I’m looking into getting a cheapy tablet to attach to my laptop to get the most of out my ArtRage program. Right now, I can get a Wacom BizTablet from studentdiscounts.com.au for 49.95 but I don’t know how good the BizTablet is.
Does anyone here on the Dope have a Wacom Tablet, Biz- or otherwise?
How good are they for pressure sensitivity and strokes?
Here is the tablet online: http://www.studentdiscounts.com.au/product/product_list1.shtml?sid=&prod_code=15008
Wacom are the best. No others come close. You cannot go wrong with getting one, in my opinion. I’ve used them for ten years now, both large and small, and never had any significant trouble that couldn’t be repaired with a driver upgrade, or, in one case, a new pen.
The smallest I’ve used is the Graphire, but the BizTablet looks like it’s smaller still, probably for portability. I’m sure the standard of its electronics and compatibility are equally as high.
Thanks GuanoLad; good to hear it from someone with experience. I was just worried coz it’s so cheap! But hey, a bargain’s a bargain!
I’ve not heard of the BizTablet, but for over seven years, I’ve been using a Wacom 4x5 inch Graphire. My current daily driver for the past few months is a 4x6 inch Intuos 3, which maps out pretty well to the newer wide format monitors. The things are pretty durable - after seven years, there’s nothing wrong with the Graphire aside from dirt in the corners and a couple bite marks on the pen after the dog thought it was a chew toy.
I just looked it up - you probably don’t want a BizTablet. It’s TINY - the active area is about 2 1/4 x 3 inches, and it’s targeted for corporate use - capturing signatures seems to be its primary purpose. It would probably work OK for art, as long as you can work in small sections.
As for how good they are, as GuanoLad said, there’s really no competition, and you can’t go wrong with one. For you. I’d recommend the Graphire. You’re not going to notice 512 vs 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity, and the programmable keys on the Intuos are nice, but in and of themselves, they’re not worth the price difference. If you want to go really wacky on spending, there are accessories for the Intuos that resemble and act like things like airbrushes that cost more than a Graphire tablet on their own.
Also like GuanoLad, I’ve been using tablets as art tools as well as mouse replacements for years. Before the Graphire, I had a Wacom ArtPad, and before that, I had a corded AceCat tablet. To me, mice are the things that get caught in the trap under the kitchen sink. 
I have a Graphire and it absolutely kicks ass. I love using it to play isketch.
If you’ve previously been working with a mouse, then any graphics tablet, even the really cheapie little ones you see on eBay, is going to be a huge breath of fresh air. But yes, Wacom is the brand to choose if you’re at all particular.
I wouldn’t recommend buying a tablet, regardless of manufacturer, that is smaller than a piece of paper. But otherwise, you should be fine with any Wacom.
So, you’re recommending something like the gargantuan 12x18 inch Summasketch tablets we had in AutoCAD class? :dubious:
The Graphire is just about the size of a piece of paper overall, and the Intuos a little more so, but I’ve never felt cramped on them even if the active area is “only” 4x5 or whatever inches.
Of course, I’d consider committing minor crimes to get a Wacom Cintiq, which is their tablet technology invisibly overlaid onto a 21" LCD panel so you see what you’re doing directly, rather than the mental disconnect you have to deal with in drawing on the desk and watching what’s happening on the screen. It’s a gorgeous bit of kit, but something costing more than most mortgage payments is not exactly an impulse purchase.
I’ve had a 9x12 intuos and a 4x5 graphire. Pressure sensitivity and responsiveness are marvelous for each - I can’t tell a quality difference between the two, to be honest. I actually should have chosen a smaller intuos, but aside from that I’ve no complaints about either one. They are a joy to use, especially if you’re working in Painter. Also, they’ve lasted for years.
I’ve had no problems working on the 4x5 - you adapt to the proportions of pen movement on the small space to marks on the screen. I would not like to go smaller than this, though.
Thanks guys; I chose the BizTablet because I only need a small area to work in coz most of my art is fine detail. Also, I’m an Aussie student; I’d love something bigger and better but I can’t afford to drop $300 on something like that right now. I’ve gotten the BizTablet, and I’m very happy with it!
Thanks!
I’ve got a Wacom Grapphire which has an A6 sensitive area and it’s just fine.