Mic for client PC use
 

I have a couple of clients who want to record some VO material themselves on their office computers. They both are willing to buy their own mics, which is good as I don't want to have to leave my Sennheisers with them.

Basically I need a mic that they can just plug into the PC's sound card jack and record with software. I felt that buying $500 mics was overkill for this task, but then again I don't want to be cheap either. Are there decent mics in the $100-$200 range (or less) that would work here?

A USB mic is great for this task, because it bypasses the computer's sound card, which on most PCs is a piece of junk just adequate for playback.

I've had good success with the Samson CO1U, less than $150.

Our very canny forum member Ty Ford recommends the Rode Podcaster (abt. $230), because it has a built-in headphone jack, handy for monitoring with headphones while you're recording. This is a good thing because there is built-in delay (latency) that occurs when laying down trax with a usb mic and monitoring through the PC's soundcard.

I hear good things about the Blue Snowball. If anything, it's got the coolness factor.

Blue | Snowball USB Microphone Podcasting Kit | B&H Photo Video

Also...

Blue | Snowball - USB Microphone with | SNOWBALL BUNDLE | B&H

This also looks interesting.

Blue | Snowflake Compact USB Microphone | SNOWFLAKE | B&H Photo

Costco got it beat.

Costco - Blue Microphones Snowball Professional USB Microphone