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Verdict: the Wacom Bamboo Fun remains capable used hardware, but it is a poor modern-support bet. The medium CTH-661 is the most appealing version for drawing; the small CTH-461 suits compact desks, photo editing and travel. Earlier CTE-450 and CTE-650 models are different products, with different pressure specifications and no equivalent multi-touch system. Buy one only when the exact model, matching pen and a return option are confirmed. For dependable current compatibility, choose a Wacom Intuos or Wacom One instead.
Identify your Bamboo Fun before judging it
“Bamboo Fun” covers at least two generations. Turn the tablet over and read the model number on the rear label; do not rely on the name printed on a listing.
| Model | Generation | Pen | Touch | Controls | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTE-450 | Earlier Bamboo Fun | Yes | No conventional multi-touch | ExpressKeys and touch ring/input wheel | Small |
| CTE-650 | Earlier Bamboo Fun | Yes | No conventional multi-touch | ExpressKeys and touch ring/input wheel | Medium |
| CTH-461 | 2009-era Bamboo Fun Pen & Touch | Yes | Yes | Four ExpressKeys | Small |
| CTH-661 | 2009-era Bamboo Fun Pen & Touch | Yes | Yes | Four ExpressKeys | Medium |
Wacom’s manuals identify the CTH-461 as the small and CTH-661 as the medium Bamboo Fun, while Wacom separately lists the CTE650 as Bamboo Fun. See the CTH manual and earlier CTE manual.
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Specifications that matter
CTH-461 and CTH-661 Pen & Touch
| Specification | CTH-461 small | CTH-661 medium |
|---|---|---|
| Active area | 147.6 × 92.3 mm (5.82 × 3.64 in) | 216.5 × 135.3 mm (8.53 × 5.33 in) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | |
| Resolution | 2,540 lpi (100 lpmm) | |
| Pressure sensitivity | 1,024 levels | |
| Connection | USB | |
| Pen | Cordless, battery-free, two side buttons and eraser | |
| Controls | Four customizable ExpressKeys; finger touch gestures | |
These figures come from Wacom’s legacy manual: Bamboo Pen, Bamboo Touch and Bamboo Fun manual.
#1 Best Overall
- Edit digital photos, paint and draw with the natural feel of a pen on paper.
- Free downloadable creative software included: Photoshop Elements, AutoDesk Sketchbook Express and Nik Color Filters. To obtain the software, register the item with the included installation CD, which will take you to download.wacom.com.
- 4 ExpressKeys for quick shortcuts and a pressure sensitive pen.
CTE-450 and CTE-650
| Specification | CTE-450 small | CTE-650 medium |
|---|---|---|
| Active area | 147.6 × 92.3 mm | 216.5 × 135.3 mm |
| Resolution | 2,540 lpi (100 lpmm) | |
| Accuracy | Approximately ±0.5 mm | |
| Report rate | 133 points per second | |
| Connection | USB | |
| Touch | Earlier touch ring/input wheel, not the CTH multi-touch system | |
| Pressure | Contemporary Hardware Secrets coverage lists 512 levels | |
Because the older manual and contemporary reviews describe the CTE generation differently from the CTH models, do not quote 1,024 levels as a universal Bamboo Fun specification. Sources: Wacom CTE manual and Hardware Secrets.
How it performs for drawing and painting
The fundamental interaction is still good: the pen uses absolute positioning, so a point on the tablet maps to a point on the screen rather than moving a cursor relatively like a mouse. In a supported application, pressure can change brush width, opacity or density. Contemporary reviews praised the pen’s precision, responsiveness and lightly paper-like surface for drawing, painting and retouching (What Digital Camera; TechRadar; Photography Blog).
The battery-free pen needs no charging and has two side buttons plus an eraser. Where the driver exposes the controls, tip and eraser feel can be adjusted. Rotate the tablet and move the control orientation for left-handed use. Do not assume another Wacom pen will work: Wacom warns that Bamboo pens are model-specific. Check the replacement-pen restrictions before buying, using the official Bamboo Fun pen listing.
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- Wacom Intuos Small Graphics Drawing Tablet: Enjoy industry leading tablet performance in superior control and precision with Wacom's EMR, battery free technology that feels like pen on paper
- Works With All Software: Wacom Intuos tablet can be used in any software program to explore new facets of digital creativity; draw, paint, edit photos/videos, create designs, and mark up documents
- What the Professionals Use: Wacom's industry leading pen technology and pen to paper feeling makes it the preferred drawing tablet of professional graphic designers
- Software and Training Included: Only Wacom gives you software with every purchase. Register your Intuos tablet and gain access to some of the best creative software and Wacom's online training
- Wacom is the Global Leader in Drawing Tablet and Displays: For over 40 years in pen display and tablet market, you can trust that Wacom to help you bring your vision, ideas and creativity to life
Pressure count is not a quality score. Tracking, latency, calibration, surface wear, driver stability and application support matter at least as much, so a 1,024-level CTH model is not automatically equivalent to a current professional tablet.
Small or medium?
| Small (CTE-450 or CTH-461) | Medium (CTE-650 or CTH-661) | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Photo editing, signatures, notes, compact desks and travel | Illustration, painting and longer sessions |
| Advantages | Portable, less desk space, often cheaper used, short cursor travel | More room for wrist-and-arm movement; better for broad strokes |
| Drawbacks | Can feel cramped for detail or a large/high-resolution display | Larger footprint and less convenient to carry |
The medium CTH-661’s 8.53 × 5.33-inch area is close to the workspace of a modern medium Intuos. Choose based on your display, desk and drawing style—not on the assumption that larger is always better.
Touch and ExpressKeys
Only the CTH-461 and CTH-661 provide the later finger multi-touch experience. Reviews describe scrolling, panning, zooming, rotation, back/forward navigation, selecting and dragging. The driver switches between pen and finger states when the pen is near the surface; they are not intended as simultaneous inputs. Touch can be convenient for navigation, but some reviewers found response or gesture recognition slow, and users with a good mouse or trackpad may gain little (TechRadar Pen & Touch; Macworld).
Rank #3
![Wacom Bamboo Create Pen Tablet (CTH670) [Old Version]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31STyDwO+kL._SL160_.jpg)
- Bring your full creativity to life with the natural feel of a pen o paper. Edit digital photos, paint, draw and sketch.
- Work with more than twice the active area, 4 ExpressKeys for shortcuts and a pressure sensitive pen with an erasure.
The later models’ four ExpressKeys can hold application shortcuts, keystrokes, mouse functions, undo, brush-size changes or modifier keys. They are useful in Photoshop, Krita, GIMP and Clip Studio Paint, although assignments depend on the driver and application. On the small tablet, the compact button layout may feel cramped if your hand rests over the controls.
Software and original bundle
Launch packages varied by country and revision. The 2009-era Fun was associated with Adobe Photoshop Elements, Corel Painter Essentials, Nik Color Efex Pro and other regional applications (Macworld; Wacom Japan comparison). Treat these as historical bundle details, not as included value in a used listing. Codes may be redeemed, licenses may not transfer, and old versions may no longer be supported.
Modern compatibility: the main risk
As of August 16, 2026, Wacom lists at least the CTE650 among products it no longer services. Wacom says unsupported products may no longer receive compatibility improvements, technical support or future driver support (end-of-service list; unsupported-device guidance). The CTH models remain in legacy documentation, but Wacom’s current driver page does not guarantee that every Bamboo Fun variant works with the latest Windows or macOS release.
Rank #4
- Word-first 16K Pressure Levels: The upgraded stylus features 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity and supports up to 60 degrees of tilt, delivering smoother lines and shading for a natural drawing experience. With no battery or charging needed, it operates like a real pen, making it easy for beginners to create effortlessly. This functionality helps novice artists develop their skills and explore their creativity without the intimidation of complex tools
- Designed for Beginners: This drawing pad desinged with 8 customizable shortcuts for both right and left-hand users, express keys create a highly ergonomic and convenient work platform
- Perfectly Adapted for Android: The XPPen Deco 01 V3 art tablet supports connections with Android devices running version 10.0 and above. It is recommended to download the XPPen Tools Android application, which adapts to your smartphone's screen aspect ratio, ensuring accurate mapping. It also supports mapping on Android screens with different aspect ratios in portrait mode
- Large Drawing Space, Bigger Bold Inspiration: This expansive drawing pad has10 x 6.25-inch helps you break through the limit between shortcut keys and drawing area
- Easy Connectivity for Beginners: The Deco 01 V3 offers USB-C to USB-C connectivity, plus adapters for USB C. This ensures easy connection to various devices, allowing beginner artists to set up quickly and focus on their creativity without compatibility concerns. Whether using a laptop, tablet, or desktop, the Deco 01 V3 provides a seamless experience, making it an ideal choice for those just starting their digital art journey
Compatibility therefore depends on the exact model, operating system, driver generation and required features. A tablet may provide cursor movement while pressure, touch or ExpressKeys fail. Do not buy on a blanket promise that it works with Windows 11, a current macOS release, Linux or ChromeOS.
A practical setup workflow
- Read and photograph the rear model label.
- Search Wacom support by that exact model, not just “Bamboo Fun.”
- Install only a driver that explicitly lists the model, if one is offered.
- Connect directly by USB during setup; avoid an unpowered hub.
- Restart after installation.
- In the Wacom utility, test cursor, pen tip, pressure, eraser, side buttons, ExpressKeys and touch where applicable.
- Draw in a pressure-sensitive application, not only a browser or desktop.
- If pressure is missing, check application tablet settings/API, Windows Ink or equivalent options, and competing tablet drivers.
- If it is not detected, remove conflicting tablet drivers, reboot and reinstall the intended one.
Third-party drivers may exist when official support does not, but they are not Wacom-supported and may lose pressure, touch, buttons or configuration features.
Common failures
| Symptom | Possible causes and response |
|---|---|
| No device detected | Try another cable and port; verify the model and driver before declaring the tablet dead. |
| Cursor moves, no pressure | Test a known pressure-sensitive app; inspect its API and tablet settings. |
| Pen works, buttons do not | Check partial driver support and confirm the pen is the correct model. |
| Touch unavailable | Confirm it is a CTH model, that touch is enabled and that the driver supports it. |
| Jumping or lag | Try a clean driver install, another USB connection and another computer; inspect surface wear. |
| Replacement pen missing | Buy only a confirmed compatible pen and include its cost in the decision. |
| Software absent | Assume the hardware has no usable bundle unless a transferable license is demonstrated. |
Users report pressure, touch and detection problems on newer Windows and macOS systems, but those reports are anecdotal rather than proof that every unit fails (user report; user report; user report; user report).
Best Value
- Share ideas with visual communication. Mark up documents, sketch and annotate with the natural feel of a pen on paper
- Software included: Autodesk Sketchbook Express
- Ergonomically designed pen that gives you comfort and precise control for desktop navigation, annotation, drawing and sketching.
Used-buying checklist
- Get a clear photograph of the rear model number.
- Confirm that the original compatible pen is included and test its tip, buttons and eraser.
- Ask for a live demonstration of cursor movement and a pressure-sensitive line.
- Test ExpressKeys and touch when the model should provide them.
- Inspect the USB connector, cable, surface grooves and cracks.
- Prefer a seller offering returns if driver compatibility fails.
- Do not pay extra for old bundled software without demonstrably valid license transfer.
- Avoid listings tied to school, enterprise or specialized installations.
Should you buy one instead of a current tablet?
Wacom Intuos
Wacom Intuos is the closest current equivalent: a screenless, pressure-sensitive tablet with a battery-free Pen 4K and support for Windows, Mac, Android and ChromeOS. The small CTL-4100 has a 6.0 × 3.7-inch active area; the medium Bluetooth CTL-6100WL has an 8.5 × 5.3-inch area. Choose it for current support, newer hardware and a simpler setup. A used Bamboo Fun may still cost less or offer touch and four physical ExpressKeys.
Wacom One pen tablet
Wacom One targets beginners and hobbyists with current compatibility and bundled creative software or content. It is the safer first purchase than an unsupported legacy tablet, though its active area and physical controls differ by model.
Huion and XP-Pen also offer credible budget products, but model-specific current pricing, drivers and performance should be checked separately rather than assumed from the brand name.
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Quick Recap
Recommendation by buyer
- Beginner artist: buy a current Intuos or Wacom One unless the Bamboo Fun is exceptionally cheap and returnable.
- Budget experimenter: a tested CTH-661 or CTE-650 with its correct pen can be worthwhile.
- Photo editor or note-taker: a small model is usually sufficient.
- Illustrator or painter: prefer the medium active area, especially CTH-661.
- Modern Mac or Windows user needing reliability: avoid an untested unit.
- Collector or retro-computing user: an intact set with original accessories may be appealing, independent of modern support.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
