Eraser has less pressure sensitivity steps.
Big surface makes it harder to hit precisely. A little bit like first pens for touch surfaces.
Well, no, I prefer other side to draw.
Intuos pro tends to scratch quite easily in comparison to my old Intuos 2.
Changing the tip more often avoid this a little bit.
Even my Cintiq is finally scratched after some serious usage.
If you don't want to scratch, what about some protection foil?
Something like that(just as inspiration)
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Screen-Protectors-for-Wacom-Tablet-and-eBook/176979/bn_860582/i.html