For higher resolution, you have their V600, which is 30 bit, 300x1200dpi, letter size and is now selling for $129.99 before the $20 rebate. Now, about to be replaced, but still available, the ScanMaker V310 lists for $79 before the $30 rebate (through November)! Their E3+, which adds a legal size scanning bed, now sells for just $149.99 before the $30 rebate. (Microtek was known for making high-end technology affordable.) More recently, their ScanMaker V310 sold for $249 when first out and it was 30 bit. For example, 5 years ago Microteks 24-bit 300 x 600 dpi scanner was over $1,000. ScannersĪnother technology that has come down in price is the flatbed scanner. You can expect a USB version soon after Apple releases tablet specifications.Īnother good quality, inexpensive tablet is the $79 PenPartner by Wacom (This is a pen and 4" by 5" active area tablet (no mouse) that also has WYPIWYG mode (where you point is where you go), and comes with Art Dabbler. Of course, CalComp hasnt overlooked iMacs. Unfortunately, at this time Creation Station isnt for the iMac. However, if the pen or mouse act oddly, just put some distance between the devices. Thats only one mapping option to enable you to control your pen.Ĭreation Station comes with MetaCreations Art Dabbler SE to help you learn drawing and Kais Photo Soap LE for retouching in case youre into scanning photos.Īlthough electromagnetic proximity to speakers, cordless phones, or monitors isnt problematic or damaging. Then, when you place your pen on the tablets top corner, youre drawing/painting/writing in the top corner of your paper. With CalComps TabletWorks control panel you can set the mouse to work across the entire screen, as normal, then set the pen to work only within your page (or any area). Instead, placing your pen there lands you in the Apple menu. For example, the top left corner of the tablet is not necessarily the top of your page, as with regular drawing. One thing about using a pen tool is controlling where it lands on-screen. As technology is around a while and its R&D cost is covered, the products cost goes down.)
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(This is the new generation of CalComps professional UltraSlate technology. ($129 minus $30 rebate.) Its 1,024 lines per inch resolution exceeds the standard of Photoshop, Painter, Illustrator, and most other graphic programs. This tablet, pen, cordless multi-button mouse, and bundled software package makes it easy for anyone to explore his computer drawing talents at the mere cost of $99. The tablet thats caught my eye is CalComps new Creation Station (). Not so anymore and the affordable tablets on offer are not lesser functioning versions either. I, like many others, wanted one but couldnt justify the expenditure Tablets and pen tools were for serious artists only. Years ago, as a former art major that still likes to dabble in creative endeavors, I eyed the introduction of drawing tablets with envy. And, on the childrens CD front, the hits keep coming. Hardware, such as drawing tablets and scanners, which have traditionally been big-ticket items are now in the under $100 to barely-over-$100 range. This year that aspect of gift-giving is more exciting and doable than ever. The gift-giving season is almost upon us and with it, the chance to give friends and family things they dream of, but cant or dont give to themselves.