Wacom Tablet Digital Intuos4 (Extra Grande)

Comments about Wacom Intuos4 Digital Tablet (Extra Large):

I'm brand new to using a tablet but this thing is so simple its amazing. I'm using it directly with Adobe Photoshop and really appreciate the dexterity that the pen allows when editing pictures.

Comments about Wacom Intuos4 Digital Tablet (Extra Large):

I use this tablet for digital life drawing. I am a traditionally trained artist so I am used to working standing up. I place the tablet on an easel and it feels similar to drawing on a large piece of paper.

Comments about Wacom Intuos4 Digital Tablet (Extra Large):

This is my first tablet, but it is a great device. I use it for more than Adobe CS5 and Nik Software. It is a great tool for editing MIDI files other other sound files in Cubase. It seems like I can find a way to use it with any software -- the pen even makes surfing the web easier.

It defaults to absolute positioning which was new for me, but I got used to it quickly. I really like absolute positioning with the pen because you can train your hand to go to specific locations on the tablet to execute commands quickly -- its almost like another set of "hot keys".

The writing recognition software that comes with the tablet is cool and works well, but I don't use it too much. It has a virtual keyboard that appears when you hover the pen (a.k.a. mouse-over) over a certain spot on the screen. I don't use that too much either because I keep my keyboard within reach to use the two devices concurrently.

I bought the XL size because I wanted the surface area for drawing with Adobe Illustrator. I didn't expect this, but I find it very valuable to use the bigger tablet with dual monitors. It provides ample surface area for each monitor. I use the tablet at a designated work surface with a desktop computer so the large size and lack of portability is not an issue. If someone wants to use one with a laptop or has limited space, I could see where the XL tablet would be too large. Also, depending on how you are using it, the larger tablet requires more arm and hand movement to accomplish tasks when configured to absolute cursor positioning. A smaller tablet would likely cause less strain for repetative tasks.

I use it with Windows 7 64-bit and upgraded to Windows 7 when I installed the tablet so I have no experience with it in prior versions of Windows.

I'm thinking a getting a second, smaller tablet to use with my laptop for work. This is a definite "must have" input/navigation device!

Comments about Wacom Intuos4 Digital Tablet (Extra Large):

pros: size, ease of installation, accuracy, flexibility
cons: desktop real estate (see under pros), i.e. it takes up space but that space makes it useful to me.

Comments about Wacom Intuos4 Digital Tablet (Extra Large):

I'm using this tablet on 4 widescreens 22"+ monitors. Instead of buying several tablets, I got all-in-one :)
Plus, even if the tablet is "too big" for the work you need to do, you can resize the active area, Wacom has done a great job with its software solution.