Good Gamepad/Controller for Notebook?

Hey guys, I've been recently playing FPS and RPG games on my notebook, and now I'm considering getting a racing game. However, I find it quite odd playing a racing game on a keyboard and prefer a controller (similar to a console controller).

Does anyone have any advice on which are some good, responsive gamepads for the PC (wired or wireless, doesnt matter) which are not too costly?

I was thinking of getting the Xbox 360 wireless USB receiver controller but it's pretty costly and I read that it doesn't work on all games. I was scouting for possible cheaper alternatives, as well as controllers which would work for most (if not all) games...

So far I've seen Logitech's Rumblepad, but does anyone know any other companies/brands that I can check out?

Thanks...

 

i gnabbed a little hub thing from walmart for 10 bucks that lets you hook up gamecube, ps2, and xbox controllers to your pc. it works great.
as far as the xbox360 controller, ive never heard of it not working with a game. if it doesnt work with a game, then no joypad will because its nothing special. its just a regular joypad thats officially supported by windows.

 

I highly recommend the Logiteach Cordless Rumblepad. Its affordable at under $35 USD. It is also very rugged, gets excellent battery life and good range if that is necessary. It does offer force feedback as the name suggests and is arguably one of the best is not best controllers on the market. I have personally owned mine for two years, and after numerous spills, drops and crashes, multiple epic runs when attempting to finish games, this thing is still ticking. You will not be disappointed.

 

Oh...that sounds good. By "little hub thing," you mean like a converter thing with USB on the other end, and any other controller (PS2, Xbox, etc.) on the opposite side? How exactly does that work? Also, is there some sort of driver I have to install for this, or does it work on plug-and-play for vista?

 

Yeah...thanks. I was checking the Rumblepad out too. Is the wireless receiver that comes with it a nano receiver? Or is it similar to older Logitech mice receivers (I have a V450 wireless mouse)? I'm afraid too that if I get it, it might interfere with my wireless mouse signal...

Also, can you use it for pretty much any game? Racing games, FPS, RPG, etc.?