Computer Mice and Trackballs

This article names ExtremeTech's favorite gaming mice. Jeremy Atkinson lists the criteria used and their relative importance, placing ergonomics first. The write-ups of the individual mice here are brief,… but links lead to longer reviews. The Logitech G9 takes first place thanks to its "versatility and customization options." The Microsoft SideWinder also gets consideration, but users with smaller hands might find its size to be "robust." The second generation Logitech G5, while still a great mouse in its own right, falls short compared to the top two picks.

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CNet.com reviews more mice than any other reviewer, and is more current than many. Although the reviews aren't as comprehensive as those found at some other sites, and the testing process isn't well… explained, opinions are clearly rendered and ratings make it easy to see where each mouse ranks in the editors' eyes. In addition, the very best mice are given Editors' Choice awards, but the bar for that is set high enough that few qualify. Among current mice, the Microsoft SideWinder Gaming Mouse, Logitech VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse and the second-generation Logitech G5 make the grade. The Logitech MX Air also rates highly, but "isn't for everyone."

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HardwareCentral.com regularly reviews new mice and rates them in three unweighted categories to produce an overall score. The reviews are illustrated with photographs and screenshots. The site is harder to… navigate than some, and the easiest way to find mouse reviews is to search for specific ones. A strength of Eric Grevstad's reports is that he uses the reviewed product as his everyday mouse for a while before writing his evaluation. Among recent reviews, the Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 rates very highly. The Logitech MX Air isn't for everyone, but those who see it "will be smitten."

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EverythingUSB.com's mouse reviews are for the most part practical, detailed and wonderfully illustrated with photos and screenshots. However, comparisons with competing products are rare, and products… aren't rated or ranked. Nonetheless, conclusions are assertive and make some distinctions. One downside is that some of the reviews are of older products, and those do not appear to have been updated to reflect changes in the competitive landscape.

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While individual user reviews aren't always the best indicator of whether a mouse is a winner or not, large numbers of them in aggregate tell a more complete story. That makes Amazon.com one of the best… places to gather user opinions as some mice -- especially top sellers -- have accumulated hundreds of reviews. Amazon.com is also easier to use now that the number of reviews is posted on the main landing page. In addition, Amazon.com offers some useful tools, such as a box comparing the most helpful (as voted on by other users) positive and critical reviews.

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Choice is a not-for-profit Australian organization that is analogous to Consumers Union in the U.S. Though it has been a long time since Choice has done a comprehensive review of mice, a recent review of… the Logitech MX Air left the editors clearly impressed. They say that it works great "as an optical wireless mouse on the desktop -- but pick it up and it transforms into a multimedia wand" much like a Wii controller.

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Though this review is a little off the beaten track, Dr Greg Mulhauser is one of the few who have reviewed trackballs in the last few years. A trackball is a mouse alternative that is seen by some as a more… ergonomic choice. Dr Mulhauser tests the Logitech Cordless Trackman over a period of several weeks, concluding it is a "great pointing device" that should be on the short list of anyone considering a trackball.

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