Graphics Cards
AMD Radeon 5000 Series
Sometimes known by their codename "Evergreen" or their GPU designation R8xx, AMD's Radeon 5000 series represent a triumphant victory for beleaguered AMD.  Following the success of the 4000 series, the 5000 series offer the world's first DirectX 11 GPUs.  NVIDIA may yet come through with competitive entries, but its DirectX 11 counter-offerings still aren't on the market yet.  With the 5000 series outpricing and outperforming NVIDIA's Geforce 200 series at most price points, its hard to recommend anything else.

Low end buyers can opt for a Radeon 5750/5770, but the deal starts to get really sweet with the Radeon 5850.  Prices have risen slightly, but you can still find a Sapphire 5850 for $309.00 at e-tailers.  Rather, than buying an overclocked 5850, the next logical step up is the Radeon 5870.  As far as the 5870, ASUS, XFX, and Sapphire all offer decent stock cards.  XFX's double-lifetime warranty is a nice perk, but ASUS is currently offering a free copy of Dirt 2 (the first DirectX 11 game) with its card, which may tip the scales in its favor.  All of these cards are priced at $409.

For those with loads of cash to spend, a crossfire Radeon 5850/5870 setup is the most available possibility.  ATI's Crossfire drivers, which have underperformed slightly in the past (compared to SLI) are showing signs of improvement, so this is actually a pretty good route.  Another option is to snag the Radeon 5970, if you can find one of the limited quantity of the dual-gpu single card offerings.  The most powerful card on the market, it has been retailing at $629, but is sold out at most e-tailers.  If you do locate one, make sure your case can fit it, or be prepared to make some modifications as it is quite large.

SSD
OCZ Vertex Turbo OCZSSD2-1VTXT30G 2.5" 30GB SATA II MLC Internal Drive
I'm advocating the OCZ Vertex Turbo 30 GB edition as a solid bargain level entry.  Keep in mind 30 GB might not be enough to fully satisfy your needs, but it offers great performance for this price point.  The drive is priced at $169, but $20 rebates are available, bringing the cost down to $149.

Crucial CT128M225 2.5" MLC Internal
Competition is close in this segment between Intel and Crucial, both of which offer well regarded products.  Intel's 80 GB offering is priced at $299, whereas Crucial's 128 GB offering is priced at $399.  This means that Crucial is giving you slightly more storage for your money.  You also get faster write times with the Crucial drive -- up to 190 MB/s sequential writes, versus Intel's 70 MB/s.  Thus if you really can't afford the Crucial drive the Intel one is a decent bargain, but you'll be getting a better deal with the slightly pricier offering.

Wireless Mice
Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 (w/ BlueTrack)
BlueTrack is a great tech.  I've used it and found that it can work with virtually any surface.  I got my first taste of it when I snagged a Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 6000 at a Black Friday sale for $20.  Unfortunately my experience has been plagued with problems.  After initially performing great in Vista and Windows 7, the device stopped responding in Windows 7, even after installing the appropriate drivers/software.  Other customers at e-tailers have commented on similar issues, which appear to possibly be due to problems with the micro USB receiver. 

Thus far reports of issues with the Mobile Mouse 4000, which features a full-size receiver, haven't been reported.  As I loved BlueTrack, but hated the problems with the 6000, I hope I can spare you from similar pain by recommending the Mobile Mouse 4000.

Console
PlayStation3 Slim Edition
Now priced at $299 and slimmed down, Sony's new PlayStation 3 Slim 120 GB edition turns up the heat on Nintendo and Microsoft.  While Nintendo has it beat in creative play mechanics and Microsoft has a more active online network, Sony's console is a compelling buy.  First, you get a decent Blu-ray player thrown in.  Second, Sony has been a bit gentler when it comes to online gaming and bans. 

Microsoft has recently been banning players in COD:MW2 for using a glitch in the game.  While many are likely purposefully glitching for their advantage, it's entirely possible to do the glitch -- and get banned -- entirely by accident.  Sony which also has the same problem is not banning those who encounter or use the glitch.  Microsoft also recently came down harder on modders, damaging their consoles.  Some of these modders were only using their DVD firmware modifications for backups or installation of third-party operating systems.  Sony opposes mods, but has been less aggressive in punishing modders. 

While I support Microsoft's right to practice such policing, I don't necessary agree with it.  To me it seems that Sony is following a more customer-friendly approach.  Console makers under law have the right to police the networks they pay for and hardware they produce, but for me the friendlier network and Blu-Ray capabilities tip the scales in what is otherwise an even matchup between the Xbox 360 and PS3 Slim

Software
Windows 7
If there's one software product of 2009 I can wholeheartedly recommend it's Windows 7.  Packed with a great new graphical interface, Windows 7 doesn't overdo it, which Apple's competitor Snow Leopard does somewhat in my experience (being too graphical).  Gaming in Windows 7 is a blast, and I'm looking forward to DirectX 11 games, like the latest installment of Aliens vs. Predator (Note: DirectX 11 is also available for Vista via update).  Other improvements like faster boot times and a slimmer memory/HDD footprint are very welcome as well.  Another feature I love is XP Mode, which allows me to tinker with some of my older programs that weren't very compatible under Vista.

Microsoft's unprecedented public testing of its new OS was a great move and praiseworthy.  It has also offered some great discounts to date on the OS, which are especially gracious considering how much of an upgrade over Vista the OS is (they could have kept prices level with Vista, in my opinion).  Students especially should not pass up the opportunity to buy Windows 7 Professional edition for $29, which ends in January.

Having personally tried the OS on Apple's Mac hardware, I also recommend it to Mac owners.  Buying a Windows OS may seem scary to some hardcore Apple enthusiasts, but you may find yourself liking it more than OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.  At the very least it allows you access to games and more programs that Apple's OS can offer.  Given how effortless it is to use Windows 7 in Boot Camp, there's little reason for Apple owners to pass the opportunity up.

Music
Brand New - "Daisy"
Music is a bit outside the beaten path of DailyTech, but I decided to throw in a couple of albums I enjoyed in this guide anyhow.  As a music lover I listen to just about all genres to some extent.  I would strong recommend Brand New's Daisy for those who enjoy indie/alternative rock/post-punk.  This noisy record is dark and exhausting, but features brilliant guitar work and drumming.  It marks a continued maturation and growth by the band that may put off past fans, but should be praised by true music lovers with open minds.  Standout tracks include "Vices", "Bed", and my personal favorite, the titular track "Daisy".

Metric - Fantasies
Metric has long offered catchy synthy rock in the vein of Ladytron, Freezepop, Lights, or Hellogoodbye.  Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? the band's sophomore 2003 record was a solid work, but Fantasies, the band's fourth full-length surpasses that with catchier lyrics and rhythms.  Standout tracks include "Help, I'm Alive", "Collect Call", and "Gimme Sympathy".  Some may be put off by the female singer's slightly high pitch, but for those that can stomach it, I think you'll enjoy this release.

Disclosure - I own a Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 6000, a Microsoft Optical Notebook Optical Mouse 3000, Windows 7 Professional edition, Apple OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, and Brand New's CD "Daisy".  I do not own any of the other products mentioned, though I have tested and/or used them.