Wacom Intuos4 XL DTP Review | 66 Data compared

However, the reviewer highlights several design and performance drawbacks, noting that the glossy plastic panel and black pen grip easily track fingerprints and schmutz. The ExpressKeys are tightly packed and lack tactile differentiation, which occasionally forces users to look down to ensure they are pressing the correct button. Performance lags slightly with an occasional pen stroke delay when the tablet is connected through a USB hub rather than a motherboard port. Finally, the product line remains quite pricey, especially for casual users, and the $200-plus "Small" variant lacks the highly beneficial LED workflow labels entirely, making configuration tedious.

The ePHOTOzine review highlights the Wacom Intuos 4 Wireless as a premium tool for professional photo retouching and design, praising its unmatched pen precision, fluid performance, and 10-meter Bluetooth range. Key advantages include customizable ExpressKeys, ambidextrous design, and a natural, paper-like surface texture, making it superior to standard mice for detailed tasks. Conversely, the tablet is noted for its high price point, positioning it for serious, dedicated users. The review points out limitations, such as the medium-only size constraint and the requirement for native computer Bluetooth support, yet overall concludes that it offers superior workspace flexibility.

The Wacom Intuos4 is a highly accurate graphics tablet designed for professional digital painters, offering significant workflow and ergonomic improvements over its predecessor, the Intuos3. Key pros highlighted in the review include an asymmetrical layout with all eight customizable buttons placed on one side, allowing the entire symmetrical device to be rotated 180° for perfect left-handed usability. The tablet introduces a versatile Touching Ring to handle multiple scroll inputs with one hand, built-in LED displays to showcase current button assignments, a detachable mini-USB cable for easy storage, a handy Precision Mode, and a newly redesigned pen holder that doubles as storage for 10 replacement nibs, including a realistic new rubber-tipped nib variant. The pen's technical accuracy is also improved, boasting double the pressure sensitivity at 2048 levels and a lower initial activation force reduced to just 1 gram.

The Stockholmviews.com review of the Wacom Intuos 4 M graphics tablet highlights it as a highly capable and luxurious tool that significantly boosts precision for intricate image retouching and freehand drawing. The reviewer praises its ergonomic design, near-analog level pressure sensitivity, and highly customizable express buttons and touch ring that can practically replace a keyboard and mouse. Additionally, the tablet features premium build quality, operates without batteries, and functions flawlessly with both Adobe Photoshop and free, open-source programs like GIMP. The medium size is deemed more than sufficient for a 20-inch monitor, debunking the idea that a larger board is always better. However, the reviewer notes several downsides, including its high financial cost compared to a standard mouse and a steep learning curve that makes it initially difficult to appreciate. While the tablet itself feels high-end, the included mouse feels cheap, unergonomic, and difficult to transport. The reviewer also struggles to break old habits, frequently returning to a traditional mouse for casual web surfing and menu navigation. Finally, a major hardware limitation is that the newer board is completely incompatible...