Splash of Style...Macs, Photography, Design, and other Passions

Mouse vs Wacom Pen & Tablet

March 28, 2007 by debbie T | Computers

I have been using a Wacom pen and tablet exclusively for about 1 1/2 years (instead of a mouse), and I have noticed a big difference in how my wrists, fingers, arms feel.

Well, now that I am working at a new day job, and using a mouse more, I have noticed the aches and slight numbness in my fingers, wrist and arm are returning. Kind of a bummer, but it proves to me that the pen and tablet is a much safer and ergonomic choice than a mouse.

Now I just have to figure out a way to limit my use of a mouse at work.

There are 6 comments

  1. Hi, I’m looking into using a tablet instead of a mouse myself at the moment, I know it’s superior when it comes to drawing in photoshop. But how about in daily use, browsing the net, selecting text in documents etc. Does that take a lot of pratice getting used to, can it be just as easy as with the mouse? I’m going for the Wacom Intuos3 A6.

    Comment by Jesper on April 7th, 2007

  2. It took me years to finally feel comfortable with the tablet and pen.

    I have owned a Wacom Graphire 4×5 for many many years, and previously used it only for graphics design.

    I tried several times, but never could get used to using the pen instead of a mouse…but when I purchased my PowerBook in July 2005, somehow this time it clicked (no pun intended!) and now I love it.

    It does take time, and initially you might feel slight pain in your hand, similar to when you write for a very long time with a manual pen.

    For browsing on the web, I find myself using the two finger scroll feature on my PowerBook touch pad. That could be what made the transition easier.

    I do still scroll using the side scroll bars on a web page, but sometimes it is just easier and quicker to use the touch pad on the laptop.

    As for selecting text, it is easy. There are a couple of buttons on the pen for left and right clicks. I find it very easy to double-click to select text, then drag it.

    Good luck with your purchase, if you decide to go that way. I can’t promise it will be an easy transition, but it is worth a try.

    Comment by debbieT on April 7th, 2007

  3. Thank you, now I know a little more of what to expect and will not give up too soon on it. Now I’m really looking forward to getting it.

    Actually I’m not too concerned about browsing the net and using the side scroll bars, the intuos3 has a special area called touch strips for doing just that or for zooming in and out in photoshop.

    I’m doing some 3D work also, so that will be a real good test for it manipulating vertices around. I hope it will work on my Ubuntu, but it should though. Cheers

    Comment by Jesper on April 7th, 2007

  4. Awesome! Glad to help!

    I thought I heard about scrolling abilities on the more expensive Wacom tablets, so that should be very helpful I think.

    Good luck! Someday I may upgrade, but this plain ole Graphire has done very well for me! I hate to give it up!

    Comment by debbieT on April 7th, 2007

  5. Is there any extensions that will make it possible to use my Wacom pen to scribble on Thunderbird emails? How great that would be!

    Comment by Daisy Joy on May 17th, 2007

  6. Thank you for your question, Daisy Joy!

    Hmm, yes, that would be cool, wouldn’t it? What you would need is handwriting software that converts your handwriting to text.

    I know tablet PCs convert handwriting, so I am sure there are software apps out there.

    I googled and there are a few. I know OneNote is a very popular PC program.

    Google for “convert handwriting to text”

    Let me know if you find something fun, and how easy it is to use!

    Comment by debbieT on May 17th, 2007

Leave a Comment

(Optional)

Subscribe without commenting