Well, I'm on what most graphic artists would call a crap system: 128 meg RAM, a piddling 4 GB HD. Oh, and it's a Mac, so very few of the freebies/cheap stuff are usable to me (and NO, I will NOT give up the Mac; you couldn't pay me to!). One thing that Mac really did right-- and complain all you like about the round mouse-- it is a joy to use. It handles so well, so smoothly, I found I could draw freehand with it. I was delighted. Then the mouse wore out (after 3 years), and I had the tough choice of the Labtec three-button cordless, or the Wacom Graphire, on sale for 8 more. I went for the Graphire. I am not a professional artist, but I must say that the difference that even this entry-level graphics tablet made to me was phenomenal. Unless you really like struggling, I believe that a graphics tablet-- even an entry-level one (and the Graphire is nice)-- is a very valuable investment. So many routine tasks, like selecting, become so much easier, and you will be amazed what you come up with to do with it once you have it. But if you have dogs, keep the pen in a safe place... :)