Before Buying A Graphics Tablet

Graphics tablets, also known as drawing tablets, digitizing tablets or graphics pads, are input devices for your computer, like mice. They are used like an electronic pen (called a stylus) and paper (the tablet), with the movements of the stylus on the tablet displayed virtually on your computer.

What do you look for when purchasing a graphics tablet?

People looking to purchase a graphics tablet for the first time should note several features before actually buying it: price (how much are you willing to spend on it?), size (the size of the tablet’s input surface area), interface options (how it connects to the computer), pressure sensitivity (how sensitive the tablet is to varying pressure levels from the stylus) and any accessories.

First, decide how much you’d like to spend. Most of the higher-end tablets are very costly, and often out of the price range of home tablet user. They will also often have specifications not necessary or even useful for someone who isn’t a professional artist. It should be noted that the lower-end models do not necessarily denote the product’s cheapness or bad quality, but simply a more practical option for more novice artists or people seeking alternative input devices for their computers.

Tablets are sized according to their input surface area, or the area that reads the input from the stylus. Typical sizes range from 4"x5" to 9"x12", and prices climb alongside any increase in size. Think about what you will be using the tablet for, and it can be easier to determine how much input space you’ll really need. Most novice users and hobbyists will be perfectly at home using a 4"x6", where a graphic artist might require at least 9"x12" to work comfortably.

The way the tablet interfaces with your computer is another important feature to consider before purchasing anything. Some tablets use only a USB interface, while others require a separate power source. The portability and convenience provided by having a tablet that doesn’t need power outlet or another cord to lug around with it is an important feature to consider while shopping.

Another important feature of graphics tablets is their sensitivity to pressure. Standard pressure sensitivities are 256, 512 and 1024, where the higher the number means a higher sensitivity to pressure input from the pen stylus. Tablets with a higher sensitivity are often priced higher than those with lower sensitivity, so it’s important to note in order to stay within your price range.

Lastly, think about any included accessories the tablet offers, the most important being the stylus. If your tablet includes a stylus you should try it out- make sure it fits and feels comfortable in your hand. Note how it is attached to the tablet, if at all. Does it require any batteries or power source? Does the tablet come with any other accessories (like a mouse or a stylus stand)?

Graphics tablets are a really fun way to interact with your computer, and I hope that this article helps to get you started down the path of purchasing one. Just remember what you’re looking to get out of your tablet and what you’ll be using it for, and you should have no problem weighing the different pros and cons of each potential tablet.

By: Megan Trudeau

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Relevant posts from other blogs:

 

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The Technological Development of Graphics Tablet through History
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This entry was posted on Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 at 5:38 pm and is filed under PC Drawing Tablet. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.