[sensorfreaky]

I need a tablet. It would make my photoshop and illustrator work much easier, not to mention more natural. After some web research and reading the forum archives, I've narrowed it down to either the Graphire2 4x5 or maybe the bigger Intuos2 6x8 but still have a few questions left unanswered:

1. To current owners of such tablets with a multitude of other peripherals: are there any problems with input/driver "interference" (if there is such a thing)? I have a whole bunch of crap plugged into my mac via USB ports and a hub: MX700 mouse driven by USB Overdrive, Griffin Powermate, Gravis gamepad controlled by USB Overdrive, Apple Pro Mouse (my corded backup mouse for the cordless MX700) controlled by USB Overdrive, a ShuttlePro (for video editing) controlled by its own driver software, and now I plan to add yet another input device in the form a tablet. Is this too much crap? Should I expect any problems? Driver input overlap or what not?

2. I heard that the mice bundled with the Wacom tablets suck compared to any of the good optical mice both functionally and ergonomically. I held a few in my hand at a store display and already I have to agree on one count. Will I be able to use the tablet as a mousepad for my own optical mouse without "doubling" the input? ...meaning sending mousing input via optical sensor AND the physical contact my optical mouse on the tablet itself. Or is it the wacom mouse alone that can be sensed by the tablet?

3. Any driver problems with the latest public version of OS X?

[The Jackalope]

I have an intuos 6x8, and I love the damn thing.

I have no problems with interference, but I also don't have it plugged into a hub...I always have it plugged directly into the mac. I HAVE heard some people comment that plugging it in through a hub can cause some slowdown.

You heard correctly. The mice suck. Don't even bother with it. I still use my kensington pro mouse, and sometimes use the stylus on the pad instead. Just depends on my mood. Bottom line: don't even bother unpacking the mouse. It really isn't worth the effort.

I have no driver problems with 10.2.4.

[sensorfreaky]

Thanks for the speedy response.

So it's OK to use the Wacom tablet as a mousepad? Optical mice track over its surface with no problems? I ask because there's so much input devices on my desk that believe it or not, space has become an issue

[aaanorton]

I plug my Intuous into a hub. No problem at all since at least 10.1. You won't confuse these things with other USB crap. I've never used the mouse, but am also not interested in trying it.