Top 10 Pressure-Sensitive Graphics Tablets

The Intuos3 pen provides 1,024 levels of pen tip and eraser pressure sensitivity, tilt sensitivity, is batterly-free and cordless, and features a programmable DuoSwitch and soft grip. It also comes with a cordless, programmable 5-button optical scroll mouse. The tablet features 2 touch strips, 8 ExpressKeys, and comes with a pen stand. With Intuos, you also have the option of purchasing additional programmable accessories. (Footprint ~13x10")

The Bamboo Fun tablet from Wacom is the successor to the Graphire4 series of consumer level pen tablets. Improving on the Graphire4 model, Bamboo Fun has an updated look, a wide-format active area, a new textured feel to the tablet surface, and a finger-sensitive touch ring for zooming and scrolling. For creative work like painting, drawing, and touching up photos, the medium size Bamboo Fun tablet is ideal. It has a fresh, fun look, and performs well. Unlike the Bamboo standard tablet, Bamboo Fun comes with a mouse and a bundle of creative software including Adobe Photoshop Elements 5 Win/4 Mac, Corel Painter Essentials 3, and Nik Color Efex Pro 2 GE. (Footprint: 11.0" x 9.3")

Graphire Bluetooth is slightly older and not as advanced as Bamboo and Intuos3, but it does have one big advantage — no wires. You can use the Graphire Bluetooth in the range of 30 feet and for up to 25 hours between charges. However, it does require that your computer have a Bluetooth adapter, and you will need a power source to charge the batteries on occasion. The power adapter is included, but the Bluetooth adapter is not. Many newer laptops come with built-in Bluetooth capabilities.

Now you can get the Intuos in a wide format aspect ratio for working with a widescreen monitor or dual displays. The footprint of the Intuos3 6x11 is 16.5 inches wide x 10.3 inches deep and includes two sets of ExpressKeys and Touch Strips. If you don't have the desk space or need to spend a little less, there is also a 4x6 wide format Intuos3 with a smaller footprint of 10.6 by 8.5 inches and one set of ExpressKeys. Both models offer the highest level of pressure sensitivity and the advanced customization options and accessories available for the Intuos line.

For the price, Bamboo is an excellent entry-point to the Wacom product line. Bamboo is designed primarily for office tasks rather than artistic work. Although it functions just fine in creative software with pressure support, Bamboo does not come with software and is intended to be used with the built-in pen features of Windows Vista, Microsoft Office, and Mac OS X for marking up documents, jotting notes, and writing your signature. Of course, it can also be used as an alternative to the mouse to avoid repetitive stress fatigue. (Footprint: 7.88" x 7.36")

The larger size of the Intuos 9x12 tablet will let you achieve the wider, sweeping strokes some artists prefer. It comes at a cost in desk space, though — this tablet has a footprint of about 18 by 14 inches. Except for the larger size, it is identical to the Intuos3 6x8 with the same software bundle and optional accessories.

The DigiPro drawing tablet is an inexpensive, yet capable, pressure-sensitive pen tablet for budget conscious users. It's not flashy or feature packed, but it does the job it's supposed to do. The DigiPro tablets will also work on older systems, including Windows 98Se and higher, Mac OS 9, and Mac OS X. If you're curious about using a graphics tablet, but don't want to spend a lot of money, the DigiPro drawing tablets are a solid choice.

If you want a larger tablet, but the budget is tight, Aiptek's Slim Tablet is hard to beat. This is a wide format, slim graphics tablet with cordless pen and a 10x6 inch active area. It feature 29 programmable macro keys around the sides of the tablet, s a resolution of 1000 lpi, and 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity. I have not used this particular brand of tablets, but have received many comments from happy Aiptek tablet users.

If you're extremely tight on budget, the DigiPro WP5540 can be purchased for less than $50. It has all the features of the WP8060 in a smaller size and lower price to match.

It's pricey, but as long as you can afford it, who wouldn't want to draw right on the computer screen? The Cintiq combines an LCD monitor with a pressure sensitive tablet surface, so you can do just that. The 21.3 inch Cintiq includes an adjustable stand that allows the display to be rotated, inclined, or detached. It also features a 2-button Grip Pen, 8 ExpressKeys and 2 Touch Strips, 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity, and a 1600x1200 resolution LCD with DVI or VGA video input. For Windows and Macintosh.