Wacom Intuos4 Graphics Tablet

Wacom Intuos4 with Improved Tip Sensor Technology

The Wacom Intuos4

In 1989, Wacom introduced the first cordless, battery-free, pressure-sensitive pen and has since become the leading pen tablet manufacturer, with a well-deserved reputation for excellence . Intuos4 is the newest of Wacom's professional line of graphics tablets, featuring a second-generation refined tip sensor. Intuos4 supports tilt control and 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity--the highest sensitivity of any graphics tablet available today, and double that of its predecessor, Intuos3. Intuos4 comes in four sizes to accommodate a variety of user requirements.

Pros

• New technology provides increased performance and extended life span of the components.
• Ambidextrous design allows the tablet to be flipped for left- or right-handed use.
• No need to remember button assignments with the illuminated display. (M/L/XL sizes only)
• Weighted pen stand doubles as storage for extra nibs and the nib extractor tool.
• Comes with a variety of nibs--6 standard nibs, 3 felt-tip nibs, 1 spring-loaded stroke nib, 1 flex nib.
• No batteries to change. Pen and mouse are cordless and battery-free.
• No power cord to get in the way. Power comes from the USB connection.
• USB cords are separate (except on XL model), so you can use different cord lengths as needed.

Cons

• Intuos3 and older tools and accessories can not be used with the Intuos4.
• High-gloss black finish on the side of the tablet shows every fingerprint and smudge.
• Current software does not allow you to copy settings from one application to another.
• Scrolling with the mouse wheel is "bumpy" rather than smooth.
• Compatibility mode is required for some older applications. When this mode is enabled, newer applications are limited to 1024 levels of pressure.

What's New with Inutos4?

Wacom's newest professional pen tablet, the Intuos4, features a second-generation tip sensor which brings improvements in precision, sensitivity, and durability, while the tablet itself has been redesigned for better ergonomics.

The new tip sensor allows the pen to respond to a much lighter response compared to the previous Intuos model. Specifically, the new tip will respond to less than 1 gram of starting pressure, versus 10 grams in Intuos3. In addition, the new tip brings refinements to the pressure curve and doubles the pressure resolution to 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity. According to a white paper on the new tip technology from Wacom, the new pen components should provide double the life span of previous components.

What does this mean for day-to-day tablet use? Working with the Intuos4 is smoother and more realistic. I admit I'm not a full-time tablet user, but I found that when working with the Intuos4, I was much less conscious of the hardware and better able to completely focus my attention on my work.

Redesigned Tablet

The tablet itself has been redesigned, with a more sensible button layout that works well for left- and right-handed use. With the Intuos3, the buttons and touch strip were located on both sides of the tablet area. This made them accessible with either hand, but most users would disable the functions on one side of the tablet due to accidental brushing of the touch strip and inability to use the buttons comfortably with the pen-wielding hand. If you used an Intuos3 for any significant amount of time, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.

With Intuos4, the keys and touch strip are all located on one side of the tablet for easy access by the non-dominant hand, and the entire tablet can be flipped 180 degrees for left- or right-handed use. Wacom even accommodated cord routing, making the USB cord separate and offering two connection ports for the USB cable.

The new Intuos still has 8 ExpressKeys, but the 2 touch strips have morphed into a single, 4-way switchable touch ring. I find the circular motion of the touch ring reduces repetitive motion strain and makes more sense for most functions. The center of the touch ring toggles between 4 different functions, giving it a wider variety of potential uses.

In addition, the ExpressKeys on all but the small tablet size are now accompanied by an illuminated display so you don't have to remember your button assignments. One button can be assigned to a help function, which displays the button assignments on the computer screen.

Software

The Wacom Control Panel provides application-specific customization options for the ExpressKeys and touch ring, as well as the mouse and pen buttons. Compared to the slick, modern appearance of the hardware, the Wacom Control Panel always seems clumsy and utilitarian, but it does the job adequately.

The software offers a new radial menu which is bit more modern and better-suited to pen use than the old pop-up menu. The software now offers a display toggle for use with multiple monitors, and a precision mode which drastically slows the cursor motion for improved control.

Wacom is handling the bundled software a bit differently than they have in the past. Instead of including a standard bundle of creative software with a disc in the package, users will be provided a download key giving them access to several software options.

Conclusion

Less-expensive graphics tablets are available from other manufacturers, but Wacom is deservedly the leader in this field. Wacom's advancements in technology, technical support, software features, and longevity as a company are unequaled.

If you spend long hours working with graphics software, a graphics tablet is an essential tool, and the Intuos4 is an investment that will pay off many times over. Non-professionals may prefer the less-expensive Bamboo or Bamboo Fun pen tablets, but if you want the best, the Intuos4 is as good as it gets, aside from a Wacom Cintiq pen display.

All in all, I feel the Wacom Intuos4 is a significant improvement over the Intuos3, and while it's not quite perfect yet, this fourth generation brings it mighty close. For an in-depth look at the Intuos4, please visit my annotated photo tour of Intuos4.