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By CNET staff
(November 24, 2003)
Sure, it's exciting to pick that one, big, shiny holiday gift for each member of your family. But don't forget the stocking stuffers. It's the little things that make holiday giving fun. Whether you're searching for yourself or someone else, a new input device is the perfect accessory for dressing up a PC, be it a snazzy new notebook or a tried-and-true desktop. To make your gift-hunting a bit easier, we've assembled a comprehensive guide to mice, keyboards, joysticks, and their brethren. Pick a profile to find the best input device for that special someone or simply browse through the individual categories for even more choices.
Gamer:

Belkin Nostromo n30 Game Mouse

Ideazon Zboard

Logitech Freedom 2.4 cordless joystick
Belkin's unique gaming mouse is the only device we could find that melds the vibrating sensations common to gaming devices with the typical navigational function of a mouse. However, serious gamers might not find it as fun as their trusty joystick, and it's too boxy for frequent use.
There aren't many products that redefine the keyboard, but Ideazon's Zboard does just that, allowing users to remove the entire keyboard interface and replace it with a variety of application-specific boards. This keyboard system has exciting possibilities for gamers and application trainees, but advanced users will probably find the inlays annoying to type on.
Logitech has significant street cred as a gaming-peripheral maker, and its $69.95 Freedom 2.4 cordless joystick cements that reputation with its wireless connectivity and all-you-could-want control set. This joystick is worthy of a spot in any die-hard gamer's arsenal.
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Digital artist:

Wacom Graphire3 tablet

Iogear USB Optical Mini Mouse 800

Kensington Comfort Type Multimedia Keyboard
As more of us get into digital photography and graphics, we're discovering what professional artists already know: the mouse is a clumsy drawing tool. Wacom aims its new Graphire3 tablet at the average hobbyist, bundling a pen, a tablet, and a wireless mouse along with some neat software.
This nifty little mouse is ideal for mobile professionals and graphic designers alike. Thanks to a tiny switch on the side of the mouse, its user can choose between three different resolutions, with the highest one (800dpi) offering about twice the accuracy of a standard mouse.
This keyboard touts Kensington's unique ergonomic design, which, because of its slanted key set, provides comfort in a compact keyboard. Plus, it has an array of one-touch buttons to fulfill all your multimedia needs. With a price tag of about $20, this is an excellent all-around keyboard.
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Comfort hound:

Belkin ErgoFit Wireless Optical Mouse

Kensington Comfort Type Multimedia Keyboard

Kensington Expert Mouse
Belkin switches into stylish gear with this sleek black-and-silver mouse. Plus, its ergonomic design ensures comfort for the right-handed. It fails to impress with a standard three-month battery life, but at an economical $40, it's a solid five-button wireless for those on a budget.
This keyboard touts Kensington's unique ergonomic design, which, because of its slanted key set, provides comfort in a compact keyboard. Plus, it has an array of one-touch buttons to fulfill all your multimedia needs. With a price tag of about $20, this is an excellent all-around keyboard.
This monster of a device might dwarf everything else on your desktop, but its intuitive design and precision optical tracking will satisfy your navigational needs. Especially handy is the Scroll Ring, which sits around the ball for effortless scrolling. Its contoured wrist rest makes it a good choice for those demanding ultimate comfort.
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Frequent flier:

Iogear Memory Mini Mouse

FrogPad USB Keyboard

Logitech Cordless Optical Mouse for Notebooks
Iogear's lightweight and tiny Memory Mini Mouse 800 is a perfect complement to the mobile lifestyle. More precise than your typical notebook's trackpad or pointer stick, this mouse also has 32MB of built-in memory, allowing you to store your important files and documents directly on it as you would on a floppy disk.
Like no keyboard you've seen before, the FrogPad is designed for one-handed typing and has just 20 keys--with all the functionality of a traditional board. Hence, it takes somes relearning to type on it. Small enough to slip into your pocketbook or backpack, the FrogPad saves desktop space and is ergonomic to boot. A Bluetooth version is imminent.
This mouse for notebooks may not be as tiny as some of the others we've seen, but it fits nicely into either hand, and it has a simple, sleek design that can't be beat. Plus, it comes with a handy case for travel and an ultracompact USB base that makes it perfect for a space-constrained desk.
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Media junkie:

Logitech DiNovo Media Desktop

Iogear Phaser Mouse

Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop Elite
Logitech's new Bluetooth-enabled DiNovo Media Desktop--a suite of high-end input devices--runs a jaw-dropping $250. But if you want the all-around finest and most elegant desktop experience, it's the clear choice. If you're simply looking for a good mouse and keyboard set, search for less-expensive alternatives.
The Phaser Mouse employs RF wireless technology and is designed for giving PowerPoint presentations and the like. The top of the device serves up a variety of functions, including--our favorite--a powerful laser pointer. The built-in trackball is a bit cumbersome to use for an extended period of time, but this mouse will help add some life to those never-ending meetings.
Reasonably priced at $105 and boasting tons of programmable options, a horizontal scrollwheel, and significant improvements in battery life, Microsoft's Wireless Optical Desktop Elite keyboard and mouse combo is the workhorse of input devices. Read our review to find out if this set is for you.
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The entire family:

Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse

Belkin Wireless Keyboard and Optical Mouse

Logitech Freedom 2.4 cordless joystick
Microsoft's updated Wireless Optical Mouse may be the ideal mouse. Reasonably priced at $45 and available in several metallic colors, it's the perfect choice for an everyday mouse. Plus, Microsoft's new Tilt Wheel Technology makes scrolling horizontally a lot easier.
This new desktop set from Belkin gets rid of pesky wires and desktop clutter while still managing to look slick. With its ambidextrous mouse, keyboard hot keys, and affordable price (about $60), this set is a good choice for the family computer. But if you're looking for ergonomic comfort, go for Kensington's Comfort Type Wireless Optical Desktop.
Logitech has significant street cred as a gaming-peripheral maker, and its $69.95 Freedom 2.4 cordless joystick cements that reputation with its wireless connectivity and all-you-could-want control set. This joystick is worthy of a spot in any die-hard gamer's arsenal.
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