3.65" x 5.02" - Mouse, Pen - USB - MPN: CTE440B
Strengths: Accurate, Durable, Simple.
Weakness: N/A
I purchased this tablet for a better note-taking experience in powerpoint and the graphire really delivered. Now when my professors lecture in class, I have a means to mark up the text and add my own additional comments instead of feeling helpless while a torrent of information was being thrown out with no way of capturing it.
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TopStrengths: Easy installation, easy to use, very natural and intuitive.
Weakness: None.
I went back and forth as to whether I even wanted a graphics tablet, figuring it was a fair bit of money to spend for something I might end up, ultimately, not using very much.
But when I had to actually work on some graphics for a website, and found that after an hour using a mouse with Photoshop and my hand really felt the strain, I knew that a tablet was the way to go. I was ready to try it.
What a fabulous tool. The pen interface is so natural its unbelievable. You can hold the pen and achieve incredible control while still maintaining a relaxed grip. In just a couple days of use, I can see what a big difference using the pen is over using the mouse (in Photoshop). And with the pen, you get the added capability of pressure sensitivity (in software that supports that, like Photoshop). Its just really cool to be able to paint a line with a brush and get a varying width result due to different pressures being applied.
The pen is also quite usable as a mouse replacement for general use. You have to get used to that, of course, but I can see where using the pen for everything would become very natural, especially for someone who spends a LOT of time using the pen for graphics work. Just simpler not to have to switch back and forth, but having the Wacom mouse handy is certainly nice, since the tablet basically sits where my normal mouse pad would and my IntelliMouse doesn't seem to work on the Wacom tablet. (I wouldn't' expect the tablet to respond to any mouse but the Wacom mouse; that's not what I meant. I mean to say that with the Wacom tablet sitting where my regular mouse pad would be, the IntelliMouse doesn't seem to work.) That said, if I move things around, the IntelliMouse and the Wacom tablet co-exist under Windows XP perfectly.
I am not as enamored with the included mouse as I am with the pen. Oh, its a fine mouse and I can see that in time I will (or would) get used to it. While much like an optical mouse (i.e. no ball) it doesn't seem to glide along quite as nicely as my IntelliMouse. I haven't decided yet if I will retire the latter in favor of the Wacom mouse. Its certainly "a good mouse" though. I just haven't made the decision.
The driver installation was painless. No problems there. The included tutorial video is short and to the point.
Overall, I love this tool and I am very glad I bought it. I highly recommend it.
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TopStrengths: Easy to seu up and install. You can do a lot of fun with this tool such as photos enhance,create your own artwork sketching. The most inconvenient feature is baterry free and wireless.
Weakness: You need to practice a little bit before you are used to it.
Generally, i feel satisfied with this product. I basicly try this product for digital photo editing but then i really find out a lot of intersting thing with this tool. You also get a lot of bonus graphic softwares together with this product. Great! Recommend for the graphic lover.
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TopStrengths: Easy Installation, very precise in both pointer location and pen pressure, scroll wheel on tablet, Eraser on pen.
Weakness: Writing area is only 4x5, might need more zoom in when editing photos
I have been using another generic brand tablet (Aiptek Hyperpen) for 3 years, and I always thought a tablet is a tablet, all tablets are the same. Man, was I wrong! Wacom tablet is really better, it is more precise, the pointer will never "jump" around (if you have use other brands, you know what I am talking about!). I can’t believe I did not get the Wacom earlier. I do a lot of photo editing, by using Wacom tablet, my editing time is reduced by a lot.
The price for the Graphire4 is very reasonable. You might found the drawing area is a little small (only 4x5). Sometimes I need to zoom all the way in when I am doing photo editing.
If you are in the market of tablet, get the Wacom, not the other brands!
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TopStrengths: easy use, good price
Weakness: none
Because I have to communicate with my boss through internet and we use a lot of formula, I almost give up my half a year's old T43 to buy a new tablet notebook until I find this wonderful tool. It does help me a lot and save me much money.
It may take some time to get used to it, but you will never go back to anything else after that.
I definitely recommend it.
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TopStrengths: Easy install of driver and precise response of pen.
Weakness: Mouse not as good as a laser mouse.
Cheapest graphics tablet I could find from a reputable maker. Don't really plan on using it on graphics programs, rather as a note taking device on a normal laptop. It takes a while to get used to coordinating the pen and the writing on the screen. With note taking software that supports graphire4, the pressure ink system works very week as does look like my hand writing. On Onenote, it just interprets handwriting as graphics, but does not look too bad.
There is a learning curve in getting used to coordinating with your hand and the writing on the screen. It sounds simple, however in practice it's harder than you think.
The so called wireless mouse it not that good. I don't use it as my original mouse is much more accurate and easy to use.
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TopStrengths: The product is so easy to install and set up. It also comes with a lot of vaulable photo softwares.Worth the price if you want to adjust or fix photographs.
Weakness: The pen is not good to use as a mouse, so you may feel the regular mouse is easier to use. Yet, it worths a try to practice like a saying " practice makes perfect."
So far, i love this product. Although I don't do a lot of graphics,i just bought it to crop and edit photos, and it does this very well. I recommend for the graphic designers since the rest of the package is valuable.
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TopStrengths: 1. very well built 2. software is vista-capable 3. very sensitive
Weakness: 1. 4x5 is still too small. 2. the mouse has no practical use 3. have problems when running dual-monitor
Wacom is the best tablets on the market. The built-quality is second to none. Software runs under Windows Vista. The pen is very sensitive.
However, if you want to use it for PhotoShop, you will find 4x5 is still too small. I can only use it for taking notes.
The mouse is actually a waste. I never use it.
BTW, I had problems when running dual-monitor.
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TopStrengths: easy to use, includes great software, wireless mouse included
Weakness: none
I've always wanted to have a tablet and this had a good entry $$ point. Wow, am I glad I got this device. It comes with a pressure sensitive pen that feels good holding it. It got a little usage to really get use to this new interfase. The package includes a wireless mouse, which includes a scrolling wheel. It seems to have other uses, which I will try next.
Mainly using it to edit photos and I like it.
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TopStrengths: Affordable, comes with good software
Weakness: Small editing surface quickly becomes a limitation for anyone but casual users, mouse is pointless
If you've never used a graphic tablet before, and won't be using it constantly, you could do worse as an entry level device. Photoshop Elements is included, which alone is probably worth the purchase price. But the small editing surface will quickly become a limitation if you plan on doing extensive works with photo editing or graphics creation. Okay for the casual user or the kids. Throw out the mouse---it has nothing to offer compared to most optical mice that accompany PCs nowadays.
I had one of the original-issue Graphire (1) tablets years ago. I don't see how it has really improved much since then. Only the software appears different.
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TopStrengths: Easy installation and setup, works great with Photoshop and Windows Vista compatible.
Weakness: Taking some time to get used to, work area is small/limited to 4x5"
So excited to get this tablet for around $50 after rebate, well worth the money for such a small yet useful digital editing tool. I'm still in the middle of the learning curve. The pen is sensitive and the mouse works just fine, they make photo editing in Adobe Photoshop a lot easier. If you want to edit larger photos, you may want to go for the 6x8" model. Really love it :)
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TopStrengths: easy to install/use, no batteries needed.
Weakness: writing area is a little too small for my need. 6x8" model might be better.
All I can say is "Wow, this is the best tablet for less than $100!". Don't get other brands with the reason that it's cheaper. This one is the one you want to get. No batteries needed in the pen and mouse. Very easy to install and use. Require a little getting use to.
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TopStrengths: Precise, comfortable
Weakness: Useless mouse
If your wrist is sore from your mouse or your drawings get messed up due to the mouse acceleration settings try a digitizing pen. I used an old serial port Wacom before purchasing this at a store for about half price after 3 rebates which came within 2 months. I don't do many drawings but it's nice to have when I do. I like the pressure sensitive pen which allows you to have thick or thin lines based on the amount of pressure on the pen which cannot be done with a mouse. If you're a serious drawer you will probably want the 6x8 tablet instead but for the casual drawer the 4x5 is fine and not as bulky.
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Wacom’s Graphire4 graphics tablet is well-designed, comfortable, and easy to use. Plus, it allows photographers and artists to create effects that are difficult or impossible to attain using a mouse or trackball.
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Wacom Graphire4 Blue 4 x 5 tablet
Strengths: Easy installation, cordless mouse, pressure sensitive pen, well-constructed tablet (a clear, hard plastic casing protects the tablet) & an excellent bundled software package.
Weakness: Definite learning curve required (esp. training of your hand-eye coordination); the 2 buttons on the pen not as easy to use as they appear.
I bought this tablet for 2 reasons: 1). to relieve hand strain caused by extensive web surfing; 2). to give me finer control over photo editing in Adobe Photoshop Elements (esp. when using the Lasso) or digital drawing. After extensive research, I decided that the 4x5 size is adequate for me.
For surfing the web, the pen is quite easy to use. To move the cursor, hover the pen couple centimeters above the active area of the tablet & tab once on the tablet to click on a link (or alternatively, click the smaller, right hand bottom on the pen). Speaking of clicking the pen button - it's harder than I thought. When you click on the button, the pushing force will most likely move the cursor away ... but I guess practice makes perfect. By the way, the included cordless mouse works quite well ... eitherway, I felt a lot less hand strain while surfing the web.
For photo editing or drawing, the pen exhibited excellent pressure sensitivity & definitely saved me lots of time & hand strain (esp. when doing object selection via Lasso).
I haven't had a chance to try the included softwares, but I know together they retail at least over $100 ... their inclusion is a nice touch.
This tablet is definitely worth the $81.00 I paid!
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