Wireless Mouse

United States
January 31, 2008 9:14am CST
I'm tired of fooling with cables, so I'm considering getting a wireless mouse. This is for my desktop computer, Compaq Presario, running under IE 7.0. Does anyone have any suggestions, advice, or experience using a wireless mouse with a desktop? Help me decide what I need. (Please?)
2 people like this
10 responses
@chunter (1759)
• Singapore
31 Jan 08
I have used wireless mouse before....well, there's not really much advice to give since its straightforward...But if you want some advice, - plug the USB wireless dongle in the front panel USB port of your desktop - when the wireless mouse isn't working, check the batteries and replace them and see if that helps Last but not least, for wireless mice, the two brands that come to mind are Logitech and Microsoft....depending on the budget, you can get no-brand ones at USD$15 while the branded ones are USD$25 to USD$40 depending...
• United States
31 Jan 08
Thanks, chunter. My husband doesn't like the fact that batteries die fast - he's not much for portable, battery-operated tools of any kind. I'm wondering about rechargeable batteries. Also, this may sound obvious to you, but I'm not much of a hardware person. Does the mouse have to "see" the computer? In other words, does there have to be a direct line of sight between them? My mouse pad area is below the desktop. Is that okay? I assume so, but this isn't a typical computer desk but a converted regular desk with a platform on the top drawer pulled out to accommodate the mouse. (Can you picture that?) Is that okay? The term "optical mouse" sounds to me like there might be a line-of-sight issue. Sorry if I sound like a computer dunce, but if I knew the answer, I wouldn't have to ask! :)
@chunter (1759)
• Singapore
31 Jan 08
To answer your question, nope, there doesn't need to be direct line of sight between the USB dongle and the mouse. However, my advice to put the dongle in the front panel USB is because of wireless signals...If you plug it to the rear of your PC, the wireless signal may not reach the mouse and vice versa... I can imagine what your desk looks like, but no worry about the line of sight thingy... As for optical mouse, it means the use of optical technology for scanning....Usually you can see a red light (and most times, other colours too) at the bottom of the mouse, which is the scanner...Few years back, we have ball mice which requires friction and traction to move the mouse and move the cursor onscreen...The optical scanner works the same and is more convenient...It works on almost all material except glass... Of course, these days, you may come across laser mouse which is the latest scanning technology than optical...they scan faster and are more accurate....though they are usually more for gamers...not that you can't use it... Hope that helps
@chunter (1759)
• Singapore
31 Jan 08
Oops...meant to say, depending on the mouse, the optical mouse may emit another colour aside from red...Red is the more common colour
@michelyn (717)
• United States
31 Jan 08
I've used wireless mice now for so long I couldnt' even imagine trying to use a wired one again. I've always loved Logitech mice for desktops and Microsoft mice for notebooks. I know, that's kind of strange. I have the MX Revolution by Logitech for my desktop and I have the Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 4000 for my laptop. I love them both.
• United States
31 Jan 08
That's good to know. I got a new Logitech keyboard for Christmas. Wish he would have gotten a mouse, too. I do like the keyboard and I will follow your recommendation for the Logitech mouse as well. How's the battery situation with that one? Do you have to replace them often?
• United States
31 Jan 08
Thank you. I guess I could do that on a nightly basis. Now I'm anxious to go shopping for one!
@michelyn (717)
• United States
31 Jan 08
It has a rechargeable battery built into it. It comes with a charging station, so you just plug it in to charge when you aren't using it.
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
9 Feb 08
I went with a wireless mouse and keyboard set about 4 years ago, and I really love the freedom I get with them. when the comp is not in use I can put my keyboard up so the littler children do not have access. I would go with a trusted name brand - go to a store where they have displays out (circuit city etc) and give the different styles a try to find how comfortable they are to your own hand...whether or not you buy from that store. and definitely invest in a 15 minute battery charger and as high of an nimh rechargeable battery set that the charger can handle (i.e. 2600)
• United States
9 Feb 08
That's a good idea, to go to a store and try them on, so to speak, to see which one feels best. Also, being able to put them out of the reach of children is a good benefit of having a wireless device. Thanks!
@nempel (139)
• Indonesia
4 Feb 08
all in one - all in one computer, it takes only a little space on your desk
hello my52cents, I'm also sick with my computer cabling, it to much cable arround my computer, printer cable, mouse, monitor, power, power monitor, keyboard, stavolt, etc, errrh it makes me frowning when try to fixed or clean out my computer, but I wont use wireless mouse again, I used to using a wireless mouse, but some troble show up latter, starting from batteries problem, interfere with my bluetooth devices, etc, so I'm back with my old fashion mouse.
• United States
9 Feb 08
Interesting that it interfered with the bluetooth. Of course I don't know much about that, either! Sometimes I guess it's good to stick with what works. I'm pretty resistant to change, in fact. Thanks for the response!
@Fish16 (37)
1 Feb 08
The ones made by Microsoft are definitely the best in my opinion. I bought a Microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse a year ago off www.play.com and have not had one problem since I had it. Also I thought I would be constantly replacing batterys on a wireless keyboard and mouse because its constantly being used however the batterys in the mouse run out about 2 months ago after not being changed for about 8 months! The keyboard is still using the original batterys perfect. Also range from the receiver is really well giving you at least 2 meters reception. In my opinion a wireless keyboard and mouse are well worth the money as long as you buy the right one. :]
• United States
1 Feb 08
Thanks for the input, Fish16. That does sound like a nice long battery life. Not bad at all! My husband will probably check out reviews somewhere to compare brands, but I would certainly think anything by Microsoft would be a good product. Thanks again!
• United States
9 Feb 08
Hi I have a Belkin wireless keyboard and mouse. I love them. Ihave had on trouble just put in new battries.Keep it clean.Works great.
• United States
9 Feb 08
Thanks for the recommendation! (Funny, I read that as "no" the first time!)
• United States
9 Feb 08
oops Imean no trouble.
@talisman (1300)
• United States
1 Feb 08
I have a wireless mouse and I absolutely love it. My husband was using one at work, showed it to me, then bought me one. I don't think I'll ever go back to having a wired mouse. I wouldn't worry about batteries dying fast. I'm on my computer most of the day everyday and I still don't have to change them that often (I use Kirkland (Costco) brand batteries). Just find one you like, buy it, and get started. I'm sure you'll love it :)
• United States
1 Feb 08
Now, that's a glowing recommendation. Thanks so much! I hope to do just that in the very near future.
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
31 Jan 08
I have had a wireless mouse forever it seems like.I got so tired of messing with that wire...This is my second wireless mouse and they are great..All you need to do is go to any place(i went to radio shack and told them what kind of computer i have and they fixed me right up.It comes with another attachment that you hook to your computer and you have to download a disk and thats it.the mouse takes batteries and when it acts up, you will know it needs batteries..The batteries in mine last a long time..I would never mess with wires anymore.i also have a wireless keyboard, they will make a world of difference...
• United States
31 Jan 08
I suspect I'll be the same way - and sorry that it took me so long to switch to wireless. My husband is actually the hard sell, and he's my "tech" guy. I'll be feeding him all this information that I've gotten today and will let him make the final decision, but I certainly see wireless in my future. Good to know that the batteries last a long time for you. That's a good selling point to help me make my case. Thanks!
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
31 Jan 08
Well, I just progressed to a optic mouse - the kind that don't need a mouse pad. It still plugs in, and although they tell you the "length" of the cord, how your PC tower is set up makes a huge difference. The cord can't reach from the back of hte PC to where my mouse pad would be, ergo I can't plug the thing into the back of the tower, I have to plug it into the front where there are extra ports (is that what theya re called?) Anyway, I have this white cord strung right in front of me, although is does fall in front of hte keyboard so at least it is mostly hidden. And do I not use the mouse pad? Most often, no. I still use it! Old habits die hard I guess! But am I going to get a cordless mouse? Probalby not.... I'd more tend to loose the mouse all together if it wasn't attached! So I'd better keep things attached.
• United States
31 Jan 08
You know what, losing it is a very good point. I really hadn't thought about that. My desk area is semi-well organized so I don't think I'd lose it amongst my "stuff," but I have two cats who love to move things around, and my little girl cat in particular moves things on my desk at night in order to wake me up so I'll give her attention. I can totally imagine my cats bumping the mouse off the desk and batting it across the room to somewhere where I'll never find it. Thanks for the heads up on that one!
• New Zealand
31 Jan 08
I used to have one but I don't know what happened to it. It's a bit different but I think they are very good coz there are no cables (duh) which could get stuck. If I remember rightly they are more sensitive but I may have just had the settings up quite high. Personaly I think buying a wireless mouse is a good idea. but don't spend too much on it. oh and if your computer is in your bedroom do not get a mouse with flashing lights. For a period of time my computer was by my bed in my room and my mouse flashes even when the computer is off. It kept me up many a night.
• United States
1 Feb 08
My computer is in the bedroom, so I appreciate that additional advice about the light. Thanks!