Wacom Graphire Bluetooth 6 x 8-Inch Tablet

by Wacom

• Ideal for designers and artists for precision work
• Works wirelessly up to 30 feet away
• Graphire pen with 512 levels of pressure-sensitivity for outstanding control of your applications
• Mouse features cordless, battery-free technology
• Includes Adobe Photoshop Elements 3, Painter Essentials 2 by Corel, and Color Efex Pro 2GE from nik multimedia

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 16 x 12 x 3.1 inches ; 8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0009DG7KK
• Item model number: CTE630BT
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 2, 2006

Product Description

Amazon.com

If you're a designer or artist who demands greater control over your digital work than is possible with a mouse, or a computer user who suffers from repetitive strain injuries, the Wacom Graphire Bluetooth 6x8 Tablet is here to save the day. With the alternate use of the extraordinarily accurate pen -- about the same size as an average ballpoint pen -- and mouse with three programmable buttons, you'll never be forced to rely solely on your mouse again. You'll greatly enhance your accuracy and significantly reduce the strain on your wrists.

The Wacom Graphire Tablet will also allow you to expand your creativity in leaps and bounds. Whether you're a professional designer or an aspiring artist, you'll be able to exact incredible control over your manipulation and editing of digital photos. Compatible with any software that your mouse works with, and both PC and Macintosh compatible, the Wacom Graphire Tablet works up to 30 feet away -- wirelessly from your computer. Draw, paint, create artwork for CDs/DVDs, sign your name, and annotate documents in Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft PowerPoint -- whatever you can do with your standard mouse, you can do with far greater accuracy and creativity on the tablet. You can even write directly in Microsoft Office XP and with Apple Inkwell. With both the Wacom pen and mouse, you'll have the right tool for any task.

With this Tablet, along with the free included copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements 3 and Color Efex Pro 2 GE software by nik multimedia, you'll be able to enhance your digital photos like never before. When it's time to try your hand at some free-hand drawing, the Graphire pen and the amazing capabilities of Painter Essentials 2 by Corel (also included) will be waiting for you. The Graphire pen is pressure-sensitive so you can control the amount of a software tool's effect by varying how firmly you press the pen tip to the tablet. Because every point on the tablet has a matching point on the screen, and featuring 512 levels of pressure-sensitivity for natural brush control, the pen couldn't be any easier to use. When you move it over the tablet, the cursor moves in precisely the same way on the screen, giving you unprecedented accuracy.

The Graphire Cordless Mouse features cordless, battery-free technology, which means it's 100 percent hassle-free. The scrolling finger wheel allows for easy navigation and also functions as a third programmable button. With no ball to gum up, you'll always be ensured of smooth, accurate tracking.

An included rechargeable Lithium Polymer tablet battery gives you up to 25 hours between charges, and a universal power adapter permits simultaneous tablet charging and comfortable use. Included with the tablet are Adobe Photoshop Elements 3, Painter Essentials 2 by Corel, and Color Efex Pro 2 GE from nik multimedia.

What's in the Box
Pen tablet, pen, pen stand, mouse, rechargeable tablet battery, universal power adapter, driver software, user manual, and software on CD-ROM.

Product Description

For a faster and easier way to work digitally: with the Graphire pen tablet from Wacom photos, videos and graphics can be edited more precisely than ever before. Add your signature to documents, make a creative drawing or use advanced programs with ease. Together with a high-performance software package, there's almost no limit to your imagination. Discover the world of digital image editing! This Graphire Bluetooth 6x8 Tablet comes with Graphire pen, mouse, and Painter Essentials 2 by Corel, Adobe Photoshop Elements 3 and Color Efex Pro 2 GE by nik multimedia.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 73 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice entry level tablet, but with problems; consider a wired tablet instead January 24, 2006

By D. B. Spalding

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is the first Wacom tablet that I know of to "cut the cord." The Graphire Bluetooth 6x8 provides unparalleled fun and utility to any user with a Bluetooth-equipped computer. I bought mine for two reasons: I have a Bluetooth-capable Thinkpad T43 so I didn't need a cable, and I'm developing some repetitive stress disorder, so using a pen is appealing.

This model is just the right size if you want good precision control in Photoshop (or Photoshop Elements 3.0, included) and Premiere, and is about the size of most laptops, so it's easy to take along. The clear pen stand holds the pen handy, and fits into the top notch. Complaints about the pen's use for regular computing are reasonable, as it's not really suited for "point and click" computing. It's a pen. The included mouse takes over, but purchasers should be aware that this is NOT a Bluetooth mouse! The mouse and pen are battery-free, and work only with the tablet.

If the included pen feels light and insubstantial, chalk it up to being a portable tablet solution. Fortunately, the Graphire4 pen (available separately in blue, white, and silver) works with this tablet. Price for the Graphire4 pen starts at $30 depending on where you buy it. Likewise, Wacom sells a pen leash, carrying case (the Intuos3 6x8 carrying case), replacement nibs and extra stands, should you need some.

The run time of the included LiPoly battery is claimed to reach 25 hours on a charge, and I've clocked close to that. Connection is simple, but you should know that if you connect it to ONE computer, if you take it to use with ANOTHER computer, you have to perform the initial connection routine with the first computer again later. Takes all of about a minute or two.

The tablet has a removable clear frame so you can customize it with your own photos. The CD includes sample JPEG backing sheets, and blank templates in JPEG and Photoshop .PSD format, so you can easily create your own custom tablet decoration in any illustration program, and drop your art into the Photoshop template. The included PDF manual is superb.

You have to bear in mind that if you're not buying an Intuos3, you're buying one of Wacom's entry level, consumer tablets - don't expect a Aston Martin when you're paying Acura prices. In all, if you want to invest a little bit in your digital art capabilities, not deal with USB or serial connection, then this tablet is a very good entry level addition. See my photos for further illustration of the Graphire Bluetooth in action.
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2009 Update:

In practical use, I found that from time to time there's an appreciable delay in the response of this tablet. Enough so that it could be quite annoying in Photoshop, so I resorted to using wireless (or wired) mouses. I've also found from time to time, the cursor onscreen starts to wander by itself, react unpredictably from my stylus movement, and I have to turn the tablet off and then on again to re-connect. In ordinary computing, this can be annoying. In Photoshop, it became outright disruptive. I downgraded this product to THREE (3) STARS. Wacom should stick with wired tablets.
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2012 update:

As much as I'd like this work with my Android 4 "Ice Cream Sandwich" phone, the version of Bluetooth seems incompatible. I can't speak for a Mac or iPhone or iPad. I still enjoy using this with my Thinkpad as an easy way to control it without using a bluetooth mouse.

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Free from wires, this is the next step to real drawing without spending 3K September 3, 2005

By Dave Auerbach

I received my Graphire3 Bluetooth 6x8 drawing tablet 3 days ago, and have to say that I am more than satisfied with my purchase. The bluetooth works excellent, even with other 2.4 GHz (bluetooth frequency) gadgets running. I have cordless phones, wireless internet, and bluetooth keyboard and mouse on my mac, and found no interference or slowdown when using them all at the same time, which was the one thing I was worried about. It behaves like a normal corded tablet, but for $40 more, you get freedom from wires, which only restrict the creative process. Now I can lean back in the chair or sit however is comfortable with the tablet on my lap, up to 30 feet away (not that it would be useful at that range). The resolution accuracy is excellent, even on my 1900x1200 resolution monitor, every pixel counts and registers on the computer, and the software (for mac at least) allows for precise configuration. It might have been a little cheaper if they didn't include the basic software with the unit, which anyone buying a tablet surely already has, but I'm not complaining. The battery life is great...i've been using it for 3 days and only charged it once when I got it, and the battery is easily replaceable (and at $40 it's not too expensive to replace). It offers a good range of accessories that are available for purchase, including an inking pen, and pen replacements. While it may not be as versatile as the Intous series, it is certainly sufficient for anyone using a tablet in a medium workload environment. The included 2-button plus scroll bar mouse is a plus for anyone who doesn't have a wireless mouse already, although I have no use for it personally. Overall, excellent product, and highly recommended!

94 of 104 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Not ready for primetime... October 30, 2005

By Douglas F. Jones

I'm a longtime user of Wacom Intuos tablets and I was looking for something similar with wireless capabilities for my new dual 2.5ghz-G5. There were no wireless Intuos products available at the time of purchase, so I went with the Graphire Bluetooth. Unfortunately, the product leaves a lot to be desired and after a couple of weeks of use, I plan on returning it. The major problem lies with the pen--both in design and responsiveness.

Design: the Graphire series is cheaper than the Intuos, and there's a good reason why: the Graphire pen is thinner, lighter, and has no grip. If you have very small hands this might be acceptable; in my hand this feels like a toothpick. It's very difficult to manipulate a tool effectively when it doesn't feel like it has any durability. Additionally, the Graphire pen stand is little more than a piece of transparent molded plastic and slides around the desk whenever I put the pen back into it.

Responsiveness: There is a half-second delay whenever using the pen to click in any finder-related options--opening windows, selecting files, etc. 1/2 second may sound acceptable, but if you, like me, use the pen for everything, not just drawing, believe me it is utterly maddening. On the other hand, the mouse behaves perfectly with no delay at all, so I know it's the pen and not my computer.

The tablet is attractive and the mouse works fine, but the bottom line is that it's more important for me to have a responsive, durable pen than a wireless tablet. If you've never used an Intuos you may not recognize the deficiencies, but for those who have, this is like going from a Mercedes to a Honda Civic. You'll get better gas mileage with the Civic but the Benz gives you the best overall driving experience. I need the driving experience, so I'm going back to the Intuos--wire and all.