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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Anybody use an Intuos4 tablet?
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10/02/2009 02:10:27 PM · #1
I have never owned a tablet before. But I'm getting tired of using a mouse to do precision work on photographs that I'm editing. I know Wacom is the most recognized maker of tablets. Does anyone use the new Intuos4? How much of a difference is there between the small, medium and large versions of the tablet? What can't you do on a small one that you can do no a large one? And my last question is I have two 24" widecreen monitors, side by side. How does that work with a tablet? Is it possible? Thanks in advance!
10/02/2009 02:54:03 PM · #2
Not sure about the tablet brand but tablets work a lot like a mouse and 2 screens should not matter, the big difference is the pen is like writing on the screen and it only hits the part of the screen where the pen is aimed so if you need to hit a menu item or something near the edges you need to move your hand a lot more than you would with a mouse, the positive is you can be much more precise. I have always used a small size tablet, the only advantage a larger tablet would have over a smaller one is when you do very fine detail but you can get pretty precise with the smaller tablets, the disadvantage to a larger tablet would be how far you need to move your hand with the pen to get to the corners of the image or screen. They take some getting used to but are a real asset once you get used to using one.
10/02/2009 05:29:31 PM · #3
I have an Intuos4 L, and to be honest, I think it's a bit too big for me. I'd be quite happy with the M one. You should definately try them out before buying. For the two screen thing, the tablet has a button that lets you select which monitor on which the pen should be active (when not using mouse mode). It also has a button that doubles the resolution (effectively slows down your movements) and lets you work details.
10/02/2009 05:32:09 PM · #4
hanserik, what do you primarily use it for? How much of your time do you use the tablet vs. a regular mouse? Do you use it beyond photo/Photoshop applications? I'd like to use one before buying it. Not sure where I could do that. What are the downsides (if any) that you've run into? Thanks for responding.
10/02/2009 05:50:11 PM · #5
I only use it in Photoshop. Too clumsy to use in normal apps I think... it's too easy to e.g. move a folder or files unintentionally.

Downsides? It takes too much desk space! I tried to have it to the rightthe mouse normally is, but it didn't feel natural there. So now I have it in front of the monitor, and just put away the keyboard when I'm in Photoshop. So keyboard to the left, tablet in the middle and mouse to the right.
10/02/2009 05:59:31 PM · #6
At the end of the day, is it worth having (despite the downsides that you mentioned)? Does it actually speed up your workflow?
10/02/2009 06:36:23 PM · #7
For me, definately! The pressure sensitivity adds a new dimension to the editing. I feel like I have more control now.
10/02/2009 06:36:54 PM · #8
Do you know if the cheaper Bamboo tablets are pressure sensitive?
10/02/2009 08:08:24 PM · #9
Looking at Wacom's website, it looks like the Bamboos are pressure sensitive. I would assume they don't have as many levels of sensitivity as an Intuos, but I'm not sure that matters. I have an old Graphire that only has something like 8 sensitivity levels. Whatever it has, it is just fine for photo editing. I would probably notice the lack of levels if I were using it for drawing, but I don't do that.

As far as size goes, my personal opinion is that for photo editing, the small size is fine. The rare times when I need to edit down at the pixel level, I blow the image up anyway so that I can see what I'm doing. A bigger tablet would just take up a bunch of space on the desk.
10/05/2009 12:00:41 AM · #10
I have used an Intuos 3 for years and I love it. The only problem when using it all the time is as hanserik has said. When in a directory of files you have to be careful as it will have a tendency to make copies of files. You can also move directories by accident too. But I use it all the time and you will just get better at not doing that. It does come with a mouse anyhow. I also have a trackball.

I had always used a trackball before so it took some getting use to the 11 ¼ wide area. It never dawned on me when I bought it but have not had any carpel tunnel problems since I went to it.
10/05/2009 08:39:04 AM · #11
I've had Intuos 3 for years. I've had the 9x12 (too big for me) and finally settled on the 6x8 which I love so much that I bought an extra one to go in the laptop bag for when I travel.

The pen has become like an extension of my hand these days, and I find that I use it in more apps than just Photoshop - in some of the work I do, I switch back and forth between Word and PS frequently and it has become routine for me to continue using the pen in Word. And, at this point, I don't think I could work in Photoshop without it!

I bought a friend the Bamboo for her birthday, and I used when I was at her house. It works fine, but I didn't find anywhere near as "finely tuned" as the Intuos. It was like the difference between a butter knife and a razor sharp steak knife - they both basically do the same thing, but the Intuos does it quickly, easily and with great precision. I also thought there was a bit of a "lag time" with the Bamboo - not much, but enough to be noticeable to me from all my years of using the Intuos.

ETA:
I also have dual monitors and the pen maps to the entire dual screen with no problem at all - it treats it as one screen.

Message edited by author 2009-10-05 08:40:48.
10/05/2009 08:51:25 AM · #12
I use the Intuos 3 and love it. Mine is 9x12, yes its a bit big but I'm not going to complian about it. My son has a Bamboo that is 5x7. He loves the thing and uses it with its mouse more than the mouse that came with the Mac. He does art with it and has found it to be an extention of his hand. I've only been using mine for about 2 weeks but the difference it makes for comfort is huge. No more hunching over the mouse trying to do dine detail work. From what I've heard the Intuos 4 is even better than the 3, so I say get one.

Message edited by author 2009-10-05 08:52:01.
10/05/2009 11:53:00 AM · #13
i got to play with one this weekend, and i really didnt like it. unless i would fork out the dough for the $20 k one, i wouldnt waste the money
10/05/2009 02:29:32 PM · #14
Originally posted by LadyK:

i got to play with one this weekend, and i really didnt like it. unless i would fork out the dough for the $20 k one, i wouldnt waste the money


$20K??? I can't even imagine what that might be!

I can't express how shocked I am that you didn't like it...the Wacom tablets make Photoshop life SO much easier in so many ways, I can't begin to imagine working without it.

A friend called me recently and asked if he should get one, I said DEFINITELY! He called me about a week later, and said he didn't know how he ever managed without it.

I think if you had a chance to get used to it you would really love it.
10/05/2009 03:36:22 PM · #15
Originally posted by LindaLee:

Originally posted by LadyK:

i got to play with one this weekend, and i really didnt like it. unless i would fork out the dough for the $20 k one, i wouldnt waste the money


$20K??? I can't even imagine what that might be!

I can't express how shocked I am that you didn't like it...the Wacom tablets make Photoshop life SO much easier in so many ways, I can't begin to imagine working without it.

A friend called me recently and asked if he should get one, I said DEFINITELY! He called me about a week later, and said he didn't know how he ever managed without it.

I think if you had a chance to get used to it you would really love it.


it just feels so disconnected, i dont make the connection between the tablet and the screen at all. the $20k one is just a big tablet that is the screen. is there a diff type of tablet that i should know about that shows what you're doing on the tablet? my plan was the just wait until they become so popular they get cheap
10/05/2009 03:44:49 PM · #16
Timfythetoo uses one and I think he actually told me that he no longer uses a regular mouse! I've got the Intuos 3, but since I hate the 'puter it's attached to, I don't use if often, but I do like it when I use it. (Just need to learn the pressure part, lol!) If I can get it to work w/my Mac laptop, I'd be in heaven.
10/05/2009 03:44:56 PM · #17
I can't imagine EVER using a mouse again to edit any image.. I have the 9 x 12 wacom tablet and freakin love it.. There is a learning curve and it takes a few days to get use to it.. But, once you do, it feels strange to use a mouse.. lol.. The control you have, especially when outlining objects, or for doing anything else is not even compairable..
10/05/2009 03:50:13 PM · #18
Originally posted by kandykarml:

I can't imagine EVER using a mouse again to edit any image.. I have the 9 x 12 wacom tablet and freakin love it.. There is a learning curve and it takes a few days to get use to it.. But, once you do, it feels strange to use a mouse.. lol.. The control you have, especially when outlining objects, or for doing anything else is not even compairable..


but isnt one that big like $500? yeah, apparently i should go look at their site and get legit prices rather then ones im coming up with
10/05/2009 04:00:15 PM · #19
Originally posted by LadyK:

Originally posted by kandykarml:

I can't imagine EVER using a mouse again to edit any image.. I have the 9 x 12 wacom tablet and freakin love it.. There is a learning curve and it takes a few days to get use to it.. But, once you do, it feels strange to use a mouse.. lol.. The control you have, especially when outlining objects, or for doing anything else is not even compairable..


but isnt one that big like $500? yeah, apparently i should go look at their site and get legit prices rather then ones im coming up with


The medium table (ver. 3) is what I have and cannot imagine going back to using a mouse for photo editing. At first I found it very clunky and hard to use, but like was mentioned, it's like an extension of my hand now.

Besides the size, the only disadvantage is that I have to put down the pen to type.
10/05/2009 04:11:08 PM · #20
Originally posted by Ken:

Originally posted by LadyK:

Originally posted by kandykarml:

I can't imagine EVER using a mouse again to edit any image.. I have the 9 x 12 wacom tablet and freakin love it.. There is a learning curve and it takes a few days to get use to it.. But, once you do, it feels strange to use a mouse.. lol.. The control you have, especially when outlining objects, or for doing anything else is not even compairable..


but isnt one that big like $500? yeah, apparently i should go look at their site and get legit prices rather then ones im coming up with


The medium table (ver. 3) is what I have and cannot imagine going back to using a mouse for photo editing. At first I found it very clunky and hard to use, but like was mentioned, it's like an extension of my hand now.

Besides the size, the only disadvantage is that I have to put down the pen to type.


hmm, well maybe when i get money again ill purchase the medium. maybe. i just transfered all the money i owe my mother from my business account and only have $53:/ tears and sadness
10/05/2009 04:27:26 PM · #21
Originally posted by LadyK:

Originally posted by kandykarml:

I can't imagine EVER using a mouse again to edit any image.. I have the 9 x 12 wacom tablet and freakin love it.. There is a learning curve and it takes a few days to get use to it.. But, once you do, it feels strange to use a mouse.. lol.. The control you have, especially when outlining objects, or for doing anything else is not even compairable..


but isnt one that big like $500? yeah, apparently i should go look at their site and get legit prices rather then ones im coming up with


Holy moly NOOOOOOOOO... we bought a refurbished one off of Amazon.. I think we payed $139.00... And, I just can't stress this enough.. Knowing what I know now.. If my ONLY option was to pay $500, then I would pay it.. lol.. My hubby uses the itty-bitty version and so does my sister.. It does the same exact thing and just takes up less space on your desk.. If I had to buy a new one I would probably go somewhere in the middle in reference to size..

Saying it's an extension of your hand is a perfect way of describing it.. It becomes as easy as writing with a pen or pencil..
10/05/2009 04:32:02 PM · #22
geeeeezzzzz.. I just checked & amazon has one for $98 bucks right now.... You can always find a good deal.. And, I've had it for about 2 years now and not a single problem..
10/05/2009 04:40:45 PM · #23
Originally posted by LindaLee:

Originally posted by LadyK:

i got to play with one this weekend, and i really didnt like it. unless i would fork out the dough for the $20 k one, i wouldnt waste the money


$20K??? I can't even imagine what that might be!

Well, the Cintiq is only off by one order of magnitude -- maybe the $20k was just a typo ...
10/05/2009 06:23:48 PM · #24
Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by LindaLee:

Originally posted by LadyK:

i got to play with one this weekend, and i really didnt like it. unless i would fork out the dough for the $20 k one, i wouldnt waste the money


$20K??? I can't even imagine what that might be!

Well, the Cintiq is only off by one order of magnitude -- maybe the $20k was just a typo ...


oh opps! lol yeah, just noticed that. lol
10/05/2009 09:43:30 PM · #25
Originally posted by Terramar:

At the end of the day, is it worth having (despite the downsides that you mentioned)? Does it actually speed up your workflow?

I just upgraded to the intuos 4 recently (I had a dinosaur model!) and it absolutely speeds up my workflow. I wish I would have upgraded a long time ago! I have one 24" monitor and I went with the small one, it works perfect for me. The only complaint I have with it is the mouse that comes with it.
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