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Product Name: Wacom Intuos2 4"x5" Tablet USB
Date: Monday, November 18, 2002
Author: Iroc
Provided By: Wacom Technology Corp.
Page: 1 of 2
Introduction
The Wacom Intuos2 4"x5" Tablet will enhance your experience with many programs not just graphics applications.
Out of the box
Each of the items included are colored in a two tone dark purple and light gray.
The tablet has a 4" x 5" screen area outlined with a silk screened line and eleven programmable buttons along the top. These buttons are printed on a transparent overlay which lifts for tracing papers and photos. The weight along four rubber feet are enough to keep the tablet from shifting around your desk while you work and the eight foot usb cord will allow you to position it anywhere, even reclining back in your chair. While you are working a small red and green led gives you visual feedback of your pen and mouse actions.
Both the pen and mouse are cordless and battery less.
The pen has a large rubber grip and two buttons for either your thumb or index finger. The front tip is pressure sensitive and the rear works as an eraser in certain applications. There are replacement tips, rubber grip and an extra rocker switch for changing out worn or broken parts. The pen holder protects the tip and has a felt bottom
The mouse also has a felt backing allowing it to glide across the tablet's surface effortlessly. It features two main buttons and scroll wheel button.
A quick start guide, tablet driver cd and a power suite cd complete this package.
Setup
Once plugged into the USB port, the led lit up and the pen and mouse were able to interact with the desktop using the cursor. Then I installed the driver cd and opened Photoshop, the pen worked immediately with the pressure sensitive tip and eraser. The whole setup process is fast and easy. Afterwards you can follow the tutorial to familiarize yourself with pen and mouse basics and other features. Under the start menu you will find the Wacom tablet control panel which allows you to set and test the various functions of each input device, the tablet and different programs.
Hands on
The number of features the Intuos2 has to offer is amazing. Before we get into them all I wanted to mention the best one in my opinion which is the ability to use a pen instead of a mouse. Repetitive motion injuries are very real and can change your life unexpectedly. Using a mouse all day long and especially when going home to your personal computer can add up. The Intuos pen lets your hand perform the same action using different muscles and joints while at the same time working much more accurately.
Just lately I got two USB devices that had cords so short they would barely go from my computer on the floor to the top of my desk. Thankfully Wacom has given us an 8' cord. I can put the tablet over on a shelf when I'm not using it and still have it plugged in. The overlay is made of thick transparent plastic and you will probably never damage it unless you purposely do so. The overlay sticks to the tablet surface almost like static cling. Each of the eleven buttons across the top can be programmed for default, pen, mouse and keystrokes. This will speed up your already fast Photoshop keyboard shortcuts and you don't even have to move your hand away from the tablet or drop the pen. The front edge is beveled to provide comfort when your hand moves up and down the tablet's surface. Wacom did not bevel the sides for an important reason. If I rotate the tablet 90 degrees and move toward the bevel my hand slides down to the table and makes the pen come up from the tablet's surface. Their attention to design and ergonomics has produced the best size tablet for a 4"x5" active area.
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