This the smallest tablet in the Wacom range has all the features of it's bigger brothers. I have no doubt whatsoever that a larger tablet for 90% of my design requirements would be awkward and uncomfortable in the long run (unlike a mouse the entire pad fixes itself perfectly to the screen size). This sized tablet let's me work on the couch or on the desk with ease.

Previously as a student I had used one of the Graphire tablets and gave up pretty shortly after its appeal wore off, never feeling much of an attachment. The Intuos3 is leap a into a whole different world. I use it primarily with Illustrator and Corel Painter, and it really does give a smooth very real-like connection to the computer. You feel in control, which is apparent with the on-screen results, which are stunningly realistic. For the first time I am using the paint tool to create vector versions of hand written text and graphics.

The levels of pressure and the angle of the pen are also taken into effect to produce results that are as good as you are. The shortcut keys are a great addition with the scrolling pad for such things as zoom control, so as not to need switching back to the keyboard or mouse.

Overall I would say it's a great purchase and will pay for itself in not very long at all, the only downside being the mouse is pretty much useless. Although I wouldn't buy a bigger pad, it is too small for the mouse, and somehow doesn't feel quite right anyway, so mine is back in it's box.

Although its primarily aimed at designers, it is inevitably used for creating digital signatures, something which it comes into it's own again with the angle of the pen and pressure, creating results identical to a pen-on-paper signature, unlike other cheaper tablets which won't simulate the corner edges, etc.

Finally, I would not hesitate in recommending it, even above its bigger brothers.