Wacom unveiled its updated Intuos Pro Pen & Touch Tablet today, which comes with a refreshed design, Bluetooth connectivity, and, best yet—the Wacom Pro Pen 2. I had the chance to spend a week with the new tablet and try out its updated features. Here's how it went.
Design
Out of the box, the first thing I noticed about the new Touch Tablet is that it's considerably smaller than its predecessor. The original measured in at 12.6 x 8.2 x 0.5", while the new model is 10.6 x 6.7 x 0.3". It's also 30 percent lighter. Now, what's cool about the slimmer design is the active area has remained the same (6.3 x 3.9"), so you're getting the same amount of space to work with, only in a smaller overall footprint. You also get the same number of ExpressKeys (6), multi-touch surface, and an integrated Touch Ring. Basically, you have everything people liked about the design of the original model, only in a sleeker package that will eat up less real estate on your desk.
Pro Pen 2
The new tablet comes with the Wacom Pro Pen 2, which offers eight-thousand-plus levels of pressure sensitivity. That's a significant boost over its predecessor, which gives you slightly above 2K. The added pressure levels really do increase the range of applications you can perform and the accuracy with which you can accomplish them. Whether it's retouching a photo or applying the desired weight of brush stroke to a painting, the Pro Pen 2 allows you to achieve the results you want, with surgical precision.
Bluetooth
Instead of a wireless kit, the new Touch Tablet comes equipped with Bluetooth technology, so it can communicate with your computer directly. It's a nice touch that seemed to work just as well as the previous RF connection. I drew for several hours at a time and experienced almost no lag whatsoever.
Use
Apart from the extra levels of pressure sensitivity, the new Touch Tablet handles a lot like the old—which is to say, great. I've been using some version of a Wacom tablet for years now, and all the functionality, response, and ease of use I've come to expect were present. Setup and driver download was simple and intuitive. I used the ExpressKeys and Touch Ring to customize my shortcuts and brushes. After that, it was time for a test drawing in Photoshop, which ended up being the same enjoyable experience I've fully come to associate with the Wacom brand.
The Verdict
Wacom billed its previous Intuos Pro Pen & Touch Tablet as the "perfect tool" to sketch, paint, and retouch images. Sounds about right. So, what does that make the updated the Intuos Pro Pen & Touch Tablet? Well, to be honest, I guess just slightly more perfect. Wacom's biggest challenger is always going to be itself. It makes great products that are tough to top, even for itself. And that's squarely where this new Touch Tablet lands—in the slightly-better-than-its-already-excellent-predecessor category. It's slimmer, which is nice, and the Pro Pen 2 is a solid upgrade. Bluetooth is also a welcome update and works reliably well. Bottom line: If you want a high-quality graphic tablet that's small enough to fit on a modest-sized desk but big enough in features to create some pro-caliber work, this is it.
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