Stupid Tablet Questions

~Marko-Poko Jun 21, 2012 Hobbyist

I an actually considering getting a drawing tablet. I ink and color my drawings on the computer so I think something like a tablet would be a good investment. But I know next to nothing about these things.
What kind of stores can I find them? Office supplies or somewhere else?
And what is the average price of these devices?
And lastly, what specific brands would you suggest?

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Devious Comments

*Roleplay-Silvy12 Jun 22, 2012 Student Digital Artist

I reccomend best buy and just ask them where they would be and they'll show u mine was about 99 dollars with pen and touch features it works really well

~doodlemancy Jun 22, 2012 Student Digital Artist

Your best bet, if you want to save money, is probably to order one online and look for a used one. I got my first used off eBay for $30, but it was an ancient Wacom Graphire. if you want a new, good tablet you'll have to be willing to pay at probably $80-100. Go for a larger tablet if you can afford it.

Electronics stores tend to be needlessly expensive (seriously, you can't find a keyboard for under $25 at my local Best Buy, I sure as heck wouldn't try to buy a tablet there) so I wouldn't recommend them.

I would really suggest buying a Wacom; they're the gold standard for a reason. I have a Wacom Bamboo and it serves me very well.

`nokari Jun 21, 2012 Professional Interface Designer

What kind of stores can I find them? Office supplies or somewhere else?

Generally in stores that sell computers, like Best Buy or a local computer supply shop.

And what is the average price of these devices?

Depends on the model, size, and age (e.g. Wacom Intuos3 vs Intuos4). The smallest, least feature rich ones are typically around $100. If it's last year's model, it might be cheaper. Larger tablets with more features go up to around $600. The largest, most advanced tablets, which you draw directly on a screen (i.e. Wacom Cintiq), cost a couple thousand dollars.
If you want to save money, look for deals online and look at slightly older models. I have an Intuos2 I bought in 2004 for $80 unopened from eBay and it's still good.

And lastly, what specific brands would you suggest?

I suggest Wacom. It's the most widely supported brand and they make all kinds of touch-sensitive devices around the world. My second recommendation would be Genius.

~narutokunobessed Jun 21, 2012 Student General Artist

[link]

~Marko-Poko Jun 21, 2012 Hobbyist

Thanks for your article. I'll bookmark it for later. It's a little late and whatnot.

~narutokunobessed Jun 24, 2012 Student General Artist

The only reason you get a bigger tablet is not because it cramps your hand, but it does not match the resolution of the monitor. The smaller the tablet or uneven resolution, the faster the cursor will zoom across the page, and also the smaller area you have to work with. Especially your monitor is wide screen, but your tablet is smalled and squared.

Though, even with this information, it may not really matter, as it boils down to practice and how much your willing to deal with the smaller size. There is always ways to go around kinks and what not as the article suggests. Being adaptive in art is very useful so you don't have to be soo fickle about being one medium.

I think cramped hands have to do with carpel tunnel, which is gripping the pen too tight. I do this alot when holding my tablet. There are exercises to relieve this and one of them is this one.
[link]
Pretty much if your muscle is hurting, you just got to do the opposite of how your working that muscle.

~mee-kii Jun 22, 2012

I use a small-sized tablet because it's physically easier to manage, and feels easier to use for me; you do get used to drawing with it if you use it enough. I once had a large tablet and I never got used to it for some reason.

~BoneMarrowMachine Jun 21, 2012 Student Filmographer

I highly highly highly reccomend that you get a medium or large sized wacom tablet. Small ones just put you off because theyre so damn hard to draw naturally. Also you get a cramped hand.

~Finnjamin Jun 22, 2012 Student General Artist

I started out with a tiny A5 Bamboo Pen tablet, it cost under a hundred bucks and it still works after several years of bad treatment. Unless you've got hands like André you can get by fine.

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