I've just started using Skritter and so far I like what I'm seeing. But using the mouse doesn't really cut it for me though. I own an iPhone and iPad and know that an app is coming but I don't want to wait for it. If you had a choice, would you use a Wacom Tablet or a Kindle Fire? The potential advantage to the Kindle Fire is that you can write directly on it like paper whereas with the Wacom Tablet you write and have to look at the screen simultaneously.

I've read some posts noting that the Kindle Fire works with its flash plug in. Can anyone comment on the Fire's performace with "Raw Squiqs" turned on? This is the mode I like to use but there are some posts noting that Skritter's performance with raw squiqs isn't good on some android tablets. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

I don't know about the Kindle fire but I definitely prefer my 7 inch GALAXY Tab to my Wacom.

Considering you already own a iPad and will probably be using Skritter full time on it once the app is out, I'd suggest waiting. Absent patience, I'd suggest buying whichever has a better resale value, since your use of it may be minimal a few months out.

On the other hand, Skrittering with a mouse is dire, and that's a few months of practice you wont get in. Given the two options, I'd get a cheap Wacom Bamboo Pen. There's no point getting an Android tablet that runs it so-so, when you can have the web version working well, and the proper iOS app in a little while.

If you have an iPad, save your money for a decent stylus for it. For now, I agree with Byzanti - I'm still standing by my 10-year-old Wacom Volito!

I really don't see the value of getting a high-end tablet, especially if it will be redundant soon. And it's definitely not worth getting an Android device if this is all you'd use it for, as the website is still the best way to Skritter.

Thanks for all the advice! I'm still curious about the Kindle Fire though. I figure that if I get one, I can use it until the iOS app is released and then sell it. If anyone has any experience with it, please let me know. The Galaxy Tab is a good tablet but I don't want to lay out that much cash for it right now. If the Fire's performance isn't acceptable, I'll buy a Wacom Tablet following the advice given by all of you that have responded.

There's been a bit of discussion on the forum already;
http://www.skritter.com/forum/topic?id=132095719
and
http://www.skritter.com/forum/topic?id=131372200
might help.

If you happen to be using a newer Mac that has the glass touchpad you can use Inklet with a stylus; I did this for the first 5-6 months on Skritter and found it very usable (and far superior to the mouse, which I hated). Plus you can use the stylus on your iPad later when the app is out.

http://tenonedesign.com/inklet.php

I don't own a Macbook or any laptop right now. I saw those posts on the Kindle Fire but I am looking for some one who owns one to quantify the performance, especially with raw squigs turned on. I am curious since it uses the silk browser which processes flash on an amazon server before feeding it to the handheld. This differs from other android tablets. If I see one in a store that has WiFi connectivity, I'll try it out.

Definitely go for the Wacom Bamboo, especially if you can find the older version for cheaper than US$70. I own both the Bamboo and the Kindle Fire, and I almost never use the Fire for Skritter, even though it means I have to bring my laptop around if I want to study.

The Kindle Fire lags, that's the only way to say it. Loading words takes about twice as long as on the computer, but that's not the biggest problem. The issue is that input from the screen is slow, so you get jagged lines and it's not at all a fluid writing experience. I am used to working on the computer for a long period of time, and I can Skritter using the Bamboo for 2+ hours at a go without feeling fatigued, but using the Fire for more than 20 minutes gives me a headache and is just unpleasant.

If you have ever played video games, it's the same as when you're playing a game that your computer can't quite handle well: that half-second lag between input and response is terrible in terms of user experience.

I also have to say that I think the benefits of using Skritter on mobile are overwrought. For me, studying in little snippets is just not as effective as sitting in front of the computer and getting in "the zone."

@Catherine: can you recommend a decent stylus for use with an iPod touch? I've been using my finger up to now, but since I plan to start spending more time studying on the app and less on the website, I'm afraid I'll start losing muscle memory.

junglegirl, the best ones I've found are ifaraday.com, in that their normal tip requires next to no pressure. Their basic stylus does require to be used a bit upright though, otherwise the side of the barrel impacts on the side of the screen, however I think their other styluses (with the half dome tip as opposed to the flat one the basic one has) should solve that. I'm not entirely sure about this however, as the one I have with a half dome tip is hard, not normal softness, so that might also affect it. Normal is better than hard though - hard requires too much pressure.

Hi, I am not Catherine, but just want to share my experience. In case you can use the same stylus for the iPad as for the iPod, I would like to recommend the Wacom Bamboo stylus for iPad/iPhone. It is by far the best I tested (I tried 4 different ones). Number 2 for the ipad (in my opinion) is the Alupen Just Mobile. In fact, the Alupen is as good as the Wacom Bamboo pen for ipad/iphone,but less suitable if your hands are not big enough. The pen is a bit fatter to hold, not to write! But like I said, I am not 100% sure whether you can use the same stylus for the iPod as for the iPad.

红羽 - Thanks for the info about the Kindle Fire. I won't bother looking at it. Seems like a Windows Tablet PC is the only good alternative to a Wacom tablet. I'll go with the Wacom....

@junglegirl
I am waiting for the skritter app to try various styluses, I started a post a while ago about it, I think there were some varied opinions on that. I want to find somewhere I can try various types of stylus out before buying; I wasn't convinced by anyone's argument without trying them out first.

Thanks Byzanti, Diny and Catherine for the advice.

You can make your own stylus if you need one until you get a commercial stylus. There are many articles on the Web on how to DIY. Try:

http://lifehacker.com/5550029/diy-touch+screen-stylus-new-and-improved

Even if you don't make one, you'll realize how cheap a stylus is to make. Charging $25 for a stylus is outrageous.

Buy the wacom. I would be happy to buy it to you in dead cow price when you are finish with it.