How 'bout them Tablet PCs?

[Johndar]

So, i was thinking about purchasing a Tablet PC for doing artwork, and I'm pretty sure I've heard a few people on these boards say they use them. I was wondering how they compare to a normal tablet, specifically if there's any sensitivity recognition, and the learning curve when drawing with it. Is it better to get a cintiq? The advantage with a tablet PC being that its also a PC and not just a tablet, but the cintiq being more made for digital artwork. Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks.

[Rhenny]

So, i was thinking about purchasing a Tablet PC for doing artwork, and I'm pretty sure I've heard a few people on these boards say they use them. I was wondering how they compare to a normal tablet, specifically if there's any sensitivity recognition, and the learning curve when drawing with it. Is it better to get a cintiq? The advantage with a tablet PC being that its also a PC and not just a tablet, but the cintiq being more made for digital artwork. Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks.

My take:

I have an intuos3, I use it to color myself. I plan to someday move to all digital but right now for me, it lacks the tactile feedback of paper. Plus, you need to teach yourself to watch the screen, not your hand. Advantages; Undo commands, so there is no rush inking smears, wasted paper and the cost factor of not buying paper.

Negatives: harder to master...

Though right now my color job doesn't get dome without it, same for logos and illustrator work.

[Boozeathon4billion]

I use a graphics tablet for my current comic. They're much cheaper than a tablet PC, have better feedback and precision (and a much deeper touch sensitivity), and are fairly easy to get used to if you've used a mouse to color/draw/edit stuff in the past. From what I've heard friends say, Tablet PCs really aren't that great for artwork but are more for writing and basic doodling... but I've never used one myself.

[Tarts]

I have a classmate who uses a Cintiq to digi-paint his works, and it looks quite nice. I tried drawing a bit on it, and it feels like a giant piece of paper... well, almost. I myself have a small tablet, but I don't use it... since you know, like Rhenny said, you're being trained to look at the screen, and the all the issues with sensitivity and whatnot.

Right now, I use old fashioned mouse, but someday... someday. I might be able to use a pretty tablet PC. *hopes*

[Johndar]

Thanks for the feedback! Yeah, I already have a regular graphics tablet, but I really want to draw right on the screen. Cintiq was looking pricy though, so i thought a cheaper alternative might be a Tablet PC. looks like I'll just have to go with a cintiq. Thanks again.

[Rhenny]

Thanks for the feedback! Yeah, I already have a regular graphics tablet, but I really want to draw right on the screen. Cintiq was looking pricy though, so i thought a cheaper alternative might be a Tablet PC. looks like I'll just have to go with a cintiq. Thanks again.

Sorry, I misread..
Tablet PC's are great! It elminates the training time, but man they are expensive.. there are some on Ebay such as the gateways, but i would be sure about the Ram, lag in responce would be a killer on those.

[Boozeathon4billion]

Like I said before, if you've got the cash for the Cintiq I'd do that over the tablet pc anyday. Tablet PCs are more expensive and less about artwork and more about being a laptop which you can write/doodle on.

[Wyldcherry]

I agree with the others, the Cintiq is the way to go if you have the cash and are happy with your computer/laptop. Yet, if you need a laptop, and like to draw on the go, then go for a tabletpc. It's great if you need to take notes during lecture time. Here's some info on tabletpcs http://forum.tabletpcreview.com/showthread.php?t=15193

Been using my friend's tabletpc and Cintiq and I barely noticed any difference between the pressure sensitivity. There was a slight lag when I did quick strokes on the tabletpc, but I'm comparing it to the Cintiq that was hooked up to a powerful quadcore computer with several sticks of ram. Drawing on the screen is really nice and I took to it quickly compared to drawing on my graphire.

[Joel Fagin]

I didn't use one for long but I did find the thickness of the screen to be a slight problem. Because the glass on the screen keeps the pen away from the actual image, you have to be at the right angle or else the lines appear slightly off from the pen nib.

But like I said, I only had a very brief play.*

- Joel Fagin

* I love being an IT lecturer. The students have all the cool gadgets!

[RKDS]

For the record, Wacom's Cintiqs have come down from $2499 to a much more attractive $999. Having owned a Tablet PC before and hated it's shortcomings, I kick myself every time I realize what I could've bought with that money.

[DarkRubberNeck]

I have a cintiq 12WX and I must say it works great. It is just like having an intous and a lcd all in one. Since I upgraded from my intous to my cintiq my drawing gows four times faster (although that's mine and may not be the same for others).

[Paoken]

You know, I actually just ordered a Intuos...I havent had a chance to play with it yet, but I figure it'll be an upgrade from my old Graphire.

I was looking at a cintiq though, but I decided against it. I could have pulled if off when I got my tax refund and what not, but since I'd only use it for the comic and I do the comic for my own personal amusement...I couldnt really justify it.

BUT, if you have a Frys electronics in your area they now carry Wacom products there, including the Cintiq. I went there and played on there for about thirty minuets and it was pretty cool. But I'd go and try one out if you can...I dont know. If you've got the cash go for it.

That said when I can start substitute teaching in a few months I'm going to start saving up for one. Right now my job only gives me enough to live off of and if I want to spend money on anything but items to sustain my life for a few months I'ma need that dat refund fur mi Vedio gams.

I dont know why I dropped into a crazy accent there...but it sounds right, doesnt it?

[Johndar]

Saw there was traffic in this thread again so just wanted to say that I ended up getting the cintiq 12wx and it is frick'n awesome.Combined with the corel painter essentials software that comes with it, it's just like working on paper. Totally worth it.