Wacom rolls out "Bamboo" tablet

Wacom has busted out a new tablet for those not quite ready to drop $3,000 on a Cinteq (or $200 building their own), with its new "Bamboo" tablet device covering all the basics for a reasonable price. Of course, you won't get a built-in LCD, and it's not wireless, but you will at least be able to take advantage of Vista's various pen-based capabilities (it'll work just fine with a Mac as well). The device itself also won't take up too much room on your desk space, measuring about 7.8 x 7.3 inches although, as far as we can tell, it's not actually made of bamboo. If that's not too much of a deal-breaker, you'll be able to pick up one of these this month in Japan for ¥8,980, or about $75.

[Via Impress]

[Ayle @ May 15th 2007 12:05PM]

Sexy.....

[Ayle @ May 15th 2007 12:05PM]

Sexy.....

[paloooz @ May 15th 2007 12:12PM]

I'm seeing double! Ayle posted FOUR times!

[OctaneZ @ May 15th 2007 4:23PM]

No, he saved that for later in the thread

[James Ahlschwede @ May 15th 2007 12:21PM]

Here's the PDF press release straight from Wacom.
http://www.wacom-asia.com/press/img/20070515AP_bamboo.pdf

[INPAQ @ May 15th 2007 1:11PM]

Looks freaking gorgeous, when will this actually hit the states?!

[RyanTV @ May 15th 2007 1:15PM]

any chance this thing will see a US release? Wacom has a reputation it seems for not taking new products out of Japan.

[Ayle @ May 15th 2007 1:26PM]

Sorry about the double post.... Firefox stalled...

[LukeA @ May 15th 2007 1:26PM]

Cintiq, no e.

[Jerome LeBel @ May 15th 2007 1:27PM]

Its Cintiq not Cinteq.

[Alex @ May 15th 2007 1:49PM]

Am I missing something? It looks like it's just another Graphire, but bigger, and apparently with no mouse.

[Alex @ May 15th 2007 1:52PM]

Am I missing something? It looks like it's just another Graphire, but bigger, and apparently with no mouse.

[Alex @ May 15th 2007 2:15PM]

Wow, gorgeous indeed. And cheap! I wonder if it'll have the same features as their Intuos line. I have the 6x8 inch one and that I paid almost $200 for and I wouldn't mind switching for this one.

[Alex @ May 15th 2007 2:17PM]

Wow, gorgeous indeed. And cheap! I wonder if it'll have the same features as their Intuos line. I have the 6x8 inch one and that I paid almost $200 for and I wouldn't mind switching for this one.

[Philip Seyfi @ May 15th 2007 6:11PM]

Vacom3? :)

[Lars Groeger @ May 15th 2007 7:39PM]

But I think it doesnt have any pressure sensitivity in the usual way ie. there will be only one stroke thickness. For Artists uninteresting....
And very funny how they imitate the apple ipod nano Spot

[andrew harrison @ May 15th 2007 11:32PM]

NICE

I'm in the market for one, but I don't need one urgently enough to drop a couple hundered dollars on a Graphire. If this one is cheaper, I'll buy this one instead.

[tekdroid @ May 16th 2007 4:47AM]

Wacom launches Bamboo, a new
consumer pen tablet targeted at PC and
Mac users in non-graphics markets such
as home users, office workers and
business professionals.
------------------
In other words, a low-end tablet for the rest of the market with no real pressure sensitivity to speak of, let alone tilt, etc.

I'm glad that they seem to have moved from the gloss finish of their Intuos3 in this one, tho. With any luck the tracing sheet on this one is actually transparent this time, and not grey (a completely illogical move done with their Intuos3 line)

But really this product is not for graphics heads.

[Dave @ May 16th 2007 9:00PM]

Just to clear up a couple of things...
Specs on the Bamboo are pretty impressive. It is certified for Vista, so reporting rate is over 133pps, resolution is 2540lpi and it delivers 512 levels of pressure to pen tip and eraser. Works as good as it looks. Bamboo is aimed at people who just want the best possible interface with their new computer - that simple. Not driven by graphics, but wanting to use all the advanced annotation, handwriting and navigation features and then some. It does not have tilt, so don't think this will ever be a competitor to Intuos. Bamboo is absolutely a digital lifestyle choice for those that want the full experience. Available in Europe and Asia Pacific plus Japan... for now. Let the WOW begin!

[Dave @ Jun 6th 2007 3:11AM]

BTW, if you're interesed, I can clear up your misconception regarding the "overlay sheet" as well. There really is a very valid reason it is the way it is. Bamboo overlay sheet is NOT transparent.

[tekdroid @ May 18th 2007 10:57PM]

what is the reason they are not making them transparent? You can't even trace with it, which is what is was for! (and you can buy a transparent one as an optional accessory)

I contacted Wacom and got told it was for cosmetic reasons only.

[tekdroid @ May 18th 2007 11:00PM]

Bamboo overlay sheet is NOT transparent.
----------
Read what I said again. I said with any luck it will be transparent, not that it actually is. If they had some sense it would be, tho...

[Dave @ May 20th 2007 8:09PM]

The ability to trace things by putting them under an overlay sheet is very limited and not something that would be recommended, particularly with a small tablet like the Bamboo. It is much more practical with the larger version Intuos tablets, but that is another issue. When you try to trace on small tablets, first challenge is to be trying to trace something that is small enough to fit within an open window in your application. When you trace something, you need to look at it instead of the screen, so you don't get the benefit of pressure sensitive drawing tools as you miss the visual feedback from watching the line be created on screen. Again, not so vital on a big tablet, but very significant on the smaller ones. In my experience, it is far better to either scan or take a simple digital photo of what you want to trace or digitise, put another layer over the top in your drawing application and trace that way. Then you have the additional benefits of being able to work with various size originals as well as being able to zoom and scroll to get more accurate copies with much finer details. Some people do seem to want to do it the way you discribed, however I think the other option is more flexible and generally more effective. And the black overlay sheet probably does look better as well for the bamboo.

[Elliot @ Sep 6th 2007 1:08PM]

I would like to see this design applied to the Intuos 3 tablets...

But with the new Graphire Bluetooth capabilities.

I want it all.