I never thought I could justify paying this much money for a pressure sensitive display--but I did, and I absolutely love it!
For years I have been looking at the Cintiq, wondering how "good" is it. Several months ago I thought I would give it a try--but then I decided to wait because I felt a new version would be coming out this year. When I read that it had--I ordered one, telling myself that if it wasn't very good I would send it back. I'm not sending it back--it's great!
I have been using an Intuos3 tablet for years, and while I can draw reasonably well with it I still found myself frustrated at times. I have a pressure sensitive laptop but the screen is small and the calibration and sensitivity isn't that good. That is why I didn't even consider purchasing the smaller 12-inch Cintiq.
Why I love this Cintiq:
1. The calibration of the stylus is very good. I do notice that when I get to the extreme edges of the screen (to open and close palettes or windows) the calibration is off--but otherwise, everything in the area I use to draw in is accurate. My laptop would drive me crazy because the calibration on that would often be off and it was extremely frustrating.
2. The screen is large and I can have several palettes open and still have my image at a relatively large size. I also have a 22-inch regular monitor set up as a secondary monitor and while I can use that I found over the last couple weeks that when I'm drawing or painting this 21-inch Cintiq is enough space. I do like the "Display toggle" on the Cintiq. This is how it works--when I push the display toggle button on the Cintiq I can use the stylus on the Cintiq to move my cursor onto the other monitor. I know that probably doesn't explain it very well. It's one of those things you have to actually do or see to fully understand it. The bottom line is that you can use the Cintiq and the stylus to move your cursor over the entire space of two monitors.
3. The sensitivity of the pen just feels right! It really feels like I am drawing right on the surface. The first time I used the airbrush in Painter XI I felt like I had merged into a virtual world. It actually seemed like the spray was shooting out of the tip of the stylus!
4. It tilts is so many ways I can easily get the angle or the slant I need.
5. It works great as a primary monitor even when you are not drawing or painting with it. I was concerned that the tilt might not be tall enough--but it is. I was also concerned because I read a review that said the screen would be darker and not as bright as a typical monitor. I haven't noticed this at all.
At first I found the different buttons on the Cintiq useful--but over the last couple weeks I found myself using standard keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop more than the buttons.
The driver for this Cintiq works with the Intuos3 tablet as well--so it is possible to have both hooked up if you want. I first removed the old Intuos 3 driver and installed the Cintiq. After that I merely plugged in my Intuos 3 and it worked. I used both tablets for the first two weeks because using the Intuos3 allowed me to quickly navigate both my monitors (something I was used to doing). However, a couple times I got an error message with the tablet software and ended up disconnecting the Intuos3. Plus I found that I didn't really need the Intuos3 anymore and removing it freed up a lot of space on my desk!
I'm a bit embarrassed to write this, but the second night I was using it I actually felt my eyes watering up with tears of joy! $2000 is a lot of money. To justify spending this much on me--I just sent a generous check to a worthy charity.
I think this is the longest review I have written. Perhaps that is appropriate because this is the most expensive item I have purchased from Amazon!
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