This message was going to be on twitter but it got to long (due to links), and so this is my first post of the new year! (Happy new year everyone)
My old mouse finally crapped out on me, I loved that old school microsoft mouse, and it is the only microsoft product that I use. The size, weight and sensitivity have always been perfect for me and I don’t have to buy batteries for it. Deciding that I did not want to spend $32.99 on my old mouse I headed to collage street looking for a mouse. I hate the idea of having to change the batteries on a wireless mouse so if I got a wireless mouse it would have to come with a charger (I think that the way my old mouse sat on my desk caused the mouse cord to pull and that’s what broke it).
I learned two things today, the only wired mice I could find are really really garbage ones or really really high-end ones for gamers (and I’m not a gamer). Secondly most (in fact all but the one mouse I found) wireless mice use batteries no charging station. WTF I don’t want to buy batteries for my mouse ever X months and no one could tell me how long the batteries lasted.
I did finally find the Micro Innovations PD955P Wireless Optical Navigator Mouse (yes its not even listed on the Micro Innovations website anymore) at Canada Computers for only $11. The mouse weight is perfect for me, the size is great, it has a charger (I am still a bit worried about how long the charge will last or if I will remember to charge it), I am not sure sure about the sensitivity so far it doesn’t feel perfect but Ill keep playing with the settings. And yes it works perfect with ubuntu.
So far all the non gamers out there what mouse do you use?
“Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 4000″. Like you it is the only Microsoft product I use. I just use NiMh rechargeable batteries. They last 6 mos. Good mouse but in true Microsoft fashion they even make their product name bloated!
I use a laser, wireless Logitech mouse for laptops, the V220. Battery-powered (2*AA) and using it a *lot* everyday, they lasted about 9mo.
It powers off automagically and comes back to life when it detects movement. The wireless USB bit tucks neatly under the mouse at the back, which turns it really off. Cost me about 23GBP iirc.
When the batteries are about to go flat, the led on top starts fading red on and off. When i took the batteries out and checked them with my multimeter, they still had about 1.24V left (from 1.5V), so I wonder if they didn’t actually have a lot more charge left.
Hope this helps.
First I was also worried about batteries in cordless mouses. That’s why my first mouse was a rechargeable one.
A few months ago I bought a non rechargeable Logitech MX 620 (I got it discounted for € 24 inc. vat). This is a much nicer mouse, because I had to recharge my old mouse almost every day and after a few months the batteries were damaged and I had to buy new batteries every half year. Now I have this mouse a few months and not changed the batteries. Some users of the Logitech MX 620 have even reported using it over a year on a single set of batteries.
I’ve had the Logitech MX Revolution for a year now (and got one for my desktop at work), and it’s just fabulous. Yes it costs a bit, but the size/weight is great, and so is the build quality. The roller has two modes, free and the normal “clicky” one, and you can set the speed treshold above which it rolls freely. The thumb “swing”-button (it only goes forward/back/down) is a bit redundant, can’t figure out where to use it..
I use a Logitech MX700. Its wireless with charger, and fits my needs now for some years (5 years maybe, dont know exactly)
I’ve been using a couple of different Logitec TrackMan marble trackballs, both wired and wireless. I like them all a lot, but from the people I work with, it’s very much an acquired (or not) taste.
My own preference would be to use a tablet with a good stylus, however at $150 or more for a decent set, I’m not happy with them at the moment.
Trackpads on my laptops work well for me, but I have not seen a stand alone trackpad for a desktop on the market lately. I have mixed feelings about the multi-touch pads where if you drag 2 fingers up and down give the scroll wheel function, rather than dragging up and down along the right edge. A solution that some people appear to be working on is to use a touch screen phone as a pad. I kind of would like to see that working with my G1
I like the thinkpad trackpoints until they decompose. (Toshiba variants as well)
I do use mice, but aside from a Targus or Mio wireless mouse, I don’t know any brand names. I’ve actually had more problems with the receivers than the mice or batteries.
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To be honest, I don’t use the mouse often.
In fact, I’ve physically disengaged my touchpad. I use keyboard-driven apps (Conkeror, Emacs(using it to post this), StumpWM) and the CLI for most things. I can make up for bad website design (hundreds of links per page, abuse of Flash, etc) with my trackpoint.
However to play DooM and soon Quake I(Single-Player games FTW) I use a MoGo bluetooth mouse.
The x54 model is great, but I no longer have a computer with en ExpressCard slot, so I use the older model(which is not so great).
It has pretty low DPI and is optical rather than laser, so control isn’t as smooth as it could be. On the other hand, it raises the difficulty of those games, which is nice, as I’m awesome.
Actually, I mostly use the trackpad on my notebook.
Logitech VX Nano: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/mice/devices/3271&cl=us,en
Good luck with the mouse. Last chargable one I saw, a friend of mine that makes XBox games for a living. It needs to be changes every day. Infact, it come with an extra battery because of that. Personally, I have a Trackman. Second one I have ever had, first one lasted me since, like, 1997 and now I finally have a new one. They haven’t change the design since it began and the only imporvement was a scroll wheel. It’s very nice.
Don’t be afraid of “gamer” mice. They’re just good mice, because gamers need good mice. It sounds like you want one too. My preference is a Logitech MX300 or something like that: optical, wired USB, less than $30, good size / shape / quality.
I have a Logitech wireless desktop (can’t remember which one) but had the foresight to buy two packs of rechargable batterys and a charger, so I just switch when it’s getting low
Thanks for all the comments, if this mouse does not work out for me I think I will go with a wireless non rechargeable mouse due to the comments above.
Also @ Pierce its not that I am afraid of gamer mice I just don’t want to fork out the cash for one. The idea of spending more than $30 on a mouse seems silly to me since I loved my super old school mouse. Guess I will just have to eat the cost.
I use a creative 3500 at home which is a wired ergonomic mouse. But it is discontinued and replaced with the 5000 model which i also bought and use at work. I don’t like wireless mice and keyboards, at least not until the technology gets better so these are great. Also, the ergonomic design helps tremendously.
I have a Razer Diamondback because I like gaming on my free time.
For work this mouse is also quite good.
The scroll wheel has never failed in about three years of constant use.
It has an infrared light/sensor instead of a led or laser. It is very accurate when used on a smooth surface.
http://tekbabble.wordpress.com/2008/11/29/the-mx-revelation/
My favourite. I can no longer live without it.