Yeah, it's tough...I figured I could go down, but not up...so the bigger size. The smaller works for photos, but somethings not so good.I map many things to the smaller area tho and I like the fact that it can change transparently by setting up program prefs in the cp.The first day I had it, using it in windows w/o mapping to the smaller area, I about lost an arm :) I think the bigger is better for drawing, painting, tracing and if you do get larger scale work you need to use. I like the wacom quality...yes they are expensive, but luckily they last and you don't have to buy new ones too often. I actually got a board that size and tried it out first. I do have a huge desk or it would be a problem.(9x12 is doable tho, I think I have a pZ930). I could not imagine bigger tho.

No need to think outside the box....
    Just make it invisible.