How to Choose a Mouse Tablet.

A mouse tablet, also known as a graphics tablet is a device used mainly by graphic artists to input digitized data into a computer, in replacement of a simple mouse. Such data ranges from hand drawn images, signatures and even written Asian languages such as Japanese, Chinese and Korean. It consists of a separate flat surface device, a puck which acts like a mouse, and a stylus or pen. How to use it? Try writing a ball point pen on a mirror. Writing is then converted digitally to be directly displayed on your computer monitor providing easier control, accuracy, convenience and reliability. It also lessens strain on the hands, especially if you are planning to use it for longer periods of time.

Now, if you are thinking of having one of these but can’t seem to choose among the many mouse tablet reviews you have read, you may consider the following aspects or features: size or surface area, pressure and tilt sensitivity, driver and bundled software, interface, input accessories such as stylus or pen and the price.

Tablet sizes or working area surface vary from 4”x5”, used mainly by home users, 6”x8” to 9”x12”, often preferred by CAD and technical illustrators. You don’t have to worry if your tablet did not match the 4:3 aspect ratio of your monitor since its own software takes care of it.

Pressure and tilt sensitivity are often what professionals use to compare mouse pen tablets. This is the basis of control and accuracy. If your tablet has high sensitivity, the better it will respond to your strokes. Typically, most tablets’ pressure levels are 256, 512 and 1024. While thickness and lightness of strokes can be based on pressure, color intensity can be based on tilt sensitivity.

Make sure that the driver software of your tablet is compatible with your current operating system. Failure to comply on the system requirements might hinder your tablet to provide its utmost capabilities. Also, some manufacturers offer bundled software such as Adobe Photoshop Elements or Corel Painter Essentials to name a few, so keep an eye on those as well.

Interface, like the software, is also a basic feature that you need to consider. Commonly, most tablets comes with a USB interface, but there are available models that includes a Bluetooth or a serial interface depending on your requirements.

A stylus, a puck such as the mouse nises, or both of them can be chosen as an input tool. It would depend entirely to the main use of the tablet. The pen, either wireless or corded, battery operated or not, is highly used for handwriting recognition and creating detailed computer graphics.

Mouse pen tablet prices would depend on all the categories stated here. The bigger the surface area and the higher the sensitivity, the more expensive it is. With manufacturers producing cheaper version for home use, and still some company adds more professional features, price range may be around $100 or less to a few thousand or even more.