Wacom just launched the Bamboo mini stylus for $14.95 on their web site.
It’s only 1.85 inches long and dangles from your phone’s headphone jack. The dangling might annoy some people.
Like it’s larger stylus brother, it comes in various colors (pink, green, blue, red, white and black).
What do you think about it? I think it’s seems a little too stubby, but I’d have to use one to be sure.
Choose based on level of artist/ designer:
Beginner/ Entry level – Never used a graphics tablet. Only knows pen and paper.
Intermediate – Has digital graphics software experience and could benefit from using more than just a mouse to create.
Advanced/ Professional Designer – Works in the design field as a designer and/or animator. Already uses a tablet, but wants/needs something a step up.
Choose based on type of artist/ designer:
The Casual Artist – Likes to draw or paint in their free time, but wants more than a sketchbook.
The Casual Photographer – Wants to manipulate photos.
The Hobbyist – Enjoys arts and crafts projects. For example, scrapbook making.
The Serious Photographer – Wants to enhance, manipulate or alter photographs with precision.
The Serious Graphic Artist/ Designer – This person is an artist and might be using a beginner-type tablet. Wants to translate their classic skills into digital skills.
Choose based on budget:
Also, check out the Wacom Inkling and the Bamboo Stylus for the iPad if you are looking for something other than a graphics tablet.
What qualifies me to review graphics tablets?
I’m a freelance graphic designer and I’ve been using graphics tablets for years. I have experience using Wacom and non-Wacom tablets. Back when there were barely a handful of affordable tablets available, it was easy to decide on which one to buy. Today there are numerous graphics/ digital tablets available for novice to professionals and in different budget ranges.
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Wacom Cintiq 6D Art Pen – digitizer pen (ZP-600)
Product Dimensions: 10 x 3 x 1.8 inches ; 0.5 ounces |
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Wacom Intuos4 / Cintiq21 UX Grip PenThe Cintiq 21UX Grip Pen features a new contoured barrel designed to minimize grip effort, reduce stress to your hand and wrist, and otherwise emulate the feel of your favorite writing instrument. Featuring Wacom’s new tip sensor technology, pressure sensitive response begins at only a single gram of pen pressure. When combined with 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity, the Grip Pen captures even the most subtle nuances of pressure. This cordless, battery-free pen puts two customizable side switches right at your fingertips and features a contoured barrel with a cushioned grip. The Grip Pen ships with the following accessories: 10 replacement nibs, a nib puller, and a weighted pen stand. Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 3.1 x 2 inches ; 4 ounces |
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Bamboo Fun Pen
Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.8 x 2 inches ; 0.8 ounces |
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Penabled Tablet PC Slim Pen (MP200)Pen will work with any Tablet PC that uses Wacom Penabled technology. |
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Bamboo Stylus for iPad (CS100K)
Product Dimensions: 4.7 x 0.4 x 0.4 inches ; 0.2 ounces |
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Pen for Wacom Bamboo Craft (CTH461) & Bamboo Fun (CTH661)
Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 2.0 x 0.05 |
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Intuos4 / Cintiq21UX (DTK2100) Airbrush PenA true digital airbrush, the pressure-sensitive airbrush incorporates a pressure-sensitive tip and eraser, tilt sensitivity, and a finger wheel to control the application of digital paint. Comes with pen stand and nibs. Product Dimensions: 10 x 3 x 2 inches ; 1 pounds |
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Intuos4 only Airbrush PenA true digital airbrush, the pressure-sensitive Intuos4 Airbrush incorporates a pressure-sensitive tip and eraser, tilt sensitivity, and a finger wheel to control the application of digital paint. Note: The Intuos4 Airbrush works with Intuos4 generation tablets only. |
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Intuos4 / Cintiq21 Classic PenThe Cintiq 21UX Grip Pen features a new contoured barrel designed to minimize grip effort, reduce stress to your hand and wrist, and otherwise emulate the feel of your favorite writing instruments.
The Classic Pen has the same feature set as the Grip Pen, but has a slimmer profile that does not include a rubberized grip. Product Dimensions: 10 x 3 x 2 inches ; 4 ounces |
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Intuos4 Inking PenThis pressure- and tilt-sensitive drawing pen was created to provide the immediate feedback of actual ink on paper. Simply place a sheet of paper on top of your tablet and your Intuos4 inking pen can both “draw” on the paper and digitally record the drawing on the tablet. The Inking Pen comes with “inking cartridges” and two standard pen nibs for standard pen tablet “inkless” input. The Intuos4 Inking Pen has the same pressure sensitive tip as the Intuos4 Grip Pen, but does not have a digital eraser or the side switches. Note: When you purchase an Inking Pen, it comes with a standard nib in the pen. Use the nib extractor (silver ring) to gently remove the standard nib from the pen. Then insert one of the silver-colored cartridges that come with the Inking Pen. The cartridge tip has a waxy coating that you will need to rub off before you can begin inking. Note: The Intuos4 Inking Pen works with Intuos4 generation tablets only. Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 3 x 2.1 inches ; 1 pounds |
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Wacom Intuos4 (KP701E2) Art Pen with StandIn addition to pressure-sensitivity and tilt-sensitivity, the Art Pen is also sensitive to rotation. Rotating the barrel in supporting applications such as Corel® Painter or Adobe® Photoshop creates a unique effect. The Art Pen ships with both standard and chisel nibs. Ships with the following accessories: 10 replacement nibs, a nib puller, and a weighted pen stand. Product Dimensions: 10 x 3 x 2 inches ; 1 pounds |
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Intuos4 Pen Pro Accessory KitThe Professional Accessory Kit contains a number of tools that help you customize the feel of your pen. The kit includes:
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Wacom Bamboo Replacement Nib Set (Pen NOT Included)
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I really like the stylus for the Bamboo models and especially now that there is one created to be compatible with the Apple iPad. There are even applications made specifically for the iPad:
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.
The tip of the stylus is 25% narrower in diameter than other graphic tablet pens (6mm versus 8mm). This made it easier for me to make precise and finer lines than other graphic tablet pens. I especially noticed a difference with my handwriting.
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.
I’m excited about this new Bamboo/iPad pen! No more finger marks on my iPad/ iPhone4 and it will be much easier to take notes and sketch on the fly.
