January Value Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 7

Mouse: Microsoft Intellimouse Optical

Current Cost: $15
Months on list: 17
Price Change: $0

Both Microsoft and Logitech offer several optical and wireless mouse controllers that while economical for a mid-range system, are still a bit pricy for our budget. We're back to the old standby for our value gaming system, but the low-cost Microsoft Intellimouse Optical is certainly no slouch, and includes many of the features found in higher-priced models. In addition to being a high-quality piece of hardware, it naturally offers solid Windows XP support. The optical eye will also outlast any mechanical roller mechanism and doesn't require cleaning. This feature might come in handy in the middle of a hectic frag match, where pausing for even a second can mean utter defeat.

The MS Intellimouse Optical is quite similar to the incredibly popular IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0. It has many of the same features and ergonomics of the more expensive Explorer 3.0, but is just a bit smaller and doesn't share the same aesthetics. Its shape is totally symmetrical and can be used by either right or left-handed gamers. The Intellimouse Optical also includes four control buttons and a mouse wheel, each of which can be customized to your individual gaming needs. The type of mousing surface is the only real point to keep in mind, as some surfaces (such as clear glass) may cause the mouse's optical eye to "jump" if moved quickly.

Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard

Current Cost: $15
Months on list: 7
Price Change: $0

A keyboard is a very personal item, and we can only offer a very basic recommendation. It is best to try and test a few out at the local PC shop, and then decide which one is the right fit for you. As a general rule, We've already got a Microsoft mouse, so it only makes sense to match it with a similar keyboard. Microsoft's upgraded Multimedia Keyboard is one of the more impressive $15 keyboards we've seen. This model includes a full complement of multimedia buttons in a quality unit, and for $15, you really can't go wrong. And like with the Microsoft Intellimouse Optical mouse, Microsoft keyboards functions perfectly in Windows XP and the nifty extra multimedia keys can even be customized to your own requirements.

Operating system: Windows XP Home SP1

Windows XP Pro is priced well out of our budget, but luckily is also tailored more to a high-end configuration. Windows XP Home SP1 is where you want to be for a $1K home gaming system. In the current gaming environment, Windows XP is the only way to fly, and virtually all new PC hardware and software runs best on Microsoft's newest operating system. New games use XP as the default operation system and driver support usually centers on either Windows 2000 or XP. We also recommend picking up the Windows XP Home SP1 (or SP1a) CD, as these updates have created a more stable gaming environment.

The approximate street price of $84 represents the cost of a licensed OEM Windows XP Home CD, and not the boxed retail version. This means that in order to get the lower-priced OEM deal, you'll have to buy the Windows XP CD alongside your new system or together with one of your individual hardware purchases. If you forget, remember that the retail version of Windows XP Home will cost significantly more, so don't blame us when you have to pay your local Best Buy quite a bit more than the OEM CD price.

Name Brand Floppy

Current Cost: $8

Although the floppy drive is rapidly approaching obsolescence and is being replaced by the CD, you may still need something to boot with, transfer small files, or even flash your system BIOS. Just buy a basic name brand (Panasonic, Sony, TEAC, etc.) for around 8 bucks and be done with it. Or if you're feeling confident, skip the floppy and use a bootable CD to do your dirty work.