PLEASE READ: The Windows and Wacom Tablet Nightmare is Over
UPDATE on 2012–06–09: This article covers the older Windows 8 Consumer Preview, a new post covers the changes for the Windows 8 Release Preview.
A brief history: Basically the Wacom tablets worked perfectly on Windows XP. Perfect = Just Worked., my friends. Windows Vista started getting too clever. Vista turned on unwanted and unneeded Tablet PC features in response to seeing the Wacom tablet installed. This was irritating but at least one could turn off all the Tablet PC features via the Control Panel. Windows 7 (for reasons unknown) removed one of those control panel settings – the one that disables the pen click animation. As a result, wacom users had to set registry keys or use special tools to get things back to the desired experience. The situation is at least tolerable for most.
After installing Windows 8 Consumer preview here's what you Wacom uses need to know:
The default cursor when using a Wacom Tablet in Windows 8 Consumer Preview. As I said: “tiny white dot”
For comparison, below is the default cursor when using a Wacom Tablet in Windows 7
So yes. This new behavior sucks. And no, I don't know how to get the pointer to look like it should – like it did before. I can't figure out where this is even controlled in Windows 8.
I await a return to the halcyon days of Windows XP. In the meanwhile I'll try to send the issue to the Windows team. Maybe they can offer some suggestions.