Wacom is best known for having introduced the first cordless, batteryless, pressure sensitive pen in America a decade ago. And the new Graphire forges ahead with innovations for the home user and casual artist. On the side is a button that can be configured to operate as a mouse click. The pressure sensitive pen enables the user to accurately create digital equivalents of what would appear on their canvas or sketchbook. Pressing harder on the pen applies more pressure, resulting in a broader stroke of the pencil or brush.
Most image editing software supports the pressure sensitive feature.
In light of recent government actions regarding carpal tunnel syndrome, the pen also gains in importance. The proposed standard, scheduled to take effect sometime next year, aims at preventing and correcting work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Ergonomists have already observed children, despite their flexible young bodies, rubbing their hands and shrugging kinks out of their shoulders as they work at computers. So, in addition to its usefulness as a creative tool, the pen presents an alternative to dealing with wrist disorders caused by computer mouse use. It is difficult to find negatives about this product.