Purchasing a Wacom Tablet. Advice Needed

[SamJ]

Hi,

In the next week or so Im planning on buying a wacom teblet before I start graphic design, at university in September. I was going to buying it in a month or so, but I need it to do something for a poster Im designing for a friend. I will be using it for drawing, photo retouching etc. I have a couple of questions:

1) Is it worth the extra money to get a new Intuos over a Graphire? Money isnt a concern, I just wondered if the advantages were great enough to dish out a bit more.

2) How do the tablets run on intel macs? I recently got an iMac. I know there is a patch out for the intuos. But Ive heard rumors flying about that some patches are a bit buggy for software, drivers etc.

3) Any cheap places to buy a tablet? I've looked on ebay but they dont usually have many intuos tablets, only graphires

Thanks

 

[BakedBeans]

I got a graphire - it went straight back to the shop and i got an intuos 3 A5 wide.. it has much more sensitivity and also talt mode etc... you can also get an airbrush for it... much much better.

Works fine on my intel imac.

 

[munckee]

I've been eyeing an intuos for a while now too, although I'm considering purchasing a used graphire just to try it out since I've never used a tablet.

Should I like it, my question is this: What size should I get?

I'm leaning toward the 6x8 or 6x11. I have a 15" powerbook and usually connect it to a 20" dell when I'm working at home. I'm guessing the 6x11 will fit my widescreen needs better?

Also, I do occassionally rotate my dell 90* if I'm working on something with a portrait layout. With this cause havoc with a tablet?

(Sorry for the thread hijack, but I figured it might be nice to get all of the tablet questions answered in one place ).

 

[BKF]

As for where to buy: You'll might get the best deal at your university's computer store, once you're there and can get the academic discount.

As for tablet size: I sprang for a larger (9 x 12) tablet and wish I hadn't. I don't use most of the space on it. I find I only use as much space as accomodates my wrist motion; I don't do the sort of drawing on it where I get my whole arm into it, in other words. Look at 6 x 8 or even 4 x 5. You'll save some money and some desk space.

 

[Artful Dodger]

Hi, I have the Wacom Intuos3 6x8 and really like it. I had the other model and while it was a nice start the Intuos3 if by far better and so is the pen/mouse that comes with it. The only thing that I would like even more is the newer 6x11 size as this is just right IMO but some like the Intuos3 4x5 for travel needs.
As where to get one, Amazon has a nice price but since your a student go to www.academicsuperstore.com and get your edu discount which is even better Once your on file there you may want to checkout some of the extras such as pens/airbrush and whatnot.
Last if you have an Intel Mac you will need the latest drivers for this to work as they just came out a few weeks ago, just go to the Wacom site under support for it.
Enjoy and have fun with it