There is a lot of discussion about tablet vs mouse among users, however, as a graphic artist/designer/photographer I find a tablet to be indispensable. This is my second pen tablet but my fist Wacom tablet. If you have never used a pen tablet, I would encourage you to try the Wacom Intous4 Bluetooth Wireless.

The Wacom Intuos4 Bluetooth Wireless is specifically designed for creative professionals. The tablet and pen have been ergonomically engineered for ease of use. The programmable features customize the user experience and speed up workflow. The Bluetooth Wireless allows you to "free range" as much as 30 feet. Here is a list of some of the features:

Pad features:
    - Programmable Touch Ring
    - Programmable Express Keys with Illuminated Displays
    - Ergonomic design
    - Bluetooth Wireless
    - Ambidextrous design
    - Generous battery life
    - USB charging
    - 8" x 5" active area

Pen features:
    - 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity
    - Ergonomic design
    - Eraser
    - Programmable Side Switches
    - Weighted Pen Stand
    - Extra nibs including standard, felt and stroke flex nibs
    - No battery

The Intous4 is a real beauty, right out of the box... sleak black design and lightweight... it begs to be used. My favorite features of the pad are the Touch Ring and Express Keys. I no longer need to go to the keyboard or leave the artboard to access commonly used features. The Touch Ring and Express Keys are completely customizable so you can change them to better suit your needs or the program you are working in. The illuminated displays will update as you switch between programs. So far, I have stuck with the default presets which have been great. Another great feature accessible from the Express Keys is the Radial Menu. It takes the Express Keys a step further with a whole menu of features, including submenus, available directly from the tablet. Like all the other Express Key features, the Radial Menu is fully customizable. I'm also really excited that this tablet is wireless. I sometimes place my tablet on my lap as I work and not dealing with cord management is liberating.

The Wacom engineers did a great job with the pen as well. The pen features 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity, a soft grip handle, two programmable side switches and an eraser. Yes, I said eraser... and I love it! I would like to sincerely thank the person responsible for it's inclusion. The pen requires no battery, which I find amazing but true. Another great and unassuming feature is the weighted pen stand. It feels like it was designed with care and not just an afterthought. It also houses the extra nibs and nib extractor, which is really handy.

As if the Intous4 wasn't awesome enough by itself, Wacom bundles it with some really great software. The download choices include: 

Software:
    - Adobe Photoshop® Elements 7 (PC), Adobe Photoshop® Elements 6 (Mac)
    - Autodesk SketchBook Express® 2010
    - Corel Painter™ Sketch Pad

PSD or PSD EL Plugins:
    - Nik® Color Efex Pro™ WE6
    - Wacom Brushes 3.0

Although I do not have any negatives as such, I will mention a couple of things to keep in mind. It may be just me, but I had a little trouble initially with the tablet and sleep mode. Once I brought my computer back up out of sleep mode I could not get the tablet to work properly. Finally, I found that I just had to press the button in the middle of the touch ring to bring the Intous4 back. Also, be sure to always turn the tablet off when not in use. Otherwise, the battery can be depleted and damaged to the point of no return. I am assuming this is just a concern with the Wireless version of the tablet. Lastly, at this time only the Intous4 Medium is available with Bluetooth wireless.

Overall, I am greatly impressed with the Intous4 Wireless. Wacom has really put workflow in the forefront with the Touch Ring and Express Keys. The overall tablet design and quality is excellent which is in keeping with Wacom's reputation. Again, if you have never used a tablet, I would highly recommend the Intous4. For me personally, using a pen and tablet feels more natural than using a mouse. If you have used a tablet before but not the Intous4, I would suggest you give it a try. Wacom continually strives to design tablets that feel just like pen to paper or bush to canvas. The Intous4 is definitely the closest thing to the "real" thing that I have ever used.

If you would like to learn more about Wacom's Intous4 Bluetooth you can visit their website www.wacom.com.