November Value Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 8

Mouse: Microsoft Intellimouse Optical - $21

For a value gaming system, the $21 Microsoft Intellimouse Optical is an exceptional choice for a primary controller. The unit's optical mouse eye takes care of the tracking, which nicely eliminates the need to clean the physical mouse rollers. This optical technology also helps extend the MS Intellimouse Optical's life span as well. We have been using several different models of optical mice for quite some time and find they are one of the best gaming investments you can make.

The MS Intellimouse Optical is kind of like the little brother to the incredibly popular IntelliMouse Explorer. It does have many of the same features and ergonomics of the more expensive IntelliMouse Explorer, but is just a bit smaller. Its shape is also totally symmetrical and can be used easily 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 thing to keep in mind, as some surfaces (such as clear glass) may cause the mouse's optical eye to "jump" if moved quickly.

MS Internet Keyboard-About $15

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, then decide which one is exactly the right fit for you. As a general rule, Microsoft makes excellent keyboards and their budget Internet Keyboard is probably the most fully featured $15 keyboard you'll ever lay your fingers on.

Operating system: Windows 98SE - $60

Yes, you can pull your chin up off the floor; we're sticking with Windows 98SE as our operating system choice for our value gaming PC. Windows XP Pro is way out of our price league, and even Windows XP Home is a bit pricey as even OEM disks can run upwards of $90 or so. We're also a bit leery of jumping onto a brand new OS right off the bat, especially for a pure gaming PC. Any game incompatibilities (and there are some) may have a negative impact on your enjoyment of the new system, as well as your pocket book. So for both value and compatibility reasons, we're sticking with Windows 98SE for now. This doesn't mean you can't pony up the extra $30 and buy Windows XP Home, but that we'd prefer to wait a bit before giving it the 100% gaming thumb's up.

The $60 price tag represents the cost of an OEM Win 98SE CD, so be sure and buy it with one of your hardware purchases (such as when purchasing a new hard drive). If you forget, remember that the retail version of Win 98SE will cost significantly more, so don't blame us when you have to pay your local Best Buy double what the OEM would have cost in the first place.

Floppy: About $10

Although the floppy drive is rapidly approaching obsolescence, you still need something to boot with and flash your system BIOS safely. Just buy a basic name brand (Panasonic, Sony, TEAC, etc.) for a 10-spot and be done with it.