Reviews of the older Wacom Graphire tablets
If you are not interested in the latest Wacom tablet models then you can opt for a Graphire tablet instead. They are no longer sold on the Wacom.com site, but can be found on other online stores such as Amazon.
The Graphire3 and Graphire4 are older models (released pre-2006). They offer some of the same abilities of the more recent Wacom tablets, but without the improved features, software or warranty.
Graphire4 Specs:
- Pressure sensitive pen
- Battery-free digital pen offers 512 levels of pressure sensitivity, two programmable side-buttons, and a pressure-sensitive eraser for easy fixes
- Includes Adobe Photoshop Elements 3, Corel Painter Essentials 2, nik Color Efex Pro 2 GE
- System requirements: Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP or Mac OS X v10.2.8+; 128 MB RAM; color monitor; available USB port; CD-ROM drive
- Interface: USB
- Active area: 4 x 5 inches (small) or 6 x 8 inches (large)
- Dimensions: 8 x 8 inches ( small) or 10.95 x 10.39 x 0.71 inches (large)
The included pen is very smooth and you can remove the tablet cover in order to place a picture under it for tracing. Also available in a larger size (6 x 8 inches).
The tablet comes in two-tone gray with a matching mouse and pen (also available in metallic blue and white). The plastic cover has a built-in pen holder and can be easily removed. The Graphire4 is powered via USB with a 5-foot cord. Users looking for greater freedom should consider the wireless Wacom Graphire Bluetooth Tablet.
Pros of Wacom Graphire4:
Good for people with repetitive strain injuries
Scrollwheel on tablet
Two buttons on pen
Comfort grip on pen and mouse
Easy to set up
Inexpensive compared to newer Wacom tablets
The Graphire digital pen is interchangeable with the original Bamboo model’s digital pen
Cons of Wacom Graphire4:
Small active drawing area
Pen and pad need more buttons which are available on the newer Wacom tablets
Short cable
Comes with older software – will have to pay to upgrade
Harder to find
Graphire3 Specs:
- Pressure sensitive pen
- Battery-free digital pen offers 512 levels of pressure sensitivity, two programmable side-buttons, and a pressure-sensitive eraser for easy fixes
- Rechargeable lithium polymer tablet battery provides up to 25 hours between charges
- Includes Adobe Photoshop Elements 3, Corel Painter Essentials 2, nik Color Efex Pro 2 GE
- System requirements: Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP or Mac OS X v10.2.8+; 128 MB RAM; color monitor; available USB port; CD-ROM drive
- Interface: USB
- Active area: 4 x 5 inches (small) or 6 x 8 inches (large)
- Dimensions: 8 x 8 inches ( small) or 10.95 x 10.39 x 0.71 inches (large)
The included pen is very smooth and you can remove the tablet cover in order to place a picture under it for tracing. Also available in a larger size (6 x 8 inches).
Pros of Wacom Graphire3:
Good for people with repetitive strain injuries
Battery-free
One button on pen
Easy to set up
Inexpensive compared to newer Wacom tablets
The Graphire digital pen is interchangeable with the original Bamboo model’s digital pen
Cons of Wacom Graphire3:
Small active drawing area
Pen is awkward for onscreen navigation
Short cable
Lacking comfort grip on pen and mouse
Comes with older software – will have to pay to upgrade
Harder to find
Summary:
When compared to the Wacom Bamboo tablets available currently, I do not recommend buying a Wacom Graphire.
If price is your main concern and you want a very basic graphics tablet, then I recommend you opt for the Wacom Bamboo Pen (for precision editing) or Wacom Bamboo Pen and Touch (not for precise editing). I found a Graphire3 for almost the same price for the Bamboo Pen right now on Amazon! So if you are looking to spend very little, it seems worth it to buy one of the latest Bamboo tablets instead.
Also, the features and software bundles are dramatically improved and you receive a one year warranty from Wacom when you buy a new tablet.
Click below for more info or to buy the Wacom Graphire and Bamboo tablets!
The Bamboo stylus is a sleek and simple design. It feels very natural – like holding a pen or pencil. It is also compatible with the iPhone4 and has limited support for the first generation Samsung Galaxy Tab. And there are plans to make the Bamboo stylus for the iPad compatible with other touch screen devices in the future.
Like all Wacom tablets, it takes a little time to adjust to using a pen on a graphics tablet, but once you do, you won’t be able to tell you aren’t writing on paper.