Wacom tablets tend to be personal preferences when it comes to size and type. Some people use the small Bamboo tabs and love them, others can't even think of using anything other than the biggest. Some people (like me) never get comfortable with tablets where you are working/drawing and not looking at the actual area you are drawing on. I had an Intuos for a while and ended up getting rid of it. Just never got comfortable with it. If I ever try another tablet, I think only the Cintiq would possibly work for me.

So long-story-short, I think you need to really try out some tablets yourself to figure out what works for you and what doesn't.

I agree this is one of those very personal preferences.

I've been using a Wacom Intuous for about 13 years (the kind they now call the Pro) and I not only use it for Photoshop and Illustrator but everything else. I have a mouse but I only use it in situations where the Wacom driver has crashed (which almost never happens).

For me, the thing that would rule out the Bamboo (the non-pro Intuous in the new naming scheme) is not having the keys and touchstrip. Cmd, Opt, shift spacebar and a zoom slider. I couldn't operate things efficiently without those.

The size isn't as important - I've used a small one that I keep for the laptop on a 24" desktop monitor and it works just fine.

There is a learning period where you built the muscle memory and if you have a low tolerance for frustration, you may not get through that. It does take some getting used to.

If you just want to try out a tablet and see if it's even something you are interested in using without investing a few hundred dollars, maybe try something like this. Just $50 and has some similar capabilities as a Wacom.

I just started using an Intuos Medium and am now looking at getting a small. For me, the medium takes way too much arm movement but like others said it's a personal preference. I'm hoping the small is going to allow me to use more of my wrist. Not sure about the pro part.

I like it way better than a mouse working in Photoshop. 

I use a Intuos Medium.  The pro version will pay for itself in time saved. The more you use it the more fluid you will become, Very useful for illustrator you just can't not get organic sweeping curves with a mouse. In Photoshop it is a must I do a lot of art work just in protoshop  that would not be possible  without the graphics tab. the programmable buttons speed up thing no end so you can rotate canvas or change brush size or even undo on the fly.

"Very useful for illustrator you just can't not get organic sweeping curves with a mouse. "

Have to say I disagree with this. I used to use a tablet with Illustrator, now I find them cumbersome and the mouse a much better tool.

Is this kit useful for photo processing in PS or not worth?

http://www.amazon.com/INTUOS4-Pen-Pro-Accessory-Kit/dp/B002BH4QAA/ref=pd_sim_pc_3

for me a wacom tablet is useful because it can achieve close enough of hand written or hand drawings illustrations.. like u can write your signature on a wacom tablet, but not a mouse.. so the purpose is to duplicate the 'pen style' i guess..for illustrations.

for photoshop editing, i never feel like i need to use a wacom tablet..

Ok, I'm gonna make you  all cry foul... I use the touchpad on my laptop, and I deep-etch etc at the same speed as most on Tablets. However, I don't illustrate, which would be a nightmare on a touchpad. I just had to learn. I never had money for a Wacom, and by the time I.did, I couldn't be bothered. And I hate a normal mouse or even track-ball.

Bought it, used it for a while, but in the end I am back to my mouse. I think the problem is I do not have the time for the learning curve. it was slowing me down too much.  Maybe when I have some time I will go back and give it another try.

Quote from: jrwasserman on February 12, 2014, 09:36

Bought it, used it for a while, but in the end I am back to my mouse. I think the problem is I do not have the time for the learning curve. it was slowing me down too much.  Maybe when I have some time I will go back and give it another try.

It can take a little while to get the muscle memory going (and it does help if you just go cold turkey). I hope you give it another try at some point because it really is a huge difference. Or just switch to Lightroom for all your processing where I'd expect you'd not notice the problems with a mouse as much

I use both Lightroom and PS Jo Ann, in that order so I'm sure the tablet would be an asset. I will have to give it another try when I have time.

I think small is best for tablets as otherwise you have to wag your arm around a long way to navigate around the screen.  It also takes up a lot of desk space if you have a large one. 

Like Jo-Ann, I have also long since ditched the mouse.  I have had my Wacom bamboo for six years now and wouldn't be with out it.  Mine is just wearing out on the surface where I have used it so much so I will replace it soon, but after six years I think that is ok.