Customer Reviews

Wacom Graphire4 4x5 USB Tablet (Silver)

5 star:		(78)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Just a note to correct RE Geiger's review below. In WinXP's Start > Programs > Tablet you can set the Graphire4 to "mouse mode" when you're using the pen, i.e. it uses relative positioning instead of absolute positioning.

I personally have used a Graphire2 to do color correction and graphics work at a daily newspaper for over a year. I also had one at home for personal projects. It's been all the tablet I ever needed. Recently, I bought a white Graphire4 for myself from CompUSA because the pen on my home unit broke--it was stuck at 14-16% pressure all the time.

(I should have checked Amazon, it's about $8 cheaper here with free shipping. I did consider just buying a replacement pen, but wasn't sure at the time whether the newer pens would work with my old tablet.)

After I bought the Graphire4, I found its pen works fine with the Graphire2 tablet and drivers, so there really wasn't any reason to buy an all new tablet. I don't regret it though!

The build quality of version 4 has been well worth the upgrade. Instead of a thin translucent flap to slide images under for tracing, there is a thick, clear "case" on the tablet that you unsnap. The case also includes a pen holder that holds the pen flat instead of upright like before. Both the pen and mouse work flawlessly of course, and are comfortable to use for extended periods of time. The included software seems also a nice bonus, but I won't talk about that because I have the regular versions of Photoshop etc. available. There are also programmable buttons on the tablet that weren't there before...convenient.

The only thing that I worry about is scuffing the tablet "case." I don't like to use the pen holder because it holds the pen too tightly for my liking, even though it's a DEFINITE improvement over version 2. I've opted to keep the original plastic packaging on the tablet for as long as possible. I also keep two rubber bands around the tablet to hold the pen when the tablet isn't in use. The rubber bands interfere with the mouse, but I am always using the pen so it doesn't matter.

I am an owner of several Wacom Tablets including sizes. I bought this one to use with my laptop as I am so used to using a tablet on my main pc and for that one I have an Intuos 6x8.. that I wanted the smaller real estate size. I do graphics and need a stylus to work with it. I hate the touchpad. OK... that said.. a consideration in buying a tablet is your need for size. Keep in mind that the tablet is about 3 inches larger all over than the tablet size. I have owned an 8 x 12 (not sure if correct size.. but major large). It fits anything you would do graphically real size time; however, it takes up lots of room. The 6 x 8 is not small, but it is manageable on a desk. I love the levels of graphic ability, pen controls etc from the Intuos... but I already have that on my desktop. The graphire will afford portability for my laptop and the cover keeps it intact and moveable. It does most things very well, but for extreme detail (if needed) I go to my desktop and use my larger tablet. 4x5 is a good size. It works well for average applications. You need to adjust your setings prior to use to go along with your screen size and it will be quite fine. On a larger tablet, you find yourself going all over the place to get from one end of the screen to the other. So, you need to adjust your screen area to be smaller anyway. And, how many times do you really need a really large area? In my case it is not that often. I do quite well on the 6 x 8 on my desk. This 4 x 5 is quite versatile and very useable. They are the best tablets on the market and for the average user, you cannot go wrong. There simply is no other way better to play games (much faster), edit photos, draw, airbrush, do art, than a tablet. But make your adjustments in the software provided and you should be quite happy. The graphire does not have tilt control, but it will work quite well for a small space, and a laptop computer ... Do yourself and your wrist a favor.. buy and enjoy your tablet. The intuos is almost 3 times the price... but, if you do graphic design I would go there first.

P.S. Been using this graphire almost one month now with my laptop. I just cannot seem to get along without a graphics tablet. This tablet is really nice. I am doing digital painting ..oils, watercolor, etc., using Corel's Painter 9.5, Adobe Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, to name some, and I do quite a bit on this laptop. My Intuos is on my desktop computer, but I am very happy and comfortable with the graphire performance. I prefer the additional settings on an Intuous, but you simply cannot beat this graphire 4. I love the cover, it keeps my pen in place, fits nicely in my case with the laptop, and performs very well for this price. My Intuos does not have this feature and I was a bit concerned about it, but, I never take it off. Using a stylus is very fast, and more natural than using a mouse. Plus the back and forward buttons as well as scroll on the tablet face is a plus. In my opinion, the bad reviews are unjustified. Wacom tablets are the very best and cannot be outperformed.

At first I was concerned about the lower resolution compared to the Intuos... but after trying the both of them, i can't really tell the difference.
It's much more sensitive than a mouse, and takes a couple of weeks to get used to. I bought it mainly cuz my fingers started to hurt after my 8 hours of mouse clicking everyday at work. And the Graphire reduced the stress on my index and middle fingers (sometimes my index finger hurts so bad, i had to switch fingers...) greatly.
It's still kinda tricky to catch the notches in Illustrator sometimes, cuz it's so sensitive to movements, but I am getting a hang of it.

I'm not an artist. I don't even remember what I was doing that made me think I might benefit from a pen tablet, but I became intrigued with them and ultimately I purchased a Wacom Graphire4 4X5. It is a nicely made, well designed unit for entry level and casual users. I highly recommend it. If you have higher aspirations I would recommend the Intuos3.

After three days of use I knew a pen tablet (any pen tablet) was not for me. I do a lot of drawing and sketching for the various projects I do, so I thought I might have reasonable facility with a pen tablet. No such luck. I couldn't make a smooth pen stroke to save my life - not even by accident. This is my deficiency, not the pen tablet's - so don't take this as a negative review. In the hands of someone artistically gifted this will be a wonderful tool.

I spent days using the pen tablet to make sure I wasn't giving up on it too soon. I didn't like it as an alternative to a mouse. I found I needed to make bigger hand movements to point and click. The pen, unlike a mouse, must be positioned directly over the corresponding point on the tablet. Therefore, to click on an icon in a corner of the screen, for example, the pen must be moved to the corner of the tablet. A mouse on the other hand can be moved a couple inches, picked up, repositioned on the pad and moved a couple more inches, because the cursor doesn't follow the mouse when it is not on the pad. You can't use this technique with a pen tablet as the cursor is always under the pen tip. (note added Sept. 2006 -- Yup, I overlooked the mouse mode for the pen - the pen can be configured to operate as a mouse.) Also, because touching the tablet with the pen is the same as clicking, I found it easy to accidentally click on things I hadn't intended (because I didn't lift the pen high enough above the tablet surface when sweeping from one side of the screen to the other). And, yes, you can reduce the active area of the tablet to reduce your hand motions, but this also has the effect of increasing the sensitivity of your hand motions so that a minor twitch will send the cursor flying across the screen.

Every button on the tablet, pen and mouse is programable. This is a very cool feature. You can program buttons to open applications as well as for any combination of keystrokes. I would have liked to have been able to program the buttons differently in each application (as is possible on the Intuos3). I found the pen buttons awkward to use - not so much because they were in an awkward position but because I would either have the pen too high above the tablet surface (the pen doesn't work unless it is held just above the surface) or because I would press the point down on the tablet as I was trying to press a button. (It is convenient however to be able to have a pen button programmed for UNDO.)

I found the Wacom mouse difficult to use. It is sensitive to the orientation of the tablet. For instance, you can move your hand in a line that you think is parallel to the top of the screen, but if the tablet is not parallel to the motion of the mouse the cursor will travel at an angle. I wanted my old mouse back. (I think the Intuos3 mouse is independent of tablet orientation.)

The software bundle is very nice. Oddly though, the kind of thing I usually do when editing photos can just as easily be done with a mouse, so again I didn't see an advantage to having a pen tablet.

I liked this pen tablet, but it wasn't for me, it's for an artist. Had I been more artistically inclined I probably would have upgraded to the Intuos3 because of the greater programming options and the enhanced mouse. And if I decide I really do have a use for a pen tablet the Intuos3 is the one I will buy. Wacom Direct offers a 30 day trial.

I do digital design as a hobby, and I must say this thing sure does the job! It's nearly perfect, but there are a couple things I might change if it were up to me. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEFAULT SETTINGS FOR THE STYLUS ARE ABSOLUTE POSITIONING, AND FOR THE MOUSE IT'S RELATIVE. YOU MAY CHANGE EITHER.

PROS: The software bundled with the tablet is fantastic! I actually use those programs more than the software I already have for digital art, and such. There are 5 programs that come with it (Evernote, Corel Painter Essentials 2, JustWrite Office, Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0, and one other I can't remember right now ^^ ). They all appear to be permanent (non-trial versions), so you should be able to keep them for a long time. I really think Evernote is a useful program! You can handwrite notes, take website screenshots, shopping lists, and a whole lot more. I also use Corel alot.

This tablet is very well designed. Though I wish I bought one a little bigger, the size and functionability of it well worth the price. It's very clean cut, and it looks pretty attractive and modern. A nice touch to any bland desk! You can customize the frame, and it has an awesome little blue light that turns green when you click! The browser buttons are also a nice extra feature to include :) This tablet is actually mroe responsive than my old mouse!

It's also very durable. I've had this tablet for a while now, and the surface hasn't even scratched or cracked yet.

Plus, it takes hardly any time to get used to at all! The stylus is a great mouse substitute, and it's very comfortable. Plus, you can also have the tablet in your lap if you feel like having a lazy day at the computer by leaning back in your chair.

CONS: We have three cats, and when I took the frame off, cat fur in the air stuck to the underside like a magnet! Maybe some of you might like cat fur under the frame, I'm not sure... but always have a tissue ready to go if you do take off the frame.

If you disconnect the tablet from your computer often, it takes a little while to kick in when you reconnect it. If you leave it in, you should be fine.

I think it would also be cool if you could change the color of the the pretty little light... but I think I'll live ^^

I had never even seen a digital pen before ordering this one. I'm an amateur photographer with some sales, but mostly I'm a fairly skilled hobbyist-photographer. I have no skills whatsoever as a sketch artist or painter. I absolutely LOVE the control I get from the Wacom pen, The size is just right for my desk. I am using the pen almost exclusively in lieu of a mouse, although the included wireless mouse is also very nice. I am using the Graphire4 mainly with my Photoshop Elements 4.0 software. Neat! The eraser is a big help and because I lack fine motor skills, this pen really helps. I have a friend with hand tremors who finds the Graphire4 very helpful. The bundled software is also nice. There is a bit of a learning curve, but after two days, I just can't imagine going back to my old mouse or living without this pen. I'm sure professionals would benefit from the larger size tablet, but this one is just right for me. Main drawback? Would it kill software companies to give us a printed darned manual? I downloaded and printed out the one from the internet, but would much rather have a nice paperback version.

This has proved to be an excellent purchase. The mouse takes a little while to get used to, as you have to pick it up and move it back into the active area when moving across large areas of screen. But after a while you don't really notice it anymore.

I had never used a pen and am still getting used to it, but the additional control it gives me in Photo Shop has been a revelation. There are less expensive tablets, but the software bundle more than makes up for that, even though the software is all one generation old.

I STRONGLY RECOMMEND A WRIST REST! I got a small one with no mouse pad about two weeks after I got the tablet, as my wrist was starting to ache.

Minor Details:
It's nice being able to put a photo in the tablet. Not only does this personalize it, it makes it easier to identify the active area with a glance, unless you use a real big photo.

The software called Just Write Office only works if you have Microsoft Office installed.

Graphire 4 4x5 i a very useful gadget for people looking for an alternative to the ol' mouse, but it is not the best option for the artists for its active area is too small for on-screen design. I have purchased it with the hope of eliminating the middlemen (paper and scanner) while drawing, but it was not as useful as I expected. Other models with larger active areas might provide better results, but they were much too expensive. As a mouse replacement, it is perfect. After a very short period of getting used to, the pen increases your speed considerably, and the smallness of the active area works positively for that purpose. You can reach every part of the screen without moving your arm more than a couple cantimeters. Another plus is the software bundle comes with the tablet which, in my opinion, is more than enough reason to buy it.

I was considering purchasing a tablet and Wacom was consistantly recommended. I was originally hesitant to buy the graphire line because I didnt think it would be very good for drawing compared to the top line (the intuos line). I was pleasantly surprised to be proven wrong. Installing a driver was a piece of cake and I began drawing away in minutes. It is very responsive and works with all my drawing programs (paintshop pro, painter, photoshop). The mouse is pretty useless however, and I would have preferred if they had included some extra pen tips instead (they seem to wear out, though I do press pretty hard). Other than that, its an amazing product.

I bought this tablet in order to get the Adobe Elements 3 software that comes with it. This was suggested by a reviewer of Elements 4. I am happy with the tablet as well as the software. The tablet is beautifully designed and built. I like Elements 3 and the other bundled software is a bonus. My only complaint is that the USB cable is a foot or two too short so that I cannot place the tablet where I would use it more.