I'm on a tight budget so I've been looking into some other-than-wacom tablets to use with Photoshop. I was wondering if any of you use or know about these brands (bearing in mind that I'm a true beginner.) Medion Graphics Manhattan Graphics USB Drawing Tablet UC-Logic Myst

Attached Link: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=acecat+tablets&hl=en&lr=&sa=N&tab=ff&oi=froogler

Many years ago before I purchased my Wacom Intuos II I was given a great little inexpensive drawing tablet by my brother as a gift. It was an 5x5 Acecad Acecat II tablet which went for $100 USD at the time. It did what I needed it to do until I decided to move on to a Wacom. You might want to check these sites out or google Acecat. [Review](http://www.dansdata.com/flair.htm)

thanks Quest. I'll check it out. I really don't need anything really fancy for now.

The price goes up a ridiculous amount with size. The Wacom Graphire 4 x 5 is $99.95 and the 6 x 8 is $199.95. A couple of inches isn't worth paying twice as much.

Not to get nitpicky, but it's twice the cost and over twice the surface area.

I have a few suggestions...Try looking at aiptek. I purchased one through them over a year and half ago, and paid 20 usd for the 4 by 5..plus shipping abviously. I dropped it endless times over that time before it stopped working. www.aiptek.com ( aiptek is a hit and miss with theirs tho..sometimes they dont have the reasonable 4 by 5 ones so u have to check often) Also u can try this link which sells refurbished wacoms( I have one of these too that I ordered from here, and no complaints) they have the grapphire 3, 4 by 5 for under 40 usd. http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/search/product_list.asp?id=4781α=W I hope this helps you.

Also, Check Item # 17 on this Forums Main Page!!! ;~D

it's Item # 18 Now, Just look for: 'wacom tablet. TO EXPENSIVE'

Thanks everyone this gives me quite a few options!

Quote - "The price goes up a ridiculous amount with size. The Wacom Graphire 4 x 5 is $99.95 and the 6 x 8 is $199.95. A couple of inches isn't worth paying twice as much. "

Hello, I'm using a WACOM intuos 3 ( size A5 ) for a few months now. I am drawing comics. I would say that the size is not worth the price. When I came into the shop, i was persuaded that I would need a A4 model. Then, i tryed all size and realized that I could just do everything with the small sized model. It's even ennoying to move your whole arm inside a too big surface( especially when it is about drawing curves that just need a small move from the fingers). Well, for me I didn't see the point of paying an extra 200Euros for the bigger size.

Tech for less (www.techforless.com) appears to have a deal on a Wacom Graphire for just under $50 U.S.  It might not be a bad choice for a starter tablet. That's where I got mine, and it seems pretty good.

I have a Jam Studios tab & pen. It was only $30, and it works pretty well. Would love to get a wacom, but just don't have that kind of money at the moment. I got mine off of ebay, and I've seen them at local computer shows. The only thing I don't like about it is that the pen is corded to the tablet. I've gotten used to it though.

Whatever you do, get a Wacom. It's the standard of quality. Don't waste your money on a generic tablet, you'll probably regret it.

I suggest getting a Wacom Graphire 4x5 as your first tablet. You should be able to find one for less than $100.00 USD.

Had an Aiptek 6x8 tablet - liked it. Worked just fine - though the battery did need replacing which took me a minute to figure out when it stopped working.

Got an Intuos 3 6x8 - LOVE it! Well worth the price for professional work I think - and I just can't seem to make a 4x5 work for me before anyone says anything about my size choice. Tried over at a friend's house - didn't like the small size. The big-mamma-jamma one was just too, well, big! 6x8 seems just right. The 4 programmable buttons at each corner and the slider (for zooming in and out) keep my hands off the keyboard (mostly - still need keystroke shortcuts) and focused on the work.

Got the Grapphire 4 6x8 (silver) for my 2nd computer and I love it -can't figure out the difference as to WHY I love it vs the Aiptek but there's something just better in the feel, and working with it. Also doesn't hurt that the pen doesn't use a battery either.
Good luck-
-Lew ;-)

Corel seems to have the best prices on Wacom tablets.  I only paid $100 for mine ( a 6 X 8  Intous 3) as part of a bundle with Painter.

And...look at the prices of refurbished tablets. My first Wacom was refurbished and it was just like new! And cost considerably less.

On another subject...does anyone use the airbrush pen and, if so, what do you think?

Don't forget to try E-Bay for a used Wacom Tablet

Check out Nisis tablets, cheap but very good imo.

I just bought a Wacom volito 2.  it was £34.00 in English money (supose that would be abpout $64.00 ish US)  Its an A 6 tablet and I supose is wacoms entrie level tablet. It dosn't have all the bells and Wistles of the more expensive ones but it seems well made and  to do what I want it to.