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Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/898
114 MacDirectory
REVIEW | CREATIVITY
If the thought of a drawing tablet leaves
you in the tall grass, Wacom's new
Bamboo series of consumer tablets may
be exactly what the bwana ordered.
Forming a substantial step up from the
Graphire line that it replaces, the Bamboo
series ranges in price from $79 to $199
and includes a finger-sensitive rotating
touch ring, four programmable function
buttons and a detachable USB cable.
While the Bamboo does not compete with
Wacom's professional Intuous line, the
Bamboo series provides consumers with
an excellent introduction into tablet-based
drawing and painting, as well as offering
features that will appeal to professionals
as well as consumers.
Features
Both of the Bamboo Fun models offer 512
levels of pressure sensitivity, a resolution of
2,540 lines, and feature a set of four
programmable buttons arranged on either
side of a finger-sensitive wheel in the
center of a highly attractive touch ring
that enables the user to instantly zoom in
and out with a twirl of a finger. While the
function buttons on the standard bamboo
are backlit in blue, the Bamboo Fun
models have a glowing blue ring around
the wheel.
The basic $79 Bamboo model is available
in black only (albeit a very appealing
black). It measures 7.88" x 7.36", is a
mere 0.3" thick, and has an active surface
area measuring 5.8" x 3.7". Included with
the tablet are a two-button stylus with
eraser tip and a software bundle featuring
Adobe Photoshop Elements (version 5 for
Windows and 4 for Mac), Corel Painter
Essentials 3, and the Nik Color Efex Pro
2.0 GE Photoshop/Painter plug-in. No
mouse is included.
The Bamboo Fun tablet offers the same
resolution and pressure support as the
Bamboo but has a slightly different button
layout, is available in four colors (while,
black, blue and silver) and in two sizes.
The $99 small version measures 8.4" x
7.3" x 0.3" and has an active area of 5.8"
x 3.7". The $199 medium version
measures 11" x 9.3" x 0.3" and had an
active area of 8.5" x 5.3". In addition to
the other components, the Bamboo line
includes a lightweight two-position stylus
holder and a set of replacement nibs.
A welcome and long-awaited touch is the
detachable USB cable. Identical to cables
used with digital cameras, this makes for
worry-free transportation and reduces
cable wear, increasing the life of the
tablet. While not as slick as Wacom's
Bluetooth offerings, the detachable cable
is something that should be incorporated
throughout the Wacom catalog.
Hands-On
Some who are new to drawing tablets
might gaze at the larger dimensions of
the Wacom Intuous line with envy, but
after spending a month in a busy and
highly varied multimedia creation and
production environment it is clear that the
Bamboo Fun offerings are anything but
toys. The only issue I found with the size
of the active area was in a multiple
monitor setting, in which case the
spanning of monitors made the drawing
area a bit small. This was eased by the
ease of zooming with the touch ring, but
if you are constantly zipping between
menu, pallet and dock, you could begin to
feel the need for a larger Intuous.
As for the touch ring, it is a bit lively with
some applications, and could stand a
slight reduction in response but, like many
others, zooming from the keyboard is so
second nature that the touch ring is more
of a bonus than a necessity. In regard to
the relationship between the Bamboo and
the Graphire 4 that it replaces, the two
added buttons and wheel are nice
additions, but I find myself missing the
clip-on clear cover and built-in stylus
holder of the previous consumer line.
The setup and programmable functions
are easy and familiar us users of other
Wacom products and you can get up and
running within minutes.
Conclusion
The Bamboo and Bamboo Fun are great
tablets for beginners, consumers and
many professionals alike. The designs are
very well thought out and hugely
appealing. They are sexy, functional, and
are available at a budget-friendly price.
WACOM BAMBOO > BAMBOO FUN DRAWING TABLETS
Product Bamboo and Bamboo Fun
drawing tablets
Made by Wacom