Wacom just came out with a new Bamboo stylus that seems exactly like the old one except it can expand so it is smaller than the original. Wacom boasts that it can be stored in the headphone jack of your iPad or other touch screen device, but I can’t figure out how just by looking at it.
So far, I haven’t found any videos of the Bamboo Pocket stylus in use.
What do you think?
It looks like the stylus is making a comeback! Wacom is a pioneer when it comes to the pen for all of their pen tablets, but plenty of other companies are introducing their own stylus for smart phones, iPads and iPad counterparts.
For those who may notknow, a stylus is the “pen” used to draw, write or move images on a multitouch surface using pressure sensitivity. The more pressure sensitive the stylus, the more detailed strokes you can create.
Here are some styluses that are appearing for various pen tablets and smart phones.
The Scribbly iPad pen stylus is a fun stylus that looks and feels like a giant dry-erase marker. It isn’t better than any other stylus, but it’s possibly more comfortable to hold. It reminds me of being a kid. It comes with a cap to protect the point and it’s affordable at $16. It’s not available for sale yet and the company says it will be out “soon”.
The Just Mobile AluPen is another chunky stylus, but this one is shaped like a fat pencil. The AluPen has a rubber core and a rubber tip. The aluminium body shape keeps it from rolling away on flat surfaces. Unlike other rubber tipped styluses, this one doesn’t stick to the screen. The silver version is available for less than $20 on Amazon and also comes in red, blue and black!
If you enjoy letting your kids use your iPad/iPad 2, but want a fatter stylus for their small hands, then the Crayola ColorStudio HD iMarker by Griffin might be the best for them. It includes a coloring app that has Crayola’s stamp of approval. The iMarker acts as a pen, paintbrush, marker and crayon. Parents can print, email or upload their pictures to Facebook to share. So far this seems like the best app and stylus combo for kids. It retails for $30, but sells for less than $30 on Amazon.
The slim Pogo Sketch stylus from Ten One, is not intended to be as accurate as a Wacom stylus. It’s purpose is to replace using your finger on your multitouch surface. No more finger prints messing up your device’s clean face because this pen has a foam tip. It’s also perfect for quick sketches where you need more detail that isn’t possible with a finger. The newest model isn’t available for sale yet, but you can buy the original on Amazon for less than $15 right now. Available in pink, orange and green as well.
These styluses are not going to replace the detail you can create with a Wacom graphics tablet and pen, but they do get you closer without spending too much.
Here’s my top five Wacom tablets list. Click on the menus at the top for the full reviews!
Wacom Cintiq 24HD Multi-Touch Tablet / Display (Links to Amazon)- Best of the Wacom tablets. The Cintiq 24HD multi-touch is the largest graphics tablet display and is considered the holy grail of drawing tablets. For serious and/or professional artists, designers and animators.
Wacom Cintiq 22HD Tablet / Display (Links to Amazon)- Expect the same high quality as the Cintiq 24HD, but for about $500 less and about $1000 less than the 24HD multi-touch.
Wacom Intuos5 Pen Tablet – Excellent for a professional designer/artist. Available in different sizes and a wireless option.
Wacom Bamboo Splash Tablet – Great for an artist who has never used a tablet before and seriously wants to make the leap from standard drawing to digital.
Wacom Bamboo Create Pen and Touch Tablet – Great for someone who is interested in the same things that the Bamboo Splash offers, but wants more drawing space. Also, this Bamboo tablet is bundled with more software than the Bamboo Splash.
:: Click here to read more or buy a Wacom tablet from Amazon! ::
Buying a Wacom Tablet:
I’m a self taught graphic designer who has used several different graphics tablets throughout the years and I’m offering my personal Wacom tablet reviews here. Having been disappointed by other brands, I was happy when I found Wacom. I had some confusion researching which Wacom tablet was right for me so I thought writing this Wacom tablet site might help other people make a decision.
For me, Wacom is the frontrunner in graphic design tablets. I believe they are a great company and more importantly, they design and produce high-quality products. I’ve used the other brands in the past and have been disappointed.
How to Choose a Wacom Graphics Tablet
Graphics Tablets for Kids
Wacom Cintiq 24HD Graphics Tablet Display Review
Wacom VS a PC Tablet
Which Wacom Bamboo Tablet is Best for Image Editing?
Why Buy Wacom Intuos4?
There are three important things to consider before buying a Wacom tablet.
Intuos5
Wacom launched the new Intuos5 in Europe today! It will be in the U.S. soon, but no date yet.
The most talked about feature is the multitouch gesture support and “Express View” head-up display software and soft-touch feel. You will be able to create custom gestures while the head-up display shows current tablet settings on your computer screen. The gestures are similar to an Apple iPad where you can use 3 fingers to zoom in or out, for example.
The new Intuos5 will support all standard Windows and Mac multitouch gestures. The different tablet sizes are 13×8″, 6×8″ and 4×6″.
With the new Wacom tablets avaialble, I suspect the Intuos4 tablets will go down in price. Intuos5 is currently priced at £200 to £430 in Europe. They come in three sizes, 13×8″, 6×8″ and 4×6″. The small is priced at $229.95, medium at $349.95, and the large at $469.95. A pen-only version of the small tablet will also be available, but a price has not been confirmed yet. An optional wireless accessory kit is available to convert your Intuos into a wireless tablet to make it more convenient and comfortable.
I’m not sure how much better the Intuos5 will be compared to the Intuos4 model. So far, it seems like they are trying to keep up with technology by adding standard and custom gestures. Some people may argue that this new feature is not enough to make them upgrade. I can see how designers who are new to using a Wacom tablet and are used to using gestures will enjoy this new Wacom tablet the most. I want to keep an open mind since it launched today and there aren’t enough reviews yet, but based on what I know, I do not recommend upgrading yet.
And I’m no different!
The Wacom Tablet Reviews Facebook page is where I post about new deals and low prices I find for Wacom tablet accessories. For example, I found a really good rebate offer from Dell for the Bamboo Create Pen graphics tablet.
Okay, so you don’t have to “Like” the page, but it’s worth checking out. It’s also where you’ll find my updates and other info that you may not find on the regular site! 🙂
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.
Manga Studio Debut 4
Adobe Photoshop Extended CS5
Autodesk Mudbox
LightWave 3D
Corel Painter 12
Auto Desk SketchBook Pro