Wacom shipping Bamboo tablets in the US

We'd heard about Wacom's small and inexpensive Bamboo input tablets a few months ago, but it looks like the company is getting ready to ship both the $79 Bamboo (aimed at casual photo retoucher) and the $99 (small) and $199 (medium) Bamboo Fun, which costs more because it comes with a mouse and is apparently more fun. Both models feature four ExpressKeys, the "touch ring" zoom / scroll controller, and a textured surface designed to emulate the feel of a real pen on paper. Both models should work well with both OS X's InkWell and Vista's Tablet features, so those of you interested in eating up Martha should keep your eyes open.

[Via MacWorld]

[artifex @ Sep 15th 2007 6:26AM]

How do these compare with similarly sized Graphires?

[Benjamin @ Sep 15th 2007 6:37AM]

they are exactly the same. I have an Bamboo already (their out here in Germany for a few months) and it's exactly the same as my Graphire 4. They even use the same drivers. However the Bamboo stylus has no sensitivity on the eraser (the eraser is pretty useless anyhow...it's quicker to just change the tool in your PhotoEditing app to the eraser than turning around the pen). The advantage of the Bamboo imho is the better looks, it's thinner and has two more function buttons.

[theCardinal @ Sep 15th 2007 6:39AM]

I've had this for a few months now here in Ireland. It's completely replaced my mouse. I find it a more ergonomic alternative. I also use it for photoshop and illustrator work as a product design student. It's quite good for this also. Obviously at the price and size it's not an ideal solution, but I certainly find it an improvement over using the mouse.

[_SK_ @ Sep 15th 2007 7:11AM]

Seems to be quite nice for $79 :)

[matixmattix @ Sep 15th 2007 7:40AM]

pretty cool

[sweetrai @ Sep 15th 2007 7:44AM]

cool gadget
hi there! nice blog link ex??? msg me if ok. have a nice day!

[W. Graves @ Sep 15th 2007 8:52AM]

i work for CompUSA and weve had these for a week or so now, so if you want one.... i personally like the intuos.

[eric f. @ Sep 15th 2007 9:04AM]

totally OT, but I have to ask what this means... this reference completely eludes me.

"so those of you interested in eating up Martha should keep your eyes open."

[Mike @ Sep 15th 2007 9:07AM]

it was a simpsons reference, on one episode nelson was using a pda w/ a stylus... he meant to write "Beat up martin" but it came out "eat up martha"

[RJRibeira @ Sep 15th 2007 1:01PM]

And what a great reference it is!

[GameboyRMH @ Oct 3rd 2007 1:52AM]

It was an Apple Newton BTW.

[tracy @ Sep 15th 2007 9:14PM]

after writing the message, Nelson tossed the Newton at Martin's head, accomplishing exactly what he was trying to memo for later.

[Mike @ Sep 16th 2007 11:01AM]

good call GameboyRMH i thought it was a newton, but i wasn't sure... so i opted for the universal "pda"

[akatsuki @ Sep 15th 2007 9:12AM]

I believe that the bamboo does not have tilt sensing so represents a substantial downgrade in function. Anyone confirm this?

[charlie @ Sep 15th 2007 9:56AM]

no it doesn't have the tilt, the fun does have eraser pressure though.

http://www.wacom.com/bambootablet/compare.cfm

[Benjamin @ Sep 15th 2007 7:00PM]

you're right, but neither does the graphire series which is in the same price range.

[lyl545646 @ Sep 15th 2007 10:13AM]

I'm thinking of buying one of those, can't really decide whether to get the Bamboo or the Bamboo Fun, as far as price goes, it's only a $30 difference (probably just for the extra mouse that comes with Bamboo Fun)...

anyone has any experiences in these two? inputs will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[Blah @ Sep 15th 2007 10:30AM]

If all I wanted to do was take handwritten notes for school on my computer, would Bamboo be a good choice?

[ethana2 @ Sep 15th 2007 12:00PM]

Hmm, I can't wait to have something like this to use with inkscape, blender, and the gimp.

IT is a very exciting field to watch :)

[kanate @ Sep 15th 2007 1:59PM]

and i just got graphire4 about a month ago. If i knew about this, i'd wait to get this instead. The smaller size is nice, save lots of space on my desk.

[Trevor @ Sep 15th 2007 2:11PM]

I have the graphire 4 small. It is really nice. I don't photo shop much, but it is very handy when I do.

Also, engadget has the price wrong. It is only $69.99 according to this link:
http://www.wacom.com/bambootablet/bamboo.cfm

I might upgrade considering the low price.

[Jenny Talia @ Sep 15th 2007 6:36PM]

Are the Bamboo's replacing the Graphire? From looking at the Wacom website, it seems that the only Gpahire left is the Bluetooth one.

[jlramire19 @ Sep 16th 2007 3:10PM]

Will it work on XP?

My Carpal is killing me and I need an alternative.