In case I do need one of them (for research and related work-tasks), if I went ahead and picked one up now, got up to snap with how it works, then I would be fully prepared when the time comes that I actually have to use it. Maybe?
As you can see, there are the great challenges involved when predicting the future (while frittering away a few minutes before the next WC consulting session).
I use a Wacom pen tablet and it’s really saved my wrist in the last semester and a half. I use it left-handed to take the strain off my bad right hand (carpal tunnel syndrome in both, but the right is the worst). Even convinced my supervisors at work to pick one up so I didn’t have to drag mine in from home all the time.
A piece of advice: unless you’re a hardcore photoshop junkie, just get one of the Bamboo models. Everything you need for a pointing device, with as few extraneous (and expensive) features as possible.
I have a bluetooth Wacom tablet and I love it. I’d say that in terms of IT investments, it’s second in value only to maxing out the RAM in my machine. It’s invaluable for photo editing and any kind of visual media work. The pen is so much more ergonomic than the usual mouse, but it’s also really, really nice to have the multi-button scroll-wheel mouse when you’re working in Excel.
I appreciate the insights. I’m still stuck on a big ‘maybe,’ but I’m leaning hard toward ‘probably.’