Which “Mouse” is Right for You?

There are more types of mice available to use than can possibly be used, but let me cover the ones you are most likely to use and why.

CDW has a great website covering the different mouse device types. Link: The 11 Different Types of Computer Mouse | CDW.

Some basic considerations that you should consider:

  • Your usage. The smaller the mouse, the more discomfort you will experience over time….especially when working long uninterrupted hours with repetitive motions.
  • Workspace configuration. If you don’t have much space or are “traveling” for your work, think about a trackball. This type of device doesn’t have to move when using the mouse.
  • Type of connection. The most secure form of connection is wired. Depending on your industry, your work may REQUIRE a wired connection. Bluetooth technology is pretty secure, especially considering it has a very short range, therefore a “hacker” would need to be within feet of you. It also uses very little power compared to other wireless technologies. Wi-Fi connectivity has a much longer range and good for someone who picks up their device and moves away from their computer/laptop. This has only a basic level of encryption (i.e., not the same as your Wi-Fi home/business network) and therefore may be ok for a mouse but probably should not be using something like a keyboard.
  • Optical vs. Mechanical. Laser mice/trackball typically have better sensitivity and control, which makes theme easier to use. Mechanical devices are not recommended if you have a lot of dust/hair/fur in your work environment.
  • Presentation controller. Make sure that if you present, you have a device to control the presentation without needing to go back to your laptop/desktop to control your slides.
  • Features. Some mice have a scroll wheel, which is very useful for scrolling through websites and other content. 2nd feature to consider is programmable buttons — if you do repeatable activities like opening a specific web, performing a specific macro in Excel, etc… — then programmable buttons are a must.

Here are some devices/brands as examples of the various features above:

The more expensive the mouse the more I would consider sticking to major brands, but for basic input devices save some money.