"You're obsessed with mice." That sounds like something my therapist would say. Actually, it's my exasperated wife watching me get excited trying out a new mouse. Things could be worse; you know what I'm saying? Mice are cheap, fun to experiment with, and something we take for granted--until they stop working.
This week I'll tell you about the mice I've tried, and the one I love--and keep coming back to.
Sure, I'll tell you about some of the innovative and bizarre pointing devices I've looked at. But first I think that if you're happy with your existing mouse, you ought to look at a couple of tips to get more out of it.
Start with an oldie but goodie from Scott Dunn, who spent what looks like a week in a closet with his mouse. I know "Get on a Roll With Freewheelin' Windows" is from last year, but Scott's advice is still fresh and useful.
Next, if you're using the drivers that come along with Windows, you could be missing the boat. That's because you may not be making full use of your mouse's programmable buttons. You'll have to do some digging to find the specific drivers or accessory programs for your mouse, but it's worth it. For instance, Logitech's mouse drivers are buried in its Support section, and Microsoft's are in its Mouse & Keyboard pages.
But let's say you've decided it's time for a new mouse. Before you read on for my recommendations, take a look at "How to Buy Input Devices," a four-page guide.
I'm happy with my Logitech MX1000 Cordless Laser Mouse. In between trying other pointing devices, I've used the MX 1000 for almost a year. And until something really spectacular comes along, I'm not likely to switch for a while.
There's a lot I like about the MX1000. I know it's subjective, but I think it feels great, fitting my hand perfectly. There are lots of buttons, and most are programmable. For instance, the wheel tilts left and right for side-to-side scrolling, which is terrific for wide spreadsheets. The wheel sits in a rocking cradle that I've programmed to cut (forward click) and paste (back click). Another rocker control near my thumb lets me page forward and back on Web sites. And there's a button that pops up a menu of open applications, something I find very handy.
The Logitech MX1000 is a laser mouse. Unlike an optical mouse--like many of the others described below--a laser mouse works on an array of surfaces. Even though I use the MX1000 on a traditional mouse pad, I've tried it on photo paper and a white plastic desk, and it works perfectly. You can read more about how laser mice work, as well as how safe they are, in "Building a Smarter Mouse."
The MX1000 discounts for about $60; pricing is on our Product Finder.
I'm dazzled by the variety of mouse designs floating around. Here's a smattering of them--some useful, some weird. You be the judge.
Need a mouse that fits like a glove? Read about the $50 P5 Glove from Video Game Alliance. Nah, too gimmicky.
How about the $100 E-Quill-AirO2bic Mouse, in left- or right-hand models? I know, too strange.
Okay, take a look at Handykey's Twiddler (something I'm apparently referred to as by the
You think I'm done? Ha!
Steve Gibson told me about the TactaPad, a touchpad with tactile feedback. Gibson writes, "I especially love the 'rotate and zoom the canvas by stretching and squeezing.' How cool is that?" The TactaPad isn't available yet, but when it is, I want to play with one.
For $315, you can have your own NoHands Mouse, a foot-operated pointing device. And if you want to try something else unique, take a look at the $200 Contour Design RollerMouse Pro. It won a World Class Award this year; read about it in "The 100 Best Products of 2005" (scroll down to the middle of the page).
On a more practical level, Microsoft has a Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer (about $55) that comes with a biometric password protector (translation: a fingerprint reader).
Finally, the $40 Mouse Paw might be just the ticket if you want a more comfortable platform for your pointing device. The Mouse Paw attaches to the arm of your chair with straps or screws.
Steve Bass
