Buyer's Guide
Graphics Tablets
By Diana Fingal
Even art class has gone digital. That doesn't mean that paint, chalk, charcoal, and colored pencils will go the way of the hieroglyph. It just means that devices such as graphics tablets are giving students new ways to express their creativity.
Graphics tablets—sometimes called digitized or draw-ing tablets—have been around a long time but only recently have become affordable enough for nonprofessional doodlers to use. For less than the cost of a marching band uniform, you can get the whole setup, which usually consists of a flat surface to draw on; drivers; graphics software; and a stylus, pen, or puck that works with the tablet.
These tablets are not exclusively for drawing or painting. You can also use them to sign a digital document; edit photos or other images; and circle, underline, or point out something in a PowerPoint presentation. Some people even use them as an ergonomic replacement for a mouse.
Graphics tablets allow users to draw or trace images onto a pad just as they would with a pencil and paper. The image does not appear on the pad, but rather on the computer screen or interactive whiteboard.
When considering graphics tablets for students, size is probably the most important factor. Bigger is not necessarily better, as students need something that fits into a backpack. Smaller versions are also more ergonomic because they require less arm movement. The most common tablet sizes are 4 inches by 5 inches and 6 inches by 8 inches, but those dimensions apply to the drawing area and not to the size of the entire device. This is important to keep in mind because you don't want to end up with a tablet that's too big for the workspace.
One of the specs to pay attention to is the level of pressure sensitivity, which controls thickness, transparency, and color. The higher the number, the more sensitive the pen.
Another thing to consider is bundled software. Most graphics tablets support the more popular graphics programs, such as PhotoShop Elements and Corel Painter Essentials, but not all come with this software. A costlier tablet can be a better deal when packaged with sophisticated programs.
Graphics tablets will never replace canvas or drawing pads. They aren't great for painting the sunset at the beach. But they do provide a great way to practice various art methods and allow for widespread sharing of student work.
Graphics Tablets
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Company
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Model
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Price
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Active Area
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Resolution(Lines Per Inch)
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Tools Included
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Pressure Sensitivity
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Bundled Software
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Notes
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Adesso
www.adesso.com
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CyberTablet Z12
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$95
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10" × 6.25"
25.4cm × 15.88cm
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2,000 LPI
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Cordless 2-button pen
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1,024 levels
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Free Notes, Power Presenter RE II, Office Ink
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Pen has 16 programmable keys
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Aiptek
www.aiptek.com
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HyperPen
8000U Pro
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$50
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8" × 6"
20.3cm × 16.24cm
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3,048 LPI
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Cordless stylus, cordless scrolling mouse
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512 levels
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ULead Photo Impact 5, ULead Photo Express, Cadix Signature Software, Office Ink, Free Notes, Microsoft NetMetting
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Documentation annotation, electronic presentations, signatures
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Genius
www.geniusnet.com
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EasyPen I405
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$80
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5.5" × 4"
13.97cm × 10.16cm
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2,540 LPI
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Cordless pen,
2 extra pen tips
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1,024 levels
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Pennotice, Annotate for Word, Pen Commander, PenMail, PenSigner
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Pen has 28 programmable keys
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UC-Logic
www.uc-logic.com
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WP5540-TAB19
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$50
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5.5" × 4"
13.97cm × 10.16cm
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2,000 LPI
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Wireless three-button mouse, digital stylus
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512 levels
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UC-Logic PenSuite, Paint Shop Pro X,
PhotoShop, Corel Painter IX
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Annotation of documents, e-classroom interaction, digital whiteboard presentations
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VisTablet
www.vistablet.net
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Mini
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$80
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5" × 3"
12cm × 7.62cm
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2,000 LPI
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Cordless pen
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1,024 levels
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None included but compatible with PhotoShop, Corel Painter, and others
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Pen-flick navigation; pen controls audio, scrolling, and switching between widescreen and standard mode
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Wacom
www.wacom.com
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Bamboo Fun
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$100 (small)
$200(medium)
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Small: 6" × 4"
16.24cm × 10.16cm
Medium: 8" × 5"
20.3cm × 12cm
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2,540 LPI
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Cordless 2-button eraser pen, 3 pen tips, mouse
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512 levels
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Photoshop Elements,
Corel Painter Essentials,
Nik Color Efex
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Supports widescreen displays, has textured work surface, finger-sensitive touch ring
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Copyright © 2009, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), 1.800.336.5191 (U.S. & Canada) or 1.541.302.3777 (Int'l), iste@iste.org, www.iste.org. All rights reserved.
November 2009 | Learning & Leading with Technology
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