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In 2022 I looked at the One by Wacom. I liked this drawing tablet and concluded my review with these words “With no technical experience necessary, you can get to work immediately. By plugging it into your PC, Chromebook, or laptop, you can soon become a digital artist. Moreover, the included apps are handy if you are stuck for ideas or you simply want to try something new. On top of this, the simple know-how guide talks you through the finer points so you never feel out of your depth.”
Today, I’m fortunate enough to look at another Wacom product. The Intuos creative tablet is the perfect option for digital art designers who want an entry-level device. Furthermore, this product is available in 2 sizes and I’m looking at the small version. This 6 by 3.7-inch device is ideal for small workspaces or people who work away from home. Moreover, it has Bluetooth connectivity and it can be used with a PC or Mac. Therefore, it is pretty versatile and this is a massive plus point.
The tablet has 3 software downloads included in the price. Clip Studio Paint Pro, Corel AfterShot, and Corel Painter Essentials. Alongside this, you can use the Intuos creative tablet as an everyday mouse or with other compatible editing software. As such, it has plenty of uses alongside its main design focus.
What’s in the box of the Intuos creative tablet?
- The packaging is simple but effective. I liked the clean design and the alluring imagery. Moreover, it is recyclable and hard-wearing.
- The Intuos creative tablet comes in a range of colours. I’m reviewing the pistachio option. However, a traditional black version is available if this isn’t to your liking. The device is light and it has 4 shortcut buttons. Moreover, it is Bluetooth compatible and you can use it wired as well.
- The pen is battery-free and will connect automatically when the tablet is switched on.
- A charging cable is provided.
- Learn the basics with the quick start guide.
Technical aspects.
Full disclosure, I’m not a graphic designer. However, a good friend of mine is and he assisted me with this review. My friend has designed for major comic books and I considered his expertise to be invaluable in this field. Moreover, he found my attempts at drawing and handling the pen and tablet to be hilarious, so it was a win-win for him.
Each element of the tablet is designed with usability and functionality in mind. The 4K pen is lightweight and easy to use. What’s more, it has interchangeable nibs included for heavy-handed artists. Though other tablets offer up to 8K pens, I found the accuracy and movement to be more than suitable for each image we worked on. Additionally, the compact working area was suitable for my drawing style. Yet, if you like large expressive movements, you may wish to consider the medium-sized alternative.
The pen and the tablet have shortcut keys that can be adjusted and programmed using the free-to-download software. Each of these inputs takes some getting used to. The idea of using a stylus and buttons simultaneously was alien to me. Furthermore, Will, my graphic designer expert had to play around a little before he found his flow. Yet, once we got used to the fiddly elements, we were soon in our creative groove.
Usability.
The matte finish doesn’t replicate that friction-based appeal of pen on paper. However, I liked the smooth nature of each flowing movement. What’s more, the sensitivity of the nib and the ability to adjust things to your liking made this an extremely user-friendly device. Though the inclusion of 2 buttons on the pen may seem a strange concept, I liked the shortcut keys. Additionally, the ability to change this with the included software made this particularly versatile and suitable for many applications.
Connectivity to a Mac or PC via wireless and wired connectivity appeals to me. Wacom has done an amazing job with seamless and lag-free connectivity. I never experienced any issues no matter what option I selected. Furthermore, setting up either was as simple as plugging in a cable or pressing a couple of buttons. I stuck with the wireless option as no one likes messy cables. Thankfully, the battery life is good, so keeping it charged up when out and about was a simple task.
Build quality.
The Intuos creative tablet is a tiny device! However, its build quality is extremely impressive. The hard-wearing case has 4 rubberised feet for increased grip. This was great as expressive creative users may knock the tablet in error. Luckily, the feet prevent excessive movement and this increases on-screen accuracy and usability. The 4 top-mounted buttons may be poorly placed for some users. I found it unusual to lean over the tablet for each shortcut. Yet, once I practised, I was able to find a method to overcome my initial issues.
The pen is lightweight and the spare nibs are stored to the rear. The handy removable twist cover helps to keep things streamlined. Though I don’t see myself burning through the nibs, it was nice that Wacom provided 3 additional ones from the off. Changing the nibs was a straightforward task and a helpful guide is provided if you are unsure.
Is the Intuos creative tablet worth it?
You may have outgrown this product if you are a high-end graphical designer or artist. However, if you like to create graphics on the move or are just starting out, this is the ideal product. The easy-to-use design was great and I love how smooth the wireless pen is. Moreover, the versatility for wireless or wired usability and Mac and PC compatibility was wonderful to see. Accordingly, this is a great device and I recommend buying it here!
(More information on Wacom can be found here!)
(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)
