Graduation gift - what's best to ask for?

[AriA]

I'm graduating in under a month (from highschool), I'm going to major in illustration.
My dream gift would be this
http://pcjoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/lenovo-thinkpad-x61-tablet-pc.jpg

Which is, in my opinion, the sexiest thing ever. However, the cap for a graduation gift from my grandma is $400 which isn't going to buy that, no matter how many pennies are pinched.

in short, is it even possible to get a Tablet PC for that little?
if so, will it be at least decent?
if not, what should I ask for, a new Tablet? I have an Aiptek, upgrade to a wacom? which one?


TL;DR : What should an aspiring concept artist get for a grad gift $400 and under.

[Noah Bradley]

No, you probably won't be able to get a tablet pc for that price. Heck, you'd be lucky to get any kind of laptop for that.

You can, however, probably pick up a decent Wacom, in case you're unhappy with your Aiptek.

Good luck with your Illustration education! I'm just about to start myself. :)

[B u r l]

Are fancy graduation gifts a common thing to have in the USA? They don't seem to be over here.

I'd try and squeeze a decent Wacom tablet out of your folks.

Good luck.

[Crush]

An ipod and a sketchbook/ some pencils

[Mirana]

Uhm. Graduation = HELLO REAL WORLD! WHY YES, I'D LIKE A JOB!

High School Version: Be less spoiled and get your butt a job for the summer. Save up easily because you live at home and have no responsibilites. Buy stuff. Be lucky if your parents are nice enough to foot bill on college and you don't have to continue with summer job. :D

College Version: Be less spoiled and get your butt a job FOREVER. Struggle to save up. Buy stuff eventually, but with more love because you really earned it.

And yes, I can say this with the utmost love 'cause I was spoiled (and still try to be, sometimes), got a job and kept it through college. When I'm lucky my parents or siblings take pity and gift me with hand-me-down computer bits. I have first generation wacom and a 16" monitor that my bro gave me after my last one set itself on FIRE a month ago. :D

Less sadness girlie, and more happy you are getting some funds. :)

[Ashkitty]

I have a tablet pc. Honestly, I would trade it in for a better desktop and a brand new wacom if I could. Sure it's useful occasionally, but seriously, just get a wacom. The fun factors of "look, I can draw on the screen!" and "I can take it anywhere!" fall flat really quickly. I don't take it anywhere and most of my drawing is traditional now.. and drawing with it on your lap? Not if you want burning legs. So be nice and not spoiled (like I was) and get a good, solid, new Wacom. Then start saving up to buy a good desktop. If you're in for college, you'll need one anyway, so maybe you'll get lucky.

[AriA]

I didn't mean for it to come off as being dissapointed that I couldn't get the lenovo (honestly it's just one of those things I oogle). And to tell you the truth, i was really surprised she planned on spending that much on me! I wish I could say I was spoiled but my parents make under 40k combined and with house payments and an older sister, that isn't much.
I'm just excited.

I was looking at this one http://www.wacom.com/BambooTablet/bamboofun.cfm
or this one http://www.wacom.com/intuos/6x8.cfm
I'm leaning towards the second, which seems pretty nice to me.
thanks for the comments and opinions on tablets would be appreciated.

Rereading my post, I do sound like a brat. sorry.