A regular PC mouse with two buttons and a wheel does the job in the office, but for the serious gamer, only the best gaming mouse will do. But which computer mouse is best for gaming: a laser or optical mouse? For the perfect gaming fun, it requires a precision device, which not only reacts quickly and is sensitive to input but is also easy to handle and most of all, ergonomically build.
Features of a good gaming mouse
A quality gaming mouse works much more accurately than a standard mouse for an office day. They are also different due to the fact of having configurable drivers, a large number of keys and a higher signal processing speed. In addition, they are easier to fine-tune and offer the gamer many adjustment possibilities.
After all, each gamer has different habits and preferences so that the perfection of the mouse is achieved only by allowing the gamer to individually adjust the mouse.
Laser or optical mouse?
When buying a mouse, you have to decide whether to get a laser or an optical mouse. In normal use, like surfing the web or simply using the computer, the difference will hardly be noticeable. But even in gaming, it is difficult to say which sensor is really the better choice, because both techniques can deliver equally good results.
Both LED and laser mice offer advantages and disadvantages:
LED mouse
This design uses a light-emitting diode (LED), which illuminates the ground with a red light. An optical sensor scans the resulting reflections and the position of the mouse is calculated by the computer. This technique is extremely accurate but may find its limits when the surface is too smooth or transparent. LED mice models often react even at a distance of two centimeters above the ground, which can be a nuisance for the gamer. The best gamer mouse is characterized by the fact that the pointer no longer moves as soon as the device is raised slightly.
Laser Mouse
This device uses an infrared laser diode instead of an LED to illuminate the surface beneath its sensor. The advantage of the laser is that the movement relative to the ground can be scanned more accurately and laser mice can be used on very smooth as well as on bright surfaces and even on glass.
Gaming Mouse Sensitivity
DPI stands for “dots per inch”, a measurement of how sensitive a mouse is. The higher the value, the more sensitive the mouse is and the less you need to move it to obtain a response. Most regular office mice have a resolution of 400 or 100 dpi. However, mice designed for playing electronic games can have values between 2000-15000 dpi. When choosing your gaming mouse, pay attention to a value of a least that at least 3000 to 5000, anything over 5000 is still good, as it is technically possible, but it becomes difficult to notice a difference anymore.
Additional keys
A Gaming mouse comes with a variety of extra buttons, which can be programmed in order to allow certain additional control features. It depends on the kind of game you are playing if these extra keys make sense. They can be practical for players of MMORPGs, MOBAs and generally MMOs. If you opt for mice with corresponding side buttons, you should make sure that they are easy to use (keys not too small) and do not interfere with normal mouse use. How many extra keys a gaming mouse should have is a question every user has to answer for himself.
Cable or wireless?
Even if a wireless mouse functions almost as fast as the cable-bound mouse. However, using a cable-bound mouse to connect to your gaming computer has clear advantages. Wireless mice require a battery that’s extra weight and will need replacement sooner or later. Annoying when the mouse gives up in the middle of an important round.
Choose an ergonomic Gaming Mouse
The shape and ergonomic design are most important to be considered before the built-in technology. A gaming mouse must be comfortable otherwise you risk that muscles, tendons, and joints are subjected to stress, which in the worst case, leads to RSI Syndrome, continuous pain in arm and wrist.
Whether you decide on a laser or optical mouse you also need to look at the type of grip – how you hold the mouse. There are three types of grips, which influence which kind of mouse design you should choose.
Palm-Grip
The user guides the mouse with the entire palm resting on the mouse. For such gamers, quite large, ergonomically shaped devices are suitable. Control may be a little inaccurate, but you may enjoy more comfort in the hand posture, especially during longer laps of a game.
Fingertip Grip
With this grip technique, your hand rests on the mouse pad. Your fingertips are at the front of the mouse and side of the mouse. The movement of the mouse comes from the fingers itself, which makes for a very direct, fast and precise control of the mouse.
Claw-Grip
Here the gamer stabilizes the mouse with the hand, while the claw-shaped fingers click at the 90-degree angle on the buttons. This is especially popular among players of fast, click-intensive games. Claw grip gamers should buy larger and asymmetric models mice with higher dpi rates.
So what is the best gaming mouse?
There is no “best gaming mouse”. The personal preferences and also the different applications are too different. So for a first shooter game you need a different mouse than for a role-playing game. Some good recommendations might be among these inexpensive gaming keyboard mouse combos.
More Know-How About Computer Mice
Who Invented the Mouse
The American computer technician and inventor Douglas C. Engelbart invented the computer mouse. The first prototype was built in 1963 based on his drawings. Since the mid-1980s, the mouse, together with the monitor and keyboard, has been one of the most important human-machine interfaces for almost all computer activities. Learn more about the Invention of the mouse.
What is a Computer Mouse Used for?
A computer mouse is a device that you guide with your hand, which moves a cursor that is on the screen. This permits you to click on links, words, or other items that are located on your computer. Based on whatever you click, the computer will complete that action (i.e., open a file).
You can use the mouse to open files, folders, documents, or programs on your computer. Alternatively, you can use the mouse to give the computer commands, such as copy, delete, move, or pause. Basically, the mouse allows you to quickly point and click on anything you want to on your computer.
What is a Computer Mouse Used For
In addition to the most basic function, most mice have a wheel, a right-click button, and a left-click button. You can use the left click button to select and move items. The right button will allow you to bring up menus and different commands. The wheel will allow you to quickly scroll through pages without having to manually scroll down on the screen.
All mice have these functions. Some newer mice have even more advanced features. For example, some mice provide you with the option of changing the clicking speed. This allows you to click slowly for things like photo editing or more quickly for things such as browsing the web.
These newer mice also might have the option to customize buttons (hotkeys) for certain programs which will allow you to save time.
What Are the Main Types of Mice?
The older mice have a traditional roller ball on the bottom of the mouse. They required that you plug them into a computer via a USB port. However, newer mice might be wireless (meaning that they establish a virtual connection to your computer) and/or optical. Additionally, newer mice have become better in terms of ergonomic shape, so that they reduce the tension in your wrist and hands.
What are the main parts of a computer mouse?
The mouse will contain one of the following three items: ball, LED, or laser. This is what helps the mouse track movement and relay that movement to your computer screen. Additionally, every mouse will have a wheel so that you can scroll. Older mice might only let you scroll up and down.
However, some of the newer mice will allow you to scroll in all directions (up, down, right, and left). Every mouse will have a minimum of two buttons for right and left-clicking. However, newer mice might have even more buttons. If you opt for a wired mouse, it will also have a cord that you will need to plug into the USB port of your computer.
However, if you opted for a wireless mouse then your mouse will come with a wireless receiver. Additionally, all mice have a circuit board which is located inside the mouse. Some mice, particularly the ergonomic mice, have special holders for your thumb or fingers.
Do you need a mouse?
No, it is not absolutely necessary that you have a mouse. As technology increases, there are many computers and other devices that rely on touchscreen technology, which effectively eliminates the need for a mouse. However, many people still prefer to use a mouse in order to increase the efficiency with which they complete tasks.
Even if your computer does not have touchscreen capability, there are still several ways that you can use your machine without a mouse. First, you can simply use the computer keys. This option will require that you know the key combinations for certain commands (i.e., opening the start menu, quitting the program, etc.).
You could easily look these up online if this option is right for you. It is important to note that the key combinations are different for Windows and Mac OS X. Lastly, you can also use web browser short cuts so that you can quickly open your favorite websites, new tabs, or go to your homepage.
How to clean a computer mouse
Everyone drinks their coffee and eats their sandwich or crisps while sitting at the computer. So it is inevitable that the keyboard and mouse get dirty, regular cleaning keeps them functional.
Since certain cleaning products and procedures can be damaging to a mouse (and other technology), it is important to use the proper cleaning techniques in order to extend the life of your mouse. Want to know how to clean your mouse? Check out the steps below so that you can quickly be on your way to cleaning your mouse.
Steps to clean your computer mouse
Before you attempt to start cleaning your mouse, make sure that your mouse is disconnected or unplugged. No matter what type of mouse you are cleaning, make sure that you remove it from the area surrounding your computer so that any excess liquid does not damage other technology.
If you are cleaning an optical mouse, you will want to turn your mouse upside down to begin the cleaning process. Next, you will want to use rubbing alcohol to clean the bottom of the mouse.
Simply use a cotton swab that has been dipped into the alcohol and clean the four rubber bottoms that surround the mouse. This should remove any built-up dust and dirt so that your mouse can glide more smoothly. You can also use a toothpick to remove dirt that gets stuck in the grooves between the rubber and the plastic.
After you have taken these steps, you will want to clean the optical part of the mouse. This is usually in the middle of the bottom side of the mouse and is has a glass covering. Using a light sweeping motion, glide a Q-tip over the center to clean that area.
Avoid pressing too hard or scratching this, as either will cause damage to the glass or plastic covering. In order to complete the cleaning process, you can simply use a wet paper towel to clean the remaining areas of the mouse. Next, you will want to make sure that the bottom of the mouse dries well. You can either blow on it or use a hairdryer.
After you have cleaned the bottom of the optical mouse, you will likely want to clean the top of it as well. Flip the mouse back over. You can use a toothpick to clean the area between the buttons, the wheel, and any other small areas.
Again, be certain that you do not press too hard, as this might cause the toothpick to break in your mouse. You will also want to clean the mouse pad, the desk area surrounding your mouse, and the cords so that you minimize the dust build-up. This could be done using water and a paper towel as well.
