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Intuos4 Review
Eric Ippolito, Associate Writer
April 2, 2010
The Intuos4 made from Wacom, is not only a phenomenal tablet, but it is also a major step up from the previous Intuos3. The Intuos4 comes in four different active-area sizes: the small 6.2" x 3.9", the medium 8.8" x 5.5", the large 12.8" x 8.0", and the extra large 18.2" x 12.0". The Intuous4 also comes with a new wireless model that is equipped with an active drawing area of 8.0" x 5.0". The wireless model allows one to use the product up to 33 feet.
So what's new about the Intuous4? Well for starters, the new product comes with several new convenient features. One is the zoom wheel on the side of the tablet. This enables users to quickly zoom in and out at the touch of a finger. Another goody offered by Wacom is the weighted pen holder with several extra nibs (pen tips) for the drawing pen. Each one of these nibs give the user a different feel or technique for their use. Other nice features are the side buttons that can programmed to fit the user's needs, and the ability to "flip" the tablet around making it easily accessible to both right and left-handed users.
So why get a tablet? Why get the Intuos4? First of all, digital artists can use the mouse and accompanying tools offered in Photoshop or Painter et cetera, but a serious or developing artist will eventually find that using a tablet is a valuable tool, or just a plain necessity. Of course, users with different purposes or even different budgets for that matter, might look at different tablets and sizes. For example, most users will find that the small Intuos4 is perfect for their use. Most artists do not require such a large space to make strokes on the screen, and the active area for drawing is a ratio of the users' monitor. So taking a tablet and using it on a wide screen and on a regular monitor is no problem at all. Further, the small Intuos4 is about $200 in stores, whereas the next size up is around $350. But as mentioned, most users will find that the small version will still be more than enough to meet their drawing needs.
So then, to answer the first question, why should one purchase a tablet? Well, tablets offer much more at-your-fingertips responsiveness than a regular PC mouse will. Artists looking to create smooth lines, such as hair, will have a much easier time with a tablet. But it should be mentioned that digital artists aren't the only ones who can benefit from owning a tablet. In fact, users who would like to touch up their photographs, play point-and-click flash games, or even just for regular uses, will find that owning a tablet will suit their purposes perfectly.
Individuals not wanting to spend much money can consider purchasing the less expensive Wacom Bamboo models, however, at 2048 levels of pen pressure sensitivity, the Intuos4 gives one so much more. All in all, Wacom is the name and product leader in tablets, so quality is certainly associated with the brand in this case. However, when one considers getting a tablet to substantially upgrade their userability, one should consider the Intuos4.
