Which 360 controller?

I want to get a 360 controller to use with my pc (I don't own a 360).

I'm just a little confused about which controller to get.

There seems to be three different controllers: the wired 360 controller, the wireless controller, and the wireless controller for windows.

Their prices seem to be $40, $50, and $60, respectively.

I have always been under the impression that any 360 controller would work with a pc, but if that's the case, what is the purpose of the more expensive 360 controller for windows? I would prefer to get the cheapest controller possible (I don't care much about wireless).

So, can I just go to Best Buy and go to the 360 accessories section and grab a cheaper, wired controller, or do I need to get the special windows one?

Just get the wired 360 controller. According the a lot of previous posts here, people are having a lot of issues getting the wirelses one to work. The wired has built-in support for many games and in vista.

the wireless controller for Windows comes with a USB wireless reciever, which you need in order to use it with your PC.

the controller itself is identical.

i don't know if cheaper third party 360 controllers work on Windows. but the official wired one does.

EDIT - I use the wireless one with my PC. i do get the occasional compatibility issue, but I just like the convenience of having a wireless game controller. it's all down to personal preference.

Ive gotten a random wired 360 controller in a pawn shop, smaller then the usual ones *Not made by microsoft possibly*
I just plugged it in and downloaded the program off microsoft's site for 360 controllers. Almost all my games work on it :)

Thanks for the help guys.

Looks like a wired controller for me!