The prices of specialized, valuable equipment like a computer drawing tablet can vary pretty widely. And if you're not well-versed in the industry, you probably have little idea about how the price affects the actual capabilities of any particular tablet model. How much should you pay for a 'good enough' tablet? How much is too little? If you're asking yourself those questions, keep reading away for some hints on how prices relate to product quality when it comes to those inimitably useful tools, drawing tablets.
First, you should have an idea of the top and bottom range of typical prices for tablets. The very bottom price range for a tablet is around twenty-five dollars. The 'average' drawing tablet hovers around fifty dollars or so, while at the top end you can find prices up to five hundred dollars. So, what do these huge price variations mean for the actual tablets? Well, the most obvious difference is simply one of size. The larger a tablet's drawing area, the more detail you can fit into a sketch. This is also the more natural feel for artists used to working in broad, sweeping strokes, such as with an easel. However, as size of the drawing area increases, so does price, and quite drastically. Smaller tablets are much cheaper, and while they can't get the same amount of detail in, they're easier on the wrists and hands due to small movements creating large strokes. Nine by twelve are the typical dimensions for the pricier models, while on affordable side you can find eight by six tablets.
In general, the less expensive a tablet is, the fewer levels of sensitivity it has. Sensitivity levels are what allows a tablet to distinguish the exact amount of pressure you sketch with. This commonly affects the thickness of lines, but can also be set to alter other aspects of a drawing. There are three primary levels of sensitivity with tablets, and if you haven't tried all three before, you should do your best to sample each so you know which one fits your needs.
Other features you will find that vary in the price ranges are related to the sketching tool, which is a pen or stylus-shaped object. A simple erasing function is included on all but the cheapest tablets. More advanced tablets, such as those found in the eighty dollar plus range, can include extra buttons that can be programmed for any of a number of functions. Another distinguishing factor is the attachment or lack thereof of the drawing tool to the actual tablet, which rarely has a significant effect on the price.
The final major issue that will affect the price of a tablet is the brand and corresponding support. Just like other computer accessories, tablets work best when they have support in the form of good customer service and frequent compatibility upgrades. Getting this may mean you have to pay anywhere from fifty to eight dollars more for the exact features you want in a tablet. But settling for the cheapest possible variation on the model you want will often result in being stuck with a glitchy tablet that conflicts with other programs and doesn't respond well. In the end, you get what you pay for with tablets. So if you have high-end artistic needs, don't be afraid about buying a high-end drawing tablet. It's well worth the money spent.
Jennifer Waller loves to write about a wide variety of topics. Please visit computer drawing tablet and portable printer scanners for more information.
