Computer Mice: What To Look For

Types of computer mice

Originally, a computer mouse used a weighted rubber ball that rolled across a mouse pad. These mice still exist as an extremely low-priced alternative. Ball mice cost between $2 and $10, and budget desktop PC companies like eMachines still bundle these mice with new PCs. They aren't reviewed, as the only reason to buy one is a low price. Mechanical-ball mice have otherwise been replaced by optical mice, which use an LED, a laser or other light-based technology to track movement and translate the coordinates of that movement to the computer. Optical mice need less cleaning, and they can be used on just about any flat surface, with or without a mouse pad. They don't work as well on reflective surfaces, but an optical mouse is much more sensitive than a mechanical mouse. Most optical mice plug into a USB port, rather than the older PS/2 mouse port, and some come with a USB-to-PS/2 adapter.

Laser mice are more accurate than LED mice, but reviewers are consistently surprised by how slight the difference is. Reviews say the laser is safe unless you hold it right up to your eyeball. Laser mice can work on pretty much any surface (except mirrors), including glossy or black surfaces. Glass desktops, however, can trip up most mice; the exception to the rule is the Logitech Anywhere Mouse MX, which features the company's DarkField laser tracking technology that enables it to glide across glass. (This technology actually detects dusts and other particles to help it track accurately.) The potential advantage of a laser mouse is increased sensitivity -- meaning it can track smaller movements. This is expressed in dots per inch (dpi). While most optical mice can track between 400 dpi and 800 dpi, a laser mouse can track up to 4,000 dpi. High-end gaming mice sometimes come with a set of weights, so you can adjust the weight and drag to your liking.

Reviews say that resolution greater than 800 dpi is only a benefit for gamers, especially those who enjoy first-person shooter (FPS) games, as well as graphic artists, 3-D designers and CAD professionals who want the mouse pointer to register the smallest movements of their hand. Be aware that increased sensitivity means that the mouse moves faster with smaller hand movements. For office applications and web surfing, such high sensitivity can actually be frustrating because the mouse pointer will move with even the smallest twitch of your hand. While reviews agree that a high-resolution laser gaming mouse is overkill for general-purpose use, most gaming mice are adjustable, so you can dial down the sensitivity when you're not playing games or doing precise work in Photoshop.

Corded or cordless mice?

Along with choosing between a gaming and general-purpose mouse, you must choose between a corded and wireless mouse. A wireless mouse usually comes with a receiver. It uses either radio-frequency (RF) or Bluetooth technology, which plugs into a USB port on your computer; the transmitter in the mouse then communicates wirelessly to the receiver. A few mice--notably, the Apple Magic Mouse--don't come with a receiver at all, because Apple assumes you will be using it with a Bluetooth-equipped Mac.

While going cordless can be a boon for smooth, fast mouse movement, a wireless mouse needs batteries, though some are rechargeable. Reviewers say that in the better mice, wireless performance is now as fast as with corded mice, although some gamers remain hard-wired fans of the corded variety. Wireless mice are typically $15 to $30 more expensive, plus the ongoing cost of batteries (for nonrechargeable mice).

What happened to trackballs?

A variety of alternatives to mice have faded in popularity. Touchpads (as found on most laptops), stylus-based graphics pads, digital pens and trackballs each have fans for specific reasons, including personal taste. Trackballs are the most popular of those, but they command a minuscule market share. The main appeal to a trackball is preventing (or not aggravating) repetitive stress injuries, as well as use in space-constrained areas such as server cabinets or recording studios amid lots of other equipment.

Trackballs are not as popular as they once were, and they don't get many professional reviews. A trackball is essentially an upside-down old-fashioned mouse. The mechanical ball is on top, and you use your thumb, palm or fingers to move the ball, rather than moving the mouse around on a mouse pad or desk. A small percentage of users prefer trackballs to mice. However, most reviewers and users now consider them ergonomic alternatives to mice.

Trackballs have a major catch: Multiple reviewers say that adjusting to one takes weeks, and even then, some people still are compelled to return to standard mice. Logitech and Kensington are the main manufacturers of trackballs, but neither has recently introduced a new one. The majority of reviews we found are old and oriented to Macintosh users, though ComputerPowerUser.com has a fresh review that includes three trackballs; reviewer Warren Ernst likes the Kensington Expert Mouse Optical USB Trackball for PC or Mac 64325 (*Est. $85).

Reviewers say the following about shopping for a mouse:

• For most applications and web surfing, an 800-dpi optical (corded or wireless) mouse is the best choice. Reviews say 800 dpi is right for most uses; it's sensitive enough to ensure accurate cursor and pointer placement, but not so sensitive that the mouse registers minute hand movement.

• Gamers, graphic artists, engineers or CAD professionals will prefer a higher-resolution gaming mouse. These have adjustable sensitivity up to 4,000 dpi or even higher. Some also come with a weight kit to change the feel or drag of the mouse.

• Laptop mice and travel mice are small, but are sometimes not as comfortable. Wireless laptop mice usually have storage in the mouse for an RF or Bluetooth receiver.

• Corded vs. wireless. Corded mice plug into a USB port, but some come with an adapter for the older PS/2 mouse port. A wireless mouse doesn't have a cord, but it does need batteries (except for rechargeable models). Wireless mice are becoming the norm, though some popular mice (such as Apple's Mighty Mouse) still come in both corded and wireless versions.

• Most basic mice can be used with both PC and Mac computers. Higher-end mice are usually only compatible with PCs, with an emphasis on gaming.

• Finding a mouse can be a challenge if you're left-handed. Some mice are symmetric, and can be used by lefties or righties, while others are right-hand only. The Logitech MX610 (*Est. $60) is an exception; only the left-hand version remains current.

• Look for a retailer with a 30-day return policy. Reviewers say trying a mouse in-store is likely to give you a false impression. You are used to one or two mice, and anything else often initially feels wrong. You need to try a mouse for a couple of weeks to determine whether it is comfortable. This is especially important if you are considering an unusually shaped ergonomic mouse.

Manufacturers frequently bundle keyboard and mouse sets as desktop sets. As these sets usually include keyboards and mice that are also sold separately, we cover the separate products in our reports on keyboards and mice.