Differences in Wacom graphics tablets?

-bamboo is sort of the entry level tablet for hobbyists, casual users, etc. it has 512 levels of preasure sensitivity

-graphire used to be the entry level tablet but it was replaced by bamboo, i think graphire is discontinued now. it had 512 levels of sensitivity, same as bamboo. this was my first tablet

-intuos is the professional line of tablets, it has 1024 levels of sensitivity, it detects tilting too, and some other features on the tablet like customizable buttons,etc.this is my current tablet

-the cintiq is a high end tablet, though the main and obvious difference is that you work directly on a an LCD display included on the tablet.

these are the basic differences.

i've owend a graphire a few years back, and i currently own an intuos 3, but i've also used a bamboo as my brother has one.

so i would recommend going for the intuos, its really really worth it.

as for other brands, i've never used any. but there are several other brands that make tablets too,

That's the new one I have not used the pen and touch, the bamboo I used (I think it was the fun?) was very good, I assume the pen and touch will be at least as good. Pretty good resolution and pressure sensitivity.