I just recently got a PC a few weeks back and I got the Meguiars pad kit with backing plate from the sponsor here and ithas suited my needs very well! You get a cutting, polishing and finishing pad in addition to a velcro backer plate. It would be a very good point to start. I think others have had good success here with those pads as well as a fwe others.
The Megs pads work fine and the pad kit here is a decent deal. I've got a bunch of Megs pads and they have held up tremendously well through lots of use and washings.
The Lake Country VC pads are very nice too and seem well made.
The Meguiar's plate and pads do a good job for me. Heck, I even had good luck using Meguiar's #9 with the screw-on pad that came with my PC.
The pad choice is kind of like picking a cleaner, SMR, wax or sealant. Lots of opinions. Lots of good stuff.