[fitkoh]

I generally don't like messing with batteries if I can avoid it, so I prefer a wired mouse. I won't compromise on the laser though... too many years angry and frustrated trying to clean out the tracks that always seem to get gummed up, no matter how nice your mousepad is.

I find that with a laser mouse the mousepad isn't really necessary. I just use a notebook or whatever is near me that's relatively flat... but I don't require a lot of mouse sensitivity. I generally prefer slower paced story driven games to fast paced action games. I mess with graphics occasionally (if I have to and can't find what I want on public domain), but usually I only play with low res sprites... I'll leave the HD graphics for more talented individuals