THE LATEST INTUOS IS FINALLY HERE AND IT’S BETTER THAN EVER
When I first encountered the new Intuos4 tablet from Wacom, I was immediately blown away by its new design. The new ambidextrous layout has all of the controls on one side of the tablet, making it easier to use all the features. This is possible with the detachable USB cord and dual ports, which allows you to turn the tablet 180? for left- or right-handed use. Another stellar new feature is the LED labels for the ExpressKeys. Previous models had ExpressKeys but it was impossible to remember what they were programmed to do. With the new LEDs, you can see exactly what’s programmed, and it even changes when you switch between applications.
Another new feature is the Touch Ring. Like the ExpressKeys, the Touch Ring can be programmed to zoom and scroll, change your brush size in Photoshop, or as a scrubber wheel if you edit video. The real beauty of a device like this is that it’s completely customizable. (One feature I’d like to see added is the ability to save ExpressKey and Touch Ring settings as a preset to use on multiple computers or share with other users.)
The Grip Pen has been updated with new Tip Sensor technology that allows near-zero grams of starting pressure and delivers 2,048 levels of pressure (double the 1,024 levels of the previous generation), giving you smoother, more precise strokes. The new weighted pen stand doubles as a twist-off storage compartment for replacement nibs and a nib-removal tool. The tablet also comes with a newly redesigned wireless, battery-free mouse that’s much more precise than previous models. This new line of tablets comes in small, medium, large, and extra large sizes, though the small version doesn’t have the LED displays.
The new features make this tablet one of the best technology updates I’ve seen in a while. Veteran users and curious newbies will feel the same once they try it for themselves.
—Corey Barker
Company: Wacom
Price: Small: $229; medium: $349; large: $469; extra large: $789
Web: www.wacom.com
Rating: 5
Hot: LED ExpressKeys; Touch Ring; ambidextrous design; twice the pressure sensitivity
Not: -
[...] Corey Barker and I have a Special Episode of Layers TV posting today talking about the Intuos4. You can get to it by clicking on this link or checking out the viewer to the right. We also have a review from Corey Barker here on the blog as well. Make sure you check out his review by clicking here! [...]
I am curious how this works with a dual monitor setup (the medium size) compared to the Intuos3 6×11.
I’ve been using Wacom tablets for ~12 years now. I started with the ArtZ II Pad, moved on to the “biggin” 18″x11″ Intuous, then a Graphire2. I currently have the anniversary widescreen special edition that I honestly thought I’d own for a long time to come (until I can afford a Cintiq).
I was lucky enough to sit in on one of Wacom’s classes during Photoshop World today and I fell in love with the Intuos4 almost immediately. It’s sleek, stylish, and excessively useful. It’s making me seriously consider selling my special edition and upgrading to yet another model.
My only complaints: I wasn’t too fond of the texture/feel of the eraser, and the sizes are now “small/med/large/x-large” instead of actual drawing surface dimensions. Enough to dissuade me from wanting one? Absolutely not.
Did you actually test any of these products? They come in 4 different sizes, which one did you review?
I don’t think there’s really much worthwhile upgrades in Intuos4. Someone should release an affordable alternative to the overpriced Cintiq-line. That’s the only way I’m letting go of my Intuos3.
I take back my comment about not liking the feel of the eraser. Apparently it was just that particular tablet that I had initially tested.
And in response to George Coghill’s comment: All of the new Intuos4s have “widescreen” ratios so I would expect it to behave the same as the Intuos3 6×11.
Just ordered the Large version. Looking forward to getting my hands on it. The OLED screens sounds great as does the scroll wheel. Means I can get rid of my Logitech Nuluq which cost me £80 and bloody logitech stopped support for it before I bought it, so couldn’t use all its features. Thanks Wacom for coming to the rescue!
[...] Wacom Intuos4 Layers Magazine talks about the latest Intuos. When I first encountered the new Intuos4 tablet from Wacom, I was immediately blown away by its new design. The new ambidextrous layout has all of the controls on one side of the tablet, making it easier to use all the features. This is possible with the detachable USB cord and dual ports, which allows you to turn the tablet 180? for left- or right-handed use. Another stellar new feature is the LED labels for the ExpressKeys. Previous models had ExpressKeys but it was impossible to remember what they were programmed to do. With the new LEDs, you can see exactly what’s programmed, and it even changes when you switch between applications. [via Layers Magazine] [...]
As a longtime intuos 3 A5 user who switched to the intuos 4 Medium, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the intuos 4. I use dual monitors and was worried it would be too small, but it isn’t nearly as bad as I thought. The extra sensitivity and new features are more than worth it. I can’t get enough of the touch-wheel. As mentioned above, the LED labels are incredible. If you have the money, BUY AN INTUOS 4. If you have don’t have the money…SAVE UP AND BUY AN INTUOS 4!
I have pics comparing the intuos 3 widescreen and the intuos 4 medium if you would like. Just email me. Thanks!
Andy, you should find a way to borrow an I4 and give it a try. The pressure sensitivity is extremly more accurate than the intuos3 line. Also, the express buttons have OLED lights next to them to show you what they are, which is handy when they change from application to application.
Hi folks!
Has anyone tested Wacom Wireless in PhotoShop CS5 on MAC OSX Leopard?
The thing is… whenever I work wirelessly with any of brush/brushlike tools (brush itself, dodge, burn, sharpen, blur etc.)) in Photoshop CS5, straight lines are triggered randomly every now and then. I have no control over it. It’s very annoying!
I’ve done the following for remedy:
Uninstalled the driver
Unpaired Wacom
Set PS5 to its default settings
Cleaned my Mac
Repaired Disk Permissions
Reinstalled the driver (tried 4 different releases including the newest one).
Paired Wacom back
etc.
So… I would really appreciate if anybody can cast some light on how to resolve the issue.