which tablet should I get?

[Amylith]

there are too many tablets out there  :-X I can't decide so decide for me. the only reason I'm getting one is because I want to draw on the computer too  so I'm looking for these things
-good drawing screen
-do not care about Internet
-not really small (I'm fine with a big bulky tablet)
-not really expensive(as in thousands of dollars)

and though these are simple sounding to be honest I just don't know what to look for
so any ideas? xD

[zenia]

Wacom Bamboo.

My mate has one and he says it is the best thing to ever happen to his art. I am currently using (and have been for 11 years) a super old Wacom GraphireET, but will be upgrading to a Wacom Bamboo Create as soon as I get my tax return. Birthday present to myself!

It doesn't have a screen that you can see the drawing on though. That type starts at $999.

[Amylith]

it's too bad it doesn't let me see the drawing but I looked into it and it looks good and I'll probably manage without seeing it eventually xD thanks I might just go buy it soon xD thanks zenia

[zenia]

It is a little awkward getting used to looking at the computer screen while you draw and not at your hands... but both me and Van got used to it super duper quick!

A trick is to use the pen for things other than drawing in order to get the hand-eye coordination down. Use it to play games (I like using it for Zuma Blitz on FaceBook) and just to replace what you normally use the mouse for just to practice. :)

[Temrin]

Most tablets you'll find that allow you to view the screen on the tablet itself, are going to be very expensive, as Zenia pointed out.

I personally use a Wacom Intuos 3. All my friends who've tried Bamboo's hate them. They are buggy from what i've seen and from user accounts of more then a handfull of people i've talked to. But, to each their own.

No tablet will be perfect, but some do work better then others. Bamboo's are classified as the beginner tablet because they are normally cheaper then the rest so you can afford to try it and see if you like drawing digitally. But sometimes you'll get lucky and get one that works well for you :3 I definitely do suggest the intuos line though. I've used more then one version and all have been pretty awesome. ( i still wants to get the Intuos 4. sexy black tablet!)

Graphire's aren't readily available from Wacom's site anymore, but if you want to find something to try or test on first, you can probably find them super cheap on ebay or amazon. Their pressure sensitivity is not as good as the newer tablets but they are still pretty great tablets. Heck, my old backup graphire (i use it if i can't take the intuos somewhere, etc) the pen is held together by tape and it works amazing (poor thing dropped and i rolled over it with my chair many years back >.< )

So it ultimately depends on how much you want to spend.

[Amylith]

xD gah the intuos looks good too

so what are the difference between the bamboo create and intuos? other than tilt feature and price exactly? I'll just go ahead and assume that neither allow me to see what I'm drawing  :birdy:

[Selkit]

xD gah the intuos looks good too

so what are the difference between the bamboo create and intuos? other than tilt feature and price exactly? I'll just go ahead and assume that neither allow me to see what I'm drawing  :birdy:

Pressure sensitivity and precision, pen quality and (in my opinion) a nicer tablet-surface feel. The tilt feature is only useful if you're doing serious painting with it, or 3D work. I use an Intuos 4 medium, personally, with Photoshop, Modo and ZBrush; There are ways you can apply the tilt feature in 3D which make it wonderful to have. I've found only limited use for tilt when doing 2D painting, however; Brushstroke simulation and similar. The surface on the Intuos 4 is also much closer to something like cartridge paper than the smooth plastic feel of other models. Unfortunately, it's also hell on tablet nibs as a direct consequence. I go through a nib a month with it.

[Temrin]

As mentioned, most tablets do not allow visuals on the drawing surface area of the tablet. Cintiqes do, or you need to buy a tablet PC.

The Intuos 3 i'm using is still a plasticy surface, i've not had to replace a nib yet. I'm saddened to hear the Intuos 4 you have replaced them frequently D:

[Amylith]

that's too bad about the nibs
I will be doing some 3D art in my classes but since I'm getting it for drawing the bamboo does sound better because I don't really want to buy nibs constantly

thanks I'll look into it and probably see which I could get :3 I probably won't get a cintiq because I think two thousand is retarded and overpriced even if it looks cool

[Temrin]

2 thousand is for the large models. The smaller models of it are retail 999$ but you can find them cheaper on amazon or ebay.

As well, The intuos set prior to 4 doesnt have nib problems. I've been using this intuos 3 (and i've used v2 as well) for over 2 years and i've not had to replace a single thing on it. You can also find intuos3's for cheap on amazon, ebay, etc.

[Selkit]

Nib replacement on the Intuos 4 is largely a matter of how often you use it. Mine sees daily heavy use, and the nib has been replaced on average every one to two months. Mind you, I'm also using it 4 hours a day. The nibs are relatively cheap and Wacom does include a supply of 10 with the tablet; I haven't had to purchase new nibs yet. All a tradeoff on what you want, really; The Intuos 3 is still a decent tablet, but the tactile improvement with the Intuos 4 and the extra precision comes in handy at times. Honestly, it's more a matter of what you are willing to spend; $1,000 is where tablet displays start (Either you buy a Cintiq at $999 for the small one or a dedicated tablet PC), $100-200 is the range of hobbyist tablets without tilt support or if you're lucky an Intuos 3 used, or $400+ for the Intuos 4 range. For comparison's sakes, I paid $349 + tax for my Intuos 4 from Tiger Direct. And for pity's sakes, *DO NOT* buy a tablet on retail at Best Buy or similar, the markup they put on them is downright ridiculous! They wanted $600 for an Intuos 4 M! Get your tablet from Wacom directly, Amazon, E-bay or Tiger Direct, and save yourself the 50% retail markup.

[zenia]

Get your tablet from Wacom directly...

Does Wacom ship to Canada now? When I tried to buy nibs from them before, they wouldn't ship here.

[Selkit]

Does Wacom ship to Canada now? When I tried to buy nibs from them before, they wouldn't ship here.

Wacom themselves do not. My choices were either ship to an intermediary friend in Washington state (Had plenty to pick from) or from Tiger Direct. I opted for Tiger Direct; The shipping cost was slightly higher, but they carry Wacom's full range. The trick is, though, buy from the American Tiger Direct site using PayPal. The Canadian site's selection is quite poor as a rule.

[starflier]

See, I use my cintiq every day too, and I've yet to wear out a nib... I wonder if I'm doing something wrong :/

[Temrin]

Selkit was refering to his Intups 4, not a cintiq.

You can get Wacoms from Best buy and future shop and even london drugs, here in canada. Some will carry, some wont. Just ask someone in the stores.