There are two things that I know about Wacom Pen Tablets. Number one; there is nothing better plain and simple. Number two even their cheapest line of pen tablets which is/was the Graphire 4 isn’t exactly cheap. Don’t get me wrong they are well worth every cent, including the high end Intuos3 line, however I and I believe a lot of other people have wished for a more affordable line of pen tablets that people that just want them for photo editing in programs like Adobe Photoshop or document annotation in Microsoft Office or Adobe Acrobat could buy without having to first decide “Am I going to use this enough to warrant the cost?”

Now most people once they have used a pen tablet don’t want to go back to a plain old mouse. Most people that do decide to take the plunge don’t regret it. But, there are a lot of people that are on the fence because they are afraid that pen tablets are more gimmick than real world useful. I can tell you that is not the case, you can’t get any more real world useful than a pen tablet and a Wacom one specifically they are just so easy to use and so much more natural for most things than a mouse or trackball.

Well, I have good news for all of you fence sitters. Wacom has apparently heard you and have released a new line of pen tablets the Bamboo and the Bamboo Fun. These ultra cool new tablets will be replacing the Wacom Graphire4 line of tablets, the Bamboo is a sleek, attractive and very capable pen tablet with 512 levels of pressure sensitivity which is more than enough levels of sensitivity for nearly all tasks, the pen is however missing the pressure sensitive eraser that the Bamboo Fun has. The Bamboo Product Shot comes in a 4x6-in size and sells for $79.00 (SRP). The Bamboo Fun Product Shot come in two sizes a 4x6-in and a 6x8-in both with 512 levels of pressure sensitivity for both the pen and the eraser, and both of these come with not only the pen but a mouse as well. The small one sells for $99.00 (SRP) and the Medium one sells for $199.00 (SRP).

I have to say that the new Bamboo lines are some of the slickest looking pen tablets I think Wacom has ever put out. They are just so streamlined and cool looking. The Bamboo comes in black only while the Bamboo Fun comes in black, silver, white and blue. The Bamboo doesn’t’ include any extra software just the drivers disc, the Bamboo Fun includes the drivers disc and Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 for Windows, Nik Color Efex Pro 2 GE and Corel Painter Essentials 3.

Just like the Intuos3 line and the Graphire 4 lines these tablets are USB and very easy to install and use. If you have been on the fence about buying a pen tablet because of the price, now is the perfect time to invest in one of the best brands in pen tablets. These feature rich, attractive and very affordable pen tablets are just what the masses have asked for.

Bamboo Features:

• Tablet Size: 7.88" W x 7.36" D x 0.3" H
• Active Area: 5.8" W x 3.7" D (21 square inches)
• Pressure Sensitivity: 512 Levels
• Resolution: 2,540 lines per inch
• Works with new handwriting recognition, inking and pen features in Windows Vista (all editions but Home Basic)
• Available in Black only
• Supports widescreen displays and has a textured work surface for a natural pen-on-paper feel
• High resolution and report rate for outstanding accuracy
• Precise control and 512 levels of pressure sensitivity on the pen
• Quick access to user-defined shortcuts with four Express Keys
• Easy scrolling and zooming with finger-sensitive Touch Ring
• Patented, battery-free pen with customizable buttons for comfort and reliability
• Detachable USB cable unplugs from your computer and your tablet for easy storage and transport
• Cable length 5 feet
• Ergonomic design provides a comfortable supplement to mouse and keyboard input
• Includes one year warranty
• Free US-based technical support available Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm Pacific Time by calling 360-896-9833

Bamboo Fun Features:

• Tablet Size: Small: 8.4" W x 7.3" D x 0.3" H, Medium: 11.0" W x 9.3" D x 0.3" H
• Active Area: Small: 5.8" W x 3.7" D, Medium: 8.5" W x 5.3" D
• Pressure Sensitivity: 512 Levels
• Resolution: 2,540 Lines Per Inch
• Works with new handwriting recognition, inking and pen features in Windows Vista (all editions but Home Basic)
• Available in Small and Medium Sizes
• Includes battery free mouse with no moving parts.
• Available in Black, Silver, White and Blue.
• Supports widescreen displays and has a textured work surface for a natural pen-on-paper feel
• High resolution and report rate for outstanding accuracy
• Precise control and 512 levels of pressure sensitivity on the pen and eraser
• Quick access to user-defined shortcuts with four Express Keys
• Easy scrolling and zooming with finger-sensitive Touch Ring
• Patented, battery-free pen with customizable buttons for comfort and reliability
• Detachable USB cable unplugs from your computer and your tablet for easy storage and transport
• Cable length 5 feet
• Ergonomic design provides a comfortable supplement to mouse and keyboard input
• Includes one year warranty
• Includes Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0, Nik Color Efex Pro 2 GE and Corel Painter Essentials 3
• Free US-based technical support available Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm Pacific Time by calling 360-896-9833

What’s included:

• Bamboo/Bamboo Fun pen tablet
• Bamboo Fun mouse (Bamboo Fun only)
• Bamboo/Bamboo Fun pen
• Pen stand
• USB cable
• Quick start guide
• Installation CD (includes tablet driver and electronic user manual)
• Software DVD that includes: Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 for Windows, Corel Painter Essentials 3.0, and Nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 GE (Bamboo Fun only)
• Package of 3 replacement pen nibs (Bamboo Fun only)

Needs

• PC running Windows 2000, XP or Vista (32-bit or 64-bit).
• Color display.
• Powered USB port.
• CD/DVD drive to install software and drivers.