Wacom Graphire 4 4in by 5in question

[Teresa]

I'm thinking about picking up the Wacom Graphire 4 in the 4 by 5 inch size today at best buy. It's under $80 bucks. Budget is always a concern. My mother has one that she uses with her desk top and I've gotten the hang of using it instead of the mouse when I go over to her house. My brother suggested that I really did not want the one that was the bigger size because that one causes too much movement in the hand.

So who's got a wacom tablet and is my brother blowing smoke up my behind again? He's older by 11 months, it happens. Will I be happy with the size? I use a laptop all over the house, town, and state so I was thinking that the smaller size might be helpful.

I know that I can use the tablet for my real job as well and am looking forward to trying it out. But mostly I just can't stand the fact that I can not use every stinkin' brush feature in photoshop without the tablet. The excuse of being able to use it for work just justifies the purchase. Too bad I work for myself. I know I'd just tell myself no if I asked myself to buy the tablet for me. I'm a mean boss but my employee, that would be me, fools around on this digital scrapbooking site all the time!

[Amanda]

I have this size and love it. Some have larger and couldn't do without. Its what you are used to and personal preference i think.

[dmrdm]

I have the 4 X 5 and like the size. I would NOT want to drag my hand farther than I have to with the 4 x 5. It also fits my workspace well. I run dual monitors, have a scanner, print, phone, desk lamp, etc, so I didn't want anything bigger.

If you do buy a bigger one and do not like it, it is my understanding that you can make the workspace smaller - use just a 4 x 5 area on it instead of the full size.

I'm left handed, but I mouse with my right. With my tablet though, I can have the pen in one hand and my normal mouse in my right, so that is kind of fun. (I do not use the wacum cordless mouse)

But everything is personal preference. Some like the larger ones. I'm just a hobbiest, not a designer. Play with photos a lot. If money is a concern and you don't know if you'd even like the tablet, you wouldn't have a lot of money invested in it if you went with the 4 X 5. I got mine at Best Buy a year ago cheap also.

If you're playing on a laptop and might be sitting in a lazy boy with your tablet or in a car, a smaller one might be nice also. Depends on your work/play habits. Good luck.

[Marriedin79]

I laughed out loud at your post. You are too funny.

I, too, have the smallest Graphire 4. I like its compact size ... the tablet fits right into the little space between the laptop and the cabinet. Go for it, girl!

[Teresa]

I got it! I am digging it! It's a shame that I have to leave this house in a half hour to pick up my son. I'm wondering if we really do need to eat dinner today. Maybe, the boys will take it upon themselves to make dinner. Ha Ha, I'm sooo funny.

[dmrdm]

Ah, just give them some money and tell them to order what they need and have fun with your new toy!

[MaureenH]

I had a larger one and just replaced it with the smaller size....love, love, love it.

[Teresa]

The pen and tablet are AWESOME! The computer never left my side on Saturday. I used it for my real job this afternoon. A bit cumbersome but at least I got to play and got a job done as well.

The only problem that I am having is that the pen cuts out on me and reverts back to mouse mode. When I go into the settings, it says that it is still in pen mode. The only way to get the pen to work as it should is to restart the computer. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the software but the same thing happens. I am wondering if it is just my computer because a mouse that I was using last year did the same thing but works just fine for my husband's lap top. Any ideas??

[Teresa]

Tech support suggested that I disable the anti-virus and then install. He said that most likely, the anti-virus software did not allow the software for the pen and the tablet to install correctly.

Wacom tech support is great. I was directed to a knowledgable person with in a minute of placing the call. He answer my question and withing minutes of even searching for the number for tech support, my problem was solved.

Great product & Great customer service.