touch pads

I actually have 2 reviews, one for Windows XP, and one for Linux (Fedora Core 1)

Microsoft XP:
GOOD:
- **easy** to install
- software bundles are fabulous, in my opinion, and
also easy to install

BAD: small active space, no printed manuals for the software
applications. There are manuals on the disk, though.

UGLY: if you stink with pen and paper, you'll stink with this
gadget, too. In fact, you'll stink even more in the
beginning, because you'll have to get used to the
quirks of the pen.

LINUX (Fedora Core 1)

GOOD: EVERYTHING WORKS! Pressure sensitivity, the eraser,
the rocking switch. Worked with The Gimp like a champ.

BAD: You have to download the latest package from the Linux
Wacom Project http://linuxwacom.sourceforge.net/

UGLY: You're comfortable installing your own kernel drivers,
right? Getting this bad boy to work is Not For The
Squeemish, but neither is it Mission Impossible.

ON THE WHOLE: I really, really love this gizmo. The $100 price point made this something worth trying out (I draw for fun, not professionally). The bundled software is (dare I say this?) more powerful than the Open Source programs I usually use. Painter Classic was extremely nice, even if the pressure sensitivity is broken.

The best advice I can give you is pick an application and work with it. Like anything else in life, you'll get better with practice. A cheap scanner might be a good secondary purchase (sorry, no recomendations on this point).

The Graphire3 is quite good as a Tablet, it's only downer is the small 4x5 drawing space, tought you get used to it after a while, it's still a limitation, you actually forget the mouse, must be on the tablet to work.

As a begginer on digital painting, this is a God send to me. I can paint as I always wanted, and at an affordable price.

Ok, first of all- want to comment Amazon shipping. Guys, they are sooo great!!!! I placed an order on Friday with free shipping and my tablet was delivered Wednsday!!!!! I think it's great!!!!
Now, I have my very first WACOM tablet. Already got used to it- wondering how did I live without it before????!!!! Because my working space is really small- it is just perfect for me for right now. I already can see, that if it would be bigger I could do something esle, but did not figured out what exactly! ;) So, for now, WACOM Graphire 3 4x5 bundeled with painter is just great to learn the basic of CG.
If you had some more practise in art( which I did not)- you probably should get a bigger one ( 6x8)- but trust me- you'll love it, as soon as it will come out from the box and you'll see how great it is with photoshop, painter and your hand.
My reccomendation- before trying it in that software- try to do just ordinary things- like browsing the net, your folders and staff like that..then, open Painter, take the brush you like and just try it- pressure levels are so great!!! You can feel that you're painting, not that you're coloring on the PC.
If you have a chance to try it- before buying- do that also. But I garantee you'll go crazy after trying it and will get one!!!!