Computer Mice Review

Introduction to Computer Mice and Trackballs

We found the best reviews of mice at websites that cater to computer and technology enthusiasts. The best reviewers tell us that when it comes to computer mice, first impressions can be misleading. Instead, these experts say valid testing requires at least a couple of weeks of ordinary use. ExtremeTech.com is one of the best reviewers of mice in that regard, reporting on mice in both single-product reviews and multi-mouse roundups.

Mouse reviews at HardwareLogic.com, SharkyExtreme.com and Virtual-Hideout.net are also first-rate. All of them do comprehensive testing and their reviews are marvelously documented, with lots of illustrations and comparisons to other products. CNet.com's reviews are not nearly as comprehensive, but no one reviews and rates as many mice, and no reviewer is more up to date.

To gain attention in a crowded market, lots of mice are sleekly styled. However, experts agree that flash is less important than comfort and performance. A case in point is Apple's Mighty Mouse (*Est. $50 to $60). Reports say that mouse looks great, but reviewers are not enthusiastic about its performance. Instead of a scroll wheel, the Mighty Mouse (and its cordless counterpart, the Apple Wireless Mighty Mouse ( *Est. $70)) has a small scroll ball about the size of a pea. Most reviews say the ball just isn't as easy to use as a scroll wheel.

Right-clicking is different with the Mighty Mouse. Instead of a dedicated button, the mouse can tell when you're pressing the right side of the cover. Mac owners using OS X Tiger and higher can customize the buttons, and by squeezing the sides of the Mighty Mouse you enable the "Expose" function, which displays small versions of all open windows simultaneously. Although the Apple Mighty Mouse looks nice, reviews say other mice work better and are compatible with Macintosh computers. Most Logitech optical mice, for example, work perfectly with a Mac.