Home > Consumer Reviews > Wacom Intuos3 9 x 12-Inch USB Tablet--Metallic Gray

I've been using the 9x12 for a few months now and I have been very happy with the product's improvements over the Intuous 2 line. I love the fact that it is only about an inch thick and fits easily into my lap--the Intuos 2 was monstrous by comparison. The only reason I give it four stars instead of five is because the mouse, which should be among the most accurate mice available, suffers from awful jitter. I am not even touching the mouse and it is jittering up and down about a pixel or two.

Still a very good pen tablet, but the mouse part needs work.

Overall this product is worth the price.

Overview
To begin the footprint of this particular tablet is 17 5/16 X 13 1/4
so you have to have enough desk or table space to accomodate it.
The overall finish and quality of the tablet had some issues; mainly some rough casting of the clear plastic on the top. Ergonomically it feels at home placed on the lap with the dimensions making it quite stable. The express keys feel solid though I don't use them as much as the quick keys.

Performance
Though I am a relative tablet novice I have taken to the Intuos 3 better than I have with my sibling's Intuos 1. Pressure sensitivity can be adjusted to suit one's tastes making the tablet itself quite responsive.
the pen is light but solid. I prefer the black felt tip stylus point rather than the standard plastic. I have laid a sheet of vellum (thick tracing paper) over the tablet in order to simulate the sensation of drawing on paper (i prefer some resistance.) The pen reacts the same as if the vellum weren't there. The 9x12 image area allows me to use my shoulder for more fluid movements when I draw and does not feel cumbersome at all. However i have not used the tablet mouse, it feels rather heavy and does not glide across the frosted plastic plate due to the layer of "felt" underneath the mouse. Installing the driver software is a snap and the customization menus are easy to understand. NOTE: the option to switch from portrait to landscape (9x12--12x9) is available in case you're wondering which I was.

This tablet has made me more efficient and more productive.
(software used: Photoshop)

This is an awesome tablet! It has great pressure sensitivity and the pen allows for fantastic freehand drawing in programs like illustrator, photoshop and painter. The pen is a more natural feeling tool to use in these applications than a mouse. The size of the tablet allows you to get into greater detail without having to zoom in all the time.

-------2/17/2010 Update----------
My Wacom tablet is now an older product.
Photoshop CS4 64bit AND Windows 7 64bit have come out recently.
Wacom recently updated the drivers for the older product anyway.
My older Wacom Intuos3 works to perfection with all 3 pieces of software!

That speaks volumes about Wacom as a company and they just got a life long customer :)

-------Original Review----------
This is a note to amateurs; pro's already know about Wacom so no need to read. I'm an amateur photographer. I have been using Photoshop for about 7 years for photo corrections, effects, etc... I just purchased the Wacom 9x12 tablet. I now know the purpose of Photoshop brushes, pens, pencils, and similar tools. Using a mouse, you'll never discover the true power behind Photoshop. I still have volumes to learn to unleash the power behind this tablet. However, Photoshop is now making a lot more sense and is now more useful.

Notes:
1. If you never have drawn, first buy a book on drawing, some paper, pencils, etc... & enjoy getting away from the computer a few hours a week while learning a new skill. Make sure you like drawing before spending a lot of $$$. You don't have to be great, but understanding the basics is important.

2. You can download 30 day trial versions of Photoshop or Elements from the Adobe[...] site

3. You get what you pay for... Wacom & Photoshop are pricey, but they are best of the breed.

4. Although the Wacom driver software is cheesy circa 1980, it's effective. Get the latest version from Wacom[...].

5. If you are a student, buy[...] has an academic version for less than 400, free shipping, etc...

Whether or not you are a 2D or 3D artist, this tablet makes it all the more enjoyable. I had an Aiptek 12000U which died no less than 3 weeks from purchase date. This Wacom is so much better.

I love the customisation of it. Its fantastic! Only one gripe with it, and it may be just me, but I would love it if you were able to customise the touch strip and buttons to each program - just as you can with the stylus.

Throw your mouse away - this one's a keeper!