If the person is serious or you have the money to blow, go for the Intuos3.
It’s seriously the greatest thing I have ever purchased, EVER! It should seriously be in every art class in public school.
It was surprisingly easy to get used to and the 6x8 is a wonderful amount of room. If you have a wide screen monitor, you may want to get the 6x11 or whatever.
I paid ~300, but if I had known how wonderful and vital it was to my career and the doors it opens for you artistically and how it improves productivity in ALL pc use, I would have gladly paid thousands for it.
i just got an Intous and it is awesome! my recommendation =)