How to choose a mouse for your laptop, PC or TV

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A mouse is a handy accessory if you use a laptop, PC, or even a TV. They help you be more productive than if you were using just a trackpad. Even gaming consoles support mice which makes gaming more immersive. If you haven’t already purchased a mouse, perhaps we can help you choose one. There are wired mice and there are wireless mice. That is the easiest of the choices to make, but there are a bunch of other factors that make a mouse great. We list them out for you.

Choosing between a wired and a wireless mouse

The first choice to be made is whether you need a wireless mouse. If you’re going to use a mouse with a TV, a wireless mouse is a no-brainer. Laptop users who don’t want the mess of cables all around their desk should opt for a wireless mouse too. Wired mice meant for laptops, are smaller in size, and if they are wired, they have short cords. Those are options worth considering especially if you are on a tight budget.

If you are a gamer, then a wired mouse is preferable because it offers the best possible performance in terms of smoothness and reliability over years of use. They also are more ergonomically designed. Of course, there are also wireless gaming mice but they’re often very expensive.

Types of wireless mice

Wireless mice are often based on RF technology, and in some cases, Bluetooth. Bluetooth mice can usually be connected to the laptop, PC or TV without the need of a USB dongle, as long as the TV or laptop supports Bluetooth and the specific standard as your mouse. Regular RF wireless mice come bundled with an adapter that plugs to your laptop, computer or TV.

Choice of batteries and recharging

Most affordable mice use one or two AAA batteries to operate. You are very rarely required to replace these batteries. Most of these mice can run for months on end without having to replace batteries. AAA batteries are affordable to replace. Slightly more expensive mice have built-in batteries that can be charged using a bundled charger or dock. Choose one that’s convenient for your use.

Quality of cables

If you opt for a wired mouse, there are factors such as the length of the cable are important. Laptop mice tend to have shorter cables whereas desktop mice have long cords. The PC chassis that the mouse needs to connect to, maybe placed a few feet away and it’s important to have a cable long enough to reach it. The quality of the cable is also important. Some of the premium mice have braided cables that don’t entangle easily or break.

Types of sensors and their importance

Most of the popular mice use optical sensors, while some of the premium ones may use laser technologies. As mice have evolved, the differences between the two technologies has become indistinguishable. While brands might advertise and market their products different, the differences are minimal in similar price ranges.

DPI and Sensitivity

Besides just the sensor, it’s also the sensitivity of the sensor that matters. This is usually denoted by DPI (dots per inch). Most mice range from 800dpi right up to 6000 and above. The higher the DPI, the more sensitive it is. For most users, a mouse with a DPI ranging from 800 to 2000 is perfectly fine. Higher DPI mice are preferred by gamers who want extreme sensitivity where little movement is needed through the mouse to the move the pointer on the screen.

Another element to do with mouse sensitivity is being able to switching across the DPI range, depending on the application or game you’re playing. While most mice come with software that let you switch between them using software, some mice even come with a button to toggle between them. This makes switching across sensitivities really simple.

Shape of the mouse

Not everything about a mouse has got to do with specifications and numbers. The shape of the mouse is important, depending on how we use them. While mice for laptops are small so they are portable, desktop mice can be larger and heavier. Certain shaped mice are preferable for a certain segment of users. For example, some of us prefer using the mouse using our fingers, while some of us might rest our palm on it. A low-profile mouse is preferred for those who use the thumb and the ring or little finger to hold the mouse. A more bulky mouse is better for those who rest their palm on the mouse.

Quality of mouse buttons and feet

The mouse buttons are what we interact with the most when you’re using a laptop or PC. Every mouse click has its own distinct feel and sound. Although not critical, it may be worth checking out before you pick up a mouse. The quality of the button is also important so you don’t run into wear-and-tear problems later in its life. Common problems tend to be a button clicking erratically. If you’re a gamer, more buttons on a mouse help you access your in-game items a little quickly. Where response time is everything, this can be difference between winning and losing a game.

The padding at the bottom of the mouse that helps it glide over your mouse pad are called mouse feet. Very small and thin feet can get worn out easily over time. Slightly thicker and wider feet will last longer. If you’re buying a high-end mouse, these are things to watch out for.

Lights and weights

Some of the premium mouse offerings have added feature, some of which are aesthetic, others functional. Lights for example, can help your mouse stand out if you take it to a gaming LAN party. Customizable lights are also handy when you switch between sensitivity profiles and button assignments for different applications.

Some of the gaming mice have the option to add weights to the mouse to change the way they behave. More weights can make the mouse a little more stable and this can be a trait some players want while gaming. Some others want very light-weight mice than can be flung across the mousepad with little effort.

Software features

Most mice work fine without having any software installed. Some brands bundle software with their mice that do a whole bunch of things. Some of these feature allow tweaking of the colour of the lights on the mouse, while others let you tweak the assignments to different buttons, even add macros that let you to do multiple tasks with a single button press. Some others can store the settings you tweak into the mouse itself. This is useful when you move the mouse from one PC or laptop to another. You don’t need to re-configure settings since the mouse carries all the user profiles with it.

These are some of the important things to keep in mind before buy a mouse for your PC or laptop. If you have any queries or suggestions on mice, please do post in the comments section below.

Wired vs Wireless: Which is a Better Mouse for Gaming?

The mouse is the most precise gaming controller right now. A mouse gives the player an outstanding experience in every aspect of the game that requires aiming and pointing a cursor at it. Even PC gamers would agree that a keyboard and mouse combo are more versatile controllers than the gaming pads, most gamers are debating which type of mouse is better for gaming, wired or wireless mouse.

Despite the similar performances of both mice, the question remains which is the best gaming mouse. Below are fully discussed characteristics of each mouse to help you decide on which to use for an excellent gaming experience.

Photo by Bruno Yamazaky

Table of Contents

Wired mouse

This type of mouse has a physical link, a wire that establishes a connection between the mouse and the computer. The wired mouse is the most popular type as it is more practical, and its response speed is much faster. Despite many brandings them as old tech, they possess qualities that wireless is yet to achieve.

Its Pros include:

It is cheap: Wired mice are cheaper when compared to wireless mice; this is because they require less hardware for them to work.

Fast response speed: Wired mice have high-speed response due to the direct data transfer offered by the wire. With response speed graded at one millisecond, wired mice prove to be much faster when compared to their wireless counterparts

Convenient: Their plug-and-play nature makes it more convenient for gaming use. It involves plugging the mouse cable into the USB port; just like that, the mouse is now functional. They draw power from the computer and thus do not need batteries or any transmitter, thus making it easier and more convenient.

Cons

Ease of use: The major drawback of a wired mouse is the wire. The drag caused by the cable can prove to be uncomfortable during gaming. The wire also causes unwanted friction that can sometimes slow your game response during gaming.

Limited range: The cable is the primary determinant of how far you can sit away from your console and thus becomes a wrong choice, especially when it is a TV-hooked game, as the cable distance is short of providing the required comfort.

Recommended Wired Gaming Mouse

Logitech G203 Lightsync

One of the cheapest and most popular wired mice in the gaming space. It is lightweight, ambidextrous, and even has RGB Check Amazon Check Lazada PH

The Razer Death Adder V2

This is another popular gaming mouse that can be used in many esports tournaments. It is lightweight and can accommodate hand sizes and different types of handgrips. Buy it on Amazon Check on Lazada PH Check Razer Store

The Razer Basilisk V3

This is one of the best weird gaming mice you can find on the market. Unlike the Death Adder, this a heavy mouse but the Basilisk has tons of features that makes it a better mouse than the Death Adder. It has a better sensor, a better cable, dedicated sniper button, rubber side grips and RGB lighting. Buy it on Amazon Check on Lazada PH Check Razer Store

Wireless mouse

As its name suggests, this mouse does not use a wire to connect to the computer. Still, it applies Bluetooth technology, whereby it has a receiver that establishes a connection. Most wireless mice use the 2.4 GHz frequency for transmission. Some of its advantages and disadvantages include:

Advantages

Luxury: Wireless mice offer superior comfort unmatched by the wired mouse. No cable drag is involved when moving the mouse, thus more freedom during gaming. The fast responses during gaming are a translation of the smooth movement of the wireless mouse.

Longer range: Wireless mice have a more extended operational range making them suitable for sitting far from your computer or when connected to the TV.

Durability: Wireless mice are more durable compared to wired mice, as they have no wires that may cut or loosen up.

Disadvantages

Pricey: Wireless mice are more expensive when compared to wired mice. Although the increased cost is due to more advanced sensors and sometimes more high-end wireless mice have internal rechargeable batteries, which many may appreciate, it is still expensive in the end.

Battery life: Wireless mice use batteries, rechargeable or replaceable, which may run out at some point. Many mice use AA batteries whose overall lifespan can also be a problem.

Have added weight: The batteries in their modules tend to increase the weight of the wireless mice. However, this depends majorly on the type you choose. You can see in current trends that most companies are trying to reduce the weight of their wireless mouse, which is one reason honeycomb design has been popular.

Recommended Wireless Gaming Mouse

The Razer Viper V2 Pro

This mouse is designed for high performance esports gaming. It is, if not the lightest, one of the lightest gaming mice there weighing around 60 grams. Like every mouse in the Viper line-up, it is amazingly comfortable for different hand sizes. Buy it on Amazon Check on Lazada PH Check Razer Store

Logitech G Pro X Superlight

This is a mouse with an ambidextrous design that is, as its name implies, a super light mouse. Without trouble this is one of the most popular mouse gaming mice in the world. It weighs only 63 grams. It is a very comfortable mouse to use. Buy it on Amazon Check on Lazada PH

Logitech G502 Lightspeed

Even though I like the G Pro X Superlight, I think G502 Superlight is the best wireless gaming mouse. It has tons of features and customizability that makes G502 Superlight and well-rounded and all-around mouse. It has 11 customizable buttons, adjustable weights, adjustable RGB, mechanical button tensioning for the primary buttons, long battery life and wireless charging.

Buy it on Amazon Check on Lazada PH

What should you consider when choosing a mouse for gaming?

Many considerations are put in place to decide which is the best gaming mouse. They include accuracy, sensitivity, weight, and the most important is the response time.

When it comes to latency and durability, the wired mouse wins the argument because gaming requires a mouse that will give you a higher response time with the least effort, and that is the wired mouse. Wireless mice use a USB Bluetooth receiver to establish a connection with the PC. Loss or damage of the receiver proves to be a menace as it would force you to buy a whole new mouse.

But with more recent wireless mouse, latency is a non-factor because wireless mouse is as reliable as its wired counterparts. I would recommend wireless mouse for a more hardcore gamer that plays esports games. Most wireless mouse only weighs 80 – 90 grams, which can heavily improve your mouse movement and puts stress on your wrists.

Final Thoughts

With all the discussed points, there is no reason to go for the wireless, although it may have some strongholds of its own. The bottom line is that the wired mice will continue to rock in the gaming spaces until the wireless improves on some of its deficiencies and drawbacks like the latency issue and signal blockage.

Are wireless mice better than wired?

At present,we can see various types of wired and wireless mice in the market.Some think that wireless mice are good, and some think that wired mice are good. Let's take a look at their advantages and disadvantages.

Wired Mouse Adavantage

1.Strong anti-interference ability

The wired mouse is more stable to use because it is connected to the computer by a cable. It is mainly aimed at those extreme users. Their requirements for the computer are relatively simple, as long as they will not be affected by the outside world and make mistakes during use. It can basically be used under all conditions.

2. More suitable for public places

The wired mouse has excellent anti-theft function and is more suitable for use in public places such as Internet cafes. It is connected to the chassis with a mouse cable, making it difficult for thieves to steal the mouse.

3. Responsive

Especially for game users and users who need high-precision operation, there will be no errors in the design draft due to the delay of the wireless mouse. No need for batteries, no need to worry about half of the work mouse running out of power, looking for batteries everywhere.

Wired Mouse Disadvantage

1. Because the mouse cable is connected to the chassis, there will be a feeling of dragging when using it. This is an unavoidable problem, which will occur with all wired mice.

2. The wired mouse is limited by the mouse cable, and the use distance is relatively short. If the user is not afraid that the mouse cable is too long and troublesome, you can buy a longer mouse cable.

3. The messy mouse line will be mixed with other connecting lines, which is not easy to take care of.

Wireless Mouse Advantage

1.Unrestricted use, more convenient

The wireless mouse is free from the shackles of the line, making it easier and more free to use, bringing users the ultimate operating experience, and is deeply loved by users.

2.Use distance

The use distance of wireless mouse is relatively long, especially the Bluetooth wireless mouse, the maximum use range can reach more than 10 meters.

3,More convenient to carry

The wireless mouse is exquisite and compact, and can be directly put into the pocket, which is easy to carry. Moreover, the current Bluetooth wireless mouse connection is very convenient, and there is no need for a receiver through the Bluetooth connection.

4. Ensure a clean desktop

A wireless mouse reduces wiring connections and makes the desktop look cleaner.

Wireless Mouse Disadvantage

1. Mouse polling rate, rate of return, and maybe delay are longer than wired one.

2. Powered by battery, the power consumption of the battery will increase the cost of use in the later period, and I will also worry that the mouse will suddenly run out of power during use, which will affect the use.

3. It is easy to be interfered by the external environment, resulting in occasional failure of the wireless mouse, which is unacceptable for game users

4. For 2.4Ghz mouse, pairing issue is also a problem.

Wireless mouse and wired mouse have their own advantages and disadvantages. If it is for office or home use, friends who have no special requirements for delay can choose to use a wireless mouse, after all, it is more convenient. For those with more meticulous operation, you can choose a wired mouse.