I'm very happy with my Intuos4 (I also have the medium size). It's easy to use and pretty easily customizable. You also get some pretty good software with it, which makes up a little bit for the price. I've heard good things about the Bamboo as well, which is obviously a less expensive option. Overall, though, I'd say the Intuos was worth the price. I do a lot of landscape work, and it's been indespensible. I'm sure it would be just as useful for portraiture and fashion photography if you do any of that.