I'm doing a little bit of updating on my peripherals. I recently bought an A4Tech X-748K mouse which is really nice to use, but now I am looking at a new keyboard and mouse mat.

I do a good bit of photographic editing (and I would like to start up screenshot editing again too) so I would like a mouse mat which will be suitable for this. It should allow the mouse to move smoothly.

For keyboard, just something comfortable and nice looking. I was looking at the Saitek Eclipse II keyboard with the changing lights which I think looks really nice. Would this be a good purchase?

For mouse mats I have seen the Razer Exactmouse (including mouse mat rest). Upon finding reviews, it seems this mouse mat is really quite scratchy sounding and loud when using it. Is there something similar but better? My mouse is, for the first time in my computer history, optical.

I'm looking to spend probably up to £30 for keyboard and about £20 for mouse mat.

Cheers

Ooh heck. I don't think I could ever used a trackball ever again.

I am really happy with my new mouse. There's a button to change DPI from something as low as 600 in increments up to 3200. I can program the buttons and there's a scroll wheel. I can even change the weights within the mouse to get just the right feel in the mouse to prevent it feeling too heavy or too light.

I just need a good surface to put it on and something new to type with.

My desk is made out of glass and although the mouse is still useable, at times the cursor will not move quite as I had intended. So a surface of some kind is definately needed. Most mouse mats I've used seem to restrict movement a little bit though. It doesn't glide quite like it should.

Paul, that keyboard is probably more advanced and better produced than mine!

I'm not the sort of guy for no frills... I love frills. Yeah that's probably not the best thing to admit on the internet 

I am hoping the Saitek keyboard will have the usual Saitek quality, which should make it last a good while. Cardboard would cause even more problems than I have, that would be quite nasty to use 

Pop into your local friendly carpet/flooring store and ask for any old vinyl flooring samples that they're getting rid of. You can cut then to your desired size and they're better than any mouse mat you can buy. 

I haven't used a mouse mat in years, the desktop is perfect. I have a very nice trackball in the cockpit since there is no where to use a mouse and I don't want it rolling off the glareshield.

I don't like cheap keyboards, but I do like simple, rugged, indestructable keyboards like this:

IBM Model M keyboard

For a mouse pad I use the steelseries pads.

My mouse glides across it very nicely and they come in varying sizes. If you have room for the big ones you do not have to pick up your mouse and move it to complete what you are doing.