Wacom Intuos 3 and Wacom Graphire Review

Ok, so I thought I would do a few tech reviews on Christmas night, because that makes sense right?

So I have had both the Graphire Wacom and the Intous 3 6x8.

The Wacom Graphire (which is now like the Wacom Bamboo fun) is really for an entry level drawing tablet. What it is good for is, basic drawing and retouching (although with hard work you can still pretty amazing things with it). This tablet is also good if you need something to replace a mouse, like if you suffer from RSI (repetitive strain injury). The problem with this tablet is the surface cover, where you draw on is too slippery. I'm not sure if they have improved this design in the bamboo version. The Wacom Bamboo Fun, still looks slippery.

Another thing to consider is then pen, it a cheap version and doesn't have as many functions as the intuos. Plus the pressure sensitivity is not that diverse, compared to the intous pen. However, I did like how slim it was and found it very easy to hold and felt a lot more natural to hold than the Wacom Intuos pen.

If you do decide to go for that graphire I would suggest you get the 6x8 version, if you wanting to draw and retouch. If your just doing to replace a mouse, then you can get the smallest size.

Now to the Wacom Intous 3 6x9. This has a much better surface to work on and the pen doesn't slip and slide. The pen has better line resouloution and has better pressure sensitivity and angles at which the pen can work at. The real down side to the Wacom Intous is the pen. It is way too bulky and the zoom buttton in the middle of the pen makes it very hard to allow your fingers to grab hold of the pen comfortably. In addition, it has a grip padding area, which makes the pen even more bulky. I would say the graphire pen was much better and I personally like that one better. Another thing I find dreadfully annoying is the quick buttons on the tablets, especially the zoom in and out function. I always by accident brush my hand over it whilst drawing and it just zooms in my document, which is really frustrating. You can turn off the function, but really Wacom should of come up with a better design. Probably would of been better at the side of the tablet.

I have the 6x9 tablet and this is sufficient. I wouldn't go any bigger, as you just end up resizing the sketch area, if you don't you will be stretching your hands and arms out too far to sketch.

Overall I would give the Wacom Intous 3

6 out of 10

The Graphire for it's basic functions 8 out of 10.