The tablet size is much reduced from the old A6 size. This is not a major issue. For graphically recording signatures or making minor graphics-program changes (e.g. to scanned photos) it's actually OK. However, if you want to draw using Photoshop, or Illustrator or PaintShopPro; forget it - the tablet size is way too small. Similarly if you want to use the tablet as a mouse replacement. But the pen has the same sensitivity levels as it's bigger Graphire brothers, which is a definite plus point.

The pen has a 2nd mouse button but it does not have an eraser! Minor but irritating. This is reflected in the software - see below.

The main limitation is the software. The real replacement for the old PenPartners is the Wacom Graphire range. The software for the newer Graphires and the older PenPartners is the same. This is the main reason for giving it three stars. If the driver were the same as the Graphires I'd give four or even five stars (because of the value).

The major limitations (for me) for the new-PenPartner software compared with the old-PenPartner/Graphire are 1) You cannot modify settings for particular applications 2) Pressure sensitivity is a linear setting (the Graphire software allows you to access a sensitivity curve, and 3) You cannot modify the screen area mapped to the tablet.

This last, screen mapping, is a biggie if you have a multiple monitor set-up as I do. You are left with a choice of either turning off your secondary monitors or accepting that circles, squares, etc are flattened because the x dimension is larger proportionally than the y dimension. For a laptop with one screen this is irrelevant but I cannot use the new PenPartner with my main PC because I run three monitors. While this isn't a problem for the Graphire, and old PenPartner, and presumably for the Intuos (which I have never used - too expensive), it is a problem for Wacom's competitors. I bought a Trust A4 tablet as a bargain in a sale but it suffers from the same problem as the PenPartner with its software; it cannot deal properly with multiple monitors and circles, squares, etc are squashed because the x axis has to span all three monitors. Like the PenPartner you cannot confine the tablet to the main monitor because of limitations to the software. With the Graphire you can confine the screen mapping to one monitor or a custom screen area.

So my recommendation is... buy the PenPartner for simple graphics and writing signatures. It's cheap - at 29 it's a steal. It's software allows pressure sensitivity (variable width lines) and so you can do minor graphics tweaks with a paint program. For keeping with a lap top in the bag it's great. The small tablet size is a problem but not a limitation.

However, if you want to draw in graphics programs, go for something better. The Wacom Graphire range is far superior to its cheaper competitors (and the PenPartner), mainly because the software is better. I'd suggest that A6 is the minimum working area you need if you want to use the tablet in place of a mouse (the PenPartner is less than half this size), while at the same time allowing sufficient useful area for graphics editing.

If you want to do serious graphics editing you need a minimum of A5 size (= Wacom Graphire XL) and the more sophisticated tablet drivers that come with the Wacom Graphire and Intuos series tablets. Ideally you should have an A4 tablet but the cost is prohibitive unless you're a graphic artist who uses it every day. Do not be seduced by the cheaper alternatives to the Wacom tablets, you'll soon experience their limitations.

Unfortunately you cannot load the Graphire/old-PenPartner software driver for the new PenPartner - it just will not recognise the tablet. Even if you load both drivers it does not work.