Looking to start digital drawing/painting, what should I buy?

[BringMeAnother]

Hi, I'm just starting out to draw and paint on my computer and I'd like to do it fairly seriously. I wonder what would be the best thing to get for my situation. Here are my choices in order of which I'm considering the most right now.

1. Get a Wacom Bamboo Create at around $150 and then later if I get really good at it, I'd buy a Cintiq, either the 12 inch model at $900 or the 21 inch model at $2000.

2. Get a Wacom Intuos5 Medium at around $350 then later the Cintiq.

3. Get a cheaper graphics tablet from another brand at less than $100 and later the Cintiq.

4. Get one of the Core i5 Windows 8 Pro slate tablets such as the Microsoft Surface or one of the others from Asus, Acer and Samsung at around $1000. (I'm going to get a Windows 8 Pro slate tablet anyway, but if I choose one of the other option, I might wait for a second generation Surface or one with a Haswell CPU.)

5. Get the 12 inch Cintiq at $900 right away.

6. Get a 19 inch Cintiq alternative call the MSP19 at $770.

What would you think is the best for me. Keep in mind that I'm a beginner, but I do wish to make a commitment to learn how to draw digitally. If the Microsoft Surface turns or some other Windows 8 Pro slate turn out to be great for drawing, it would be the ideal solution, but I don't think a media tablet can beat something dedicated like a Cintiq. I would love to be proved wrong though. Obviously, we can't know that right now since most Windows 8 Pro tablets aren't out yet. Thanks.

 

[BringMeAnother]

Well, since nobody is responding, I've decided to go with my first option, that is a Bamboo Create. From several reviews and discussions I've seen and read, the Bamboo Create is a good balance between being large enough and not too expensive. Compared to the Intuos5, it is 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity instead of 2048 and people seen to say it is fine. It also does not have the tilt feature which I haven't seen anyone use. Compare to the Cintiq, many people say that I'll get used to not needing to look at my hand and only look at my screen. I personally believe in adapting to circumstances. Besides, I don't draw traditionally anyway, so the one of the advantages of the Cintiq would be lost on me.

Let me know what you think. I also plan on waiting a bit and maybe buy one of the Core i5 Windows 8 slate tablets, maybe the surface if it gets phenomenal reviews (doubtful) or wait for a Haswell powered one.