Graphic tablets

[ƒyreblue ƒox]

I'm looking to buy one, preferably one that is less than $100 (it doesn't have to be a good one, i really just need a starter for now).
I've looked online for GTs before, but i wanted to hear from real people, not just advertisements that want my money.
So are there any starter tablets that are $100 or less that any avid artists recommend?
Also, are there any really good ones that TFF recommends? (for later use, if i think i am good enough at digital art)
I have photoshop cs4 on my school laptop (which i have until summer) and my mom has cs3 on her laptop for use in the summer. Just a little info in case it matters.

Anyways, thanks ahead for the help




(sorry if this is the wrong section, i know there is an art section but i didn't think this would fit in any of the subforums.)

[WingedZephyr]

I would recommend doing something like I did - I got a Wacom Bamboo Fun to start with, then upgraded to an Intuos when it died. Wacom has Bamboo Funs for $199: http://www.wacom.com/bamboo/bamboo_fun.php (but I'm sure if you looked elsewhere you can find them cheaper than that). They're a pretty good starter tablet, and they should be able to do just about everything you'd need, to start off with.

The Intuos series of tablets is a bit more advanced, with more pressure sensitivity and features like programmable buttons and such, but they come with a heftier price tag. The latest version of the Intuos is currently $349 on the Wacom site: http://www.wacom.com/intuos/medium.php (but, again, other sites probably have it a bit cheaper).

There are other brands of tablets out there, some are cheaper than Wacoms, but Wacom is by far the best quality tablet you can find. Also, I highly recommend the "medium" size of any tablet you get (around a 6" x 8" drawing area). Anything smaller can give you jagged edges when you draw, anything larger can be a nuisance because it's so big, you have to move your arm around a lot more.

[KittKat chunky~]

Hmn... Well next year i am starting Graphic Design as an A-level subject... And so i'l be getting training/experience on digital art. Just had a look at the Wacom Bamboo Fun that WZ suggested, and i gotta say it looks like a good buy     The medium size is only £64 in britain 

Anyway, hopefully you find somthing that suits you (And WZ i think you have just persuaded me to buy that tablet for when i start my graphic design course  )

[WingedZephyr]

You should. I almost don't know how I ever lived without one.

[Vee Katame: His Wolfy]

I agree with Zeph. It's probably be best to start off with a Wacom Bamboo Fun tablet ($199.99*), or at least a Wacom Bamboo Craft tablet ($129.99*) which is what my mate and myself have and share. But if you want one that's $100 or under, then the next best things in that line would be the Wacom Bamboo Pen and Touch tablet ($99.99*) and the Wacom Bamboo Pen tablet ($69.99*), because I would think that you'd want with a pen and not one that's just touch.
Of course, it comes in handy when your mate works at a place like Best Buy (like mine does). Employee discounts are a wonderful thing. lol.

*All prices I've given you are the prices to buy them at Best Buy.

[WingedZephyr]

I agree with Zeph. It's probably be best to start off with a Wacom Bamboo Fun tablet ($199.99*), or at least a Wacom Bamboo Craft tablet ($129.99*) which is what my mate and myself have and share. But if you want one that's $100 or under, then the next best things in that line would be the Wacom Bamboo Pen and Touch tablet ($99.99*) and the Wacom Bamboo Pen tablet ($69.99*), because I would think that you'd want with a pen and not one that's just touch.
Of course, it comes in handy when your mate works at a place like Best Buy (like mine does). Employee discounts are a wonderful thing. lol.

*All prices I've given you are the prices to buy them at Best Buy.

The reason I suggest the Bamboo Fun version specifically is because it comes in the medium size, and the others are small.

[Vee Katame: His Wolfy]

And that's the reason why I want that one in the future. Haha. Shinzuu's going to upgrade to the Fun at some point. That small size does get kind of irritating and the Fun is what we both wanted from the start.

[Skeeter Skunkeh]

I got a used Toshiba Portege that works perfectly and I don't regret it. I would recommend getting on. Mine was only 75$

[White Wolf Guardian]

Zeph and Vee are quite spot on in terms of beginner tablets, the Bamboo Fun appears to be the #1 choice for graphics tablets, here's a list of some of the best tablets for all that are interested :

http://www.graphicstabletreviews.com/guides/top-10-graphics-tablets

[ƒyreblue ƒox]

@ zephyr: if i had the moeny i would definitely do what you did. I probably will when i get a job...
@working class: what size is the tablet? have a link to where i can buy it?

[White Wolf Guardian]

Umm.. toshiba porteges are tablet laptops o.o... $75 must have been some deal.

[ƒyreblue ƒox]

O_O wow, i really want to get one of those some day

[Skeeter Skunkeh]

It was a great deal on Craigslist. I had my doubts first looking at it, actually.

@CrimsonFox I'd link you but it was a Craig's List buy so it's probably down now. Look at craig's list for tablets. You can usually find stuff cheap on there.

[ƒyreblue ƒox]

@ working: okay thanks, i'll take a look there some time

Also everyone thanks again for the help, i'm probably going to get the bamboo fun, just save up for it. Also just discovered my school has a bunch of them, so i can just save up and use the ones there....

[DatFox Coleo]

I have just got to know.... Whats a tablet?
I was thinking like a picture tablet or something.