The littler pen tablet offers an active area measuring 6.2 x 3.9 inches (157 x 98 mm) and will set you back $229.

If you're in the market for something a little more petite (or expansive, even), small and large options are also available. Honestly, we're not so sure the non-touch version would be worth the investmentĪs we mentioned before, we tested the medium-sized Intuos5, which costs $349. If you're looking to stay mobile, Wacom offers cases for each tablet size, with accessory pockets for cables and such. Art and Airbrush offer the feel of felt markers and a digital airbrush, respectively, complete with ink / spray simulation. The Classic offers a slimmer profile than the stock pen and will set you back $70. Worried the stock pen just won't get the job done for every project? Three additional ones (Art, Classic and Airbrush) are on offer too.

However, if you've already sprung for the wireless kit for your Bamboo tablet, it should work with the Intuos5 as well. And for yours truly, at least, those are few and far between. We're also well aware that unless you can keep your workdays under eight hours, you won't go far without a USB cable. Sure, we get that the ability to go wireless usually comes with some added cost ($40 in this case), but we'd at least like to see a bundle so that we don't have to make two separate purchases. One of our biggest gripes with the Intuos5 is that the Wireless Accessory Kit is sold separately. Currently, the software only supports five simultaneous points of contact, but the tablet itself is ready for up to sixteen - should you need to use both hands (and some toes) at some point in the future. By default, the gestures correspond to stock OS X or Windows functions - again, similar to Apple's Trackpad. Not only could we customize the ExpressKeys and Touch Ring, but we also made programs like Corel Draw carry out tasks with just a three-finger swipe. That said, the ability to program these multi-touch gestures almost made up for their shortcomings. The ability to program these multi-touch gestures almost made up for their shortcomings. It's clear that Wacom chose to add touch to the active area instead of forgoing a proven technology some other touch-friendly surface. The surface isn't quite as slick as those aforementioned devices either, so our swipes were met with some slight resistance. This is most likely due to the surface of the tablet being not quite as touch friendly as what you'd encounter on a tablet PC or a Magic Trackpad. However, things like selecting text to be copied or modified and more precise selections / movements left a bit to be desired.

Intools 5 tablet