I am considering going for one of these. Does anyone use them? I thought it could speed things up for vector work? Would you go for the touch versions or not? Do they help with speed?

I am currently on a wacom intuos

I am using pro version, medium size. I am using it for retouch. Need some practice but it's much better than mouse.

I have a Wacom Cintiq Companion 2, the one with the Windows operating system and i7 processor, it's like a little turbocharged tablet that has everything I could ever want. It brought my game up to a whole new level. The disconnect between the traditional drawing tablet and the monitor is pretty big, and to me, really limited what I could do in terms of intricate brush work, and now I don't have that problem!  It runs Illustrator and Lightroom and Photoshop at the same time!  I can take it anywhere, it does not need to be attached to my main computer, so I can draw in bed or out on the hiking trail (electronic plein aire, and it has a camera, you can take the scene with you!).

They are absolutely amazing, I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Stacey

I have a 27qhd non-touch with the stand... great product, but Illustrator cc 2015 seems a little buggy on it, at least on a Mac, 2014 seemed better, photoshop is a breeze... test out illustrator if you can before you purchase. Screen gets smudged easily from fingers, so if you're one of those clean freaks then forget it.

Thanks so much for the detailed replies. Exactly the information I was after. I hadn't even seen the companion. I was only looking at the big display cintiqus like yours kingfoot (they just plug into your existing pc/ mac right?)

I really want to test drive  before paying out but it is hard to find a dealer with them on display. I am in the uk and haven't been able to find a shop with one plugged in!