Wacom's Graphire tablet
Written: Jun 11 '01 (Updated Jun 13 '01)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Awesome control. Low price
Cons: Unneeded mouse comes with it.
The Bottom Line: This is a great little tablet for those on a budget.
|
|
|
| d_lee's Full Review: Wacom Graphire Pen & Mouse Set |
I have heard of graphic tablets. Over the years I saw the ad's etc., they sounded pretty neat but… Why would I want one? I do just fine with my trackball mouse.
The search..
As I delved deeper into art, joined forums and studied tutorials, more and more I saw comments that the control was better with a tablet. So I went on a quest to research tablets. There are other models out there but one name seems to rise above the rest. Word of mouth has given Wacom a good name. Although, the search almost came to a quick end when I found Wacom's PL500 LCD model. As I read all the specs on it I was drooling by the time I got to the end… the price was a very cold shower. Four thousand US is just a tad out of my price range. Disheartened I left for a few days, then went back to searching. I ended up back at Wacom. Forcing myself to look away from the higher end models, I found the Graphire. Although the Intous looked really nice (the next model up from the Graphire) it was still out of my price range since in Canada it is over 300.00.
Price and installation
I found the Graphire here in town for 159.00 (That's Canadian remember. It's 99.00 US at their online store.) It comes with a wireless, ball less mouse that I tossed in the drawer. It does not conflict at all with my Logitech Trackball. You can get serial or usb port models. Mine was the USB. When I connected it, windows 2000 pro found it instantly. Dropped the cd in and a minute later it was up and running.
Ease of use
After installation I found out what all the hype is over a graphic's tablet. There is no way you can have as much control with a mouse than you can with a pen. (I do know some great artists that only use a mouse. They astound me.) The pen itself is a little thick, but very normal feeling. On it you have buttons that work like mouse. (I Have not got the feel of using those with any comfort.) Bring up your favorite art program and start painting, or touching up a photo. You will find it very easy to get in close and do fine work that you would never have attempted with a mouse. Make a mistake? Turn it over and erase just as if you were holding a pencil. It comes with a thin plastic sheet in which you can lay a picture underneath for tracing if you like.
Extra's
The Graphire comes bundled with some software if you don't have any. Adobe Photoshop LE (PC & Mac), Corel Painter Classic (PC & Mac), Paragraph Pen Office SE (PC only)Senslva (PC only But a link to a Mac version is on their Homepage) Adobe ActiveShare (PC only) Wacom PenTools (PC and Mac) Along with drivers for PC and Mac. I can't rate any of those programs since I have not bothered to install them. It works in Paintshop Pro and any other art program I have brought up so didn't worry about them.
Bottom line.
For anyone on a budget as I am, I think the Graphire will serve you well. It's a great little tablet for the price. I use this for my graphic art. Might not be Rembrandt or anything, but I am able to do so much more than I could before. I'm thrilled.
Links
I always enclose links with my reviews. Not because I am affiliated with the company, but because it makes it easier for you to check out the product.
http://www.wacom.com/productinfo/index.cfm
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 100.00
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
d_lee
|
|
Member: D Lee
Location: B.C Canada
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
I am living proof that one should never stop chasing their dreams.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.