Wacom Bamboo "medium" size. About 200 bucks, includes 3 programs(elements, nik color, corel painter) both pen and touch capability, figure you already are good with "touch" like control with your laptop.

good info/reviews: http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/ha...../bamboofun.htm

If it's too steep, just get a small one, which is about 50-70 bucks.

Programs: Even though the medium comes with programs, I would go with Paint Tool SAI, which is what I use.

Get a tablet that will let you draw some huge boobs! JK

You can probly find some at Best Buy or Target.

You'll be surprised how well you can do with a small tablet. Depending on your drawing style, you might find some sizes easier than others. Mine's particularly small but I can do with it just fine.

WACOM ONLY...... dont pay the same price for something bigger in an off brand....

If I were you I'd also stick with WACOM. They're simply the best when it comes to tablets. I mean, the tablet I'm using is so fucking old it's not even produced and sold anymore XD Nevertheless it still works exactly the same as the day I bought it!

Btw: Mine is a Graphire ET-0405-R http://www.geizkragen.de/images/ref.....t-et-0405p.jpg so yeah I'd say either stick with Graphire or Bamboo as far as I know Bamboo is something like an upgrade, s'posed to be better for drawing.

So yeah... that's basically what I think hope I could help X3
Check the Wacom Homepage for newest products, I think you can compare prices there...

I've got a couple of thoughts for you

-the first thing is that with a budget of about $150, you're really either talking about a Wacom bamboo tablet, or perhaps a smaller intuos3, for example.

If you're really not sure how much you'd use one, first thing i'd recommend is that you go for a lower end bamboo tablet. You can get one of those for around $65 on Amazon.

If you're looking for more functionality, the newer Wacom intuos models have more levels of sensitivity, programmable buttons, and offer more functionality than the lower end models.

--Another thing I'd like to mention is to not get hung up on size. If you're using a program like OC, or Photoshop and you zoom in or out regularly when you draw, it's really not that much of an issue.

---I've heard of a lot of different brand names but I'd definitely stick with Wacom also. Other models may act somewhat the same, but a lot of them really are missing the finesse and pressure sensitivity that the Wacom tablets have down so well. Then those are simply just pointing devices.

I know you said your budget was $150, but how about this:
http://www.gainsaver.com/Catalog/De.....mp;version=107

I'm selling a model just like this, 2 batteries, the stand, and loads of programs. I just miss having a keyboard. It's an all in one unit and at 12.1" screen it's a little slow, but it works like a charm and unlike much more expensive models, the tracking is nearly 1:1 and does have about 200 levels of pressure sensitivity, as well.

yeah, at 150 your going to limit yourself to ether a wacom Bamboo or an off brand. one of the things i've noticed with the off brands is they are about one generation behind wacom. ether way, be very sure about what your buying take things like pressure sensitivity and active area into consideration when comparing.

i primarily us an intuos 4 medium for most stuff, which i've been using for a year or so now and it's held up despite 365 days of use 8 or more hours a day LoL!