- Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 4 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"A truly worthwhile investment even in 2008"
Pros: Long USB cable, great software package, comfy pen and programable buttons on the pad.
Cons: Useless mouse, no replacement accessories.
Summary: For the price this product is still top of the line. I prefer it for my digital painting and artwork over other stuff out there. My model is a 6x8 07 created, and it still holds up as a top of the line product in 08.
The USB cable is very lengthy, i can recline my chair and sit back several feet from my monitor and use the product comfortably. The software included in the package is no CS3, but you'd be surprised with the great compositions you could still come up with. Typically one things, eww bundled software sucks, not the case here. If you'd like proof check out deviantart dot come and do a keyword search for painter essentials (you'll simply be impressed). I went purchased painterX before the pad, if I didn't need the software for class, I would have been completely satisfied with the software provided.
The pen on the surface doesn't have the gritty feel that I prefer, but it's still a great product. You're given a couple tips for different feel and honestly, until they make a paint brush stylus this will simply have to do.
Between the programmable buttons on the pen to the ones on the pad, you really can do anything you need to.
The mouse. If you really feel that you can't use the pen as a mouse (it does everything you need a mouse to do), then use the mouse provided. I prefer not to, to keep my drawing surface clean and debris free. If you HAVE to have a mouse, get a cheap 3-10 dollar usb mouse elsewhere. As I've said though, the pen is a completely functional mouse. Anyone that can move a pencil over a piece of paper without touching either, will not have a problem using it as a mouse. Unless I suddenly need to use the mouse for prolonged periods of time, I prefer the pen over my mouse: it's already in my hand, it's a completely functional mouse, and if you sit back in a reclined pose and draw like I do, it's just faster.
Some people that have to keep up with the Jones' feel that this product is a low end piece of poo. It's not. Could they slim the pad down? sure. Do they need to? No. Why fix something that's not broken? It's robust as it is, no loose rattling pieces what-so-ever. The tablet is a comfortable sturdy weight. I absolutely love my tablet, I've sampled many others and continue to love Wacom's line of products.
Final note.
The only downside to the product I find is unavailability of replacement parts in local retail stores (office depot, staples, etc). You are given replacement nibs, but aren't given a replacement screen. I use my tablet a lot (20+hrs a week easily), over the almost year i've had it now, i have a couple knicks on the drawing surface. Nothing deep mind you, just a couple light marks from long strokes (was drawing some scenery outside and a grain of sand happened to come between the pen and the board). Seems the only place you'll get the replacement screens is from wacom or various places online. No biggy really, just a bit of an inconvenience. I've already suggested in user feedback to wacom that they put at least 1 replacement screen.
Other than that, I absolutely love my wacom, as do countless users around the world and in the Deviantart.com community. I hope this review has helped you!
Oh one more thing. The sizes of the tablets... the 6x8 is the middle product for me. 4x5 was a litle small for the type of work i do. Some people prefer the 9x12 er w/e the other models are. If you have to have that 1:1 feel of hand movement and screen movement go bigger, but it's really superfluous. I like how my smaller strokes translate to larger ones should I choose. Wacom makes a quality product and they've hooked me for life ^_^
Where to buy
Wacom Intuos3 4x5 Tablet:
$152.37
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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Tech For Less, Inc.
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$152.37 | Yes |
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