Graphics Tablet Advice, Looking To Buy.

[FN-GM]

Hi,

 

I am looking for a graphics tablet for a Christmas present for my uncle. I dont know much about them for looking for some advice. What do you recommend? I am looking for something good but not break the bank.

 

I would like it to be both compatible with Mac & Windows

 

I would preferably like a USB powered one preferably but not essential. Reason being he lives in Australia and a powered one will be a UK plug. Unless there is one with lots of adapters including an oz one. Put im sure we can manage with a British plug.

 

Anyway what do you recommend?

 

I am open for suppliers to make me offers.

Edited November 23, 2010 by FN-GM

[judyB]

In my (admittedly fairly limited) experience graphics tablets fall into two categories - Wacom ones and Not-Wacom ones. Wacom ones are far far superior to anything else however they are much more expensive as well. I bought a cheap one first and when I found myself using it a lot I invested in a Wacom Bamboo Fun and I never regretted it. The build quality was so much better and it felt much smoother and more natural using it.

 

You shouldn't have any problem with plugs - I'm sure most now power thru USB, the thing to look out for is if the pens need batteries or not. In my cheap one the pen needed a couple of AA batteries which made it heavy and unwieldy.

[FN-GM]

How much are we looking at please?

 

Thanks

[judyB]

Cheapy non Wacom ones about 20-40 quid for A5 size, A Wacom Bamboo One is about £40, it's smaller than A5 tho. As they get bigger they get pricier, my bamboo was about £120 and it's just slightly larger than A5. If it was me I'd go for a small wacom over a larger cheap one, they come packaged nicely, it makes a nice gift. We gave a Bamboo One away as a prize for a competition last year and the winner was very chuffed. Guess it depends how much you like your uncle

[FN-GM]

hi,

 

Just looking at these:

 

Wacom Intuos4 Small Graphics Tablet - £162

Device Type Small Graphics Tablet

Dimensions (WxDxH) 39 cm x 28 cm x 11.5 cm

Dimensions (WxD) - Active Area 15.7 cm x 9.9 cm

Connectivity Technology USB

Pressure levels 2,048

Tilt range +/- 50 degrees

Accuracy (Pen) +/- 0.25 mm

Accuracy (lens cursor) +/- 0.15 mm

Movement Resolution 5080 dpi

Maximum report rate 200 points per second

Reading Height 10 mm

Touch Ring 1

OS Required Microsoft® XP™ (SP2) and Microsoft® Vista™ as

well as Mac OS X 10.4.8 or higher

ExpressKeys™ 6

Weight 800 g

 

and

 

Bamboo Pen & Touch - £81

Weight: approx.360 grams

Dimensions: 248 x 176 x 8.5 mm

Active Area: 147 x 92 mm

Guarantee: 24 months

Software: Bamboo Dock

Bamboo Minis

Bamboo Space

Bamboo Services

Tools: Pen

Touch

Resolution: 2540 dpi (1000 lines/cm)

Abs. accuracy: ± 0.25 mm

Pressure Levels: 1024

Max. distance: 16 mm

Max. pen tilt: n.a.

Tilt Accuracy: n.a.

SampleRate: 133 points/sec.

PenStand: No

Interface: USB

CableLength: 1.5 metres

 

 

There is not a huge difference in the active area.

 

What would you go for?

 

Thanks

[FN-GM]

Intuos4 would be my choice

 

Can i ask why please?

 

Thank you

[FN-GM]

Intuos4 would be my choice

 

Thanks for all the advice this is the one i went for in the end. Arrived yesterday:)