Mice
Let's face it: the pointing devices built into laptops usually aren't very comfortable or easy to use. But you need not be held hostage by the accessories the vendor supplies--you deserve more. These mice give you all of the functionality of a regular mouse and are portable enough to fit in your laptop bag or even your pocket.

We'd gladly add the 2.8-ounce BenQ M310 Wireless Optical Mouse to our mobile office. The M310 is comfortable to use, but it's very small, so steer clear if you have large hands. There's no recharging necessary: just press the flat rocker switch below the scrollwheel to reveal the two AAA battery slots. Press the lower end of the rocker switch to eject the USB radio receiver, which plugs into any USB port and operates without any additional setup. The illustrated setup guide is helpful but almost unnecessary: to activate the mouse and the receiver, you just press the small buttons on both devices. To power down the mouse, slide the receiver into its slot; this conserves the battery and helps you keep track of the small receiver when it's not in use. Unlike some other mice, the $40 M310 works on almost any surface and is more sensitive to movement than a trackball mouse or many other optical mice.

Because of its advanced features, Logitech's $70 V500 Cordless Notebook Mouse is arguably the Porsche of notebook mice--but we think it's worth the price. The V500 is also a convertible: you slide a button on the bottom of the mouse to expand the chassis and reveal a little slot that houses a thumb-drive-style USB minireceiver. Two AAA batteries power the mouse. Its solid-state scroll panel incorporates the Synaptics touch-sensitive technology found in your iPod or laptop touch pad, as well as a panel that lets you scroll both vertically and horizontally. The V500 Cordless Notebook Mouse features Logitech's all-terrain optical engine, which worked well in our tests on a variety of surfaces, including a metal countertop, and which let us roam up to 30 feet from the receiver. Unfortunately, we can't say that the V500 is a study in ergonomics: you'll probably end up taking your hand off every few minutes to keep from cramping up.

Forget about your notebook's built-in touch pads or old-school pointing stick; you can use a fully functional programmable mouse--no strings (or wires) attached. To set up the Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse, just plug in the receiver to your notebook's USB port. You can configure the right- and left-click buttons from the Windows control panel. This mouse's size is ideal for travel; it fits easily into a laptop bag or even a pocket, and the receiver conveniently snaps on to the bottom of the mouse. Microsoft says that one AA battery will power the mouse for up to three months. The optical nature of the mouse makes it sensitive to movement, but for its $45 price, it lacks the versatility and the features of other similarly priced mice. The mouse's ergonomic design fits both left- and right-handed users, but it's less comfortable to hold than most full-size mice and fits better in a smaller hand.

Editor's note: We originally incorrectly stated that the Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse uses a laser to detect motion. The mouse is actually LED-based. (12/10/04)

Although it's somewhat difficult to configure, the FingerWorks iGesture Pad is very, very cool, which makes up for its steep $159 price. In place of a mouse, you use your hand and fingers on the iGesture Pad's DVD case-size touch pad to control the pointer and perform command functions. For example, touching the tips of your thumb and middle finger to the pad and sliding up is the command for undo. It almost completely eliminates the need for quick keys or top menu bars. It works right out of the box; just plug it into your USB port and start gesturing. With some practice, you figure out the proper pressure to put on the touch pad and the right speed for hand movements. Once you get the hang of it, it's very accurate and convenient. If you choose, you can install the iGesture Pad's software to customize gestures and make adjustments for your hand size, but it's a complicated, somewhat confusing process. The iGesture Pad adds speed to your operations, and its size makes it convenient to take with you so that you can gesture anywhere there's a USB port.