Tablet decisions...

[Jono-GHOSTWORKS]

Hello all

Quick question:

Intuos 4 medium, or Cintiq 12wx?

I've weighed the pros and cons (like price, etc.) but I'm still having trouble deciding.

I doubt I'll win the Comicon contest, so I plan on buying a new tablet anyways ;)

Any advice on which one I should grab? I don't want the large tablet for portability reasons, which is the main con for me with the 12wx: That damn power brick/monitor connection. I've also heard that even if you're drawing right on screen, it's small and doesn't actually feel as nice as the Intuos 4.

Thanks in advance.

J

[Jono-GHOSTWORKS]

I know I just posted, but I think I've made my decision.

Well, I think I'm going Intuos 4. Really good prices on e-bay Canada... I'm already used to the 3 here at the office and I don't think I need to draw on screen.

If anyone thinks I'm nuts and should buy the Cintiq, let me know soon ;)

[blankslatejoe]

the cintiq makes a HUGE difference, even if you are used to not drawing on screen, but I really don't like the 12wx. The screen size/resolution is so cramped and limiting that I don't feel it's worth it.

I'd go for the intuos, since you can get decent prices, and then save up for that 21UX cintiq!

[cookepuss]

the cintiq makes a HUGE difference, even if you are used to not drawing on screen, but I really don't like the 12wx. The screen size/resolution is so cramped and limiting that I don't feel it's worth it.
I've got to disagree with you. I own the 12wx and think that it's worth every penny. Whether or not it feels cramped is entirely dependent on:

1) What size tablet you already have. The 12wx offers you a drawing area that's close to that of a standard piece of copy paper. If you currently have or can easily use the 6"x8" tablet then the 12wx is not a problem. The 12wx is essentially the widescreen equivalent.

Comparison:
- Intuos4 Medium's work area: 8.8"x5.5"
- Cintiq 12wx work area: 10.3"x6.4"

Naturally, you lose a little on the Cintiq because of GUIs and such, but not too much. I'd still give the advantage to the 12wx.

2) Do you make big strokes? If you make strokes that are about average or even smallish then the 12wx does not feel cramped. I can see how it would be deemed small if you do large sweeping motions, as with a painter's canvas, but the average person shouldn't feel too bad. Again, it's like the widescreen equivalent of the 6"x8", which is about what many Wacom users prefer.

The 12wx runs at a 1280x800 resolution, which is actually not all that bad.

- ZBrush runs amazingly well on the 12wx. Seriously. Like a dream. I've got my undo, masking, and selection controls to the left keys and the symmetry stuff to the right. I never have to hit the keyboard, except to type in a save file or number.
- Photoshop feels cramped, but only if you have all of the palettes immediately visible. Remember, you can TAB the palettes into hiding at will. Just add this to your express keys.
- Alchemy, if you use that for concept silhouettes.... Dreamy. :) Since the menu auto hides there is more than enough space to work.
- Your 3D app of choice..... Keep that on your main monitor, unless you want to tear off panels and stick `em on the Cintiq. 3D Apps are generally cramped - even on regular monitors.

PROS:

ZBrush + Cintiq = Match made in heaven. Photoshop works great too, if you don't mind tweaking your layout or TABing occasionally.
Not as roomy as the larger Cintiq, but more than roomy enough. 1280x800 is not too far off from the 1440x900 of most laptops - if that's what you use on the go.
Offers even more productivity than a regular Wacom since you're physically interacting with the screen.
Comfortable pen that's - in terms of size - somewhere between a regular pen and a sharpie. Nice rubberized grip too.
Heavy enough to feel sturdy, but not too heavy to be impossible to lug around.
Easy to customize both the left & right speed keys for different purposes.
A very sturdy screen. I'm not exactly a monster with it, but I press hard enough where I'd have cracked or scratched any other touch screen. Not the Cintiq. It's very scratch resistant. Unless you have oily or very sweaty hands, it doesn't smudge too easily either.
Very practically designed for the average sized desktop.
Nice swivel point on the bottom so that you can easily rotate your canvas on your desktop.


CONS:

"The Brick" - It's not a huge deal to carry around that video brick & power cable in your laptop bag, but it is a little less convenient than a simple USB plug. This shouldn't be a deal breaker though/
Price - At $999, it's more expensive than a bigger 19" LCD and medium sized widescreen Wacom. Still, having both monitor and Wacom integrated is a major, MAJOR plus.
Calibration - Anytime you change the incline of the Cintiq too much you have to recalibrate. Personally, I tend to keep it on my desk at a 60 degree angle. I never have to recalibrate it. However, if you're the type of artist who is always changing the angle of the tablet from flat on your lap to standing your desk this will annoy you.
Calibration PART 2 - Calibration uses 2 points of reference. Top Left & Bottom Right. If your mess up calibration and don't realize it you may get a 3-4 pixel float near the bottom of the screen. If your calibration actually good, you should be nearly pixel perfect accurate from top to bottom. Personally, I don't get any float.
Contrast - Okay. I'm spoiled. My 22" Samsung has 1,000:1 static contrast (20,000:1 dynamic contrast.) The Cintiq has 800:1 contrast. Compared to my Samsung, the colors seem a bit dim and less vibrant. On its own, though, the Cintiq 12wx seems just fine. You won't go nuts working on it. Actually, I'm convinced that a brighter Cintiq screen with better contrast might actually give a headache after 10 hours. :)


NEUTRAL:

The touch area has a little less friction real paper, but much more than that of glass. You get a little less of a real world feel than actual paper, but MUCH more than that of something like a Nintendo DS or iPhone (for example). The quality of your pen nib really contributes to this feeling. A worn nib can make it feel too glass, but a well maintained pen will make it feel rougher - as it should feel. Thankfully, unless you're a pen monster, the nibs stay in good condition of a long time. I still haven't had to change to the spare nibs yet - even after almost a year.


BOTTOM LINE:
Don't let the cons scare you off. A Cintiq, even the smaller 12wx, will be your best purchase in years. You'll be more productive. The quality of your work will improve since interaction is direct, making it even more natural than a regular Wacom.

I've had mine since October. I don't regret the expense one bit. I would have liked a version with USB & HDMI instead of "the brick", but this is certainly not a tablet to laugh at or dismiss as a junior version of the 21". It's a force in its own right.

If you don't mind refurbished Wacoms then I'd go for this:

http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Cintiq-12WX-12-Inch-Display/dp/B001Q3KUYQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1249754195&sr=8-2

At $799, you can't beat it. I got mine factory new, but Wacom refurbs are just as great. The warranty is usually longer and Wacom does a great job of making them as perfect as factory new.

"Refurbished" is a subjective term. Sometimes, it might mean that the screen was broken and got replaced. Sometimes, it's as simple as the package having been opened and returned without the pen - which Wacom then put back in. Refurbs are as good as the new ones.

I had one refurbished Wacom for 7 years. It was THE best Wacom I've ever owned. It wasn't as feature laden as the newer ones, but the damn thing was as sturdy as a tank and only cost me 60% of a new one.

[Jono-GHOSTWORKS]

Thanks, the both of yous.

Seriously, Cooke, have you written any books? You have the most thorough replies of any admin out there!

The 12wx is still incredibly desirable for me, but I did find an Intuos 4 medium for under $350 CDN... that's incredibly hard to beat. I still haven't found a 12wx for under $1200 CDN, so until business really gets rolling, the '4 seems like my best bet for now. I still scan pencils before painting most of the time these days and my 3D skills are waning every minute.

Thanks again for the posts guys. I'll be more active in the coming months. Corporate web design sucks! I want to make games!!!