Some (very) newbie questions about computer Tablets?

[Skitty Crazy]

I've wanted a tablet for awhile, but am completely clueless as to how to buy one, or the features, etc... So...

1. I have Windows XP. How much would a tablet for it cost, on average?
2. Where can I buy them? Online, or otherwise?
3. I'm assuming there are different types of tablets - so which would you recommend?

I plan on using it for drawing and the likes... do I maybe need Photoshop to use it at its best? Because I don't have Photoshop. Too expensive. :T ... Although I really want it.

 

[adaviel]

wacom seems the most popular

Never tried it. Tried something similar years ago, and more recently a tablet PC.

As I recall, Photoshop, GIMP etc. have specific tablet support for speed so when you draw faster it behaves like a real paintbrush. But it should work OK with simple progs like Paint.

 

[Nahum]

1. Same as for any computer. Pretty much every tablet connects through USB or Bluetooth, or is itself a computer.

2. Most larger computer stores (Fry's, Best Buy) carry them, as well as online stores like Newegg.

3. Wacom tablets are top-notch, to the point where you can ignore everything else. Their Bamboo series is pretty inexpensive, good for beginners like you.

Regular Photoshop offers many ways to utilize all of the possible tablet inputs (stylus pressure, tilt, rotation, etc.). Photoshop Elements uses some of these features, while costing only $100 or less. GIMP should be about on par with regular PS, and is free.

Some other image editors, as well as vector editors like Illustrator and Flash, should also offer tablet support.

Paint.NET, normally a good free option, does *not* have good tablet support.