The only Tablet you'll ever need... (Wacom Intuos3 A4 USB Special Edition)

Member Name: macmonkey13

Product:	Wacom Intuos3 A4 USB Special Edition
Date:	22/10/08 (164 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Improve accuracy with pen stylus, large mapping area/work space

Disadvantages: Mouse not as robust as could be

After using an optical mouse for many years, I felt I needed a new tool to use with my design work which would give me greater accuracy and control over my work. So, after begging the boss for a 'new toy', we got the Wacom Intuos3 A4 tablet at work.

It was very easy to install. It simply plugged into a USB socket on my iMac and once the installation disc had run, it was ready to go. Even though Macs come with drivers for most printers and other external accessories, I still ran the instal disc as it adds a new preference panel in the System Preference section. From here you can change the specifications for all the buttons on the tablet itself as well as on the mouse and stylus pen, along with the standard double-click speed, etc.

The tablet has a work area of approximately 297 mm W x 210 mm H (A4) and has a 1:1 mapping ratio, which means where ever you place the pen stylus on the tablet, it will mirror on the screen. This does not happen with the mouse however where a normal action occurs. There are two sets of customisable buttons on each side of the work area. 3 are clickable buttons which can be used to double-click, bring up a menu bar or, on Macs, access the Exposé function. Next to the 3 buttons there is a vertical recess which acts as a sensor pad used for scrolling up and down, and in some cases zooming in and out. These can all be handy although I don't tend to use them much. It can also be frustrating if you accidently lightly touch the scroll pad and end up losing where you are.

The stylus pen is both cord and battery-less so you won't get in a tangle or have to change batteries every 2 weeks or so whilst using. It has two buttons around the grip area which again are customisable. I tend to have one programmed to act as a right-click and the other as a double-click. They can prove handy. The grip are has a removable rubber casing which makes it comfortable even after a couple of hours use.

You also get a small dome shaped cradle for safe storing the pen so the stylus nib does not get damaged. They do tend to wear down after a while - probably within about 4 months - but you get 3 replacements included so you shouldn't have to buy any new for a quite a while. I have found the Intuos has a smoother surface to the work area, probably due to the higher price bracket as I have an entry level Bamboo at home and have got through two stylus nibs in a shorter space of time due to the slightly rougher texture.

The mouse has proved to be a little disappointing for me. It again is cordless and batteryless which is great and is more sensible to use when web browsing as it has a built in scroll wheel on top. However, after having the Wacom tablet and kit for little over a year, I have found the left-click button has started to 'wear out' and doesn't always respond first time. Whether this is something I can adjust in the Preferences I'm not sure and will have to look into. I certainly hope it can be fixed as, like I say, it's not that old. The tablet is used every week day all day, so maybe this proved the mouse could be made a little more robust in future models.

I'm not saying however that a Wacom tablet is for everyone. My boss can't stand it when he has to do some work on my machine and he has to use the pen. I can't say I blame him though as it took a couple of days for me to get used to it, but once you're used to it it's no trouble whatsoever. It also takes up a fair bit of room on your desk. With the work space being a decent A4 size and the inclusion of the cluster of buttons to each size, the overall dimension of the unit is approx 335 mm H x 440 mm W, which is a fair old size, especially if you have a smallish space in which to work.

At a price of approx £350, it's not cheap. But, if you were to use one day in day out and want better control, I'd say they are worth the money. I've found it easier doing Photoshop work as well as improving my illustrative work with the Wacom tablet as you get the feel of drawing with a real pen as you would on a pad.

I don't think I could go back to a mouse full time now.

Summary: Top level A4 Wacom tablet which helps improve control and accuracy

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