In a fast-paced world such as ours, everything we own has to be at par with our need for performance and speed. From the hottest cars down to heavy-duty washing machines, we always make it a point to buy the best in the market. While modern technology outdoes itself with every blink of an eye, sometimes it is also quite refreshing to stick to the basics -- bicycles, books, and post-its. When it comes to computers, I may not know a lot but I sure do know how to pick my mice.

Much thanks to the creative genius of *Douglas Engelbart*, what was then called a measly bug is now the celebrated mouse. The prototype was literally just a wooden box with wheels. However, it has morphed through the years into the perfect little computer auxillary that people can't seem to live without. They're reliable, uncomplicated, and unbelievably convenient. No wonder mice of all sizes and capabilities are vastly invading every home, office, and school day after day after day.

Even though the mechanical version of the mouse is the most used type, the optical mouse proves to be the best choice. The former relies on a ball that rolls and rotates on a surface upon command of the hand. The trackball operates in a similar way except the basic structure of the mouse is inverted. On the other hand, you have the optical mouse which makes use of light-emitting diodes (LED) instead. The contemporary version of the mouse possesses micro chips that detect motion and process image on virtually any surface. The best thing about it is that you don't even need a mouse pad to work it. You just glide it as far as the wire lets you and click. The Saitek Notebook Optical Mouse is compact, highly fashionable, and remarkably accurate. Don't be fooled by its size because it may as well give the Mighty Mouse from Apple a run for its, um, cheese. These ambidextrous critters add a splash of color and a whole lot of attitude to your run-of-the-mill notebook. For not more than $20, you can get one in green, yellow, orange, or blue. I got mine in pink so if you aren't afraid to be vulnerably cute like me, take a crack at it yourself.

Wireless mice are special because they've been to places no ordinary mouse has ever gone before. With the Targus Rechargeable Stow-N-Go Wireless Optical Mouse, you experience all the benefits of an optical mouse plus awesome portability and other user-friendly features. Since they're wireless, they rely on themselves for their source of power. Charging is a breeze because all you need to do is plug it into the USB cable and store it when not in use. It goes on hibernate mode as soon as you stash it away for later use which actually prolongs the life of the battery. It's slightly pricey compared to your average optical mouse but you're definitely getting your money's worth. With the Stow-N-Go mouse, you can point and click anywhere, anytime.

If you're one of those people who always want to be one step ahead of everybody else, a laser mouse is the perfect thing for you. Unlike the optical mouse that relies on LED, the laser mouse makes use of finer lasers. These high-tech lasers have the capability to increase image resolution and save power. Since it goes on stealth mode after a period of time, it takes a few seconds to reactivate it, making it unideal for real-time computer gaming. It's perfect for other high-performance personal use though. The Black Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 5000 has a unique design that values comfort and high definition performance. It also has a special magnifier button that allows you to view details in zoom.

Start your discount shopping spree today and grab one of these nifty gadgets at a bargain price not even your thrifty alter ego can resist. They're available at fabulous deals at your favorite online merchants such as newegg.com and Directron.com. I assure you, you won't need a fancy mouse trap to get one.