NOTE: Video of Bamboo Tablet Properties at the bottom of the page
Wacom announced the introduction of their latest product, the Bamboo, in mid-September of 2007. The Bamboo will replace the very successful Graphire product line.
The Bamboo will appeal to much the same market as the Graphire which is the digital editing and digital art crowd on a budget.
In addition, the newest tablet from Wacom is also targeting the business market because of the Handwriting capabilities of the MAC (Ink) and Windows Vista Premium and above Operating Systems.
Models
The Bamboo comes in two configurations - the basic Bamboo and the Bamboo Fun (two sizes).
Bamboo Upgrades
The upgrades from the Graphire include:
Four programmable Express Keys
Finger sensitive Touch Ring
Detachable USB cable
The tablet resolution has increased to 2540 lines per inch from 1000 lines per inch
Wide screen proportions (4X6 and 6X9)
Photoshop Elements 5.0 and Corel Painter Essentials 3 in the box (Bamboo Fun only)
Bamboo
PERSONALIZE. WRITE. NAVIGATE. SIMPLIFY.
Now there's a simple, easy, and more natural way to bring your big ideas to life. Use Bamboo to transform your thoughts into powerful digital communications. Touch the pen tip to the tablet to handwrite notes, mark up digital documents, make quick sketches, and sign your name.
Combine Bamboo with Mac Inkwell or Microsoft Windows Vista (Premium and above) and Office 2007 to handwrite email, enter text by hand anywhere typed text is accepted, navigate your desktop with a flick of the pen, and more.
Bamboo works with any software. In fact, many software applications have special features and tools that are designed to be used with a pen.
Bamboo Fun
EDIT. PAINT. DRAW. WRITE. SIMPLIFY.
Harness your creativity with Bamboo Fun. Make your computer your canvas, allowing you to freely express yourself by simply touching the pen tip to the tablet. Touch up digital photos, draw by hand, create artwork and paintings, and even write in your own handwriting.
Bamboo Fun includes full editions of valuable creative software to help get your creative juices flowing. Edit photos with Adobe® Photoshop® Elements, create artwork with Corel® Painter™ Essentials, and apply photo effects with Nik® Color Efex™ Pro. Bamboo Fun is available in a variety of colors and sizes.
Bamboo Fun works with any of the major digital editing and drawing programs. In fact, many software applications have special features and tools that are designed to be used with a pen tablet.
Tablet Comparison
Feature
Bamboo
Bamboo Fun
Express Keys
4
4
Finger Sensitive Input
1 Touch Ring
1 Touch Ring
Pressure Sensitivity
512 Levels Pen only
512 Levels Pen and Eraser
Pen Tilt
No
No
Sizes
Small
Small and Medium
Tablet Colors
Black
Black, Silver White, Blue
Mouse
No
Yes
Software Included
No
Photoshop Elements 5.0 Win Photoshop Elements 4.0 Mac Nik Color Efex Pro 2 GE Painter Essentials 3
Wide Screen
Yes
Yes
Cable Length
5 Feet
5 Feet
Resolution Lines Per Inch
2,540
2,540
The Bamboo is a nice upgrade from the Graphire and it is priced about the same as the Graphire.
Check out the quality on line retailers for competitive Bamboo pricing!
