Thinking of getting a tablet..buuut.....

[TakeruInudo]

Ok so I really want to get back into drawing again and simply just drawing on paper will get me nowhere in a career. So I was thinking of getting a tablet.....here's the problem..

1. I can only spare AT MOST $500..... ;~;

2. I can't draw without really looking at my hands


so with that in mind, am I basically screwed? :'D

 

[na4a4a]

You can learn the hand-eye coordination to use a standard tablet.

You COULD get a non-Wacom tablet with a screen (I use a tablet from this brand and it's been solid)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LA0NONE?tag=utau-20

I use Huion and so far they are the only chinese tablet brand with really nice drivers (I use their 1060 Pro)[DOUBLEPOST=1423169841][/DOUBLEPOST]OH MY GOD THE LINK TURNED INTO AN AD.

 

[Hentai]

$500 is enough to get a Surface Pro 2 used/refurbished. Its an entire laptop with Core i5 Processor and Wacom Digitizer. It will be a bit hard but look for one with at least 128GB SSD, I got a 64GB Win tablet and it is not enough, likewise see if you can find a bundle that throws in a keyboard attachment free. Latter might be hard in your budget but you can always get one down the road too. Don't need it immediately as normal USB keyboards will work since it has a full sized USB port.

If you feel you don't need an entire super cool laptop Monoprice has a 19" Pen Display for <$400. Its a bit out of your budget but they also have a 22" 1080P Pen Display for $550-ish. Both are powered by UC Logic drivers and from experience I can tell you they work very well on many programs and even the latest Win 8.1.

 

[na4a4a]

The monoprice tablet is based on the same tech as the Huion. but monoprice is known for having pretty bad support and doesn't make the driver's themselves.
IMO, Huion seems to refine their drivers more (and they even released a fix so they work in PS again)
--not sure if the Monoprice drivers have that fix

I once had a monoprice tablet and their support was terrible. You end up having to get tyhe generic drivers for UC-Logic

the surface is another option though. (and is a pretty nice point)
-------
The 19inch huion is cheaper. But the 22 inch one is $800
If you want the 22 inch then you pretty much have to get the monoprice
for the love of god don't mix huion/monoprice/wacom/anything together or you will cry

 

[S.O.U.P.]

there are some super-nice tablets by Monoprice. I had one for 5 years, and I treated it pretty roughly, too. they COST 50 dollars
here's a link to the one I used: :3

 

[Hentai]

@JeremyB796 I have had good experiences with Monoprice customer service. Been using them for years for everything from cables, mounts, electronics, and more recently pro audio. Dealt with support multiple times no problems from me exchanging DOA merch or replacing cables/accessories.

@S.O.U.P. Yep, I have had that same drawing tablet for some 4-ish years. Bought it on sale super cheap, still works to this day. Still nothing like a display tablet or a penabled tablet PC. I am spoiled spoiled spoiled now.

Oh if the Surface proves to be too expensive there are other "penabled" tablet PCs and laptops. I bought a Lenovo X201T with core i7 Processor, a SSD, Wacom Digitizer, pen/touch screen for $400 off of Craigslist and the guy threw in a docking station and case too. The Lenovos were very popular with businesses and with many upgrading to new Tablet PCs you can get ones of that line super cheap and they are still really powerful.

 

[na4a4a]

well...if they are okay with ebay...then you can get used stuff in good condition if you know where to look.

I too had the same monoprice tablet (the thing was reliable as can be)
But eventually the drivers because incompatible with Photoshop. I am assuming that the new versions must of fixed the Tablet PC issue by now.

WHAT'S REALLY NEAT is that those talbet displays have a Vesa Mount.
You can attach a swiveling monitor arm and actually move it freely as you wish
(you can get Vesa mounts from am monoprice...they practically specialize in mounts and cables)

 

[GothAmaterasu]

Well, mine (a medium sized Wacom) was purchased for about 166 dollars, and well, I love the hell outta it! :3