Tablet

An alternative to a keyboard or mouse

A graphics tablet is an input device that allows you to enter the types of data that you cannot enter on a computer keyboard or with a mouse. Anything that you could handwrite, draw or paint can be entered on a graphic tablet with a pen or stylus. It's a great tool for graphic designers and Web artists.

Computer tablets are connected to the computer by a USB port. You can do almost anything on a tablet, such as touching up photos, drawing or painting a picture directly onto your computer screen, adjusting and drawing graphs and charts, and even creating a digital signature. A mouse, of course, is preferable for clicking, dragging and dropping text or scrolling through a document.

People who use computer tablets will tell you that the hardest thing to get used to is using the stylus. Therefore, before you buy one, you should practice at the store. Spend some time with your new tablet and get used to the way it works. Also, you can use the tablet without looking at it, but you may find that your stylus is trailing off the edge or that you're glancing up and down between the tablet and the PC monitor, which can be annoying. To solve this problem, you can buy an interactive pen display, which utilizes an LCD computer screen built right into the tablet. This solves the disconnect problem.

Must-Have Features

• Consider what size you will need to use the tablet comfortably. Cut a stack of drawing paper to the size of the tablet you think you will need, and bring it with you to the store. The active area of the tablet is where your stylus will respond to the computer. Make sure you know how much room you have to work.
• Get a good quality tablet. The $100-and-under ones will not last as long as the more expensive ones. Make sure the tablet is pressure sensitive and has at least a 300 dpi resolution.
• Interactive pen displays are more expensive but will allow you to draw and work without having to keep glancing up and down.
• Consider the software bundle. Choose a tablet that will give you a software bundle you will get the most use out of.

Major Considerations

• What will I use my tablet for?
• How much space do I need to comfortably work?
• What sort of software comes with each tablet? Will I use it? Will I need more?
• What's my budget?
• Can I get a USB tablet that will work with my machine?

Top Manufacturers

• Wacom
• Bamboo
• UC-Logic
• Aiptek

Common Accessories or Add-Ons

• Wireless mouse
• Batteries for stylus
• Digital pen

Price Range

You can get graphics tablets for $100 and under, but they're not that great in quality. The most expensive tablets, which also include a computer (tablet PCs), go for about $2,000 to $3,000. Professional tablets go for about $500 to $750, but unless you do graphic design for a living, you likely won't need one this expensive. A good tablet can be found for approximately $300 and includes most features, including a good software package.

Summary

Graphics tablets are great input devices for work that can't be done on a mouse – drawing, painting or handwriting. However, they can be expensive and include software you won't need. Buy a tablet priced at about $250 to $300 and make sure it includes the features you want. If you're careful with it, a tablet can last a long time.

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