Question on art/tablets for design

Does anyone know what kind of tablets/displays the artists (Rioters) use for the art or can anyone recommend one? I currently have a Dell UltraSharp 24 PremierColor Monitor U2413 and CS6. I have an IPad2 but (no hate here) I don't like Apple products. I know there are actual tablets and then ones that "connect" to the monitor/computer. I want to be able to do art by hand, digitally. I know Adobe makes a tablet pen for art but I'm not sure if that's the best. I've done drawings, paintings and sculpture the traditional way forever and my graphics design courses only used a mouse. I want to merge the two together if that makes sense, just not sure what I should be looking for. I'd love to hear what you guys use and feel free to move the board, I wasn't sure where to post it :D

Thanks