Maximum PC

so my dad has an HP Pavilion a1025c. it comes with a wireless mouse and keyboard. well, the mouse freakin' SUCKED. too heavy and bulky, the batteries lasted like a week, and it would constantly stop working for a few seconds, even with new batteries. My dad was sick of it, and it broke after a year anyways. lol.
so anyways, we got a cheapy $20 wireless microsoft mouse, and he didn't like that one either. it's scroll wheel kinda sucked, and it was noticeably less accurate than his old one. at least the batteries lasted a full month though. but anyways, after just a year, THAT one broke too. wtf? are mice nowadays that flaky? I've had the same mouse on my own machines for like the past 10 years, I mean, I think it may have been THE original optical mouse.
anyways, the story continues. my dad says, screw wireless. so we go to best buy and pick up this super-cheap $15 Dynex Wired USB optical mouse. all I have to say is, WOW! it works awesome! much easier to click on small things (he's a graphic artist, so accuracy really matters) very nice scroll wheel, and even has two extra buttons. really a steal for $15. finally, a happy dad with a working peripheral.
so after that, his wireless HP keyboard stops taking more than two keys at a time. really hampers his photoshop shortcutting. so once again, we run to best buy... and see the cheapest keyboard is a $20 Dynex! bought it, works great, its quiet, has plug and play hotkeys even!
moral of the story: What's with these wireless peripherals that suck, and I think I may have found a gem in Dynex. I've had the mouse, keyboard, and two wireless adapters from them. all four were the cheapest I could find, and all four have worked wonderfully. If you ever are looking for bargain peripherals, don't count out Dynex.
anyways, big long rant over. Felt nice to get that out of my system.

Their wired keyboards/mice may work well, but stay away from their wireless products or you will more than likely experience the same problems.

I bought a Dynex wireless keyboard and mouse combo at Walmart and I fought with it for a week before I calibrated it with a 5lb sledge.

I now have a MS wireless keyboard and mouse. The rechargable batteries last about 2.5 - 3 months before I need to change them (it gest used several hours a day) and I have no connectivity issues at all.

Go Bluetooth, MUCH better.

The only issue I run into is trying to use it during boot to choose Safe mode or something. For that I have to plug back in my USB keyboard....

ha that would be tough, since Windows doesn't have built-in bluetooth drivers. Another thing Windows 7 should definitely have. I'll give that a try if any more keyboards or mice break.