Is there a tablet that is compatible with aperture 3?

Question

I have been looking for a tablet that would be compatible with aperture 3.  I talked with someone that was familiar with macs and they didn't think there was one at all.  I really don't want to use photoshop... I'm happy with aperture.  Thanks guys!!

Answer 1

Tim Campbell1 wrote:
Any Wacom tablet will work.
The Intuos line tablets have a few unique feature advantages over the Bamboo line, but Aperture doesn't take advantage of any of those features.
Aperture WILL take advantage of the fact that tablets are "pressure sensitive" -- so if you're applying a brushed on adjustment.  Say you're using the "burn" brush to darken an area --  a very light touch will apply a slight amount of "burn" but heavy pressure will apply a much stronger amount of "burn."
If you're buying a tablet *just* for Aperture, then save yourself a few bucks and buy a tablet in the Bamboo line. If you also need support for drawing & painting apps, then spring for the more expensive Intuous line.
(Emphasis added.)
This is mildly misleading.  Aperture takes full advantage of all but two of the Intuos4's additional functions. 
As I point out below, for these reasons I don't agree with Tim's recommendation.
The Intuos4 is, compared to the Bamboo Pen & Touch (all based on specs at Wacom's site):
2x more accurate
0.5x more responsive
2x more sensitive to pressure, and
2x higher in resolution
All of those are taken advantage of by Aperture.  Additionally, the Intuos4 comes with the TouchRing and  six ExpressKeys, all of which can be easily programmed to execute Aperture commands.  (The Bamboo has 4 ExpressKeys and no TouchRing.)  Also, the Intuos4 includes the fully programmable Radial Menu, which can be a workflow accelerator for Aperture.  (This may be available on the Bamboo -- I just don't know.)
My recommendation is that, if your are regularly going to use a tablet for making Adjustments and using Aperture, get the Intuos4 Medium.  It that is outside your budget, get the Intuos4 Small.  If you are only going to occasionally use the tablet with Aperture (or only occasionally use Aperture), the Bamboo Pen & Touch may suffice.
Note, as well, that Wacom's software bundles often completely change the value of some of their products.