Great thread, bigjimslade! I'd also like to suggest folks get a mouse with a wheel if their computer doesn't come with one.
Many low-priced desktops come with mice that don't have a scroll wheel and some aren't even laser mice (they have the old, mechanical ball rotating inside).
The wheel is so handy to scroll up and down long web pages, documents, etc.
Laptops don't come with a mouse at all. If you are buying one for a laptop, cordless are best. Make sure to get one with a small plug-in receiver (all "notebook" cordless mice, and a growing number of full-sized Logitechs).