My first one(wacom graphire classic) was small(A6 paper size active drawing area) and that was a really good and convenient size for a tablet that was easy to also take along with a laptop when traveling.

So for your first one I'd be inclined to recommend that, that way even if you end up getting something else 'better' later be it screen integrated stylus tablet or just a bigger one the small one might continue to serve some purpose too. But thats just my own opinion based on my own experience.

edit: it's also worth noting one other potential pro/con of a small tablet, the way you use it(draw on it) is different from a big one, then drawing on big one you would draw/pivot more from your shoulder with broader strokes, while on the small you would pivot more from your wrist. Downside then is that on the small you might strain your wrist more but your shoulder and back less. If you are trying to avoid carpal tunnel problems go for bigger, if you have back issues go for smaller.

@Tyr said: Thanks @cybereality I'll give it another look. The Wacom brand is the easiest to get ahold of near me and I'll admit there is probably a bit of loyalty from having one before... but at the end of the day whatever works, works. I mean, even that small one would be better than a mouse. I just don't think it's worth the money. XP-Pen is also an okay brand, though not as good as Huion.

A mouse won't give you the accuracy and capability of a pen. The pen is able to distinguish the pressure level, sometimes (Wacom) tilt and rotation.

Besides expensive professional Wacom, there are cheap amateur tablets: Parblo, Bosto, GAOMON, XP-Pen, HUION. ASUS and Acer have notebook tablets with a stylus, which often have a built-in Wacom.

My first tablet was the ASUS Eee Slate EP121. <3

@Tomcat said: ASUS and Acer have notebook tablets with a stylus, which often have a built-in Wacom.

Not to forget the OG laptop to come with a integrated wacom: IBM/Lenovo Thinkpads, select models. IIRC Thinkpad Yogas the new modern versions.

@Megalomaniak said:

Not to forget the OG laptop to come with a integrated wacom: IBM/Lenovo Thinkpads, select models. IIRC Thinkpad Yogas the new modern versions.

additionally FUJITSU Tablet STYLISTIC Q7310

…and pen input with WACOM AES technology, supporting 4K pressure levels

Yeah, my laptop has a pen. It was only $700, great deal, but I haven't traveled much because of COVID so I never use it (except to test my games on low end hardware).

What country or website do you use? I can try to find a good option for you.

@cybereality said: What country or website do you use? I can try to find a good option for you.

I'm based in NZ and have three tech stores to choose from close by. Ordering internationally, sometimes things breeze through customs, other times they take forever. I've found the Huion home page on Aliexpress too so I should be good - thanks for the offer though!

2 years later

I have a wacom intuos, which is great for painting in Krita.
Drawing is more natural so using the shape/brush tools is easier. As far as drawing paths and primitives goes, it's more or less point and click so that's fine with either, and becomes a comfort thing.