Current Cost of Mouse: $40
Months on List: 4
Price Change: $0
Company Web Site: www.logitech.com

For gaming in the 21st century, an optical mouse is virtually a requirement. After all, who wants to be in the middle of an online gaming session and have to take a break (not to mention the verbal jabs) in order to clean the ball and rollers? With optical technology, you will never have to worry about dirt clogging up the mechanism, as it tracks using optical sensors rather than mechanical rollers.

The Logitech MouseMan Wheel is one of the top optical mouse picks. This is a high quality unit from one of the top peripheral manufacturers in the world, and includes all the basics such as standard mouse buttons and wheel, along with support for both PS/2 and USB inputs. The MouseMan Wheel does have a few features that are definitely in the "way cool" category, such as the blue-glow, Logitech symbol on the top of the mouse itself. While it won't help you win any Quake 3 matches, it may get you a few ooohs and aaaahs at your next LAN fest. The Logitech MouseMan Wheel Optical is basically a toss-up against the equally-impressive MS Intellimouse Explorer, so if an MS mouse is more your style, feel free to substitute. Please note that optical mice track the best over dark surfaces, and some have trouble with certain mousepads or when used on clear or pure white areas. Something like a black matte or woodgrain finish seems to be the optimum tracking surface for an optical mouse.

Current Cost of Keyboard: $35
Months on List: 4
Price Change: $0
Company Web Site: www.microsoft.com

For a new gaming keyboard, there are really two trains of thought. One is that ergonomic, split keyboards are the best answer to potential strain and fatigue. For this we recommend the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro, which is essentially a Keyboard Elite with a few more features, programmable buttons and a nifty USB hub. The popular MS Elite is still a fine keyboard, but after attaching a scanner, digital camera and various game controllers to the Elite Pro's USB hub, we won't be going back anytime soon.

If you are looking for a more standard keyboard layout, then the Microsoft Internet Keyboard Pro will be a better choice. It has the exact same multimedia buttons and USB ports as the Natural Keyboard Pro, but you won't have to learn how to touch-type all over again. Both are great keyboards and have stood up well to repeated use (and maybe even a bit of misuse) here at SE gaming headquarters.