What drawing tablet to buy?

[Rattja]

So I picked up drawing again about a year ago, and have been getting better at it.
I want to draw digitally, and have been using a Wacom Bamboo tablet for a while. It's great and all, but I just can't draw as well when looking up at a screen instead of where my hand is.

So I've decided to try out one with a display, and that's where I need some help.
The ones I have seen seem rather big, are there smaller ones?
Also, won't the screen be full of scratches after some time?

I just want something simple, but still good quality. Like the tablet I am using, just with a screen. Something solid that just works, nothing fancy.

Soo... Suggestions?

 

[Luca72]

A lot of the ones that let you draw directly to the screen have lag that ends up causing just as much of a disconnect as having to look at a screen while you draw. I hear the new Cintiqs have eliminated most of it though. I haven't been able to test it myself, as all the ones I know of cost over $1000.

I've been using an Intuo4 small for years, and while its' surface area leaves much to be desired it's worked like a dream for me so far! I believe the Intuos5 small is around $170.

 

[Wereraccoon]

I will have to join Luca and advice the intuos4. I know it's hard getting used to not looking to your hand. But practise really makes perfect. Just do it a lot and you'll soon get used to it.

Also, I would advice the slightly bigger intuos, the one A4 sized. It has more buttons and is more comfortable to draw on because it's surface size. It is a bit more expensive though. (As one would expect.) I've bee using it for years, no complains.