Yo, you looking on getting a drawing tablet? I can personally recommend the Bamboo Drawing Tablet from Wacom, but, as you said, they are kinda expensive
BUThttp://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_id=108&cp_id=10841Check out the monoprice line. They are exceptionally good, and incredibly inexpensive. I have a close friend who's going to the Savannah School of Art and Design and she recommends those to everyone. If you want a great starter tablet, I'd look right there. They might not be as good as Wacom, but they have touch and tilt sensitivity, multitouch capabilities, and screen feedback