Hey there! So I saw that you're looking for a tablet and would like to know what to look for in one? Well, here's some factors you should consider before getting one:
1. Price
Tablet prices range from the hundreds to the thousands, so it's pretty difficult to get a really good tablet when on a low budget. Several factors which affect the price will be covered in the next few points.
2. Touch screen/non-touch screen
Touch screen tablets definitely cost more, and while they're really easy to use and is easy on your hand-eye coordination (I heard especially good reviews on the Wacom Cintiq), I really only recommend you to get a touch screen tablet if you're planning to turn pro.
3. Size (of the active area)
Generally, smaller = more portable and bigger = more space for artistic rein. Tablets of all sizes will be caliberated to your computer's resolution, you don't have to worry about that bit. Bigger tablets cost more (I'm using an A4 sized one, but most artists recommend the slightly smaller size. It's really a matter of preference).
4. Pressure Sensitivity
As the name implies, pressure sensitivity is how sensitive the tablet is to slight changes in the pressure. The higher the levels, the more expensive. A yardstick of 512 levels of pressure being low and 1024 being high.
5. Pen tip/mouse
Does it come with a mouse? If you have a mouse already (which I'm pretty sure you should already have), then the mouse would be unnecessary expense. There are also different types of pen tips (brush, airbrush, marker etc), but I recommend starters to stick and get used to the normal pen tip (with and eraser on the other end hopefully).
6. Customisations
Most tablets have buttons at the side which allow you to customise shortcuts on them. I personally don't use them a lot, but it may come in handy sometime (like a shortcut for CTRL+Z lol)
7. Bundle packages
Some tablets come with bundle art programs, and if you already have most of the offered art programs, it may be better to do of without them.
I recommend the brand Wacom for tablets, and the Wacom Bamboo or Wacom Graphire for starters, but if you're sure that you'll be using your tablet for a long time, then I recommend the Intuos (I'm using the Intuos3! :D but there's a newer model now), and the Cintiq only if you're taking art to a professional level. Also be sure to download and install tablet drivers (found at the official websites) for your model once you get a tablet to fully maximise its uses (pen pressure, brush tip shape etc).
That's really all I can think of for now :B Good luck!
Traditional Artist (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 04/06/09 | Reply
Hey you..Thanks for the message..And yeah i am Afrikaans..Its my Home Language since im South African...And and i see your new here...Welcome to theO...Hope to see you around sometime...As jy Afrikaans kan verstaan is dit nog better..Ons sal goeie vriende kan wees...Kry nie baie suid Afrikaners hier nie...Sien jou...
Good things comes 2 those who wait, The things you lost will always replace something better..
Weaver of Dreams (Otaku Angel) | Posted 03/06/09 | Reply
Welcome to TheO. I'm Refi-chan ^-^ If you have any questions, feel free to ask me, I have a 'Big Sister' world that I have dedicated to helping peoples! :3
VivaLaParadise
Grand Otaku | Posted 07/12/11 | Reply
You have the most AWESOME avatar ever.
Okitaru
Otaku Eternal | Posted 09/11/09 | Reply
OMG HAAAPPY BIRTHDAAAY!!!! X3 Hope you have an AWESOME Birthday!!!!! Have a nice day!! x3
HametsuKuro
The Turning Tide (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 04/28/09 | Reply
Thanks for the sub and comments!
Annachuu
Senior Otaku | Posted 04/26/09 | Reply
@Mikabu:
You're welcome and good luck! =)
Mikabu
Otakuite+ | Posted 04/26/09 | Reply
@Annachuu:
Thx! That is really gona help me a lot when looking for a tablet ^^
Im looking between teh Wacom Bamboo and Intuos range atm
Annachuu
Senior Otaku | Posted 04/26/09 | Reply
Hey there! So I saw that you're looking for a tablet and would like to know what to look for in one? Well, here's some factors you should consider before getting one:
1. Price
Tablet prices range from the hundreds to the thousands, so it's pretty difficult to get a really good tablet when on a low budget. Several factors which affect the price will be covered in the next few points.
2. Touch screen/non-touch screen
Touch screen tablets definitely cost more, and while they're really easy to use and is easy on your hand-eye coordination (I heard especially good reviews on the Wacom Cintiq), I really only recommend you to get a touch screen tablet if you're planning to turn pro.
3. Size (of the active area)
Generally, smaller = more portable and bigger = more space for artistic rein. Tablets of all sizes will be caliberated to your computer's resolution, you don't have to worry about that bit. Bigger tablets cost more (I'm using an A4 sized one, but most artists recommend the slightly smaller size. It's really a matter of preference).
4. Pressure Sensitivity
As the name implies, pressure sensitivity is how sensitive the tablet is to slight changes in the pressure. The higher the levels, the more expensive. A yardstick of 512 levels of pressure being low and 1024 being high.
5. Pen tip/mouse
Does it come with a mouse? If you have a mouse already (which I'm pretty sure you should already have), then the mouse would be unnecessary expense. There are also different types of pen tips (brush, airbrush, marker etc), but I recommend starters to stick and get used to the normal pen tip (with and eraser on the other end hopefully).
6. Customisations
Most tablets have buttons at the side which allow you to customise shortcuts on them. I personally don't use them a lot, but it may come in handy sometime (like a shortcut for CTRL+Z lol)
7. Bundle packages
Some tablets come with bundle art programs, and if you already have most of the offered art programs, it may be better to do of without them.
I recommend the brand Wacom for tablets, and the Wacom Bamboo or Wacom Graphire for starters, but if you're sure that you'll be using your tablet for a long time, then I recommend the Intuos (I'm using the Intuos3! :D but there's a newer model now), and the Cintiq only if you're taking art to a professional level. Also be sure to download and install tablet drivers (found at the official websites) for your model once you get a tablet to fully maximise its uses (pen pressure, brush tip shape etc).
That's really all I can think of for now :B Good luck!
LGA775
Traditional Artist (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 04/06/09 | Reply
Hey you..Thanks for the message..And yeah i am Afrikaans..Its my Home Language since im South African...And and i see your new here...Welcome to theO...Hope to see you around sometime...As jy Afrikaans kan verstaan is dit nog better..Ons sal goeie vriende kan wees...Kry nie baie suid Afrikaners hier nie...Sien jou...
Good things comes 2 those who wait, The things you lost will always replace something better..
xxkittykuraxx
Otakuite+ | Posted 03/06/09 | Reply
Heylo! I'm kitty or kura what ever you want to call me. I hope you enjoy TheO. I do, thats for sure! Hope we can be friends.
Rein Akira
Otaku Eternal | Posted 03/06/09 | Reply
Hiya! Welcome to theO! If you need aything, even just a friend, feel free to message me!
~Aki-chan
akatsuski
Otakuite+ | Posted 03/06/09 | Reply
have fun here if you any questions just ask me and could you look at my drawings i want to know what you think
Mikabu
Otakuite+ | Posted 03/06/09 | Reply
@tiggerola:
Thx for the warm welcome.
Sure im going to ask somethins soon :P
tiggerola
Weaver of Dreams (Otaku Angel) | Posted 03/06/09 | Reply
Welcome to TheO. I'm Refi-chan ^-^ If you have any questions, feel free to ask me, I have a 'Big Sister' world that I have dedicated to helping peoples! :3