? I actually like that idea of giving my eraser a low opacity and then spend more time one the spot I want to erase more. Thank you very much.[/QUOTE] You can setup different macros on your pen. I set mine to pop up the brush interface at the mouse cursor and easily adjust opacity by just clicking on the slider. Then the arrow keys on the pen are for adjusting brush size. Even tho it has a good amount of pressure sensitivity, I always feel like I am going to break the thing if I push to hard. So it's good to adjust the brush size manually to around the size you want before you go and put too much pressure to max it out. [editline]09:56AM[/editline] This is the one I bought. [url]http://www.amazon.com/Bamboo-Small-Pen-Tablet-Only/dp/B000V9T2JA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1250862875&sr=8-1[/url] And WOW! I can't believe how cheap I got this thing for. I got it for around 65$ shipped from amazon. Great thing I jumped on that deal while it was available.

[QUOTE=SomeGuest;16833688]You can setup different macros on your pen. I set mine to pop up the brush interface at the mouse cursor and easily adjust opacity by just clicking on the slider. Then the arrow keys on the pen are for adjusting brush size. Even tho it has a good amount of pressure sensitivity, I always feel like I am going to break the thing if I push to hard. So it's good to adjust the brush size manually to around the size you want before you go and put too much pressure to max it out. [editline]09:56AM[/editline] This is the one I bought. [url]http://www.amazon.com/Bamboo-Small-Pen-Tablet-Only/dp/B000V9T2JA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1250862875&sr=8-1[/url] And WOW! I can't believe how cheap I got this thing for. I got it for around 65$ shipped from amazon. Great thing I jumped on that deal while it was available.[/QUOTE] When you say "arrow keys on the pen", what exactly do you mean? Wacom Bamboo pen only has two buttons. You sure you got the right tablet cause I don't see why would they rise the price? How quickly do pen nibs wear down? How often do you use it? Also, do nibs scratch the tablet surface too much? If you put a sheet of paper over the active area will tablet still be able to detect where you click with the pen?

[QUOTE=PlazmaBurst;16833907]When you say "arrow keys on the pen", what exactly do you mean? Wacom Bamboo pen only has two buttons. You sure you got the right tablet cause I don't see why would they rise the price? How quickly do pen nibs wear down? How often do you use it? Also, do nibs scratch the tablet surface too much? If you put a sheet of paper over the active area will tablet still be able to detect where you click with the pen?[/QUOTE] It will still detect it, ofcourse, but you will not feel the same smoothness, etc. The pen itself shouldn't scratch the tablet at all, really. Just be carefull with other stuff over it.

[QUOTE=PlazmaBurst;16833907]When you say "arrow keys on the pen", what exactly do you mean? Wacom Bamboo pen only has two buttons. You sure you got the right tablet cause I don't see why would they rise the price? How quickly do pen nibs wear down? How often do you use it? Also, do nibs scratch the tablet surface too much? If you put a sheet of paper over the active area will tablet still be able to detect where you click with the pen?[/QUOTE] It's got these two little buttons. An up and down arrow. It's for adjusting brush size. It's the exact same tablet. And no I have not put a sheet of paper over it but what I do know is that the pen is very sensitive and the tablet will pick up it's movements even if it's an inch off the surface. And no I haven't seen any scratches, it moves pretty smoothly. I don't use it much, maybe 4 hours a week at most. 1 of: Bamboo (Small) Pen Tablet with Pen Only [Electronics] Condition: New Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC $54.99 - 1 item(s) Gift options: None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Item(s) Subtotal: $54.99 Shipping & Handling: $6.17 Super Saver Discount: -$6.17 ----- Total Before Tax: $54.99 Sales tax: $0.00 ----- Total for this Shipment: $54.99 Sweet deal eh?

I can't find the fucking replacement pen nibs :argh:

Yes. Everything I've heard is that anything other then Wacom is cheap for a reason.

[QUOTE=SomeGuest;16834744]It's got these two little buttons. An up and down arrow. It's for adjusting brush size. It's the exact same tablet. [/QUOTE] Isn't one of those supposed to be for right mouse click? Which one do you press to display that menu then? I decided I'll go for the normal BAMBOO then. Thank you very much to all of you, you especially SomeGuest. Just one thing, how fast do pen nibs wear out, and how to increase their lifetime?

[QUOTE=PlazmaBurst;16833400]Thank you all very much for your replays. But please don't just replay with "I have that, it's good." because it isn't really helpful, please help me decide whether I should get the FUN or the normal version of the BAMBOO. Is pressure sensitive eraser really that important? Thank you.[/QUOTE] No it's not. I hardly ever use the eraser, I just click the "erase" tool in photoshop itself if I need pressure-erasing. Pressure sensitivity on the eraser is far less important than without one, especially since unlike REAL brushes (which is what pressure sensativity emulates and is for), REAL erasers never make a difference with how hard you push down anyways for the most part. I have the standard bamboo and it works fine. [editline]05:28PM[/editline] Also I've never had my pen nib wear out and I've had the bamboo for the better part of a year. I don't use the thing everyday though. Or regularly.

If it ain't Wacom it ain't worth shit.

[QUOTE=PlazmaBurst;16835127]Isn't one of those supposed to be for right mouse click? Which one do you press to display that menu then? I decided I'll go for the normal BAMBOO then. Thank you very much to all of you, you especially SomeGuest. Just one thing, how fast do pen nibs wear out, and how to increase their lifetime?[/QUOTE] Wel you can bind the arrow keys to anything. Once you install the drivers the customize themselves for all sorts of things. In Photoshop CS4 I use it for adjusting brush size, dunno what the defaults are. And as far as the nub lifetime, I have no idea. I have probably put about 60 hours of use into it with no signs of wear.

I have a wacom Bamboo and it is awesome! It was £50 which I think is well worth it.