Choosing the Right Graphics Tablet

Graphics tablets are most popular among designers, and those working in creative fields: digital painters, engineers, web designers, photographers. A graphics tablet frees it's user from the mouse, which feels unnatural when compared to real media. The ability to design with ease improves accuracy, and allows the user to work more efficiently.

These days, you may notice that designers aren't the only ones raving about graphics tablets. The general computer user can use a tablet to write digital notes, create digital signatures, navigate through applications, give professional presentations, and surf the web - everything that you would normally do with a mouse.

Both designers, and non-designers alike are picking up a pen stylus to prevent and reverse the effects of repetitive stress injuries (RSI). The pain caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and even rheumatoid arthritis can be greatly reduced by switching to a graphics tablet. In some cases, the use of a tablet will allow a person to keep a job that they would otherwise be unable to do.

If you'be been doing some research, you know the benefits of using a digital tablet, and perhaps you've made the decision to buy one. How do you go about choosing the right tablet? What features will work best for you? Let's take a closer look:

Compatibility

If your computer is a newer model, chances are, it has a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port. Most of today's graphics tablets use USB to connect. It's much faster than an older serial connection, and easier to use. Once you connect a USB tablet to your computer, it automatically recognizes the connection, and installs the needed drivers. All you'll have to install is your tablet's software.

If you are using an older computer with a serial port, serial tablets are still available. Wacom continues to produce Intuos serial tablets.

What you get