conjurdude

I like my Wacom Intuos. I have the 4x6 and it's just the right size for me, but I have small hands and don't flail nearly as much while mousing as I do while talking. I can't recall how much I paid for it but I do remember that it was relatively an impulse buy, so it can't have been too steep.

As you saw when you were last down here I use it for everything, it's a full on mouse-replacement for me. It helps one hell of a lot with wrist fatigue when at the computer for a long time. I can go for hours without pain, whereas if I were doing that mousing I'd be cramped up like whoa.

would you say the Wacom Bamboo would be comparable? It's marginally less money...usable dimensions 5.8" x 3.7"

Or should I go with this one with a larger usable area?

The Bamboo is the next level down from the Intuos. Intuos comes w. 5 button mouse and has quick keys on the pad so you don't really have to go to the keyboard at all if you don't want. Basically, Intuos has a more grippy surface - more like paper than like writing on those little scribbly credit card pads at the grocery store. It also has more levels of pressure, and if you're going to be drawing with it you'll want that extra sensitivity.

In terms of size, the 4X6 is like drawing on a sheet of paper folded in half, give or take margins. I had no problem adjusting to letting it cover both monitors. I'd reckon that the next size up would be more like drawing on a full sheet of paper, give or take margins. It depends on what you're more comfy with, really. Your hands are bigger than mine by a measurable amount.