How To Choose a Computer Mouse

Computer Miceports.
Every computer user can hopefully identify theirPS2 - PS2 mice were the standard for a long time, as
mouse and the importance it plays in the dailyall motherboards provided two PS2 ports for
operation of their computer. Mice are nothing newconnecting a keyboard and a mouse. USB technology
and for the most part are nothing overly complex,has become so widely used that the slower and less
but the average user may not be familiar with all ofconvenient PS2 ports are on the verge of extinction
the options and technologies that may go into thesewith the Serial port. That said, not many mice are still
little devices. This Tech Tip will take a look at somesold that only support a PS2 connection, but there
of the features of mice that people may take forare still some available.
granted, or may otherwise be unaware of.USB - Most mice can now connect via USB, and
include an adaptor to be used on a PS2 port, as well.
Mechanical mice - Mechanical mice were the first onesIt seems that just about any mouse now uses USB
used on computers, and can still be found for sale,to connect, whether it is a wired mouse, or any
despite the advances of tracking technologies. Thesevariety of wireless mice that we are about to look
mice feature a hard ball on the underside that rolls asat.
the mouse is moved, and rollers inside the mouseWireless Connection Technologies
allow the physical motion to be translated to theRadio Frequency - The most common type of
pointer on the screen. Some "ball mice" are a bitwireless mouse uses radio frequencies to
more advanced and replace the internal rollers withcommunicate motion to a receiver that is connected
optical sensors, but the same principle applies.to the PC. This generic wireless mouse ( operates on
Mechanical mice require occasional maintenance tothe 27MHz frequency and the mouse itself is
keep the ball and rollers free of lint and other debris,powered by AAA batteries which are not included.
and with numerous moving parts there is always aAs you move up the price scale of RF (Radio
potential for problems. The use of a mouse pad isFrequency) wireless mice, the packages will generally
recommended for these mice as they not onlyinclude an integrated rechargeable battery, as does
provide a clean surface to work on, but also providethe Logitech MX1000 discussed previously. Other
the needed resistance for the ball to roll smoothly.features of higher end RF wireless mice include
The precision of mechanical mice is not particularlyextended range, greater precision, and a receiver
good, and although they may be fine for typicalthat doubles as a battery charger.
desktop work, they were never quite up to the taskBluetooth - The Tech Tip on Bluetooth discussed the
of detailed graphics work or serious game playing.basics of this wireless technology, and how it was a
Optical mice - Optical mice replace the whole ball/rollergood fit for 'lower speed' devices, like a mouse.
assembly of mechanical mice with a beam of a lightLogitech and IOGear are two manufacturers offering
and an optical sensor. The beam of light shines downproducts for Bluetooth users, in addition to more
on the surface below the mouse and the sensortraditional mice. The Bluetooth mice are also battery
uses the light to track the movement. The imagespowered, and use the 2.4GHz radio frequency to
included with the listing for this optical mouse (communicate with an included receiver/charger or
provide a glimpse at the bottom of the mouse,other Bluetooth adaptor.
where the light and sensor can be seen.RFID - A truly unique approach to wireless mice has
Optical mice have several advantages overbeen developed by a company called A4Tech. The
mechanical mice. There are no moving parts to breakA4Tech ND-30 RFID wireless mouse must be used
or otherwise cause problems. The need forwith the included mouse pad in order to function, but
maintenance is greatly reduced as the bottoms havethere are no batteries in the mouse, and no cords on
no openings or rollers to collect lint. Although micethe mouse to get in the way. It works by using
generally aren't heavy, the elimination of the ball andelectro magnetic induction between the pad (which is
roller mechanism allows an optical mouse to be muchplugged into a USB port) and the wireless,
lighter than a comparable mechanical mouse. Thenon-powered mouse. You never have to worry
precision of optical mice is also much greater thanabout replacing / charging batteries, and the weight
mechanical mice, and the resolution can go from theof the mouse is greatly reduced since the power
low hundreds to the high hundreds (as measured infeatures are no longer necessary.
dpi, dots per inch).Features
Another advantage is that the need for a mouse padButtons - Most mice (except for a Macintoch's)
may be eliminated with an optical mouse, as they doinclude at least two buttons. The use of these is
best while tracking on any smooth, flat surface. Afairly well understood, but other buttons may be
clean desktop is generally good enough, but thosefeatured on a mouse to further simplify common
looking to take the precision of optical mice to thetasks. The Logitech MX 510 mouse features a total
highest level may opt for a performance "mousingof 8 buttons which can be programmed to execute
surface". There are several precision mousing surfacefunctions of the user's choosing.
manufacturers, such as XRay Pads ( and FUNCScroll wheels - Many mice now include a scroll wheel
Industries ( that design pads to appeal to gamebetween the two main buttons which serves to
players and others who demand the bestallow up/down scrolling of documents and web pages.
performance.The scroll wheel may also serves as a third button
Laser mice - Laser technology is the latest andon some mice, and clicking the scroll wheel will
greatest in computer mice tracking, and takes theactivate commands in many applications. More
advantages of optical to a new level. Most of theadvanced scroll wheels are found on some mice that
attributes of a laser mouse have been described inallow for left to right scrolling, which may be useful
the optical mouse section, except for one. Instead ofon a wide spreadsheet or large image.
a fairly wide beam of light, it uses an extremelyExtra features - Many mice provide more than the
narrow beam of laser light.basic functionality we have come to expect. Some
The Logitech MX1000 laser mouse may be theprovide a reduced foot print in order to make them
mouse for you if you are looking for extrememore portable for use with a notebook computer.
precision. According to Logitech, the laser technologySome are designed for multi-tasking and provide an
used in the MX1000 provides up to "20x moreintegrated flash memory card reader. Then, there are
sensitivity to surface detail--or tracking power--thanothers that just look cool with a bit of a light show,
optical."or that actually keep you cool by including a small fan
Hard Wired Connection Technologiesin the palm rest area.
Serial - Serial mice are fairly difficult to come byFinal Words
these days, as are the ports they need in order toOn the surface, computer mice are fairly simple
operate. This technology is quite old and slow, anddevices that may not receive the attention they
the popularity and convenience of USB has all butdeserve by end users. Selecting a high quality,
eliminated the need for this interface on your typicalergonomically designed mouse can do wonders for
PC. But, there were mice that sported the 9-pinproductivity and comfort, and the options available
connection needed to connect to a serial port, andshould allow anyone to find the right mouse for their
many PS2 mice used to include an adaptor for Serialpersonal preferences.