So...what kind of tablet do I need?

[Thisguy202]

Hey Penciljack!

So I've been really into digital comics recently, and I've been using a great program called Sketchbook Pro.

But my old tablet is coming down to it's last leg. It's a model from four to five years ago, so, eh...

I'm looking to purchase a new one soon that's around the 100-150 dollar price range. Any suggestions on what to buy and maybe where to order it? Especially maybe one that works best with programs like Corel and Sketchbook Pro?

Thanks.

[Inkthinker]

Hrm. The price on Intuos units has really jumped, there's not a lot you can get for less than $200-300. There's some older Intuos4 models available on Amazon (I bought my Cintiq through Amazon back in '09) for decent prices, but at your range the only thing I'm seeing are the 3x5 models.

Which are perfectly functional, I used a 3x5 for a couple years before I upgraded to a 6x9 (and then to the full Cintiq). Drew some 15 pages for MESS Studios on a 3x5. But if you've been working on a larger tablet it's going to be a little awkward.

[turnbolt]

I recently watched a Freddie Williams II video on youtube where he said he had gone to a bamboo... I use smaller strokes and am considering the bamboo as well. I ordered Manga Studio EX and am just wondering if the bamboo capture is a good enough unit or if I should shell out the extra $100 bucks for the create... thoughts?

[Danimal the Canibal]

I'd say bamboo is the way to go I used one till I got the really old cintiq I'm using now (witch I love more than my bamboo) I'd say ebay is the way to go if you're on a budget here's a few I found.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wacom-UCTL47...item3a7763d692

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wacom-Bamboo...item2568eee38d

[Symson]

I just switched to Bamboo and it works fine. I don't need thousands of levels of sensitivity to do inking or coloring.

[weirdozhead]

wot................

[weirdozhead]

I'd suggest a factory refurbished Intuos 4 medium.. I think I've seen them for around 200 on amazon, I got a new one recently for about 50-60 bucks more, didn't noticed the factory refurbs til I had already ordered or I would've saved some scratch. Here's the vendor that actually fulfilled my order: http://store.onsale.com/s?rch=&inclu...e=true&q=wacom

The intuos pen alone sets it far above the bamboo (my previous pad), I think the medium is a perfect drawing size (though the outer non-drawable edge area is a lil big) and the assignable shortcut keys and rotation disc thing have sped up all my processes many times over the bamboo

[amadarwin]

For less than $100 you can get a good sized tablet from monoprice.

The reviews are excellent. The only complaints are that the pens require a battery - some people don't like the extra weight. And the other is that they only have 1024 lvls of sensitivity. If you can live with both 'shortcomings' then this is a good tablet for you from what I've read.

[Dri]

For less than $100 you can get a good sized tablet from monoprice.

The reviews are excellent. The only complaints are that the pens require a battery - some people don't like the extra weight. And the other is that they only have 1024 lvls of sensitivity. If you can live with both 'shortcomings' then this is a good tablet for you from what I've read.

I cant stress it enough when i say don't get battery operated pens. They are likely to break or have battery acid leak. Not worth the investment. It can't be helped but it is definitely a design flaw.

I still got 2 battery operated pen tablets and while usable pale in comparison to the wacoms.

[amadarwin]

Regardless, it's a small inconvenience if you don't want to sacrifice drawing surface space. An Intuous 5 touch Large (12x8) runs you about $470 retail, while you can get the same size (12x9) from monoprice for $90. In the case of a battery leak another pen only runs you 10 bucks...not to mention the preventative measures you could take to ensure it doesn't happen in the first place.

If someone is on a tight budget and doesn't want to sacrifice the real estate from a large tablet by moving over to a bamboo, this isn't bad option, imo. In the meantime, they can save up for the higher priced intuous or even a cintiq while not missing a beat working digital.