IMPORTANT: Download latest drivers from the net for either VISTA or XP or both. The supplied discs are not advisable to use. This seems to be a Genius Tablet thing, supplied drivers are usually out of date and cruddy.

Okay, so the review:

Suggested end user: Beginner to Professional (Budget).

The device offers 4000 lpi, the response rate as per tech spec is 200 reps per second and the pen delivers 1024 pressure sensitivity levels. Wide screen and normal ratio work area by the press of a button. Also a scroll & Zoom wheel with panning button in centre is situated on the top left and right. (They don't seem customisable) More hotcells than you shake a Staff of Wizardry at with a nifty allbeit somewhat difficult customisation program - which depending on your computer literacy level you might or might not want to use.

The pen isnt that heavy, but it is bulky and will fit more comfortably in larger hands. You have to press a mite harder than one would want to for thicker / darker lines but one can (and I have) adapt(ed). The surface of the tablet is way more pen friendly than my previous (Genius) tablet so they seem to be getting better at it. The tablet itself is quite bulky... 'specially if you've got limited space - there is a smaller a5ish model available. Structurally it is of a better quality than my previous tablet, it's not nearly as flimsy, but for the sake of longer usage I would suggest working with it on a flat surface, not balanced on the knees and such. All in all you don't want to take the chance that the surface itself will be warped, even slightly. You get a nib replacement tool and two nibs (in my country), haven't done any replacing so haven't the foggiest how easy that is.

In summation:

I rate this product at 8-9 / 10
at half the price of the intuos a6 with nearly 90% of the functionality and 4 times the size this tablet is especially recommended for the beginnner, intermediate and professional (who is on a tight budget but wants to break into pure digital medium).

NOTE:

I've never used an intuos and due to stock availability I couldn't get the Intuos3 a6 wide that retails in our country for half my monthly salary. I am certain that Wacom is undoubtedly the masters of the tablet range of products and that little comes close to what they've achieved. I realise that my feelings towards the Genius might have been slightly sour had I been a Wacomite, but I wouldn't recommend this product if it didn't perform well enough... and it did / does.