PC Tablets -- still shopping

[GreyFaerie]

ok... im at the point now where I could settle with a 90 dollar tablet that should work ok... or go the extra mile and spend about 300 dollars on an AWESOME wacom tablet. I dont know what to do... ill be ordering from their offical sites. The thing is I have never used a tablet before but I know i want one really really bad. But man.... 300 dollars is ALOT to spend on something ive never used before... here are my choices

Cheap Aiptek --

http://shop.aiptek.com/?page=product&product=R-HP12U

Expensive Kick Ass Wacom --

http://www.wacom.com/productinfo/6x8.cfm

Im just worried that if i were to buy the wacom that it will be too much or something... maybe i should start off with the cheap one, and if i like it go from there ? If you guys think there is NO way id wouldnt be satisfied with the wacom please tell me.... if i do get it i want to make sure i AM going to like it and it is going to be worth the money. Please tell me what you think. Anyway... what I plan to do with the tablet is sketch... I am an artist and I am very very egar to get my own original artwork into my websites. Ive seen what artwork looks like when using a tablet and I WANT THAT (lol) anyway... please let me know what you think

[DaveSW]

Well, I've got a cheap Aiptek, but I don't really use it that much... I prefer a mouse mostly, Unless I'm doing some really complex photo editing.

But, on the other hand, I'm not an artist.

If the 'all singing all dancing' one had the display in the background of the tablet, I'd advise that one, BUT reading the specs, the Aiptek seems better except for the pressure...

Personally I'd go for the cheap one to see if I liked the technology first.

[zbgump]

I haven't used a tablet too much, but I think one of the most important factors is size. Remember that the tablet is mapped to the screen, so the smaller it is the less forgiving it will be.


Since you're pretty iffy right now, I would go with the Aiptek with the larger drawing area.

[rhyeguy]

zbgump makes an important point. The size of the drawing surface is a direct ratio of the monitor resolution. If you go with a small pad be prepared for endless frustration with your artwork when you try to draw detail.

Digital sketching almost requires a pressure-sensitive pad. Without it, you are constantly swapping brush sizes and types.

Also, you can't really achieve that 'look' that software like photoshop, painter, (and GIMP for zbgump ;)) give without a pressure sensitive pad.

Hope it helps.

rhyeguy