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    question about bamboo tablet

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by Lt.Glare, Jan 4, 2008.

  1. Lt.Glare

    Lt.Glare Notebook Evangelist

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    Hey guys. I work at best buy, and we have a large size wacom bamboo tablet (dunno if it's a bamboo fun) that we had on demo, but now is just sitting in a bin with other odds and ends (mostly keyboards). A customer made off with the pen for the thing a while ago, and all the software that was supposed to go with it is MIA, but we still have the mouse for it. I would be able to get a severe discount on it if I buy it.

    My question is though, can it function just as well with say, a PDA pen? And is the software that goes with it really important for the proper operation of the tablet? Or would the drivers be sufficient? Please let me know :)
     
    Lt.Glare, Jan 4, 2008
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  2. meekus

    meekus Notebook Consultant

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    Wacom tablets use inductive pens and mice that both have an inductor coil and a bit of circuitry built in. So AFAIK an inert PDA pen/stylus won't work.
     
    meekus, Jan 4, 2008
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  3. CalebSchmerge

    CalebSchmerge Woof NBR Reviewer

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    You need the actual pen. The tablet produces a magnetic field, and reads the disruptions from the pen (or something close to that), so I say get it for a good discount and buy a replacement pen. The software that comes with it is mostly for playing around. You can get drivers online.
     
    CalebSchmerge, Jan 4, 2008
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  4. Lt.Glare

    Lt.Glare Notebook Evangelist

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    Thanks guys. I think I'll buy it then :)
     
    Lt.Glare, Jan 5, 2008
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  5. sprtnbsblplya

    sprtnbsblplya Notebook Deity

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    How much did you get it for?
    I got the Small Blue-color Bamboo Fun from Staples for $80.
     
    sprtnbsblplya, Jan 20, 2008
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  6. Lt.Glare

    Lt.Glare Notebook Evangelist

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    $45, since it was a demo unit that we had off demo for months. I also must add that these things are quite slick :p. I like how it doubles up as a mouse pad, though it takes some getting used to, as its a lot more sensitive.
     
    Lt.Glare, Jan 20, 2008
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  7. sprtnbsblplya

    sprtnbsblplya Notebook Deity

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    $45?!?!? I hate you...
    I thought I got a good deal at $80.
     
    sprtnbsblplya, Jan 20, 2008
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  8. klutchrider

    klutchrider Notebook Evangelist

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    Well I think that he still had to buy the pen but 80 dollars is a good deal.
     
    klutchrider, Jan 21, 2008
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  9. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

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    nizzy1115, Jan 21, 2008
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  10. CalebSchmerge

    CalebSchmerge Woof NBR Reviewer

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    That's not the "Fun" version, though.
     
    CalebSchmerge, Jan 21, 2008
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  11. sprtnbsblplya

    sprtnbsblplya Notebook Deity

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    Yeah, I found that one on a website last week for $50.50 plus ship.
    Wouldnt buy that one though, no mouse, no extra bundled software, and no erase function. I think its primarily geared to business users who want to make their Powerpoint presentations a little more spiffy, and the Fun version is geared to us home users who want to use a tablet with Photoshop without breaking the bank with a $300 Intuos series.
     
    sprtnbsblplya, Jan 21, 2008
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  12. CalebSchmerge

    CalebSchmerge Woof NBR Reviewer

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    That's about the extent of it. I was going to upgrade to the Bamboo Fun Medium, but I decided its too big for carrying around school. Ill stick with my plain old bamboo.
     
    CalebSchmerge, Jan 22, 2008
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