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Buyer's Guide: Mice
The best mice are more accurate and much more comfortable to use than the ones that came free with your computer ... and we think that the difference in price is more than justified.
Vincent Alzieu
Published: October 29, 2009
Published: October 29, 2009
Need for Speed
One of the most important elements in producing a more accurate mouse is updating the computer with the device's position more frequently. Rather than reporting where they are 125 times a second, some mice send that information 1000 times a second. The more often this information is sent, the more accurately the computer will be able to follow the movement of your hand. However, there's a price to pay: turning the resolution up too high can overload your computer, slowing it down by occupying up to 50% of your CPU.
Another factor to bear in mind is that most mice are at 800 dpi. That means that moving it one inch across your desk will move your cursor 800 pixels across your screen. Other mice are available at 1000, 1200, 1600, 2400, 3000 or even 4000 dpi. The higher you go, the more ground your mouse will cover with a smaller movement. In our opinion, it's not worth going beyond 1600 dpi.
Another factor to bear in mind is that most mice are at 800 dpi. That means that moving it one inch across your desk will move your cursor 800 pixels across your screen. Other mice are available at 1000, 1200, 1600, 2400, 3000 or even 4000 dpi. The higher you go, the more ground your mouse will cover with a smaller movement. In our opinion, it's not worth going beyond 1600 dpi.
To keep sales up and try to encourage customers to replace the mice that come with their computers, manufacturers are usually fixated on one word: gaming. But don't worry if that's not you, there's still a better mouse out there: a mouse that reports its position a thousand times a second instead of the 125 times of a normal mouse. A mouse that never skips a beat, even on less than perfect surfaces. A mouse that can adjust its resolution 'on the fly' to go from fast scrolling to careful precision work. A mouse like this is more accurate, whoever uses it. And if the mouse has been designed to give your hand a more natural support, then you'll end with a less painful wrist, too.
Everybody gains from having a more accurate mouse, but it's sometimes difficult to convince people to invest in one. If you've got a mouse in your hands eight hours a day at work then you're more likely to see the light, with some professions--like graphic designers--more sensitive to the needs of a quality mouse. Mac users are also likely to want to switch, given the quality of the Apple Mighty Mouse which has been the default option for them for so long.
PS: Yes, we know that they're all Logitech mice. These really are the best mice at the moment, and not the result of so;e obsession with the manufacturer. That said, we have to admit we have to say that we love the scroll wheels that they provide, that either click around or turn really. That option is found on four of our five top mice ...
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Entry-level: Logitech MX400 Performance Laser MouseAffordable and comfortable--as long as you're right-handed
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For the same price as a no-name mouse you could find anywhere, the MX400 has a very comfortable shape (although it only works for right-handers), two buttons on the side under your thumb and a laser sensor. It's simple and works well without fuss. |
The green choice: Logitech Marathon Mouse M705The batteries on this wireless mouse last three years!
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Logitech is making two leaps of faith with this mouse. The first is its energy efficiency, because its batteries are said to last for three years, leaving you with a wireless mouse whose batteries you won't need to recharge all of the time. The second is that it's a cross between a laptop mouse and a normal mouse. The M705 is just 11 cm long, which is right between the average lengths for mini mice (9 cm) and their full-sized desktop counterparts (13 cm). |
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Our favourite: Logitech G500If you ask us, this is the best mouse for anybody
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The G500 really is at the top of the tree, and there's no doubt about that. It's the best mouse for everybody, and isn't just for gamers, just for designers or just for office use. It's very comfortable to use with that famous scroll wheel that either turns freely or clicks round and has a laser sensor that allows it to remain very accurate even when moving quickly. The new G500 displaces our old favourite, the SteelSeries Ikari Laser. |
A solid wireless choice: Logitech MX1100Rechargeable, lots of buttons and a smart scroll wheel ...
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This mouse is a treat to use, with plenty of options, like a luxury saloon. Remember, though, that sometimes you need to go off-road. For the fastest games, we think the MX1100 is a little too heavy. |
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Small, but perfect for a laptop: Logitech VX Nano
This one has no problem tracking your movements across any kind of surface
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When it first came out, the Nano was a very expensive proposition, but it's since fallen in price. What we like about it are its laser sensor, the intelligent scroll wheel and the fact that it's comfortable for both left- and right-handers. Other strong points are the two buttons on the left for slipping through websites and its excellent quality build. Another advantage for those on the go is that it has a very tiny USB receiver that doesn't even stick out of your computer. |
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What next?
That Logitech scroll wheel that we're such fans of might well become redundant. The future of mice might well be touch-based interfaces, like the new Apple Magic Mouse or the prototypes that we've seen coming out of Microsoft's labs. Don't forget that the last time we tested a touch-based mouse was back in 2007, and we weren't very impressed by it then ...
Other than that, we'd also like manufacturers to stop bleating on about mice for 'gamers' and start offering quality products to everybody. That might also make for some more stylish, less garish mice. Perhaps the most excessive example of this tendency was the World of Warcraft MMO. On the other hand, if you start using the Microsoft Wireless Arc Mouse--one of the most stylish we've ever seen--you'll soon realise that the innovation is on the outside, and that it performs very poorly.
What we're really looking forward to seeing then is attractive mice with advanced features like resolutions of 500 Hz or 1000 Hz--adjustable on the fly, of course. The G500 is one of the most decent-looking so far, and it's a good start. We're hoping some that some others will soon follow, but we don't have any news on that front for the time being ...
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More information on this topic:
> Product Survey: Mice > Product Survey: Keyboards |
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