Wacom Intuos5

[JonH27]

Hi Tabvla

For what's its worth, I still rely every working day on a Wacom Sapphire which I must have had for 9 years now. And that's not just when I'm drawing or designing in Xara, I use it all the time in place of a mouse. Never a problem, original pen and "nib". I know its not the model you're asking about, but its testament to Wacom quality. There are other similar small Wacom tablets at home which get less intensive use but have equally been faultless for around 5 years or more now.

Jon

[Tabvla]

Hi Tabvla

For what's its worth, I still rely every working day on a Wacom Sapphire which I must have had for 9 years now. And that's not just when I'm drawing or designing in Xara, I use it all the time in place of a mouse. Never a problem, original pen and "nib". I know its not the model you're asking about, but its testament to Wacom quality. There are other similar small Wacom tablets at home which get less intensive use but have equally been faultless for around 5 years or more now.

Jon

Thanks Jon - don't know of too many products that last 9 years. Certainly is a recommendation.

The problem with the Intuos5 is that it is a "virtual" product, in that it only exists in the realm of the Internet. When one is considering a product for the first time it is really helpful if one can actually see, touch, feel the real product in the real world. If you visit a retail outlet you will find every flavour of the Bamboo on display and in some highstreet stores you may even be able to physically use the product to create something. Then ask the sales assistant "Do you stock the Wacom Intuos?" and you will be greeted with a vacant stare and the inevitable "The what? No don't think so. Never heard of it".

So at the moment my thinking is that perhaps I should go for one of the Bamboo models (which I can at least evaluate in the real world) and then in a year or so upgrade to the Intuos if I feel that I need more than the Bamboo.

That brings me to a second decision - which Bamboo? According to the Wacom website there are 4 models: -

Bamboo Pen
Bamboo Pen & Touch
Bamboo Fun Pen & Touch
Bamboo Manga

Wacom's marketing dept don't really go out of their way to help one choose the right model. After reading the sales pitch for each model it is still an open question as to which one is the "right" one.

T.

[Coltatts]

Hi Tabvla,

Like Jon, I've recently retired my still working Wacom Sapphire & upgraded to a Bamboo Pen & Touch.
My model is the CTH-460
For a Desktop computer this gives me the best of both worlds, precision drawing via the Pen in Xara or MOI (my CAD program) or the button switchable Touch option for surfing web pages.

HTH, Colin