Humm... I'm going to buy a wacom, but before I do I thought I would ask what I should be looking for in one... I have almost made my choise but there is still the question "is bigger better?" I don't have alot of money to spend on this about 150 to 200 dollers... but found a wacom that seems okay for a beginner. To sum it up... What should I look for in a wacom? How much does the size matter? Thanks Berglind :

Actually I have two now, just sent one up to my daughter that is the smallest size and it actually covers the whole window I'm working in in Photoshop. The only reason I got a bigger one was because I could afford it and got a great sale price. If you are just starting out you will do fine with it. I just like having a bit more room to draw with. Marque

I have the smaller Wacom and it works fine for me. Bear in mind that you can define the active area. I use a duel screen and have the Wacom set to "fit" only one of them. For detailed work I guess it could even be set for a greater resolution. I think you'd only need one of the bigger tablets if you tended to sketch using full arm movements.

I have an 8x6 refurbished and have been happy with it for over two years now. I'd like to go one size up for the simple fact the bigger the area the more fine the detail. But this one suits me perfectly until I have room for a bigger desk.

The best advice I was given was to guage it on your drawing style. If you plan to simply work from the wrist, then a smaller (med) one is fine (thats what i use)....but if you prefer making longer strokes, then a larger one would suit you better. (plus it also depends on your desk-space) LOL

If you look at the specs for all the tablets, there's no difference in the resolution being provided. A bigger tablet does not provide any additional resolution. It only accommodates somebody that "draws bigger" and needs more space to move the stylus naturally. I've got 9"x6" and it's fine and happens to fit your budget.

A larger tablet will make shakes and judders of a given size less obvious, so it's smoother/higher resolution in that sense.

I have two wacoms, one 4x5 at work and the 8 x 6 at home, and work with them extensively. I can honestly say that I prefer the smallest one, as mentioned above you only need to move your wrist to draw. It also occupies less real estate on your desk, it may not sound important but when you have a keyboard, a mouse, a manual, your coffee cup, a couple of CD's, papers,(a cat!) etc... it quickly becomes an issue. The small Intuos is just great.

As been said above,it's up to your drawing style. I love my small 4x5 Wacom becuse of less hand movement,where my girlfriend(who is a painter)is lost with anything less than her 9x12. But one thing you need to think about also,is how much work space you have.While tablets come with a wireless optical mouse,they have to be used on the Wacom tablet.Switching back and forth(between pen and mouse) gets old real fast,and it's best to have your regular mouse and pad sitting next or close to it. Another thing is the 4x5 sells for $99.00,and comes bundeled with Photoshop Elements and Painter Classic. While Elements is a very basic image editor,Classic is a very,very striped version of Painter7.But because you are now a Painter owner...you can upgrade and buy the new Painter8 for $99.00(or less). Painter and a Wacom tablet is a very hard to beat combo! OK...I spent your $200.00..I feel better now. Have fun,SWAMP

I have a 9 X 12 Intuos. It's much to big! The shake comes from having the pad to close to the monitor. The newest model didn't have this problem. Bigger is not better!

I have the teeny Graphire and can barely use it. Moving from the wrist gives me the yips like a golfer and I can't control the strokes. :(

I hate the graphire. If you can afford it, go with an Intuos2. Save all your pennies for an Intuos2, in fact. 6x8 Intuos2 is more than adequate size for most people, and worth the investment. I used to use an Aiptek 6x8, and that wasn't too bad either (still beat the crap out of a Graphire, though), but the Intuos2 is lightyears better.

Attached Link: http://www.wacom.com/tabletwizard/index.cfm

I have found the small 4x5 Wacom the best bang for the buck and it is the most practical over other sizes.

I have a Graphire and find it to be excellent.

Grab yourself a Intuos2 6x8. I got mine from the WAcom Store refub'd (they replaced a pen. A PEN!) and after using the Graphire for 3 years, it's a dream. Wacoms aren't too good with Poser, tho. I prefer using a potical trackball.

Interesting tedbragg. I use my Graphire with Poser just fine.

I am with dlfurman I use my Intuos exclusively in poser. Zip around using the pen with no probs. Must admit though it took me a little while to get used to it. As for which is better. I have a 9 x 12 Takes up a heck of a lot of desk space. When purchased I had a need for this size.. Now I have a tablet that only has a small corner mapped for use. The rest is redundant. If I have to replace it I am going down in physical size but staying with the Intuos as it has the higher degree of pressure sensitivity. Helen

I got my 6' x 9" Wacom bundled with Fractal Paint 2, a long, long, long time ago! That was a Win 3.1 application, BTW. It has seen about 4 differnt computers connected to it over the years but it is still chugging along. I put the mouse pad over it when I'm not using it, so it doesn't actually take up any space. But I think a 4 x 5" would be O.K. too, and they are a lot cheaper. It has no application other than with a paint program, just use a mouse and mine dosen't work all that well with Photoshop - it is superb with Painter 8, though.

I have the 4x6 and I find it sufficient :o). Laurie

I have the smallest Wacom and I love it. I never felt once that it was too small. But if you have a 'large' sketchy style, big dramatic strokes, it might be a problem. I use it for precision work only. The disadvantage of the big ones is they occupy so much desk space. Get used for parking things on, till you can't find it lol... :] Fish

I also prefer a small one.

Thank you for all your help and I have made up my mind, I'm going for the smaller one... Berglind H :

I have the smaller one to. I have a cordless keyboard and mouse for most work and I use the mouse with my right hand for general work. When I need to do detailed work I use my wacom, being left handed helps since I am used to using mice with my right hand it frees up my left hand for fine work on the wacom. I have also rigged up a system on my chair arms. On my left chair arm is an adjustable table which I put the wacom on, on the right is a second table which I use for the mouse. I would recommend one to anyone doing any form of artwork on the computer. After you get past the initial "wow look at this I can write my name with it" phase you will find that they are excellent for those touch ups on your pics, especially the hair.

Love my 4 x 5 Wacom - And I use it for Photo Restorations! Perfect size and price :) ladynimue

Gotta Graphire - never got used to the pen thing. I have an old CalComp 12x12 Drawing Slate that I haven't tried in years - one of these days.

My 9 by 12 artz whatever just gathered dust-- Inevr had enough room to use it. I couldn't control raphire very well, some people swear by them. Best size for me is 6by8 Intuous2. Emily

Any tablet will appear difficult to control if the settings are not optimal. I've used several tablets over the years. The Graphire is a good deal. It works as well as a tablet should, and is very affordable. The bundle is great, too.