First of all, though I have not been posting as much lately, I want to let you know that I have been working hard on art and will be posting a new pic or two soon. The problem, aside from the usual business, is that I am working hard to learn new things about everything from new designs to painting and such, and it takes longer to make new things while learning some basics. I hope you enjoy the end results, but we will just have to see how the newer work is received when I post it.

Anyway, the latest Cintiq model for their desktop screen tablet is out and...I'm not at all interested in it. For goodness sake, it weighs 65 pounds!

Yes, I know it's partly to balance the thing, but c'mon, this is the era of the super low weight tablet with high contrast and color depth, and they actually add MORE weight to the Cintiq line? What's next? A 30 pound version of the 12WX that crushes your knees when you try to put it in your lap? I was so looking forward to a more advanced version of the concept that weighs less, is more flexible and has more contrast. Instead, we get this thing which is heavier, less flexible, and has "gentle" but not so strong and accurate color. Augh! It's like Wacom is moving backwards!

I can only hope that the next version of the 12WX, which is a tablet size that I strongly prefer anyway, actually has advancements instead of moving backwards away from what I want in a good graphics tablet. I often think that it would be nice if Wacom had more competition, or at least other producers licensing their technology.

Speaking of which, I did try the Asus eee tablet pc, which includes a digitizer pen with Wacom drivers. Now THAT is a low weight and high speed tool, albeit limited to the same size, resolution and lower pressure sensitivity than the Cintiq 12WX. Unfortunately though, the colors, while an improvement over the Cintiq 12wx, were still not as vibrant as a proper monitor. While the tablet PC solution lacks the wires of the Cintiq and has full portability, it also lacks the higher pressure pressure sensitivity and, more importantly, the independence and responsiveness of a dedicated tablet.

Wedding your graphics tablet experience to Windows 7 tablet PC technology results in some pretty frustrating problems, from the tablet confusing your hand with the pen, to other weird quirks. Also, even with better contrast and color, the Asus model still provides a slightly fuzzier view of the lines than the Cintiq 12wx does, which is disconcerting and slightly disorienting when trying to do precise line work. All and all, the Cintiq 12WX is still the better choice, except perhaps when mobile. It's just that little bit snappier in its responsiveness, which can make all the difference when trying to whip something up in Paint Tool Sai.

My dream tablet would be an oled based device with the incredible contrast and the tiny amount of weight an oled based display could be based on, a very clear view of the screen, and all the responsiveness of the Cintiq 12WX. Oh well, maybe someday.

Rave