A few Weeks with my Wacom Intuos4 (a review)

After spending 3 weeks with my Wacom Intuos4 tablet, I feel ready to write about my experiences using it.

The Intuos4 is the 4th tablet I’ve owned from Wacom: My first being the ArtZ model, followed by an Intuos, then Intuos3. I upgraded to the Intuos3 shortly after it was announced, and made a similar move with the Intuos4.

The Intuos4 comes in small, medium, large and x-large sizes. Being that I don’t work on overly large canvases or draw with broad strokes, I ruled out the larger two models. For me, the medium size is the right fit.

Included in the box are a stylus, a USB cable, the tablet itself, a stylus holder (with 10 pen tips), a mouse, and a CD. I didn’t take any unboxing photos, but there are enough of those found on the web already. But I will say this, the unboxing experience was very Apple-esque. If you’ve ever opened a box for a Mac, you’ll know what I mean.

Installation was straight-forward: First, simply plug one end of the USB cable to the tablet and attach the other end to the computer. Then, install the driver software.

I had problems installing the driver software from the supplied disc, so I wound up downloading them from Wacom’s site. This was about the only “niggle” I had with the out-of-box experience.

The best thing about the Intuos4 is the feel of the surface and its pressure-sensitivity. The Intuos3 boasted 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity, while the Intuos4 has double that amount. Also new with the Intuos4 are the LED buttons on the tablet and a scroll wheel, reminiscent of the iPod. The LED buttons display the appropriate keyboard button (Shift, Cmd, Option, etc.), which can also be reassigned as the user sees fit.

When using the Intuos3 tablet, I found myself disabling the buttons on the right-hand side because they got in the way. Thankfully, with Intuos4 can be used with the buttons on the left or right hand side, depending upon whether you are right or left-handed. For me, a righty, the buttons are oriented on the left, out of harm’s way.

The tablet itself works very, very well. Gone is the plastic shield overlay from the previous Intuos models. The plastic overlay was mildly annoying because if your hand perspires, the surface can quickly become sticky. The Intuos4 model’s surface has more ‘tooth’ to it, while similarly allowing for fluid movement. The tablet is VERY sensitive (in a good way). I did not need to bear down on the stylus as much as I would have had to with the previous tablet. Not that I press the stylus down very hard to begin with, but the sensitivity of the Intuos4 makes it to where I don’t need to press down on it as much as I did before.

The stylus itself is slightly smaller, but fits very well in my hands. On the top of the stylus is an eraser, and on the side of the barrel is a click-button, which you can assign to a specific function.

Drawing with the Intuos4 is a true pleasure. I’m very happy with my purchase.

The obvious question I’ve been asked is: why not get a Wacom Cintiq instead? The Cintiq still holds a place in my artistic heart, but I’m not ready for the added expense. (Cintiq’s start at $999, and the Intuos4 model I purchase clocks in at roughly $340.) At some point I will own a Cintiq as well, when the form factor is improved. What I like about the Intuos vs the Cintiq (even the 12″ model) is the portability factor. I can take this tablet with me anywhere, with minimal fuss.

Using a tablet takes some getting used to, especially if you’ve never drawn on one before. If you’re new to drawing on a tablet, or are especially budget conscious, my recommendation would be to purchase a Wacom Graphire Bamboo tablet instead.

If you have an Intuos3, do you NEED an Intuos4? If you use one on a regular basis, and appreciate the nuances of the Intuos line, then I would say YES. There is a substantial difference between the two model lines. You will notice it when you draw on the tablet’s surface. If you have a Graphire Bamboo and are considering an upgrade, the Intuos4 is an excellent step-up.

The last several weeks of strips were all produced using the Intuos4. Just like the Intuos3, I know I will be using this for a very long time. Highly Recommended.

-Krishna

Krishna May 12, 2009 Intuos4, review, tablet, Wacom