Wacom seems to have a graphics tablet for every level: from the most basic to interactive pen displays for professional digital retouching and drawing.
We looked at the latest products: the entry-level Volito (Windows PC only); and the more sophisticated Graphire3 range (Graphire Classic, Studio (pictured) and Studio XL), all for both Mac and PC.
The quality of these products shows that pen graphics-tablet technology is steadily improving, as are the prices. The Graphire has increased resolution to 2,000 dots per inch (dpi), and the Volito pen is 1,000 dpi.
The tablets are slimmer, making a more comfortable angle for the wrist, and have a frame for tracing photographs and drawings. The pens have programmable switches, an eraser to add versatility and 512 variations of pressure. The area of the tablet is exactly matched to that of the screen so there is no need to lift the pen off the tablet to reach the furthest corners of the monitor.
The most crucial factor determining ease of use is the size of the tablet itself. The bigger the tablet area, the more comfortable it is to move the cursor around the screen. I found only the Graphire Studio XL roomy enough.
Getting accustomed to using a pen and tablet after years with a mouse is not a quick process. It takes time to get used to the different weight and greater flexibility of a pen. For some tasks like word processing the greater stability of the mouse is more suitable. And to cover this, Wacom has included wireless mice in its Volito and Graphire packages.
The pen tablet is most suitable for digital imaging applications where the variations in pen pressure and looser feel make a difference in speed and accuracy.
Basically, the pen and tablet are the future of graphics. The closer the approximation to the physical movements of hand and penbrushpencil across paper, the more effective and rapid the computer is as a working tool.
Steve Place is the art editor of TES Online
Philips HDD-100
Capacity: 15Gb
Dimensions: 61mm x 104mm x 20mm
Weight: 167g
Battery life: 10 hours
Connectivity: USB 2.0
Audio format support: MP3, WMA
Platform: PC
Price: pound;299
Available from: High street stores
Pros: Light, cheap and with good battery life. Looks good and you can record on to it Cons: PC only. Reportedly has a habit of locking up. And screen can be a little slow to update. Expensive
Apple iPod
Capacity: 10Gb, 20Gb, 40Gb Dimensions: 61mm x 104mm x 15.8mm (18.5mm on 40Gb model)
Weight: 158g (176g on 40Gb model)
Battery life: 8 hours claimed
Connectivity: FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 through dock connector
Audio format support: MP3 (32 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible, WAV
Platform: Mac and PC
Cost: from pound;249
Available from: High street stores
Pros: It’s the market leader, it looks great and Apple has integrated it well into its computers. Can record directly on to the unit
Cons: Low battery life, expensive
Creative Zen NX
Capacity: 30Gb, 40Gb, 60Gb
Dimensions: 112mm x 75mm x 22mm
Weight: 226g with battery
Battery life: Up to 14 hrs
Connectivity: USB 2.0
Audio format support: MP3 (up to 320kbps), MP3, VBR, WAV, WMA
Platform: PC only
Prices: from pound;249
Available from: High street stores
Pros: Good battery life and plays a wide range of formats. Good sound with EAX on, otherwise not so good
Cons: Tricky controls and small screen. Cannot record directly
X-Clef HD-500
Capacity: 20Gb, 40Gb
Dimensions: 130mm x 79mm x 22mm
Weight: 255g
Battery life: Up to 12 hrs
Connectivity: USB 2.01.1 supported
Audio format support: MP3, WMA
Platform: Mac and PC
Price: from pound;199
Available from: www.advancedmp3players.co.uk
Pros: Easy to use. Good battery life. Can record directly on to unit with or without external mic. Mac and PC compatible. Great sound Cons: Larger than iPod and you don’t get any of the clever transfer software (if you need it)
Volito
Price: pound;42 approx
A6 size
Software: Procreate Painter Classic
ArcSoft Photoimpression; ArcSoft Funhouse; JustWrite Office; Penflow for Word; Whiplash by Codeface
Fitness for purpose ***
Ease of use ***
Features ***
Quality ****
Value for money *****
Graphire Classic
Price: pound;69.99
A6 size
Software: Procreate Painter Classic
Fitness for purpose ****
Ease of use ***
Features ***
Quality ****
Value for money *****
Graphire Studio
Price: pound;99
A6 size
Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0; PenPalette; Pinnacle Studio 8 SE; ACDSee
Fitness for purpose ****
Ease of use ***
Features ****
Quality ****
Value for money *****
Graphire Studio XL
Price: pound;179.99
A5 size
Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0; PenPalette; Pinnacle Studio 8 SE; ACDSee
Fitness for purpose *****
Ease of use ****
Features ****
Quality ****
Value for money *****
