I think I'll be picking up one of the Wacom Intuos4 as soon as I get back into full time work
I already have a decent graphics programme I can use with it in the form of Autodesk Sketchbook Pro 2010.
I really wouldn't be able to offer any advice on graphics tablets though as I have never used one myself at the moment
I think if you think you have got the natural talent for art and you think it's worth your hard earned money investing in some good quality kit then go for it.
Everything I've posted up here so far has been freehand drawn in pencils and scanned in on the computer, I'd love to try and make it as an artist in some form and I think digitizing your talents would be an important factor in being able to do that, what with me not really being qualified in art or anything
On a slightly unrelated note, I think the next piece I'll try and have a go at will be of the 'Lone Wolf' Spartan from the as yet unreleased Halo Reach
seems like a cool customer!