Does anyone know anything about thses things? I want to get one but dont know which ones are good, or even where t get them. I figured this is a good place to ask :0) Any help is greatly appreciated.

Well I just have a big one at work so I am not sure if that would help but you can get them through online places like MicroWarehouse or something like that. I like wacom though mine occassionaly goes out after using it for a long time.

That may be due to an under-rated power supply, Ghost. And yeah, Wacom makes some affordable ones. (Big high-end tablets can cost more than your computer!)

I've got a 4x5 Wacom tablet, it works great, and has got a pressure sensitive pen device. Definately go for the pressure sensitive pen (Although I dont know if you can even find a drawing pad without one these days). If you are just wanting something to play around to get used to them without spending a ton of cash, this is a great size to use. I use it pretty much daily. I think its around $75 right now, so you're not out a ton of money if you end it not liking them for some reason. The larger tablets get a lot more expensive as you go up in size ($750 for the 12x15"), so it's up to you how much you want to sink into one, but at any size, they are definately worth it!

Yeah, I've got a 4x5.. I don't use it much.. just every once in a while. I think it has some communication problems, really.. every once in a while it hangs and jumps.. that's probably why I don't use it much.. hehe.. but it's really useful when I need it. Rosh

Wacom all the way my man. Just got mine less than 24 hours ago. This is like magic. Get an Intos model. For a good price try the publishers Toolbox. www.pubtools.com they are really nice. If you go for a reconditioned model (ie overstocked) you can get $40 or more off the price. Found out that 3d programs like Amorphium are great, you can sculpt and the eraser tool really makes the job even easier. And making texture maps are now a piece of cake.

I bought a Wacom Intous A6 some weeks ago. It's great even though i haven't fully learned to use it yet. If you buy one don't be scared if it feels just like the first time you used a mouse. You get used to it. /Ohman

When I first got my Wacom tablet, my initial response was "why the hell did I buy this piece of...." - I couldn't use it at all. The cursor shot across the screen, lines went everywhere..... Now I've got used to it, I wouldn't get rid of it for any money (well, I might if the price was high enough for me to buy the next size tablet up grin) and I can't believe just how much easier it makes things. Paul

I used for all my texture- and graphic-work a WACOM GRAPHIRE A6 . If you will work with your existing mouse and not with the delivered wacom-mouse (because it's a cordless with bad pinting while the ball is small) you have to buy a second RS232-port. I promise you, it's worth the money. A technician let me know it's possible to youse up to 3 mouses on the same pc. SHARKEY

I think if you buy the USB graphire you can still use your old ps/2 or serial mouse (I have one of the new ms-mice with an infrared sensor on the bottom instead of a ball--no more fuzz-buildup! So I don't want to go back to a ball). I've been pricing and researching wacoms, and here's what I've discovered...a wacom graphire 4x5 costs about 100 bucks (you can probably get it for less by bargain hunting). A wacom intuos 4x5 costs about 200 bucks. The difference is that the intuos is approx. 2x times as sensitive, and that you have the option to buy some fairly bitchin' looking add-ons, such as an "airbrush" that's supposed to behave a lot like a real one. If you want the larger intuos (the graphire apparently only comes in one size) then that's another 100 bucks or so for the 6X8, and then it becomes hideously expensive. So, what are the advantages? Well, you can really draw with a tablet (assuming you can draw in the first place). Both tablets have a clear top that you can put a paper drawing underneath and then trace to get on the computer. I have friends who draw comics and do all their inking this way. The main thing it offers that even the best mouse can't is that "pressure-sensitive" thing. What this means is that you can simulate the effect of an actual brush or pen stroke, where it's thicker at the start and then trails off. That may not sound like the most important thing in the world, but have a look at a good ink drawing or painting and you will see this effect all over the place. I haven't 100 percent decided which to go for, the graphire or the intuos. (micro center and compusa seem to carry them in-store, otherwise you have to order them online. I've heard they have them at officemax but that's just a rumor). If I get the graphire and use it all the time, then I'll probably want the extra sensitivity of the intuos, but won't want to shell out so much for it...if I get the intuos and hate it or suck at using it, I'll be mad I spent so much. I think I'll probably get the graphire and then if I love it I'll just take the big plunge and save up for the 6x8 intuos. MicroCenter (big chicago computer store) is having a sale this weekend so with luck I'll pick it up soon! Mary

In my estimation they are 100% USELESS in Poser and Bryce... marginal in Amorphium and INDESPENSIBLE for post production in Photo Shop (or other drawing application) I have a 4X5 Intous and the Wacom 4D mouse which may be personalized for PhotoShop. The 4X5 is to small for the mouse. I will probably buy a 6X8 in the next few months. Please be aware that a mouse and tablet complement each other. I use my mouse as much as I do the tablet. Christine