1 Broadband
An always-on PC with an always-on internet connection puts almost all the information you need only a Google-search or two away, and that means broadband - probably ADSL or cable, but two-way satellite is almost here. Broadband would be a lot more attractive if UK services were reasonably priced, but if you can afford it, you cannot beat it. www.broadband-help.com/cm_reviews.asp £400 pa plus installation
2 Wireless networks
One thing better than broadband to a wall-socket is broadband that reaches every room in the house, and the garden. That is what Wi-Fi standard 802.11b wireless provides. Several desktop PCs can share the internet connection without wiring, and you can use a notebook PC with a plug-in wireless card anywhere within range. BT Openworld now supplies Wi-Fi as an optional business service, but you can roll your own. Prices start at about £250 for a wireless access point or hub, then each computer needs a wireless Ethernet network card. £400 or more
3 More memory
Computer memory has never been cheaper, and as PC sales pick up, it will soon become more expensive. You may once have thought that 16 megabytes was a lot, but 128MB is now a sensible minimum and you may be able to get 256MB for around £30. Prices vary according to the type of memory module your computer uses, but Crucial's website should help you find what you need at an attractive price.
4 Windows XP
Windows XP is the first computer operating system to combine ease of use with industrial-strength stability, and to work with a wide range of products from thousands of hardware and software manufacturers. But it is not as compatible as Windows 98/Me and may not work with your printer/ scanner/automatic plant waterer, so check for hardware compatibility and drivers first, and install alongside your current system - preferably on a different drive - rather than overwriting it. From £80 (upgrade price)
5 Plantronics DSP-400
Most notebook PCs have limited sound facilities and even worse loudspeakers. Plantronics' DSP-400, above, solves both problems by including its own sound card in a pod, along with stereo headphones so you can enjoy CDs, MP3 files and even DVDs on the move without annoying other travellers. The USB headset also includes a microphone for net-to-phone calls and speech recognition, and the whole thing folds up and fits in a pouch. It works with Windows 98SE/2000 and Mac OS 9.0.4 or higher. £75
6 Microsoft Wireless Intellimouse Explorer
This mouse is very precise, amazingly responsive, and you never need to clean its ball - it has not got one. The main drawbacks are that it is for right-handers only, it requires a USB port, and it costs about 30 times as much as the one you got free with your PC. £70
7 Momo Force
If you play driving games then you need Logitech's Momo Force, a solidly constructed force-feedback steering wheel from the team behind the wheel in Schumacher's Ferrari. It is finished in hand-stitched leather and, yes, pedals are included. £159
8 Uno Mas
A lot of gadgets link to a PC - palmtops, MP3 players, cameras, etc - but most use different storage media and/or come with horribly slow cable connectors. Peak's Uno Mas is an external card reader that reads CompactFlash, IBM Microdrive, SmartMedia, SD (San Disk), MMC and Sony Memory Stick modules without adapters and without needing any drivers for Windows Me/2000/XP. www.peak-uk.com £70
9 Covox CardScan
Tired of building a replica of the Great Wall of China out of business cards? Covox's small dedicated scanners will read them in with impressive accuracy (they are not perfect), put them in a database, and transfer them to your Windows information management software. The model 600 is smaller and adds colour. £200 (500), £270 (600)
10 WinTV Nova-T
Hauppauge made its name with WinTV cards that put a television tuner on a PC expansion card. The Nova-T for Windows 98/Me/2000 is the same sort of thing but receives the 13 free digital channels without you having to subscribe to a package. It will also record TV programmes or films to your hard drive. £149 (internal) £199 (external USB)
