Customer Reviews

Wacom Graphire4 4x5 USB Tablet (Blue)

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

At work part of my job is to create designs for applications and web pages. I developed tendonitis in both wrists and using a regular mouse became quite painful. It didn't matter that I kept swapping hands. A co-worker suggested one of these tablets and it's been a few years now and no symptoms. It is so much better ergonomically for your hand and arm than any other mouse I tried. In fact when I bought a new laptop for home, I ordered this new version of the tablet. It's even better because it has the scroll bar. Try it, give yourself a little time to adjust to the new way of "mousing" and you will never go back to anything else.

This is a wonderful tool for making computer art. I had been warned that these have a steep learning curve, and it took a friend of mine about three weeks to get used to the tablet. She initially hated it, but now she claims that it's the best thing she owns! I tried out a friend's tablet and immediately decided I needed to buy one of my own.

It can be slightly awkward at first. Depending on your driver settings, the tablet's screen corresponds to the computer screen, so wherever you place the pen on the tablet, the cursor clicks on the corresponding point on the monitor. A bit strange when you're used to a mouse that you can pick up and move without moving the cursor. The cursor does follow the pen even when it's not touching the tablet, so you can see where you are going without clicking or drawing lines all along the way. It is not meant to revert to the center of the screen every time you use the pen as another person commented. I can only assume that was a user error. If you truly prefer mouse-style movement (you have to pick up the pen to keep moving the cursor but it doesn't matter where you put the pen down initially) you can adjust the tablet to that setting using the included driver software. I personally think that it loses a lot of its art value by doing this, but it's a matter of personal taste.

As for the size, two other people that I talked to recommended getting this size, and I tend to agree with them. It's cheaper, more portable, and it's really all that you should need. Unless you are used to drawing with very wide strokes or have somewhat limited hand coordination, this size is large enough. It is easy to zoom in and out using the tablet, so you can always zoom in if you want finer detail.

Update - I've had my tablet almost a year now and I am totally in love with it. I can do things with this tablet that would simply not be possible with a mouse. The absolutely only downside that I have found with it is that if you use the pen at the top of the tablet, the rubber grip around the pen will eventually loosen and make the buttons difficult to push properly. Keep in mind that this was after a year of very hard use on a laptop (constantly putting it into the holder every time I moved the computer). Just try not to keep repeatedly taking the pen out and putting it back, and I can't see what problem there would be with the tablet. I've also found that I can draw through several layers of paper if I'm in a pinch for space. It's not an extremely useful feature, but handy at times. What's more useful is that there is a clear plastic cover over the top of the tablet. You can place a photograph or drawing under the cover, snap the cover closed, and trace from the picture. Another nice feature is that the included driver lets you easily choose different functions for the two buttons on the pen and the buttons & scroll wheel on the tablet itself.

I own several tablets and use them instead of the mouse. The addition of the JustWrite and Ever Notes software in the Graphire 4 version is an excellent addition. This software allows you to add your signature to Word documents as well as edit or make notes on a word document.
Those who have problems with the pen generally didn't use the installation software that comes with the product. It is very user freindly and doesn't need a instruction book although one is available in the readmetxt. Once you install the pen the tablet area equals your monitor so where ever you put the pen on the tablet is where the cursor is. You are also able to adjust the pen sensitivity.This, however is very fine tuning with the advanced user or long time user in mind. That said the pen settings can be easily changed so it won't hurt to try making minor adjustments until you find the setting you like. You can always reset the parameters back to default.

I don't yet own this item, but wanted to point other shoppers to the other colors of this item. The rating has been skewed here by one bad review. If you look at the silver tablet (same model, just a different color), there are 16 reviews there to help you make your decision.

Thia is my first time using a pen tablet and I talked myself into the 'luxury' because there are times when it is very useful to be able to write directly into software like Adobe and Office for some of the voluntary jobs I do for my local church.

To start with I was disappointed and frustrated because the software 'Evernote Plus' and 'Just Write Office 4' were not included despite being referenced on the website. I tried to sort it out with Amazon and they were willing to refund but I wanted the tablet AND the promised software - especially as that was my primary purpose for buying in the first place. I eventually contacted Wacom direct and was able to sort something out but you should be aware that their licence for that software ran out and is no longer included in their bundled software. That is not just with Amazon. The remaining 3 software packages offered ARE still included though.

Although for a while it looked like I wouldn't be able to use it for the purposes I'd intended, I was not keen in taking Amazon up on the refund offer because the moment I plugged it in I LOVED using it. The feel, the ease of use and the ability to operate the laptop at a distance (not huge distance but significant) had all impressed me and I did not want to return to using my laptop mousepad. That is not because I hated the mousepad, as some do!

I haven't yet tried using the bundled software but I look forward to doing so - especially with my digital photos - but I have found using the tablet just for ease of operating the computer so wonderful that I almost cannot imagine being separated from it - and I've only had it a few weeks!

Highly recommended.

Graphics tablets are excellent tools for use with programs like Photoshop, and the Graphire tablet is pretty much universally recognized as an excellent value. It does, however, take some getting used to. The function is significantly different from a mouse, and a first time user may find it very awkward. Most new users should probably be ready to spend some time getting a feel for the tool and learning how to use it.

I had used both series of Wacom tablets (Intuos and Graphire) at work about six years ago (albeit a far earlier incarnation of each type). At the time I felt that the Graphire wasn't quite up to snuff. So when I recently decided to get a tablet for home use and couldn't justify the expense of an Intuos, I bought this Graphire4 with more than a little trepidation.

Turns out there was no need for my concern. The Graphire series has come a long way since its original incarnation, and has adopted some of the functionality that was once limited to the Intuos series. I'm quite impressed and happy with this tablet, especially for the reasonable price! I'm sure the current Intuos series is still decidedly superior, but I don't feel at all limited by the Graphire4, and that's a lot more than I had expected to be able to say about it.

One last comment: I'm using this tablet with Photoshop CS3 on a Macbook Pro, and I've been more than satisfied with the functionality. Don't be put off by warnings about a lack of features on the Mac side ... for all of the purposes a tablet is designed for, the Graphire4 and Mac combo delivers the goods quite nicely.

I've had this tablet for about three weeks now and I have used it a ton! I mostly do art for my own personal entertainment or for digital scrapbooking. It is a lot of fun and easy to use and so much faster than using a mouse. I can actually draw a straight line now or follow a curve exactly like I want rather than the mess I used to create when using a mouse.

The 4X5 is DEFINITELY the way to go. The four corners of the workspace on the tablet (the actual 4X5 area) match up with the exact four corners of your monitor so having a larger tablet would mean that you would have to pick up your hand all the time, which would make you have to pick up the pen and then place it back down in the exact spot, and that isn't good when you are trying to do a constant line at a low opacity. I can comfortably place my hand on the tablet at the bottom and pretty much leave my hand in place and be able to draw from one corner to the opposite corner without ever lifting the pen. So nice! I used to really like Adobe Photoshop and had a lot of fun with it but now I LOVE Photoshop with my new Wacom Tablet. It's completely worth the money!

The only con I can possibly think of is that I don't get nearly as much work done at home now because I'm always playing and creating new digital art.

I gave this tablet to my grand daughter and it was a hit! She is 14 and she loves it. She uses it when she comes home from school and is learning more and more every day. This is a great educational gift.

If you see any sign of performance reduction or problem such as not
lighting up the LED light, suspect the problem of USB cable connection after eliminating software causes.
The said cable is of a low grade. It will soon deteriorate. The copper filaments of four thin cables inside of the transparent covering and ground shield wire mesh oxidize rather easily. If you see a dark greenish discoloration through the outer covering, that is the spot where disconnection occurred or potentially occurring. Instead of fixing that point, I recommend to replace the entire cord from the root of the cable. Here is how:
The things you need are:
A. Phillip screw driver (for watch maker or anything small enough)
B. Soldering gun (30 watts is enough)
C. Some resin core solder.
D. Nipper.
E. Electric insulation tape (scotch tape is fine if you don't have one)
F. Optional small round file.

1. Find a working USB cable such as a USB mouse you are not using (by the way, mouse's cable is quite robustly made). Do not just cut but open the mouse cover by unscrewing some screws which are located underside of the mouse.
2. Desolder from the connection keeping eyes on not harming the tubings.
Or cut at the very root of the connection and peel the coverings from 5 tiny cables leaving only 2 mm or so of wire at the tips. Identify the 5 different cables. a. thick black(ground), b. thin black, c. green, d. red, and e. white. Tin the tips by solder. Use slight amount.
3. Remove the transparent plastic cover sliding four gray plastic nails.
Unscrew 4 small screws with a small Phillip screw driver. There are 2 visible one on the bottom and 2 concealed ones under the rubber pads at the top corners. Peal off the rubber pads gently. You may reuse the sticky thing later.
4. Gently ply open the top cover.
5. Raise the plate gently and discover the USB connection.
6. Using a nipper cut the connection at the root as close as possible to the soldered connection. Then prepare the tips same way as step 2. You may desolder also if you choose to do so.
7. Identify same color codes and thickness as in step 2.
8. Connect one by one according to the color codes and thickness by soldering with tiny amount of solder if you need. Never try to connect without soldering them.
9. Insulate each of 5 cables with tape.
10. Identify plastic post which is sticking out slightly upward at the near top left hand side corner by the cable output slot. If you have a small file, file off 2 mm x 2 mm the part of the supporting ridge of the
post at the point right by the post. If you do not have a file use the soldering gun to melt off the same part with some skill or nipp off by the nipper without damaging the post. That is where the cable should pass. Arrange the cable inside the case in a way which makes difficult to
accidentally pull off the cable using the post and the slot you just made.
11. Cover the plastic covering screwing securely. Place the pads. Use tiny amount of crazy glue if you need.
12. Place the transparent plastic cover.
13. If you have not done so update the driver from wacom.
http://www.wacom.com/productsupport/drivers.cfm?os=XP&product=CTE4&CFID=9975004&CFTOKEN=78944409 for XP.
http://www.wacom.com/productsupport/drivers.cfm?os=Vista&product=CTE4&CFID=9975004&CFTOKEN=78944409 for Vista.
Final note: If you are looking for a new tablet from Wacom, choose rather such as Bamboo, Bamboo fun which has a reconnectable USB cable. If anything similar happens, you can replace with a similar connection cable commercially available. I suspect that Wacom is aware of the problem, so they made a version which allows the user to replace the cable when needed. (I fixed my Graphire4 fine but gave it to my son. He is very happy with it by the way. I bought Bamboo fun for myself.) To prolong the life of the cable, I recommend not to tightly wring the cable around the tablet but store it rather loosely and casually.

Happy drawing with WACOM tablets!