Finally, a tablet that matches your wide-screen display.

You've probably noticed a trend with displays recently - widescreen is the way to go. Apple's Cinema Displays are widescreen, and even PowerBooks have widescreen displays (with wide trackpads to match). Now, creative professionals who use graphics tablets finally have a wide-format tablet to match: Wacom's Intuos3 6x11.

The Intuos3 6x11 measures 16.5 by 10.3 by 0.6 inches, and the drawing area is 11 by 6 inches - 3 inches wider than the traditionally dimensioned Intuos3 6x8). But does a wide-format tablet really make a difference? Definitely. You can finally use a tracking speed for your cursor that feels comfortable and precise instead of fast tracking that compensates for a lack of width. If you're using two displays, the extra-wide tablet helps, too - you no longer feel like you don't have enough tablet space as you traverse displays.

Everything else about the Intuos3 6x11 is the same as the other Intuos3 tablets: terrific feel and accuracy, a pen design that we prefer over the pen included with the new Graphire4 tablet), and eight programmable ExpressKeys for invoking commonly used functions without having to touch the keyboard. The Intuos3 also has a pair of TouchStrips that allow you to zoom and scroll using your finger. As for the included five-button mouse, we didn't find anything to rave about - but we didn't hate it, either.

The bottom line. The Intuos3 6x11 is expensive, but if it's important that you feel comfortable as you work, it's money well spent.

COMPANY: Wacom
CONTACT: 800-922-9348, www.wacom.com
PRICE: $369.95
REQUIREMENTS: Mac OS 10.2.6 or later
Format ideal for widescreen displays and dual-display setups.
Expensive.