For years I tried various funky mice and trackballs trying to alleviate the sore wrist, fingers and shoulder that came with long hours at the computer. Finally, some graphic design projects gave my employer the reason to buy me a Wacom tablet. I've never looked back.

My first model was a 6x8 Artz II. I plugged it in the serial port and installed the drivers. It worked flawlessly in conjunction with my with my mouse. I quickly adapted to the slightly different approach of a tablet, and soon was using it for all computing activities.

I've never bothered to set up the "function" keys on the tablet, since I never actually look at it. I prefer to use the conventional control of my applications. Contrary to another epinions comment, right-clicking is a breeze. The control button on the side of the pen lets you easily click and double-click with your finger or thumb.

The Wacom drivers interface with popular graphic software such as Photoshop to offer pressure and tilt-sensitive brushes and other tools. I can't imagine duplicating these effects without the tablet.

I have found that while 1/2 hour of conventional mouse use begins to bother my wrist and arm, I can use the tablet all day, every day, week after week, for 3 years now, without any RSI syptoms. The larger, natural motions required by the table seem not to cause the body such problems.

I later got an Intuos 6x8 tablet, the successor to the Artz II, for home use. If I someday get a laptop, it will travel in a case with a Wacom tablet. I'm convinced that without Wacom I wouldn't still have a career in web development. I won't work without one.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 350