Wacom Graphire4 Tablet with Pen and Mouse $59.99

[rtronick]

At Circuit City.
99.99
-40.00 (mail-in rebate)
---------
59.99

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=134457&AID=10375042&PID=552179&SID=256530-1-0-ARTICLE-0&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.circuitcity.com%2Fccd%2Fprodu ctDetail.do%3Foid%3D134457

[BrendaC]

I'm thinking about it. Brenda

[mom to 4]

Don't tell me that!

I paid $159. for the Graphire4 6 x 8 with pen and mouse back in september.

Sounds like a good deal even if it is the smaller size.

[JRR]

Ok, group. Is this something I need? Do y'all love yours?

[mom to 4]

I love mine. I will say it takes a little getting used to, but not much if you like computer toys. I love the mouse.....glides so smoothly.....

[ME100FINN]

Oh, this is tempting. I havent done research on this one yet though. Anyone use it on a mac with PSE4??

[pixlbandit]

Beatrice,
PSE, PS, Corel Painter, PhotoImpact, Microsoft Word, IE browser, Firefox, PC, Mac.... neither computer type nor software version matters. Most any graphics software program supports the pressure sensitivity aspect of the pen/tablet combo, and all other programs support it in place of the mouse for all else that I can think of. The touch strip on either the Graphire or the Intuos will either scroll up and down the window like the roll wheel on a mouse and enlarge or decrease the size of your image view in your editor window. That is, unless you want to program it to do something else (some program it to change brush size like a scrubby). There are several shortcut keys that come also with the touch strip that do common keyboard shortcuts. If you don't like the default, assign them to something else. The user manual is just several pages long and that is all you need.

Vicki

PS: For those of you in the US and Canada with an academic connection (teach, are a student or have one in your family) try Academic Superstore http://www.academicsuperstore.com/

[MarieBoyer]

Vicki helped sell me on mine, Beatrice. I just bought the Intuos. Loving it! But I think the grapphire would have been fine for me.

[CarolLHB]

I do like mine-alot-but I know I'll like it even better when the online class is available...Matt????;)

[ME100FINN]

THanks for the education tip - I think I could qualify, so I'll check it out. And Marie, that is my worry - I dont want to go 'top of the line' if it is something I wont really use. I manage now with the mouse but my arm/elbow can get tired and sore. I have a tricky elbow that acts up, so I think it might help to have one.

[pixlbandit]

I helped the tendonitis in both my elbow and my wrist. That means that I can spend even more time fooling around on the computer doing things I like to do, not just work... :)
Vicki

[ME100FINN]

Vicki, that is good news. I think I am going to go for it. I cant imagine I would graduate to the higher end models anytime soon. So, I might as well get my grips on the basics and work it to perfection. The sale ends Jan 13 and the rebate is due by Feb something... going to purchase in next day I hope!! They do ship overseas to military too - that was good to read!

[pixlbandit]

Beatrice, oh good. I think you will be happy with your decision.

I proselytize about a tablet and pen for two reasons: 1) I can't do a dadgummed thing, computer art-wise with a mouse and would have given up before I started without it--I am utterly hopeless at using a mouse to draw, select or anything with any type of control, and 2) Just doing regular work, email (and computer solitaire :D ) with a mouse had give me such a bad case of tendonitis in my arm/elbow area that I was trying to work with my left hand putting pressure on the tendons in my right arm/elbow, ouch, ouch, ouch--not too effective. Then the problem in my wrist began, and a lot of my paying job work depends on computer use... Well, since I began using a tablet for everything at home, the problem with my elbow has disappeared entirely (and almost from memory) and I can spend lots of hours on the computer doing stuff and keep the problem with my wrist within an acceptible range. I need to get a wider desk so I can position my tablet better and I think that would improve the strain on my wrist too.

And that's my whole story, tablet-wise,
Vicki

[MarieBoyer]

I wish I had more space on my desk for placement. I am finding it difficult to place the keyboard and Wacom in an ideal area. But there is NO question but that the Wacom is easier on wrist and elbow strain.

I have a friend who suffered from the repetitive strain of amouse and started to have wrist issues at work. Now he uses a Wacom and has no problems whatsoever. He uses a Wacom at work for this reason!

Also Beatrice, I kind of wish I had waited for this cheapo deal at Circuit City on the grapphire. But no more moaning about how much I spent on this thing. It is VERY nice. But I would grab it if I were you!

[ME100FINN]

Vicki, that is a success story! Too bad I didnt have the tablet when I got my mac a couple months ago. My love affair with the mac brought along endless hours of strain... but it was worth all the fun I had LOL.

I am looking into my sister purchasing the tablet in store for me and getting the rebates - instore (CC) is another $10 cheaper. I hope she'll do it.... at any rate, it will be a couple weeks out before I get it.

[rtronick]

From DealMac:

Wacom Graphire4 4x5" Pen Tablet for $50 shipped after rebates
CircuitCity.com offers the Wacom Graphire4 4x5" Pen Tablet, model no. CTE440B, for $99.99. Mail-in rebates of $20, $20, and $10 yield a net price of $49.99. With free shipping, that's $10 under Monday's mention and the lowest total price we've seen. Sales tax is added where applicable. This tablet features a 4x5" surface, two programmable buttons, USB connectivity, and wireless pen and mouse. Deal ends 1/13/07

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=134457&AID=10375042&PID=552179&SID=257647-1-0-ARTICLE-0&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.circuitcity.com%2Fccd%2Fprodu ctDetail.do%3Foid%3D134457

[ME100FINN]

I ordered it the other day - cant wait! But I dont see the addtional $10 rebate form anywhere...

[rtronick]

Follow the link to CC in my post above. Look for a "Rebate Details" link. It's right above the "Price After Rebate".

Randy T

[ME100FINN]

Thanks Randy - that additional $10 wasnt listed there when I completed the others. Found it and got it all ready. Thanks again!

[MarieBoyer]

You guys look brilliant. I spent over $200 on an Intuos.

[ronstelzy]

Is the 6x8 worth the extra $$$ over the 4x5 and does it entirely replace existing mouse for all tasks?

[BrendaC]

I just got my 4x5 yesterday but haven't had time to play with it yet. The general concensus seems to be that the 4x5 is fine.

[ronstelzy]

Thanks Brenda,
I just bought one.

[msbrad]

hmmm. it is tempting.....and I do have some extra $$$ from sewing....
m

[ME100FINN]

Michelle, mine is on its way and I think it will be worth it! I used some extra money I got (unexepctedly) from designing a logo and business cards using PSE!!! My sister asked me if I was interested to try something for her previous employer (she still does business with him) - and he loved it!! So I got $75 from the deal (check is in the mail)!

[msbrad]

Beatrice,
congrats on logo and design you did. that is neat.
I might just go for it. Of course, I won't know how to use it. Let's hope there will be a class soon for me to take.
m

[msbrad]

Just checked the link, and mail in rebate says 10.
Think I will wait. It's not the $$ so much as there are so many other thing to learn and do on that "yet" list".
m