March 11, 2008 7:15 AM PDT

Free your inner artist with Genius 8x6 graphics tablet, $39.99 shipped

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(Credit: Amazon)

The Genius MousePen 8x6 is a pressure-sensitive graphics tablet that lets you draw freehand in programs like Corel Painter. Usually such tablets start at around $80, and large ones like this run even higher, but Amazon has it for just $39.99 with free shipping.

I'm no tablet expert, but the reviews on Amazon and this one on About.com peg this as a pretty solid model (the ratings average 4 out of 5 stars). It features 1,024 pressure-sensitivity levels, a wireless pen, a wireless mouse, and a copy of the aforementioned Corel Painter. Although the specs indicate Windows compatibility only, the Genius site has Mac OS X drivers available for download. If you're in the market for a tablet, this is the deal to beat.

Rick Broida, a technology writer for nearly 20 years, is the author of more than a dozen books. In addition to writing CNET's The Cheapskate blog, he oversees BNET's Business Hacks. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers. Follow Rick on Twitter at cheapskateblog.

Topics:: Peripherals

Tags:: graphics tablet,; tablet,; drawing,; pen

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About The Cheapskate

The best things in tech are cheap. "The Cheapskate" scours the Web for great deals on PCs, phones, gadgets, and all the other tech stuff that makes life worth living. Send your own cheapskate tips to thecheapskate@gmail.com. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers.

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