Does anyone here use one of those Wacom/Tablet things?

Reason why I ask, is that I'd like to get back into drawing and painting.
I stopped drawing about 5 years ago. Once I started working daily with graphics, I was kinda exhausted creativity-wise once I got home.
But the last year or so, the lust and inspiration seems to be returning.

Also, I've become more and more impressed with stuff like this:

YouTube Video

The ease of it! The idea of not having to fiddle around with easels and paint stains on everything appeals to me.
Also, by now I know Photoshop so well, it would feel archaic going back to pen and eraser.


So, anyone have any experience with tablets?
I've really had an eye for this cheap 2nd hand (but rarely used) A5 Intuos3?


Yeah I know I might won't be overrun with answers in here, but here goes nothing.
The CC was actually one of my main reasons for joining this place back in 2002

Jam it back in, in the dark.

So I take it that going Wacom is inevitable if I want to take it to the next level, or at least for people who are serious with their stuff?

My whole body urges me to run off and buy it right now, but I might want wait, because I hardly ever have any Christmas ideas for myself (I always just run off and buy the stuff I want).
This would make an excellent pool together-thing.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Yeah, a Cintiq or even the Axiotron Modbook looks damn awesome. But it's a costly Falcon Punch to the wallet.

Some day, down the line, when the price is right.
Right now this rookie's choice is much more simple and affordable.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Well, I did it. I went ahead and bought the A5 Intuos3...


And it fucking ROCKS!


Installed the driver, plugged it in, started Photoshop, picked up the pen and there's just magic. Damn it's easy. No messing around with paint tubes, water, paper and paintbrushes. I'm just plugged in digitally and splashing away on my canvas like there's no tomorrow.

Now, my actual drawing and painting skills are extremely rusty, but that'll come around. I screwed around with it last night before going to bed, and it improved just having fun with these four cliché pieces. In chronological order:

This thing is so awesome, I had no idea.
Now it's getting put away for Christmas. Because I haven't actually got it yet shhhhhhhh

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?