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M
mhossey
Inspiring
June 12, 2012
Answered

What is the best Pen Tablet for Photoshop/Illustrator

  • June 12, 2012
  • 13 replies
  • 224768 views

The more I get into design the more I keep seeing digital painting, and hearing about tablets for drawing using pressure sensitive response from the tablet. I've been on wacom and literraly just started researching a bit. I see a bamboo tablet and also an intuos tablet. Any advice for an up and coming designer and which one to buy, what to look for, what not to look for, good/bad experiences and so on?

Michael   

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Trevor.Dennis

    Chris Cox wrote:

    Do you mean a tablet computer (like an iPad) or a drawing tablet (Wacom)?

    I think JJMack meant the former, while you meant the later.

    Ahh, wow I cant believe I didnt catch that difference ha. No I'm talking about Wacom, for painting, drawing etc... not Ipads etc...


    If you really want the best, then I guess that has to be the big Cintiq

    But that's a bunch of dollars.  Most of us use the Intuos, which is perfect for photoshop

    I have an Intuos4 and have not tried a 5 or Touch, and that's what you'd buy new now.

    13 replies

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    slashpot
    slashpot
    Inspiring
    September 4, 2016

    The Wacom intuos & Bamboo are designed to work with Windows and Mac. The Intuos is meant to be the "pro" version, and the Bamboo more for the "pro-sumer', or amateur. The Cintiq is a different beast, but really it's designed for the Pro - with lots of cash!

    I've had a Graphire and am now using my third Intuos, the Intuos 5 Pen & Touch, small. Frankly the touch part is a bit useless as it makes my drawing go stupid at times, so I have to keep it switched off, but if you're one of those folks that's happy to put on one of those groovy gloves every time it's prolly fine. The tablet part is the best I've used, but be sure to get one of their "Art Pens" to get the most out of it (an extra $80-90). There's also the option of getting a wireless dealie, so you can work without being tethered (another $40-50).

    The Bamboo range, as far as I can figure, is really quite close to being as good as the intuos in basic operation, and if you're one of those incredibly rare people who doesn't have wads of cash lying around (what's wrong with you weirdo!), or you're a beginner, or both, it's probably a good option, but remember, if you plan on going to an intuos or better anyway, the pens aren't interchangeable. The intuos 5 is also cheaper now, so probably worth it if you can. I imagine Wacom are working on intuos 6 as we speak, so be sure to check it isn't within days of release before splashing your hard-earneds around, as it will make 5s cheaper, and may itself be an unmissable revolution you can't live without.

    Have fun!

      P
      Pan Da
      Participant
      September 3, 2016

      I have the same question. I use MAC and use adobe on it and want to handdraw and use a Wacom product like Bamboo or Intus. But will the Wacom products work on a MAC?

        Trevor.Dennis
        Community Expert
        Trevor.DennisCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        September 3, 2016

        No problem using Wacom tablets with OSX as far as I know.   I have used tablets since thew original Graphire, and now use a medium  Intuos 4 and a Cintiq Companion 2.  I always use the Intuos with my main computer.  If I had to replace it now I'd get an Intuos 5 Touch (or whatever they are calling them now.   I am not sure how the Touch features work with OSX however.  With Windows you need 8.1 or 10 to use Gestures.

        [EDIT]  I have changed the subject line to make it clear this thread is about pen tablets, and not IOS or Android iPad type devices.

        JJMack
        Community Expert
        JJMackCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        June 12, 2012

        They will only run on a windows based tablet.  They will not run on a Windows 8 ARM tablet either.  Adobe only sypports Windows and Mac OS Adobe does have some Tablet Apps but not Photoshop and Illustrator applications.

        JJMack
        M
        mhosseyAuthor
        Inspiring
        June 12, 2012

        so your saying I cant use a tablet with photoshop or illustrator? I thought there were specific features inside of these programs to work with tablets, maybe I didnt understand    

        Chris Cox
        Chris Cox
        Legend
        June 12, 2012

        Do you mean a tablet computer (like an iPad) or a drawing tablet (Wacom)?

        I think JJMack meant the former, while you meant the later.

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