Echoing the above but it does depend on your chopping style. I disagree slightly with glac as while it is similar to traditional drawing in how it works, obviously with photoshop etc you can easily do and re-do something until it right. Though a tablet isn't everything for chopping, i don't think there are too many people who use purely a tablet.
Best answer though is see if you can use one and see what it is like. Whether at school/college/university or borrow a friends. Though if you do use one, give it a couple of weeks of use to see get used to it and get settled with it.
Edit: I wanted to add, that I think that chopping C+P is easier with a mouse but brushing is easier with a tablet. Though the most important word in that sentance is I. It is all so subjective to the individual doing the work.
Post edited March 31, 2010 at 08:49:11 PM by Greboth