IMO, tablets are pretty much the same; the only factors you need to think about are price and size. Go for a medium size, medium price one and you'll be happy. I personally use an Intuos that's about 6" x 8" and it's perfect.
It's not the tool, it's the person behind it.
I'm very happy with my Graphire 3. It really is awesome.
I am casually looking into upgrading to an Intuos 6x8 to get a larger work area, and some hotkeys could be nice, too., but I've been using the Graphire series for several years now, and still love them. 
Most of the lower brands have a pressure sensitivity of 512 levels, I'm told you want at least 1024, which Tiger Direct has in a very affordable Acecad 4x5 board for under $50.
My graphire 2 is going on 7yrs with me, and I love it, but it only has 512. The Intuos start at 1024, but you pay more for board size in that line, including the Cintiq.
Why do I know any of this? Because my wife keeps threatening to get herself a tablet for use with her vector art, she HATES my little bitty Graphire, what can I say, I have better wrist action... uh I meant... oh nevermind... check out the link!
Tiger also has this Adesso 12 x 9, but again at 512 lvls though it comes with Photoshop Elements (photoshop extra lite). That's $150, for 10 less, it comes without PE, and they have a 6x8 with 512 lvls for $100.
Mind you Wacom's have been around forever and are the industry standard, but these two companies are worthing a peak.
LJ
I have a 5x4 Wacom Graphire tablet, and it works just fine for me 
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Bigger is definitely better. I had been using a 4x5 Graphire4 for a bit, it still felt a little cramped (I have NO idea why they have the HUGE border around the active area). Then I ummm borrowed a 6x9 Intuos 2 at work, and omg it's a huge difference. You can use much bigger strokes and have much better control. Bigger = better.
Though I don't think you would need a 14x19 or how ever the big size is. 6x9 is quite doable. The active area is about the size of my normal drawing area in my sketchbook, and the whole thing fits nicely in my laptop bag as well.
I use The Adesso Cybertablet 12x9 myself.
I like the space it gives me to move around, I use a high screen res so it just makes things easier on my....mentally 
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Thanks much for the information all. I just checked my Amazon wishlist (where I tend to add all the things that I want to remember that I want later) and the Wacom Intuos 6x8 was there already. I also have a 6x11, though that sounds like it may be overkill for my needs.
Thanks for the non-Wacom suggestions, LJ. I think I tend to gravitate toward Wacom because I've used one in the past and they tend to be the big name in tablets.
I don't think I'm ready to get one yet since my artistic skills aren't quite up to snuff. I'd like to stick with traditional media to improve my skills before entering the world of digital. But, I am looking forward to digital coloring, and the thought of using a mouse for that makes me cringe.
Cosmic
I recently got myself a 4x6 Graphire from Wacom and as others have mentionned ... remember that it is just a tool ... I think I still do better with my mouse than I do with my tablet ... plus for me 4x6 is way big enough ... I hate moving my arm when I work and a tablet is not a mouse ... you have to go to the position on it that you want on your screen ... and for someone that sets his mouse to go accross the screen within 3 cms (an inch) having to move my hand 3-6 inches to click on the file menu is a pain!
So ... think about it ... don't spend too much on your first one ... and keep drawing, because that tablet is not the solution (wasn't for me anyway) eventhough there are really cool things that you can do with one that are almost impossible with a mouse ... just keep that in mind.
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The plan I'm working on right now for my drawing is to continue to do my penciling with a pencil and then do any inking and coloring in the computer. Though, I would like to try inking with real ink before I switch to using the computer.
That's at least the plan for now.
Cosmic
You won't regret going to a larger size if you are able. I got an intuos 4x5 several years ago and just found an ebay deal on a 12x12 intuos over Christmas. The 12x12 is hooked up to dual monitors (24" widescreen & 17") at the office, but Wacom software allows mapping the surface area to any or all parts of your viewing area. Both are serial tablets, so I've been keeping my eyes peeled for a newer usb...
Last week I saw a great deal on intuos 3's. Academic Superstore had refurbished 9x12s for $299 and 6x8s for $199 (still in stock). My wife is dead set on building a house we can't afford, so the tablet will have to wait 
Someone else can clean out the last of the stock before I break down... please.
I have a graphire 4, 4x5 and it works great for me. I tend to work zoomed in quite a bit and with very subtle strokes most of the time. (not to say that's all I do, but it's 70% of it) so I don't really need anything bigger. When I am just screwing around and sketching wildly, it seems to do fine for me even being pretty small.
It is my first though, and I've never used anything larger (couldn't afford it even if I did want it :P) so take my opinion with a grain of salt. For a first tablet though, I wouldn't think you'd need anything enormous.
So here's a question, then:
Is there a large learning curve in learning to draw on a tablet instead of the old-fashioned pencil and paper method? I've been tempted to get a tablet, but wonder if it's really something I'll use. I'm comfortable with my pencil, gum eraser, and pastels, but the idea of doing some things digitally interests me. I've been playing with Poser right now only to help me with getting poses right and anatomy correct, and clarify ideas in my mind.
The more I go digital, the more I like some of the things you can do, but I'm still a little old fashioned. It took me over 10 years to get a digital camera (professional photographer AND I also worked in the computer retail industry for some time, yet couldn't bring myself to take the plunge).
"If I fail, they write me off as another statistic. If I succeed, they pay me a million bucks to fly out to Hollywood and fart." --- George A. Romero
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In conection to this, has anyone ever upgraded your montiro after you've been using a tablet?
I'm going from 17" to 24" this week and wondering how that'll throw off my tablet.
I switch back and forth all the time between dual screen and single screen all the time (My TV is hooked into my computer for watching AVIs and stuff) and it has no adverse effect on my tablet. the only thing I notice is the 'workspace' on the tablet changes slightly to accomedate the new screenspace.
I think widescreen moniters would be the real issue.
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So here's a question, then:
Is there a large learning curve in learning to draw on a tablet instead of the old-fashioned pencil and paper method? I've been tempted to get a tablet, but wonder if it's really something I'll use. I'm comfortable with my pencil, gum eraser, and pastels, but the idea of doing some things digitally interests me.
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I've done some drawing on my tablet, and not been very impressed with my results, but that is because I like to move my paper every-which-way while I draw, and just can't get my hand and my brain lined up to get the lines right when I move the tablet in the same manner... 
What I tend to do is still draw on paper, but then scan it in and color it digitally. I really like the results I get that way. 
First off, to ComicFlux, are you going to be carrying it around with you? If yes, I'd go with the smallest ones, first. Also, I'd suggest you get the cheapest Graphire3 one first just to practice and see if you're comfortable with the environment. Drawing with a tablet and drawing on paper are very, very different...it's better to shell out about $70 and realize that it's not working than to spend somewhere in the $400 range.
Also, regardless of what you get, stick with WACOM.
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So here's a question, then:
Is there a large learning curve in learning to draw on a tablet instead of the old-fashioned pencil and paper method? I've been tempted to get a tablet, but wonder if it's really something I'll use. I'm comfortable with my pencil, gum eraser, and pastels, but the idea of doing some things digitally interests me. I've been playing with Poser right now only to help me with getting poses right and anatomy correct, and clarify ideas in my mind.
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There is a pretty steep learning curve (but that depends on your current style and skill level)...I've had my tablet for about...umm...3 or 4 years now. There are still alot of things I can do on paper that I've yet to be able to emulate with a tablet.
Okay, that answers a lot for me, there. I may forego the tablet for now, as, like Aerones, I move my paper around, a lot. In circles. It's hard enough for me to see my monitor as it is (I sit about two to three feet away, on the floor), and I prefer to draw at my art table. I can see how drawing can be different, I just wasn't sure how much.
"If I fail, they write me off as another statistic. If I succeed, they pay me a million bucks to fly out to Hollywood and fart." --- George A. Romero
"If I had any dignity, that would have been humiliating" --- Adam Savage
Virtue Server: Kheprera, Malefic Elf, Lady Omen, Night Rune, La Muerte Roja, Scarab Lafayette, Serena Ravensong, Kyrse, and Arachnavoodoo among others.
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Okay, that answers a lot for me, there. I may forego the tablet for now, as, like Aerones, I move my paper around, a lot. In circles. It's hard enough for me to see my monitor as it is (I sit about two to three feet away, on the floor), and I prefer to draw at my art table. I can see how drawing can be different, I just wasn't sure how much.
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Well, it's not different in the sense that you can't "move" your piece around...because you can, quite easily as a matter of fact. The only thing that always seem to bother me is keeping tabs on what you're looking at and where you're actually drawing on. I don't know...it always was kinda weird to me...but that problem gets solved for those with a Cintiq...but I doubt anyone (myself included) could ever dream of affording one...
Another thing that I've always had trouble with was the smoothness of the tablets. For those of you who've used tablets...it's like writing on glass...literally. WACOM says that their felt nibs were made to be less smooth but it doesn't really make THAT much difference...it's still quite smooth...and if you're used to pencil, the difference will be quite noticeable.
Although I'm pointing out negative factors, don't get me wrong. I TOTALLY support the desire to get a tablet...because it IS a very powerful TOOL. Granted, you will have to devote alot of time and effort into training yourself...but if you're up to the challenge, then I say, go for it!
If you need a rougher feeling, tape a piece of paper over the tablet, and you can get some feedback, I myself never did that but a friend did and he liked it. I just got use to it. I've drawn on the cintiq at comic con last year, very fun!
I'm sure I've said it before and I'll say it again, Bigger FTW!!!! I'm running the 9x12 and I absolutely love it! I will eventually go either cintiq or bigger, of course I'll need a bigger table....
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The only thing that always seem to bother me is keeping tabs on what you're looking at and where you're actually drawing on.
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I like to have the piece I'm working on open in two windows, one for 100% zoom, and the other for the zoom I work at on an area. Photoshop at least updates both windows simultaniously, so it's easy to ref both windows and see.
Another tip for graphire users is binding rotate image to the two buttons at the top of the pad, bind the left one to rotate counterclockwise, and the right to rotate clockwise. Might help you paper twirlers
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Another tip for graphire users is binding rotate image to the two buttons at the top of the pad, bind the left one to rotate counterclockwise, and the right to rotate clockwise. Might help you paper twirlers
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Hmm...binding rotate? Please elaborate...(fellow paper twirler). :-p
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In conection to this, has anyone ever upgraded your montiro after you've been using a tablet?
I'm going from 17" to 24" this week and wondering how that'll throw off my tablet.
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OMG Juggertha, you're gonna love it... my wife has a 20" widescreen downstairs in our house, and I sneak downstairs at night to use it with my tablet. Well I don't sneak, but I try not to blast my music when I work there like I am now... *gotta stop doing the What Is Love head bob!*
But yeah the workspace is so much more user friendly. You can dock all your little tool menus in one area, the bar at the top has every slider you need (if you're using Painter)... it's a dream.
I work off two 17" monitors, but it's not the same, though I can play and read the boards simultaneously... that's about the only creature comfort. Having all that work space will make you zoom through pieces... enjoy brother, you earned it!
LJ
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Another tip for graphire users is binding rotate image to the two buttons at the top of the pad, bind the left one to rotate counterclockwise, and the right to rotate clockwise. Might help you paper twirlers
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Hmm...binding rotate? Please elaborate...(fellow paper twirler). :-p
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I dunno what to tell you, but, as a paper twirler, my Graphire has no hotkeys to bind things to.
Painter lets you twirl the paper easily, not sure with Photoshop, as I hate twirling, though have used it on 1 occasion when I had a figure at an odd angle. Couldn't you just set up shortkeys?
While I don't need one right now, I do eventually want to get a drawing tablet. While I fantasize nightly if a Cintiq, I know that's a bit beyond my means and needs at the moment.
Does anyone have any tablet advice? I'm not entirely sure if I need to look at. Is a Wacom Graphire suitable, or should I really be looking at an Intuos?
Thanks in advance!
Cosmic