Got my intuos 3 tablet on monday and have been painting with it all week. The tool is incredible, I thought I would have issues with some things but it felt surprisingly natural. Still think I'll draw and ink first and then paint but I can see people choosing to go straight to the tablet.
I wish I could afford a cintiq or intous, I currently rock a bamboo. However, I managed to pick up corel painter x for under a hundred bucks so I'm happy with what I have for now.