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Provides: Tablet functionality
Developer: Wacom
Minimum Requirements: Mac OS X 10.4.8 +, USB port, CD/DVD drive
Price: $229.00 - $789.00
Availability: Now

When you think of graphics tablets, you think of Wacom…well, unless you’re way excited about the possibility of Apple finally releasing a tablet Mac (which is quite likely, now that I think about it). There are a few other companies that make graphics tablets, but there’s a reason why you only know the name of Wacom, whether you know how to pronounce it or just think you do. The Wacom Intuos4 is just another reason why Wacom will continue to be the obvious choice for tablets in the foreseeable future.

Here’s a common scenario.  You open up your graphic editor of choice and you try to draw something with the mouse. Perhaps you aren’t even artsy, maybe you just want to trace the path around an object so you can extract it from the image.  Worse yet, what if you have Photoshop but are still struggling with a mouse?  Many Photoshop professionals use tablets for these very reasons and many others.

Wacom has a number of different graphics tablet models, so they likely have one perfect for you since you’re such an unique individual.  I’ve had numerous tablets in the past, including a Wacom Bamboo and two tablet PCs.  The two tablet PCs were not made using Wacom technology, and it was quite obvious.  This time around, I had the opportunity to play around with an Intuous 4.  To sum it up in a few words, it was a lot of fun.

To sum it up in a few more words, the Intuos4 is much more feature-rich than Wacom’s lower end Bamboo line of tablets, and proves itself to be a great advancement above older models, making it an amazing and almost necessary tool for artists and designers alike.

To start, the Intuos4 comes in the standard fast food sizes: small to XL.  Included with the tablet are all the obvious items, like the cable, the stylus (or pen), the pen stand, a mouse you’ll never use, and some cds.  The pen stand is like an ink well that contains a number of extra tips that change the way the pen feels on the tablet.  I liked the standard one the best, but the “point” is that the default configuration is just the “tip” of the iceburg that represents customization.  Plus, if you somehow managed to break one, or wore it down, it comes with replacements, so you won’t need to be ordering those. Also, you should be aware that Wacom sells extra styli in different shapes for a more realistic feel, depending upon for what task you choose to use your tablet.  Check out their site for details on that.

What really sets the Intuos4 apart from the Bamboo (and other, possibly older models) is that it has 8 assignable buttons, called ExpressKeys, that have displays telling you a short description of their current functions.  One of my favorites (in default setup) is the Precision Mode button.  This one allows you to use the full tablet area to control a much smaller subset of the screen.  This is great for getting extra fine detail, as if its 2048 levels of pressure or .25mm accuracy wasn’t good enough.  Another possible use for this would be if you aren’t the world’s greatest artist (who, me?); this may actually help you to draw smoother lines given that you have to make a larger arc with your hand to draw a smaller line (which tends to smooth out what otherwise may have been jagged lines).

Along with the ExpressKeys, you get a Speed Ring.  Think of this like the Click Wheel on an iPod.  It’s great for changing the size of a brush, or just scrolling down a webpage.  The point I’m getting at is that there is a ton of customizability built into the Intuos4.  All of these buttons and settings can be specific to each application in which you work, so buttons and functions can change with little effort after initial setup.  And not only that, you can set up the Intuos4 to work left or right handed, or even vertically, if you choose.  All you have to do is go to System Preferences and change some settings in the Wacom Tablet preference pane.

Now the main difference between the Bamboo and the Intuos4 models is the number of pressure levels.  The Bamboo supports 512 levels, while the Intuos4 supports quadruple that at 2048 levels.  This—along with its ability to sense angle and its better and faster tracking of the pen tip—makes the product feel professional.  What am I saying, it is a professional product.

If you’re sick of trying to use a mouse when what you really need is a pen, it’s time to consider a tablet.  Maybe the Intuos4 is overkill for you unless you live inside of a graphic editor on a daily basis.  But even if you don’t, perhaps it’s enough of a hobby or interest for you to justify the expense.  You won’t be dissappointed in the Intuos4.  It delivers in terms of performance, customization and usability.