Wireless Intuos4

[mofunk]

Who's Buying?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8OoRzJeZlM


Definitely putting on my list.



http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10444313-1.html

Close to a year after launching its excellent graphics tablet, the Intuos4 series, Wacom releases an updated version with Bluetooth wireless connectivity. Available only in the medium-size version for about $399, $50 more than its USB-only twin, the Intuos4 Wireless becomes a great option for artists and illustrators on the go--or even sedentary ones with an aversion to wires.
The Wireless model runs off a replaceable lithium ion battery that charges via the USB connection. You have to charge it before going wireless, as well as be physically connected to install the driver. After that, Bluetooth setup is fairly typical. You switch the tablet on and press a button to initiate the "I'm here!" broadcast and wait for your system to discover the tablet, which is essentially treated as a mouse. Note that the tablet doesn't ship with a dongle, so if your system doesn't have Bluetooth you'll have to deal with that separately.

 

[Mintin8]

Amazing. This will be really handy (I was going to buy the intuos 4 anyway, this is even better).

Only question to those with one, do you find the medium size of the tablet on a 15inch macbook pro fine?

 

[mattyuk]

Definitely gonna get one of these along with the new MBP. I have a an Intuos3, and its showing signs of wear. Since the new Intuos4 will be wireless, its even better for around the house and doing speedpiants!!

 

[mofunk]

Amazing. This will be really handy (I was going to buy the intuos 4 anyway, this is even better).

Only question to those with one, do you find the medium size of the tablet on a 15inch macbook pro fine?

Oh yeah the medium is fine. I'm using a small on my Mac and it's fine. Looking at that video the Intuos4 wireless has a lot of customizing features. I like that. I may have to upgrade soon.

 

[IntelliUser]

Unless they've fixed the nibs wearing down in hours problem, I'm not touching it with a 10 foot pole.

 

[sigmadog]

I'm trying to understand the value of using a Wacom pad 30 feet away from my monitor...

Other than that, I like the new features.

 

[Mac Kiwi]

How much difference is there between say the pressure settings on the 3 to the 4?...layer masking etc.


Even though the lpi resolution doubles on each new model I am not convinced there is a huge amount of noticeable difference. I am hoping the 3 to the 4 is in the minority here though?

 

[chris7777]

cool, my intuos 3's usb cord is going bad , so this would be nice, but I actually prefer the smaller size, plus the price is out of my range.

hopefully they will expand the line on this, I know they used to have a wireless graphire, but it too only came in one size(roughly the same)

 

[Cagle]

I'm trying to understand the value of using a Wacom pad 30 feet away from my monitor...

Other than that, I like the new features.

I don;t get it either. wireless on the cintiq 21ux would make sense. in fact, does anyone know of a alternative to the cintiq 21ux that supports wireless operation? i'd like to use something on the couch, but the 21ux is so big and the wires would just make it a hassle. it seems to me that a 17 inch tablet display, wireless, that displayed what ever was over on your desktop pc would be really useful.

 

[IntelliUser]

Seriously think carefully before buying:

http://forum.wacom.eu/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1438

You could be forced to buy new nibs every half a month (or less) if you use it everyday.

 

[chrono1081]

Ya upon hearing this I sold my intuos 3 and went to order...but its not shipping yet :'(

And my 6D Art Pen isn't compatible with it :'( I freaking loved that thing so much.

Oh well the wireless is worth the tradeoff. I'm sick of wrestling the wire all the time

 

[chrono1081]

Oh wow I wasn't aware of the nib wearing issue. My friend just told me the same thing.

No matter I'll just make sure I stock up. Wireless is a huge deal for me.

 

[mofunk]

I'm trying to understand the value of using a Wacom pad 30 feet away from my monitor...

Other than that, I like the new features.

I guess if you are teaching a class you don't have to be right over the computer. Or if you use it on a MBP, you have freed up one USB port.

 

[mousouchop]

Oh wow I wasn't aware of the nib wearing issue. My friend just told me the same thing.

No matter I'll just make sure I stock up. Wireless is a huge deal for me.

I just went through and read a good portion of that thread, as I am thinking of buying a wired Intuos4 Medium... I am a little apprehensive now. I didn't see anywhere selling replacement nibs for a reasonable prices. Mostly 5 for 15$... which is a lot of you will be going through that many every other month.

Makes me wonder if I should just go cheap and get the Wacom Bamboo Fun Medium. Anyone have an idea if they have the same nib issue?

EDIT: 5 for $5... https://direct.wacom.com/stores/5/Standard_Pen_Nibs_P1631C149.cfm I guess that isn't TOO bad? :/ That thread linked above seems pretty disheartening though.

 

[IntelliUser]

I just went through and read a good portion of that thread, as I am thinking of buying a wired Intuos4 Medium... I am a little apprehensive now. I didn't see anywhere selling replacement nibs for a reasonable prices. Mostly 5 for 15$... which is a lot of you will be going through that many every other month.

Makes me wonder if I should just go cheap and get the Wacom Bamboo Fun Medium. Anyone have an idea if they have the same nib issue?

EDIT: 5 for $5... https://direct.wacom.com/stores/5/Standard_Pen_Nibs_P1631C149.cfm I guess that isn't TOO bad? :/ That thread linked above seems pretty disheartening though.

Note: The Bamboos have the same wearing problem.

If you use the Intuos4, you may have to pay for something like $10 a month at least (depending on how much you use it), just for the nibs, which I would find unacceptable after paying 400 bucks for a tablet. You'd also basically be forced to use the tablet ONLY for drawing, and not as a mouse replacement.

My recommendation is to get a refurbished Intuos3 from the Wacom website:

https://direct.wacom.com/stores/5/Sale_Items_C140.cfm

Unless you try to use your pen as a hammer, your nib will probably last a couple of years with that. Even if it does wear down, you've got some replacement nibs included in the package.

The Intuos3 is great and offers more than any other Tablet, except the Intuos4, that I've seen offers. It's older but still very good.

I would actually go on and buy another tablet like the Intuos3 just to spite Wacom, (I mean COME ON, they release a WIRELESS tablet and they don't make a cheap plastic cover?) but the Intuos3 pretty much blows away the competition.



Alternatively, if you are determined to get the Intuos4, there are workarounds like using Print Plastic paper to cover the sheet. But that would be cumbersome and ugly...and I don't think it's worth the extra hassle.

 

[GoCubsGo]

I've wanted a wireless Wacom for years. I only recently upgraded to the Intuos3 and since I managed to land the airbrush and art pens for less than $80 total I can't see moving this setup for wireless just yet. I don't find the wire to be a total PITA and I don't worry about batteries. I'm going to wait a bit although I say all of this it is still lust-worthy. Weird about the nibs though, I've had a Wacom Intuos1, 2 of the Intuos2s and one Intuos3 ... no nib-issues there.

 

[IntelliUser]

I've wanted a wireless Wacom for years. I only recently upgraded to the Intuos3 and since I managed to land the airbrush and art pens for less than $80 total I can't see moving this setup for wireless just yet. I don't find the wire to be a total PITA and I don't worry about batteries. I'm going to wait a bit although I say all of this it is still lust-worthy. Weird about the nibs though, I've had a Wacom Intuos1, 2 of the Intuos2s and one Intuos3 ... no nib-issues there.

That's the problem. They've included this new "paper-like" sheets which, like paper, wear out the nibs. Too bad you don't have a pencil sharpener but have to buy new nibs every time. I would rather wait till... what, 2011 for them to fix the issues. I hope they at least release some decent replacement sheets sooner (Which still means paying more).

BTW this is not the first wireless tablet that Wacom release. They had the Graphire Wireless for quite a bit

http://www.wacom.com/graphire

Though it's more like a wireless Bamboo than an Intuos when it comes to capabilities. I don't know if it's got the same problem as well.

 

[mousouchop]

Note: The Bamboos have the same wearing problem.

If you use the Intuos4, you may have to pay for something like $10 a month at least (depending on how much you use it), just for the nibs, which I would find unacceptable after paying 400 bucks for a tablet. You'd also basically be forced to use the tablet ONLY for drawing, and not as a mouse replacement.

My recommendation is to get a refurbished Intuos3 from the Wacom website:

https://direct.wacom.com/stores/5/Sale_Items_C140.cfm

Unless you try to use your pen as a hammer, your nib will probably last a couple of years with that. Even if it does wear down, you've got some replacement nibs included in the package.

The Intuos3 is great and offers more than any other Tablet, except the Intuos4, that I've seen offers. It's older but still very good.

I would actually go on and buy another tablet like the Intuos3 just to spite Wacom, (I mean COME ON, they release a WIRELESS tablet and they don't make a cheap plastic cover?) but the Intuos3 pretty much blows away the competition.



Alternatively, if you are determined to get the Intuos4, there are workarounds like using Print Plastic paper to cover the sheet. But that would be cumbersome and ugly...and I don't think it's worth the extra hassle.

Just the kind of detailed advice that I was looking for. Clearly you have a pretty good footing in the Wacom line of products. As I really like the features of the Intuos4, I am still a bit partial to getting it. Are there no 3rd parties that produce nibs at an affordable price? i.e. 5$ for 50+? Seems like such a trivial piece of plastic, hard to imagine there are no knock-off versions.

 

[IntelliUser]

Just the kind of detailed advice that I was looking for. Clearly you have a pretty good footing in the Wacom line of products. As I really like the features of the Intuos4, I am still a bit partial to getting it. Are there no 3rd parties that produce nibs at an affordable price? i.e. 5$ for 50+? Seems like such a trivial piece of plastic, hard to imagine there are no knock-off versions.

As far as I know nope, you can only find $2-$3 discounts.

BUT! It is possible to use toothpicks instead of nibs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHGelaKwTYM

After some blunting they will be fine. Of course they aren't as good as real nibs, and they will wear pretty fast too.

So if you really want the Intuos4, there are 2 practical solutions

1)Plastic sheet of paper taped to the tablet
2)Using toothpicks as nibs


Personally the only new useful features I find are the touch ring, that can be used for 4 different functions, as well as the added Express Keys.
The other specs are not that much different. The only real change is the doubled pressure sensitivity, but the Intuos3's isn't bad either considering it's what the Cintiq uses.

In the end, consider what you want to do with it and if you really think that the new features are worth the extra hassle and ugliness (and cost).

 

[mousouchop]

In the end, consider what you want to do with it and if you really think that the new features are worth the extra hassle and ugliness (and cost).

Honestly, I am new to tablets. I used to do quite a bit of drawing and painting in traditional mediums, but have stopped doing so in recent years do to lack of access to the items needed.

I am pretty good with Photoshop (I use it for web design and such), and I figured this would be a logical step for me to return to hobbies of the past and improve overall skill and productivity in Photoshop. I have looked at a few Intuos3s on eBay, but am not having much luck in finding one that is the right size/price. Saw the Intuos4 Medium on Overstock for 292$... seems like a pretty good deal, don't know that I can resist.

I am trying avoid the growing pains of buying a Bamboo or lesser tablet, finding I love it, and then lusting for the more capable Intuos tablet. With only a 92$ difference between the Bamboo Medium and the Intuos Medium, it is hard to resist. The nib issue does worry me.

I have another question that I feel you may be able to answer... I saw this item on the Wacom eStore (Here). My question is, does the tablet come with one of these standard, and these are just additional replacements? Or must I buy them extra from the start? Seems like a logical thing to have to protect the surface of a 300$ tablet.

P.S. Sorry for the slight hijacking. ><

 

[IntelliUser]

I am pretty good with Photoshop (I use it for web design and such), and I figured this would be a logical step for me to return to hobbies of the past and improve overall skill and productivity in Photoshop. I have looked at a few Intuos3s on eBay, but am not having much luck in finding one that is the right size/price. Saw the Intuos4 Medium on Overstock for 292$... seems like a pretty good deal, don't know that I can resist.

Check out these on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Intuos3...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265212292&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Intuos3...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265212292&sr=8-2

Bigger doesn't mean better. It's just less zooming.

I think there are some pretty good deals on there.

I am trying avoid the growing pains of buying a Bamboo or lesser tablet, finding I love it, and then lusting for the more capable Intuos tablet. With only a 92$ difference between the Bamboo Medium and the Intuos Medium, it is hard to resist. The nib issue does worry me.

The nib issue is also present in the Bamboo, so if you want to get a tablet you might as well as just get an Intuos.

I have another question that I feel you may be able to answer... I saw this item on the Wacom eStore (Here). My question is, does the tablet come with one of these standard, and these are just additional replacements? Or must I buy them extra from the start? Seems like a logical thing to have to protect the surface of a 300$ tablet.

Those are just replacement for the active area (the problematic one), in case it gets scratched with time.

I use an Intuos3 for Ps too, and the advantage of the Intuos4 is mainly the 2 extra buttons. On both devices you've got 8 Express keys. The Intuos4 is that it basically has 2 more "Touch Strips", that are handy for changing brush sizes, hardness etc.

Besides that, there are no other real advantages. The extra pressure sensitivity isn't that big of a deal.

Now if you want the very best tablet and you don't care about aesthetics, get the Intuos4 and tape a plastic sheet to it (ironically the Intuos4 has a "better design").

If you simply want a very good, hassle-free tablet get an Intuos3. An Intuos3 would be between a Bamboo and an Intuos4.

I myself have got an Intuos3 4x6 (Small) for photo retouching, as my first tablet, it works very well.

EDIT: Here's how a "fixed" Intuos4 would end up looking like (taken from that thread):

EDIT2: ( From the thread again) Nib wear after 12 hours of drawing:

 

[mousouchop]

As far as I know nope, you can only find $2-$3 discounts.

BUT! It is possible to use toothpicks instead of nibs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHGelaKwTYM

I find it ridiculous that toothpicks work as a substitute, yet there are no cheap knockoff nibs... They can't be much more costly to produce than a toothpick. haha. Grrrrr,

Check out these on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Intuos3...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265212292&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Intuos3...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265212292&sr=8-2

Now if you want the very best tablet and you don't care about aesthetics, get the Intuos4 and tape a plastic sheet to it (ironically the Intuos4 has a "better design").

If you simply want a very good, hassle-free tablet get an Intuos3. An Intuos3 would be between a Bamboo and an Intuos4.

I myself have got an Intuos3 4x6 (Small) for photo retouching, as my first tablet, it works very well.

Wow, you really have been a great help IntelliUser. You have given me quite a bit to think about. I don't think I would be too worried about cover the active area with a plastic sheet, though that is a hassle I did not expect from a company so well known as Wacom. That nib deterioration is quite harsh.

I am watching a few Intuos3 on eBay as we speak! That Intuos3 9x12 is a pretty nice deal (the one you linked from Amazon). A lot of room for working in, and a few bucks cheaper than the I4M I linked from Overstock. Knowing myself, I feel I will end up getting suckered into buying the latest iteration, UNLESS I can score a really sick deal on I3 (I am trying, I PROMISE!)

Once again, thank you for all of your input. You have truly been a great help.

 

[mousouchop]

Lost a couple of auctions for some large Intuos3 tablets (12x9).

Ended up ordering an I4 Medium... 301$ total. Had I ordered yesterday it would have only cost me 289$... I am so peeved! :/