Mouse

Last Updated: August 1, 2007

Personal Choice

There are dozens of mice to choose from.  What works well for me may not work for you.  The ones shown below are a combination of popularity, good ratings, and most current products.  Microsoft and Logitech produce the largest number of mice and that's why you'll see many of their products below.

General Purpose Desktop Mice

Out of the thousands of reviews on NewEgg, the mice that received 5 out 5 stars by more than a handful of people were wired and typically cost $20-$30.  The wireless mice and high end mice didn't rate as well.  It doesn't mean they aren't good or you won't like it, it just means these mice didn't have a universal appeal.

	The $10 Rosewill RM800 is a good, low cost, optical, black mouse that makes $400 computers possible.  It's not very ergonomic, but it works in either the left or right hand.  Buy the USB version or the PS/2 version online. Read reviews from owners on NewEgg (over 130 reviews, 5/5 stars).
	The $17 Logitech Optical Mouse is a good, low cost, black, optical mouse with a scroll wheel.  There are other mice for under $10 or even wireless models for the same price, but the quality isn't as good as this mouse.  The software that comes with a mouse makes a big difference.  Buy it online. Read reviews from owners on NewEgg (over 40 reviews, 4/5 stars).
	The $30 Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 5000 includes a tilt wheel, which I love for scrolling left and right in spreadsheets.  I also have one of the side buttons by my thumb set up for magnifying glass, which is nice for editing work.  The other thumb button temporarily slows the mouse down for fine detail work.  I use rechargeable AA batteries that lasts for months on a single charge.  Buy it online.
	The $64 Logitech G7 Laser Mouse is no longer marketed for games.  Most of the complaints from NewEgg come from gamers.  Non-gamers loved it.  The second battery is constantly charging in the base, so you'll never have downtime more than 30 seconds.  Buy it online. Read a reviews from NewEgg (over 460 reviews, 4/5 stars), Trusted Reviews (Sept 2005), DriverHeaven.
	The $70 Logitech MX Revolution has two scroll wheels.  The second one is by the thumb and spins freely for faster scrolling or what ever you program the wheel to do.  My concern is if you forget to recharge the mouse in the cradle, then you have to use another mouse while it charges.  It does have a 4 level battery indicator, but there's no work around.  Buy it online. Read reviews from owners on NewEgg (over 250 reviews, 4/5 stars), ExtremeTech (Dec 2006), ExtremeTech (Aug 2006).

Mice for Fast Action Games

Gaming mice are designed differently than other mice.  They are light weight, have fewer buttons, are seldom wireless, and have finer optics.  The light weight makes it easier for faster starts and stops.  The fewer buttons means it's harder to accidentally click on the wrong button.  The wireless mice have a lag time that serious gamers can't afford, so corded mice provide faster responses.  The finer optics of 1600 dots per inch (dpi) up to 2000dpi offer greater precision compared to 400dpi on standard mice.

	The $37 Logitech MX518 Gaming Mouse is a popular mouse.  Buy it online. Read a review from owners at NewEgg (over 1,170 reviews, 5/5 stars).
	The $47 Logitech G5 Laser Mouse is newer than the Logitech MX518.  The G5 can be highly customized including adding weight cartridges inside the mouse to get the right feel.  Buy it online. Read a reviews from NewEgg (over 1,140 reviews, 5/5 stars), ExtremeTech (Dec 2006).
	The $38 Razer Krait operates at 1600DPI, is ambidextrous (left or right handed), and works well.  It may be too flat for right handed people.  The software is not as robust as the other Razer models.  Buy it online. Read reviews from owners on NewEgg (over 20 reviews, 5/5 stars), ExtremeTech (July 2006), Bjorn3D (Aug 2006).
	The $45 Razer Diamondback is designed by gamers for gamers.  It offers fine tuning that is not available on other mice such as being able to control the X and Y axis separately during setup.  It's simple design prevents accidentally touching any side buttons during intense game playing.  In a world of high arched mice, this mouse seems flat.  Buy it online. Read a reviews from NewEgg (over 70 reviews including all colors, 4/5 stars), TweakTown (Sept 2005).
	The $60 Razer Copperhead is similar to the Diamondback, but operates quicker and more precisely.  Buy it online. Read a reviews from NewEgg (over 460 reviews including all colors, 4/5 stars), Firing Squad (Dec 2005), Everything USB (Nov 2005).

Mice for Laptop / Notebook Computers

Mice for laptop and notebook computers are smaller than mice built for desktop computers or kids.  Almost all notebook mice feel good in either the left or right hand, which is not the case for desktop mice.  My biggest concern with a wireless mouse for a notebook computer is you have to watch the battery power and/or carry a spare set of batteries.  A wireless mouse is also bigger and heavier than a wired mouse because of the battery(ies).

	The $20 Microsoft Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 includes a tilt wheel for 4 way scrolling and a button by the thumb for the magnifying glass.  Any of the buttons can be reprogrammed.  Buy it online.
	The $22 Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 includes a tilt wheel for 4 way scrolling and a button by the thumb for the magnifying glass.  Any of the buttons can be reprogrammed.  The wireless receiver snaps into the bottom of the mouse when not in use.  The single AA battery is should last 3 or more months.  Buy it online. Read reviews from owners on NewEgg (over 40 reviews, 5/5 stars).
	The $50 Logitech VX Revolution is liked by ExtremeTech a lot, but noticed is was big for a notebook mouse.  People like the contoured shape and extra buttons that most notebook mice don't have.  It takes a single AA battery and includes a 4 step battery indicator.  The wireless receiver snaps into the bottom of the mouse.  Buy it online. Read reviews from owners on NewEgg (over 190 reviews, 4/5 stars), ExtremeTech (Aug 2006).
	The $54 Logitech VX Nano Revolution runs on two AAA batteries and uses the 2.4GHz spectrum.  This is the same frequency as 802.11g wireless networks, which has me concerned.  The receiver is so small that it can be plugged into the notebook computer's USB port permanently without protruding and causing damage.  It's a laser mouse with five programmable buttons and a tilt wheel.  Buy it online. Read a review from Trusted Reviews (July 2007).

Mouse Pads

Optical mice don't work on glass tables.  Although they work on most other surfaces, a mouse pad designed for optical mice offers better precision and control.

	The $10 3M mousing surface is designed for optical mice, is razor thin, and it fits easily into a laptop bag.  Smaller versions of these pads made by other companies don't work well.  My hand ends up bumping the side of the pad and moving it a few inches (5-10cm).  I pick up the pad, reposition it, and bump it again after a short while.  Buy the larger 3M mouse pads at office supply stores for $10 or for $18 online.
	The $20-$25 X-Ray Pads are for people who enjoy playing games.  These pads are better suited for fast and accurate mouse movements.  Buy it online. Read a review from XYZ Computing (Sept 2004) and OCIA.com.