Choose a wireless mouse for any surface. Wireless mice
Today, few people can be surprised by wired mice. They have become familiar and familiar devices. Undoubtedly, every owner of computer equipment has used them both on a computer and on a laptop. However, it’s no secret that there are also wireless mice. These mice are more mobile. When you travel or take a trip, it is much easier to work with a laptop with a connected wireless computer mouse.
Or if there is a need for any presentation, it will be quite difficult to do without a wireless mouse.
There are several types of connection for such mice. The main types include infrared, RF, induction, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The first two connections can safely be called outdated. However, such mice can still be found in organizations, and when working with them you need to know about some features. If an infrared connection is used for a computer mouse, then you can work with it only when some important conditions are met. In this case, there should not be any opaque obstacles between the receiving device and the mouse connected to the computer. Otherwise, the connection may be lost. There is a possibility that interference may occur that will interfere with the work with graphic materials and programs, documents, as well as the Internet.
There are two types of radio frequency communications. They differ not only in price, but also in signal reception range. If it is not possible to allocate a large amount to purchase a mouse, then the first type of communication is more acceptable. True, saving money in this case is not always justified. Instead of convenience, you can get slowdown and some inactivity of the computer mouse when you increase the distance from the computer. When using a mouse with a 2.4 GHz radio frequency, minor interference may sometimes occur. This happens because many electrical appliances operate at the same frequency.
Another type is induction mice. These mice themselves are wireless, but communication is ensured using a tablet pad. This mat is connected to the computer by wire.
One of the most common connections for wireless devices is Bluetooth. The use of such a connection to connect a computer with a mouse is also acceptable for users of modern laptops. Quite often it is already built-in. If there is a need to purchase Bluetooth, then the size of such devices is quite compact.
Today, Wi-Fi is rightfully considered the most progressive type of communication between a wireless mouse and computer devices.
When choosing a mouse without wire, you should pay attention to the type of power supply, size and communication range.
Induction devices and infrared mice operate only at a certain distance from the personal computer. Computer mice with a radio frequency of 2.4 GHz are capable of providing normal reception. These devices will be able to work anywhere in the room where the computer is located, and sometimes even through the wall. A Bluetooth connection can provide good communication at the most optimal distance. This type of connection makes it possible to control the mouse within the network coverage, but the connection itself does not have reliable protection from any interference.
Any computer mouse should always be selected according to the size of your hand. The optimal choice for using a mouse in transport or when moving is a miniature mouse, which takes up little space and does not require a large platform to slide.
This computer mouse runs on both rechargeable batteries and batteries. However, this does not apply to induction. To use a mouse at home, it is more economical and better to purchase a mouse with batteries. To provide the mouse with greater mobility, you can also buy batteries. The best choice among battery-powered wireless mice is one that is lightweight, small in size, and one that saves energy. This one can work from several days to a week on regular batteries.
At the end of the article I would like to say about my preferences. I always use only wired mice, the classic connection option, so to speak. No matter how much I tried to work with different types of wireless mice, I still did not get the expected results from them. So, my choice is a wired classic mouse. But naturally, everyone chooses for themselves.
With the advent of the graphical interface, manipulators have firmly entered the life of a modern person, since they allow you to control the computer and are responsible for entering information, using the cursor to determine the location on the monitor screen for entering data or commands. It is the shape and parameters of this device that play a key role and directly affect our achievements in games, the convenience and speed of working at the computer in general. Therefore, in this article we will talk about how to choose a mouse for a computer and analyze the main characteristics that you should pay attention to when purchasing.
Since the pricing policy for these manipulators fluctuates in a very wide range, I will not focus your attention on the cost of the products, but will immediately move on to the manufacturers. But if you don’t want to understand the technical characteristics and the deciding factor for you is the high cost, then buy a computer mouse from the expensive segment and don’t worry about it. But if you think otherwise and prefer to first understand the defining properties of the mouse, then I recommend reading the manual.
Leading manufacturers of computer mice.
Despite the fact that the manufacturing company cannot be the determining factor, it still makes sense to pay attention to this, since the trademark indicates the degree of reliability. There are not many leading manufacturers who value their reputation, and this helps us narrow the circle and focus on the leaders.
- Logitech is a company that produces very high-quality peripheral products. There are mice with additional functions, but at a high price. Budget models have an unpretentious design and no additional options, but they are not inferior in quality.
- A4Tech - the products of this company have long been appreciated not only by ordinary users, IT employees, but also by gamers. Their mice have an attractive design and a wide range of options (additional buttons, backlighting, sensitivity and acceleration adjustments). For lovers of minimalism, the company's arsenal includes comfortable and high-quality models.
- Razer is a highly specialized company that focuses on the production of gaming equipment. Its range includes mice with a huge range of functions. The company cooperates with professional players and all developments in the field of gaming equipment are carried out taking into account the opinions of leading experts. Despite high pricing, the company is the undoubted leader in the gaming industry.
- Genius - this manufacturer, unlike the previous one, is a leader in the production of budget mice at reasonable prices. The price-quality ratio of products is at the proper level. The manipulators have a long service life and stylish design.
Each company on the list has made a significant contribution to the development and production of computer mice and monitors the quality of their products, which has made their brand recognizable throughout the world.
I recommend Razer to all fans of playing computer games that focus on results, ratings and achievements. Their highly specialized mice have a wide range of settings and do not allow situations such as the sight falling off during a rapid turn or accidentally flying past a given point.
Ways to connect a mouse to a computer.
With all the variety of manipulators, there are only two connection methods (wired and wireless). Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Wired. This type of connection includes manipulators with PS/2 and USB interfaces. Mice with a USB interface are now available in a wide range, but devices with a PS/2 connector can still be found, but despite this they are gradually becoming a thing of the past. On the one hand, progress is taking over, but I don’t want to say goodbye to mice that have a PS/2 interface, because they do not have device polling, and this, in turn, has a positive effect on response time.
Wireless. This type of connection can be divided into the following groups:
- Bluetooth. Manipulators are good because they do not take up the interface on the computer, but unfortunately, they have a low response speed. To pair the mouse with a computer, the latter must have a Bluetooth module.
- Wi-Fi. Mice with this connection have the lowest power consumption of all those presented in this group. To connect, the computer must have a module to receive the signal.
- Radio channel. Devices with this type of connection have a stable connection and high response speed. To connect, you need to insert the USB module of the manipulator into the appropriate port of the computer.
Undoubtedly, a wireless connection of a mouse to a computer prevails over a wired one in terms of ease of use, for example, on the road, but connection to batteries or rechargeable batteries can fail at the wrong time. Therefore, it is advisable to have a spare set of batteries with you on the road.
Type of built-in sensor (optical or laser diode) and DPI.
When choosing a mouse for your computer, be sure to pay attention to the type of built-in sensor. There are currently two types:
Optic. The device body contains an LED, a sensor and lenses that work in tandem and determine the position of the mouse above the surface. This is an optical correlation technology that uses a small video camera (usually greater than 1 kHz) to take photographs of the work surface illuminated by a light-emitting diode.
The captured photographic material is compared frame by frame and thus the movement of the mouse on the working surface is determined. The LED in the housing is installed at a slight angle relative to the surface, which makes it possible, during optical radiation, to reflect shadows on micro-rough surfaces (wood, plastic, fabric), fix them and process them with a built-in microcircuit. Manipulators have more powerful consumption, unlike their laser counterparts, and a low price with good declared characteristics.
Laser. A more advanced technology with an unchanged operating principle, where not a red LED, but an infrared laser diode is used to illuminate the working surface. Laser coherence allows for more precise focusing and positioning. Unlike optical ones, they are less sensitive to microcracks on the working surface. A laser mouse works great on a smooth and transparent surface (glass, mirror), which cannot be said about an optical manipulator. A device with this type of sensor is recommended for games.
Permission. This is a common parameter for optical and laser mice. This characteristic is measured not in pixels, but in dots per inch (abbreviation DPI - dots per inch), which the manipulator sees on your monitor. It is believed that the higher the value, the more accurate the mouse. We need to be clear here. DPI is a generic term and was previously only applied to printing. The abbreviation CPI (counter per inch) is more applicable to a computer mouse and more accurately reflects the essence, but it is the first term that has taken root in society since in essence it is the same thing. So what is DPI?
We have already figured out that the built-in sensor in the case works on the principle of a camera, which constantly takes pictures of the working surface on which the mouse slides, and the results obtained are compared with each other. This is how the calculation occurs relative to the movement of the mouse cursor across the monitor screen and the working surface of the table.
In turn, the monitor is divided into a large number of points. Let's assume that there are 20,000 dots in one inch of your monitor, and your computer mouse is set to 800 dpi. Consequently, when the cursor moves one inch across the monitor screen, out of 20,000 dots, the computer mouse perceives only 800. This in turn affects the accuracy in the game. For example, you took aim at your opponent’s head and fired a shot; if at that moment it was not in the points that the sensor sees, then the bullet will miss. Therefore, it will be more difficult for you to hit your opponent.
The number of dots per inch depends on the resolution and aspect ratio of the screen, and in reality there are, of course, much more. Therefore, the larger the monitor diagonal, the more dots per inch and the higher the DPI on the mouse, the faster it moves across the screen. Everything is interconnected. If you reduce your desktop resolution by half, for example, you will find that mouse sensitivity will double proportionally. If you increase the resolution, then the sensitivity of the mouse, on the contrary, will decrease.
Some users confuse sensitivity and resolution. In the settings of the Windows operating system called “Toolbar”, you can programmatically change the scale of the surface under the sensor, and resolution is a physical quantity.
At the same time, you need to understand that all people play on a monitor with different resolutions and are accustomed to different sensitivities, and therefore each person has their own threshold of accuracy. It is difficult to say unequivocally what the DPI of a gaming mouse should be, but experts advise focusing on the following parameters:
- Shooters (8200 dpi) - first-person games require high reaction speed and accuracy.
- MMORPG, MOBA (6400 dpi) - what is more important here is not so much the speed of moving the mouse, but the speed of pressing the buttons on which various actions are assigned.
- Strategy, RTS (4000-6400 dpi) - in this genre, the most important thing is not speed, but accuracy and comfort for the hand.
If for an office mouse and pointing device designed for working on the Internet, the DPI parameter is not particularly important, then for gaming devices, all other things being equal, this parameter is still important.
Additional parameters and functions of a computer mouse.
In my opinion, the design of the mouse should be ergonomic so that after many hours of working on the Internet or a long time spent playing games, the hand does not feel tired. From an ergonomic point of view, a computer mouse should have a comfortable shape and be made of material that is pleasant to the touch.
Based on their shape, mice can be divided into universal (symmetrical) and specially designed for right-handed or left-handed people. As a rule, office mice and budget models for right-handers are more common.
If plastic is quite suitable as a material for an ordinary manipulator, then gaming models should be rubberized so that during dynamic games it does not slip out of your hands at the most inopportune moment.
A high-quality manipulator should have Teflon legs to glide smoothly over the surface. Unfortunately, there are budget models with small legs, which subsequently wear out in a short period of time.
In the gameplay, the weight of the mouse is of no small importance, since the accuracy of the sight and the speed of movement depend on it. This parameter is individual for each person, and therefore a good solution would be a mouse with weight-correcting weights, which make it possible to gain the necessary weight into the manipulator body.
The fundamental factor in the functionality of a mouse is the additional buttons and software, as well as the sensor resolution. Many gaming mice have a button to switch DPI. Avago and Pixart are considered good and reliable sensor manufacturers. The PMW3310 sensor is very popular. By the way, microbuttons also play a significant role and differ in the resource of clicks. The most popular and high-quality manufacturers are Huano and Omron.
In conclusion, I suggest you watch an educational video about the evolution of the computer mouse. Bye!
We have already written, but only briefly mentioned, about wireless manipulators. The choice of these devices has its own characteristics. After all, there are at least six criteria that you need to rely on when purchasing.
Let's try to figure out what is worth paying attention to and what is just a marketing ploy for an uninformed buyer.
Optical or laser?
Optical mice are, roughly speaking, a thing of the past. Firstly, they are very inconvenient to work with in some conditions. Secondly, they are whimsical to use. Thirdly, today there is an optimal replacement for optical mice.
Laser wireless mice are precise, unlike optical ones. Among other things, the laser is undemanding to the working surface (even if you have to work on a mirror table).
Wireless laser mice typically have longer battery life than their optical competitors. Example: 2016 hours for the optical Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 versus 4032 hours for the laser Microsoft Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 7000. Both manipulators are powered by one AA battery.
The only thing that can tempt a potential buyer with an optical wireless mouse is its cost. Optics prices start at $10. You are unlikely to find untethered laser manipulators for less than $20.
Software giant Microsoft also produces mice based on the BlueTrack sensor. However, they are not particularly popular in the CIS, and therefore repairs, if anything happens, will be expensive. It is better to refrain from purchasing BlueTrack mice.
Radio or Bluetooth?
Both radio mice and Bluetooth controllers are good. Their energy consumption is actually equal. From a technical point of view, it should be noted that each type has its own characteristics. However, they are not critical when choosing a mouse. But when it comes to convenience for daily use, there is a difference.
Interfering radio adapter in a laptop
Radio mice require a USB adapter to be inserted into the computer. Bluetooth, accordingly, requires a Bluetooth adapter.
Let's draw a simple conclusion from this. For PCs, it is best to buy radio mice. They always come with a USB adapter, so you don’t need to buy anything separately. If you have a laptop with Bluetooth support, it is better to purchase a “blue-toothed” manipulator. This way you will rid your laptop of the protruding receiver and free up the USB port, which is important for portable computers. If the laptop manufacturer deprived you of Bluetooth, a radio mouse is better. Just make sure that there is a nano receiver (small) and not a regular one.
Radio adapter on the desktop - the best communication signal
Often radio mice (especially computer mice) come with a USB extension cable. You need it to connect the radio adapter directly on your desktop. This improves the quality of the signal received from the wireless pointer.
Bluetooth mice have two disadvantages - they are found much less frequently than their radio competitors. And they cost, accordingly, much more.
Battery or rechargeable?
Fortunately, those terrible times are gone when ordinary office wireless mice killed their batteries from full charge to zero in just a week or two.
Modern manipulators can work for 2-4, or even 6 thousand hours on one set of batteries. The average today is about 150 days of uninterrupted battery life.
Does it make sense to overpay for rechargeable mice if you only need to change the same disposable batteries once every six months?
How much DPI is better?
There is a lot of discussion on the Internet about what DPI is best for a mouse. And there is no definite answer here either.
In general, DPI is the number of dots per linear inch. It turns out that the DPI number for a mouse is the number of pixels that the mouse sees on one linear inch of the working surface. The higher the DPI parameter, the clearer and smoother the mouse responds to user input.
As practice shows, a value of 1000 DPI is quite enough for an ordinary user. Especially when working on a laptop, where the resolution and diagonal of the monitor are usually not so large.
The higher the DPI, the more expensive the manipulator. For example: A4Tech company offers the XG-760 wireless radio mouse with DPI 3200 for only $20. But this is an exception. Because the cheapest competitor - Razer Orochi with 4000 DPI - already costs $100.
For the average user, three magic letters can only be considered a marketing ploy.
Size: large or small?
Here you can completely focus on your preferences. If you like small ones, no problem, you will find a mouse as small as possible. If you like them to the fullest, well, that’s not a problem.
The main thing is to make sure that it is convenient to carry the manipulator in your laptop bag when the need arises. After all, large mice simply physically may not fit into some small laptop cases.
Ordinary or multimedia?
Classic or Hi-Tech? You are free to choose: according to taste and color, as they say...
I read here the other day on the Internet that wireless multimedia mice consume more battery power than their simple counterparts. An elementary analysis of the most popular models on our market showed that all these rumors are a bluff.
The six-button A4Tech G6-70D works autonomously as long as the four-button model of the same company - A4Tech G5-260. Both mice use 2 small AAA batteries.
THE MOST POPULAR WIRELESS MODELS
The undisputed leaders in terms of price and quality ratio in the CIS countries today are Logitech and A4Tech. Also represented are Gigabyte, Defender, Gembird. And even Microsoft is often bought by people.
Perhaps one of the cheapest popular wireless mice. This is a classic radio mouse with an optical sensor. There are only 2 buttons plus 1 scroll wheel. The radio is nano (read small), so it won’t interfere much when transporting the laptop. And you don’t need to take it out all the time. The average price is 20-25 US dollars.
Laser radio manipulator. 510th multimedia model: 5 buttons and 1 tilting scroll wheel. The receiver is also small - it will not interfere. The manufacturer’s website states that the mouse can operate for almost TWO years on one set of batteries. The issue price is 45 US dollars.
A4Tech G9-400
A4Tech G9-400- optical radio mouse. Two buttons and a scroll wheel. This manipulator attracts attention with two thousand DPI combined with a very affordable price - only about 15 USD. e. For this, buyers forgive even the absence of at least one additional button. A carrying case is also included.
A4Tech G7-200
A4Tech G7-200- optical radio mouse with an additional third button. The G7-200 beats the record of the $12 G9-400.
A4Tech G6-70D
A4Tech G6-70D- despite the fact that it has been in production for more than three (!) years, it is still relevant today. G6-70D is an optical radio mouse with ultra-low power consumption. There are as many as 5 buttons (2 classic and 3 additional) and a scroll wheel. A USB extension cable is supplied with the mouse so that the radio adapter can be conveniently connected to a desktop computer and for better communication.
Defender S Geneva 735 Nano
Defender S Geneva 735 Nano- laser manipulator with a small radio receiver. This mouse has an unusual design - slightly rotated (in every sense of the word). The 735 Defender has five buttons (2 standard + 3 additional keys) plus a tilting scroll wheel. Autonomous continuous operation time - up to three months. Maximum DPI is 1600. For $20 the device will be yours.
Gigabyte M7700
Gigabyte M7700- direct competitor Defender S Geneva 735 Nano, fortunately, they are similar in almost all respects. The only difference is that the design is different - conservative notes prevail here. But you can choose different colors - blue, burgundy or classic black.
Gembird MUSWL2
Gembird MUSWL2- another laser radio manipulator. True, this rodent already has a specific purpose - to be connected to a desktop computer. The mouse comes with a docking station. It combines the functions of a radio receiver and a charger. The mouse is large, five-button. This miracle costs about 19-20 dollars. True, it is already disappearing from sale, so if you are interested, hurry up and find it.
Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000
Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000- another mouse with a purpose. Only this time it's for laptops. Because it connects via Bluetooth. Above, in the article, I said that almost all laptops have Bluetooth. Accordingly, there is no need to clog the USB port with a radio receiver. In other respects, the mouse from Microsoft is also excellent, because the laser sensor and 4 buttons plus a wheel cannot but please. $60 - and the laptop mouse is yours.
Everyone who has worked at a computer has come across a wired mouse. But there is a second type of mouse - wireless, which is considered more universal.
Wireless mouse- practicality, convenience, mobility. Perfect for those who travel frequently, go on business trips, or simply want to relieve their desk of annoying and annoying wires.
When buying a wireless mouse, you should first pay attention to:
Type of connection;
Frequency range;
Size;
Permission;
Nutrition.
Type of connection and frequency range.
Based on the type of connection, wireless mice are divided into :
Radio frequency;
Infrared;
Induction;
RF Type Mice rarely seen, as it is outdated today.
Infrared connection type It is not very popular among users due to the possibility of interference, which leads to incorrect operation. Range of action up to 3 meters.
Based on inductive connection type lies in the use of a tablet mat that is connected to a computer. The downside is the small range.
Bluetooth the most common type of connection for wireless mice. Provides high-quality and stable signal at a distance of up to 10 meters.
Wi-Fi connections has the largest coverage area, but there is constant interference, which makes work difficult.
As for the frequency range, wireless mice operate at a frequency of 27 MHz and 2.4 GHz. Mice with an operating frequency of 27 MHz are cheap, but do not have a large signal range. It's better to spend money and buy mice with a frequency of 2.4 GHz. This mouse has a large operating radius and can even work through a wall.
Size.
Not the last criterion when choosing a mouse. As a rule, the device is selected to fit the size of the user's palm, but it is worth considering where exactly the mouse will be used. For your home or office, it is better to purchase a mouse of medium and large sizes. To use a mouse while traveling or transport, it would be more practical to purchase a small mouse.
Permission.
The main criterion for choosing a mouse. Resolution is abbreviated as DPI and characterizes the sensitivity of the mouse. Typically, wireless mice have a resolution in the range of 400-1300 dpi. For convenient work, you need to select a mouse with the maximum value of this indicator.
Type of food.
Most wireless mice run on batteries or a rechargeable battery. For home use, the best choice, of course, is a battery-powered device. But for use on a trip or a long journey, it is advisable to purchase a battery-powered mouse.