Wacom Intuos Pro M (PTK-670) Review

Hey creative folks! Today, we're diving deep into a piece of tech that's been a staple for many digital artists: the Wacom Intuos Pro M (PTK-670). If you're looking to level up your digital art game, you've probably heard the name Wacom, and for good reason. They're pretty much the gold standard when it comes to drawing tablets. But is this particular model, the Intuos Pro M, still worth your hard-earned cash in today's market? Let's break it down, shall we?

First Impressions and Build Quality

When you first unbox the Wacom Intuos Pro M (PTK-670), you immediately get a sense of premium quality. This isn't some flimsy piece of plastic; it feels robust and built to last. The matte black finish is sleek and professional, and it doesn't tend to show fingerprints too easily, which is a nice touch. The active drawing area is a generous medium size (hence the 'M'), offering a good balance between having enough space to work comfortably without taking up your entire desk. For those of you who are constantly moving your setup or working in smaller spaces, this size is often the sweet spot. It provides ample room for detailed strokes without feeling cramped, yet it's still portable enough to toss in a bag. The tablet itself has a slim profile, making it feel modern and unobtrusive. The build includes a metal chassis and a textured surface that mimics the feel of traditional paper, which is a huge plus for artists transitioning from physical media or those who simply prefer that tactile feedback. The included Pro Pen, with its ergonomic design and comfortable grip, feels like a natural extension of your hand. It boasts a good weight and balance, contributing to a fatigue-free drawing experience, even during marathon creative sessions. The pressure sensitivity is, as you'd expect from Wacom, top-notch. The tablet also features customizable ExpressKeys and a Touch Ring, allowing you to tailor the workflow to your specific needs and software. These physical buttons are strategically placed for quick access to your most-used shortcuts, minimizing the need to constantly reach for your keyboard. The Touch Ring is particularly useful for zooming, scrolling, or adjusting brush sizes on the fly, adding another layer of efficiency to your digital art process. The overall design philosophy here is clearly about providing a seamless and intuitive interface that gets out of your way so you can focus on creating. The connectivity is straightforward via USB, and for wireless capabilities, it often came with a wireless kit, which was a game-changer for many users looking for more freedom of movement.

The Drawing Experience: Pen and Surface

Now, let's talk about the heart and soul of any drawing tablet: the pen and the surface it interacts with. The Wacom Intuos Pro M (PTK-670) truly shines here. The Pro Pen that comes bundled with it is a marvel of engineering. It offers an incredible 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, meaning it can detect the subtlest changes in how hard you press down. This translates to incredibly nuanced lines, from hair-thin strokes to broad, bold ones, all with just a change in pressure. It's this level of control that really makes digital art feel organic and responsive. Tilt and rotation support are also standard, allowing for more natural brushwork, mimicking traditional tools like pencils and brushes more accurately. The pen itself is battery-free thanks to Wacom's EMR (Electro-Magnetic Resonance) technology, which is fantastic – no more worrying about charging your stylus! The textured surface of the tablet is another key feature. It has just the right amount of friction, giving you that paper-like feel that so many artists crave. This friction helps with control and precision, preventing the pen from gliding uncontrollably. It really bridges the gap between the digital and traditional art worlds. Some users might prefer a smoother surface, but for most, this texture is a significant improvement over older, slicker tablets. The active area is spacious enough for detailed work without feeling restrictive. Whether you're sketching, painting, photo editing, or even sculpting in 3D, the Intuos Pro M provides a comfortable and precise canvas. The pen nib wears down over time, much like a real pencil, and Wacom includes several replacement nibs in the box. They also offer different types of nibs (felt, hard, flex) that can further customize the drawing feel, which is a thoughtful addition. The responsiveness of the pen on the surface is instantaneous; there's virtually no lag, which is crucial for maintaining workflow and preventing frustration. The accuracy is also spot-on, ensuring that what you draw is exactly where you intended it to be on the screen. This attention to detail in the pen-to-surface interaction is what sets professional-grade tablets apart, and the Intuos Pro M certainly delivers on this front, making it a joy to use for extended periods.

Features and Functionality: Beyond the Basics

The Wacom Intuos Pro M (PTK-670) isn't just about a great pen and surface; it's packed with features designed to boost your productivity and streamline your workflow. The ExpressKeys are a godsend for anyone who wants to minimize keyboard reliance. These customizable buttons are located on the side of the tablet, and you can assign virtually any shortcut or function to them. Think Ctrl+Z (Undo), brush size adjustment, or even launching specific software tools. Once you get used to them, they become second nature and significantly speed up your process. I often find myself mapping my most frequently used actions to these keys, and it's a total game-changer. The Touch Ring is another brilliant innovation. It allows for intuitive control over things like zooming in and out of your canvas, scrolling through documents, rotating your canvas, or adjusting brush opacity and size. It's incredibly responsive and adds a fluid dimension to navigating your software. You can even cycle through different functions for the ring, making it a versatile tool. For those who prefer gesture controls, the Intuos Pro M also features multi-touch functionality. You can use familiar gestures like pinch-to-zoom, rotate, and pan directly on the tablet's surface with your fingers. While some artists prefer to keep this disabled for precision drawing (as accidental touches can sometimes occur), others find it incredibly useful for quick navigation, especially when working with large images or complex designs. The tablet also supports wireless connectivity via an included adapter, which is a huge plus for desk clutter reduction and creative freedom. Being able to draw without being tethered to your computer opens up new possibilities for how and where you work. The setup for wireless is generally straightforward, though it does require charging the wireless receiver and the tablet itself. The tablet also comes with robust driver software that allows for deep customization of all these features. You can fine-tune pen pressure curves, button assignments, touch gestures, and more. This level of control ensures that the tablet truly becomes an extension of your creative process, adapting to your unique style and preferences. It's this thoughtful integration of hardware and software that makes the Intuos Pro line so popular among professionals who demand performance and customization.

Performance and Compatibility

When it comes to performance, the Wacom Intuos Pro M (PTK-670) has historically been a powerhouse, and even by today's standards, it holds up remarkably well. The key here is low latency and high accuracy. What you draw on the tablet appears on your screen almost instantaneously, which is absolutely critical for fluid and intuitive digital art creation. There's no perceptible lag between your pen strokes and their digital representation, making the whole experience feel natural and responsive. This responsiveness is further enhanced by the high resolution of the tablet (often measured in lines per millimeter or LPI), which translates to very precise tracking of the pen's movements. Combine this with the 8192 pressure levels and tilt sensitivity, and you have a tool that can capture every subtle nuance of your artistic intent. Compatibility is another strong suit for Wacom products, and the Intuos Pro M is no exception. It works seamlessly with both Windows and macOS operating systems. The drivers are generally well-maintained and updated to support the latest versions of these operating systems, ensuring a smooth experience. In terms of software compatibility, this tablet is designed to work with virtually all major creative applications. Whether you're using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Clip Studio Paint, Corel Painter, Autodesk Sketchbook, or even 3D sculpting software like ZBrush or Blender, the Intuos Pro M will integrate beautifully. The pressure sensitivity and other features are recognized by these applications, allowing you to leverage the full capabilities of the tablet within your preferred creative environment. It's this universal compatibility and reliable performance that make Wacom tablets a go-to choice for professionals across various disciplines. You don't have to worry about whether your tablet will play nice with your software; it almost always does. This reliability is paramount for anyone who relies on their tools for their livelihood or serious hobby projects. The device uses a standard USB connection, making it easy to plug and play, and the optional wireless kit adds another layer of flexibility without sacrificing performance.

Pros and Cons: The Verdict

Alright guys, let's sum things up with the good and the not-so-good of the Wacom Intuos Pro M (PTK-670). This tablet has been a workhorse for so many artists, and for good reason.

Pros:

• Exceptional Pressure Sensitivity: The 8192 levels of pressure, combined with tilt and rotation support, offer unparalleled control and natural drawing feel. It's seriously impressive.
• Paper-Like Texture: The drawing surface provides a satisfying amount of friction, mimicking traditional paper and enhancing control.
• Premium Build Quality: It feels solid, durable, and designed to withstand heavy use.
• Customizable ExpressKeys and Touch Ring: These features significantly speed up workflow and reduce reliance on the keyboard.
• Battery-Free Pro Pen: No charging required for the pen, ever! It's always ready to go.
• Wireless Connectivity Option: The ability to work wirelessly offers great freedom and reduces desk clutter.
• Wide Software and OS Compatibility: Works with almost everything and both major operating systems.

Cons:

• Price Point: Wacom products, especially the Pro line, can be a significant investment. While you get what you pay for, the initial cost might be a barrier for some.
• Nib Wear: The textured surface, while great for feel, can cause nibs to wear down faster than on smoother surfaces. Replacements are necessary over time.
• Multi-Touch Can Be Finicky: While a cool feature, accidental touches can sometimes interrupt the drawing process. Many users prefer to disable it.

Is the Wacom Intuos Pro M (PTK-670) Still Worth It?

So, the big question: Is the Wacom Intuos Pro M (PTK-670) still a viable option in 2023 and beyond? Absolutely, guys! While newer models have been released, this tablet remains a fantastic choice, especially if you can find it at a good price, perhaps on the used market or during a sale. Its core features – the incredible pressure sensitivity, the responsive pen, the tactile drawing surface, and the robust build quality – are still industry-leading. For intermediate to professional artists who need a reliable, high-performance drawing tablet without the absolute bleeding edge of the very latest tech (which often comes with a much higher price tag), the Intuos Pro M (PTK-670) is still a seriously strong contender. It provides a professional-grade drawing experience that can genuinely elevate your work. If you're a beginner on a tighter budget, you might consider Wacom's lower-tier Intuos models or even some competitor tablets. But if you're looking for that pro experience, the feel, the precision, and the features that serious artists rely on, the Intuos Pro M (PTK-670) delivers in spades. It's a testament to Wacom's design and engineering that a slightly older model can still compete so effectively. Think of it as a classic car – it might not have all the latest gadgets, but its fundamental performance and driving experience are still superb. For many, this tablet is the perfect balance of performance, features, and value, especially if you prioritize the drawing feel and precision above all else. It's a tool that empowers creativity and stands the test of time. So, go ahead, consider it – your digital canvas awaits!