Graphics tablet advice?

[Hair|Trigger]

Well my mum is looking to buy me a graphics tablet for my birthday.  But I have to do the research on which one to buy.

I have read an article that advises you on stuff to consider before buying one.  I initially thought any old $70 tablet from some cheap ass bargain shop would do.  I guess not.  My mum says shes not paying much more than $100AUD (Depending on the value for money of course she may pay more) 

A few questions:

What are the principals of using a graphics pad?  (Do I just draw onto it with the pen whilst looking at the computer screen, or are there ones avaliable with screens so I can look at the pad instead of the monitor)

Does my monitor resolution affect how the drawing works (Do I need an aspect ratio similar to my monitor on the tablet for the drawing to be accurate?)  Also can I change the graphics pad's settings and fix it to my resolution for it to work?  (My laptop's resolution is 1280x800)

I'm left handed, does this affect drawing?  (I dont find a problem with drawing on paper so I dont see why it would.. just curious)

Any other advice would be appreciated. these are just some things im curious about.

-I have my reasons for getting one.  I tried drawing some large scale (non-soldat related) stuff using the mouse, it never really worked out right (I mean I could do it, just it would be much much much easier if I did it by hand)

[Exodus]

In answer to what the principals are, the one I used to have was effectivly a mouse mat, and there was a little pen which when the nib touches the pad in a certain area, it draws.

You could also draw by hand on paper,, and scan it in 

[Hair|Trigger]

I know that dufus

I just wasnt sure about looking at the screen and drawing.. thats all

[gedazz]

Do I just draw onto it with the pen whilst looking at the computer screen, or are there ones avaliable with screens so I can look at the pad instead of the monitor
There are both.

Do I need an aspect ratio similar to my monitor on the tablet for the drawing to be accurate?
Tablets usually are not the same aspect ratio as monitors. Their sizes are like sheets of paper: A4, A5, A6, etc.

I'm left handed, does this affect drawing?
No.

Any other advice would be appreciated.
Go with Wacom.

[Captain Ben]

you're not going to get a decent one for under 200 smackarooneys

the ones with screen you draw on are like 1700$$$

[The Philanthropist]

If you are a rich barsteward, you want the Wacom Cintiq tablet.

For last Christmas I got a Wacom Bamboo Fun tablet, if all you are doing is amatuer hobby stuff like myslef, this is all you need.

For the aspect ratio, the tablet will stretch the screen in whatever way needed to fill the tablet surface, or will make sure that the aspect ratio stays the exact same, but compromises tablet surface area by not using the borders.

[JupiterShadow]

Get a Wacom Bamboo.

[/Topic]

[Hair|Trigger]

Do I need an aspect ratio similar to my monitor on the tablet for the drawing to be accurate?
Tablets usually are not the same aspect ratio as monitors. Their sizes are like sheets of paper: A4, A5, A6, etc.

I simply plug it in, and start drawing?  I dont need to adjust it to my resolution or anything? 

Im considering a Wacom bamboo, for $120.  I assume this is like a beginner's option?

[gedazz]

I simply plug it in, and start drawing?  I dont need to adjust it to my resolution or anything?

There are plenty of options, so you can set your tablet the way you want it to work.
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/1788/tabletopts1yl7.png
http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/5095/tabletoptsto5.png

[ColonD]

I am taking a chance and not reading all of the previous comments.

My brother and I are really enjoying the Wacom Bamboo. Rather inexpensive.. Around the $100CAN mark.


WORKS LIKE A DREAM. WAYYYY BETTER THAN MY STYLUS E3.

[Espadon]

Tablets. *inhale* MmmmMmm.

I spent a bit less than $300 USD on a WACOM Intuos3 6x8. I thought 6x8 would be small but sometimes I wish I got a 4x6 since then I wouldn't have to move my arms so much. So, it depends on if you're a wrist person or a arm person. Also, it depends on what you want to do. Intuos and Cintiq are regarded as more or less 'professional-grade' tablets if you're doing some serious CAD ['need' a special precision pointer] or CorelPaint/Photoshop painting since you'll be looking for very sensitive pressure detection. Otherwise, Bamboo [or Graphire] tablets will work fine.

Cintiq definitely has the cool factor going for it but I've never seen any studios really use a Cintiq. The only trouble I can think of for the Cintiq is that the plate will get messy quickly if you're not using like a cover or anything. To me, that kind of cleaning is too much of a hassle to be worth paying that much for.

Handedness doesn't matter. Tablets are ambi.

Once you buy a tablet, in my experience you need to install a driver that comes with it so the tablet can auto-sync the aspect ratio with the tablet area. While I love my Intuos, occasionally if I'm running too many processes at once the tablet driver gets squeezed to death or something and I lose pressure sensitivity, etc. Restarting does the trick, but it's annoying.

At first, if you decide to get a non-screen tablet [which you probably will], you'll feel awkward with how to coordinate your hand while looking at the screen. This is completely normal. My tablet came with instructions on some exercises to do to get used to using the tablet blind. I personally recommend only using the tablet to do things [especially surfing the web] for a week or so; that should do the trick.

WACOM is generally regarded as the brand to look at if you're considering a tablet at all.

Good luck! Tablets are worth every penny imo.