Ohhh yes, a tablet makes all the difference, I tried to use a mouse with Zbrush for a bit, it was like using a brick to fold paper.
I got a cheap trust tablet for about £20-£25, ive had it for about a year now and ive had no problems with it at all, and it goes to and from uni every day, when it does give up i'll invest in a wacom.
"No pressure, no diamonds" Thomas Carlyle