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get started with choosing a graphics tablet

Moving from using a mouse to operate graphics programs such as Photoshop, to using a graphics tablet is a very natural progression and once you have made the switch, you will wonder how you ever managed without one!  If you are thinking of buying a graphics tablet, then this page is the perfect starting place for you to find out all the information you need to make the right decision.

However, there are pros and cons that you should be aware of before making the switch.

Read: What Is A Graphics Tablet

Read: Graphics Tablet Pros And Cons

Know your own mind.

know your mind before you buy a graphics tablet

Ideally, you will need to know why you want a graphics tablet before you decide what budget and model to go for. Understanding what you might use one for is the first step when choosing the best tablet to buy.

It will determine how much you can spend and whether you need to opt for a more expensive Wacom model or one of the other very capable graphics tablets on the market today.  I don’t believe that many people just wake up and decide to buy a tablet, so understanding your needs will help you decide on the best size and model to buy.

Read: What Is A Graphics Tablet Used For?

Read: 7 Reasons Why You Need A Graphics Tablet

Size does count…

size matters when choosing a graphics tablet

You will need to know which sort of size of graphics tablet you might need too as they all come in different sizes. The larger models are more suited to professional graphic artists, but the smaller tablets are also very capable.

The smaller (and cheaper) models such as the best selling Wacom Bamboo range are brilliant little devices and perfect for most uses.  If you are just after a tablet for editing your photographs or doing some digital scrapbooking, the smaller models are ideal and will fit in with your current way of working.

Read: What Size Of Graphics Tablet Do I Need?

Read: Best Graphics Tablet For Beginners

Read: Recommendations For Small Graphics Tablets

Why not go pro?

If you are already an accomplished artist making the switch to digital and want to go for something more professional, you can get an LCD screen type graphics tablet where you can draw directly onto a screen with the pen. These models, the Cintiq range by Wacom, are the best of the best but also carry a high price tag.

However, there are ways to convert any existing screen into an expensive graphics tablet through the use of a simple product.  It may not be perfect, but it is a lot cheaper than buying one of the Wacom Cintiq interactive pen displays.

Read: What Is An Interactive Pen Display?

Read: Differences Between A Pen Tablet And Pen Display

Breaking Windows.

graphics tablet are not just for windows users

Don’t worry if you are not a Microsoft Windows user either, because most graphics tablets work with other operating systems these days. Our articles about the best graphics tablets for Mac or for Linux will set your mind at rest.

For some of the more recent graphics tablets, you might need a more powerful computer, but it’s great to know that they are compatible with the range of systems available today.

Read: Best Graphics Tablet For Linux

Read: Best Graphics Tablet For Mac Users

If you don’t want to be chained to the computer all the time when doing digital drawings, there are a few other options for you.  We have discussed if the iPad will be the next best tablet to use, but other products such as the Wacom Inkling or the DigiMemo digital notepad are great for capturing your artistic scribbles where ever you are.

They will never take the place of a computer and tablet together, but if you are interested in portability, then these products will be ideal for you.

If you don’t like reading too much information, here are our top 3 graphics tablets:

I hope that you find the information on this site useful and helpful if you are thinking of buying your first graphics tablet. Certainly Wacom are the best selling models, but there are other models and types available for a fraction of the price that may do the job just as well for you.

If you have any feedback or questions, please use the Contact Us page. We would love to hear which graphics tablet you have bought and how you are getting on with it. If you are feeling in a social mood, please leave a comment or “Like” our Facebook page to help spread the word about this website.