Thats really great advice! thanks for your help.

i got one on amazon for a great price! im excited to start my 3d adventures. hopeful ill post some art soon

edit: got this guy- http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Intuos-Touch-Small-Tablet/dp/B00EN27U9U/ref=pd_sim_pc_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=09Q7HHJ8MDAQAMG6EJ6Y

So I guess there is no reason to get the regular version over the touch one.

For reference, this is what I'm looking at: https://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Intuos-Touch-Tablet-Version/dp/B00EN27U9U/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1483019584&sr=1-2&keywords=CTH480&th=1

The Wacom Intuos tablet is one of the best entry-level tablets if you're looking for something to get started with. If you're looking for something better, most of Wacom's tablets are also on Amazon as well.

I started with this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Intuos-Touch-Tablet-Version/dp/B00EN27U9U
and is similar to the first one you're showing. I'm really happy with it and made lots of things with it. I have it for 5 years now and it still works perfectly fine! :)

thanks for your imput! i think my desk can manage it. i ended up getting this guy:

http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Intuos-Touch-Small-Tablet/dp/B00EN27U9U/ref=pd_sim_pc_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=09Q7HHJ8MDAQAMG6EJ6Y

I have this one,

http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Intuos-Touch-Small-Tablet/dp/B00EN27U9U/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1422416152&sr=1-1&keywords=wacom+intuos&pebp=1422416156623&peasin=B00EN27U9U

I use it for photo editing mostly and photoshop work, and I really love it. It's great for doing work while I'm on my laptop. It works for what I need, its pressure sensitive, and the controls and settings are easy to figure out.