Wacom Cintiq 21UX Review

Jun 27, 2011

The Cheapest Graphic Tablets

Inexpensive graphic tablets prices and reviews

No shame in wanting to save money! I've had cheap graphic tablets in the past mostly because I was a student and didn't have the option to buy the more expensive tablets. I have not tested these tablets (expect for the Wacom Bamboo Touch) and cannot vouch for them. I did research and read many reviews though. I am only listing the tablets with a 3 star rating or higher. Keep in mind that a cheaper tablet usually means smaller drawing space, less pressure sensitivity and features (not in all cases though). Not a big deal if this is your first tablet and/ or you don't need a bigger, fancier tablet. In my cheap tablet list, I include the tablets priced at $40 or less. The prices listed are what they were at the time I wrote this. They will more than likely change over time and I'll do my best to update them.

Hanvon Graphic 5x4" Tablet

Hanvon Graphic TabletAmazon: Under $30 right now Lists at $79

1024 levels of pressure sensitivity. 4000 lpi resolution. Great pressure sensitivity and resolution for the size and price! 4.5 star rating

Click here to read reviews or buy

 

DigiPro WP5540 5x4" USB Graphics Tablet

DigiPro Graphics TabletAmazon: Currently $29.99 Lists at $49.99

Does not work with Mac. Only 512 levels of pressure sensitivity. 4 star rating

Click here to read the reviews or buy

   

Boogie Board Paperless LCD Tablet

Boogie Board Paperless LCD TabletAmazon: $39.95 Lists at $44.95

Easy to use. Cannot save your work unfortunately. 3.5 star rating

Click here to read the reviews or buy

     

Genius G-Pen 4500 4x5.5" Tablet

Genius GPen TabletAmazon: $39.71

Lists at $69.99

1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity. Not USB - uses batteries only. Mixed reviews. 3.5 star rating

Click here to read the reviews or buy

 

Genius EasyPen i405 Graphics Tablet

genius EasyPen i405 graphics tabletAmazon: $34.82 Lists at $69.99

Easy to set up and use. Pen is battery operated. 3.5 star rating

Click here to read the reviews or buy

 

VT (VisTablet) PenPad Graphic Tablet

VT VisTablet penpad graphic tabletAmazon: $39.99

1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity. 2048 lpi resolution. USB cable is long and detachable. A good deal overall. 4 star rating

Click here to read the reviews or buy

 

Wacom Bamboo Touch

wacom tablet review bamboo touchAmazon: $40 and under Lists at $49.99

Good for simple photo editing, sketching, etc. Slightly rough surface. 3 star rating Read my full review here!

Click here to read more reviews or buy

 

Wacom Tablet Reviews & Opinions

Overall Wacom Graphics Tablet Guide

How to Choose a Wacom Tablet

I'm a self taught graphic designer who has used several different graphics tablets throughout the years and I'm offering my personal Wacom tablet reviews here. Having been disappointed by other brands, I was happy when I found Wacom. I had some confusion researching which Wacom tablet was right for me so I thought writing this wacom tablet site might help other people make a decision. I'm basing my Wacom tablet reviews on use/needs, features, size and included software. I also offer suggestions based on my experience working with other tablets. I looked everywhere for the best prices for tablets and I found that Amazon.com is the best place for getting any Wacom tablet if you decide to do so – primarily because they are WAY cheaper on there than most places. Typically 10% to 20% cheaper than the list price! Once you've decided on a tablet and you find a better deal elsewhere (lucky you!), then buy it! Don't wait! That offer probably won't last long. If you prefer to do business directly with the manufacturer (which I can understand), then go to www.wacom.com. They have a very nice site and sometimes it's good to deal directly with the manufacturer if there are any problems. One thing to always keep in mind is size. The dimensions of the entire Wacom tablet as well as the active drawing area. It's great to have more active area space (I believe the bigger the better) but having owned several in the past, what I've learned is that it also comes down to your desk working area and sometimes having something too big may not be practical. Here are my very brief reviews. Click on the above menus or the images on the right for the full reviews. ---> Wacom Cintiq 21UX Tablet / Display - Best of the Wacom tablets. Especially if you prefer the ability to draw on the screen. I believe it is perfect for any graphics pro. Wacom Cintiq 12WX Tablet / Display - Ideal for a designer who wants to draw directly on the screen, but doesn't need the power and size of the Cintiq 21UX. Wacom Intuos4 Pen Tablet - Excellent for a professional designer/artist. Available in five different sizes as well as a wireless version. Wacom Bamboo Fun Tablet - Great for an artist who has never used a tablet before and seriously wants to make the leap from standard drawing to digital. Wacom Bamboo Craft Tablet - Perfect for the arts and craft and/or scrapbooker who wants less clutter and is computer literate. Includes some very good software and extras. Wacom Bamboo Pen and Touch Small Tablet - Great for someone who is interested in the same things that the Bamboo Fun offers, but don't have as much work space and want a cheaper price (usually 50% cheaper than Bamboo Fun). Wacom Bamboo Pen Tablet - Allows you to be more precise when it comes to editing images, drawing or painting. Includes Corel Painter Essentials which is a good way to get started with digital art. Read more... Wacom Bamboo Touch Tablet - Very good choice for anyone who wants a simplified tablet. Easy to use and great for basic manipulation of images and documents. These are the short summaries of my Wacom tablet reviews. Select from the above menus or the images to the right for the full reviews.

Wacom Tablet Reviews & Opinions

Overall Wacom Graphics Tablet Guide

How to Choose a Wacom Tablet

I'm a self taught graphic designer who has used several different graphics tablets throughout the years and I'm offering my personal Wacom tablet reviews here. Having been disappointed by other brands, I was happy when I found Wacom. I had some confusion researching which Wacom tablet was right for me so I thought writing this wacom tablet site might help other people make a decision. I'm basing my Wacom tablet reviews on use/needs, features, size and included software. I also offer suggestions based on my experience working with other tablets. I looked everywhere for the best prices for tablets and I found that Amazon.com is the best place for getting any Wacom tablet if you decide to do so – primarily because they are WAY cheaper on there than most places. Typically 10% to 20% cheaper than the list price! Once you've decided on a tablet and you find a better deal elsewhere (lucky you!), then buy it! Don't wait! That offer probably won't last long. If you prefer to do business directly with the manufacturer (which I can understand), then go to www.wacom.com. They have a very nice site and sometimes it's good to deal directly with the manufacturer if there are any problems. One thing to always keep in mind is size. The dimensions of the entire Wacom tablet as well as the active drawing area. It's great to have more active area space (I believe the bigger the better) but having owned several in the past, what I've learned is that it also comes down to your desk working area and sometimes having something too big may not be practical. Here are my very brief reviews. Click on the above menus or the images on the right for the full reviews. ---> Wacom Cintiq 21UX Tablet / Display - Best of the Wacom tablets. Especially if you prefer the ability to draw on the screen. I believe it is perfect for any graphics pro. Wacom Cintiq 12WX Tablet / Display - Ideal for a designer who wants to draw directly on the screen, but doesn't need the power and size of the Cintiq 21UX. Wacom Intuos4 Pen Tablet - Excellent for a professional designer/artist. Available in five different sizes as well as a wireless version. Wacom Bamboo Fun Tablet - Great for an artist who has never used a tablet before and seriously wants to make the leap from standard drawing to digital. Wacom Bamboo Craft Tablet - Perfect for the arts and craft and/or scrapbooker who wants less clutter and is computer literate. Includes some very good software and extras. Wacom Bamboo Pen and Touch Small Tablet - Great for someone who is interested in the same things that the Bamboo Fun offers, but don't have as much work space and want a cheaper price (usually 50% cheaper than Bamboo Fun). Wacom Bamboo Pen Tablet - Allows you to be more precise when it comes to editing images, drawing or painting. Includes Corel Painter Essentials which is a good way to get started with digital art. Read more... Wacom Bamboo Touch Tablet - Very good choice for anyone who wants a simplified tablet. Easy to use and great for basic manipulation of images and documents. These are the short summaries of my Wacom tablet reviews. Select from the above menus or the images to the right for the full reviews.

Choosing the Right Wacom Tablet For You