What's good about wireless optical mouse?

Don't know much about mouse but have to buy one. Look at
the prices, optical mouse is more expansive than the
traditional roller-ball mouse. Is it better too? Does it
last longer?

I don't like optical mouse because they need batteries. If
the roller-ball mouse can do the work without batteries, why
not just buy roller-ball mouse?

Bill wrote:
Don't know much about mouse but have to buy one. Look at
the prices, optical mouse is more expansive than the
traditional roller-ball mouse. Is it better too? Does it
last longer?

I don't like optical mouse because they need batteries. If
the roller-ball mouse can do the work without batteries, why
not just buy roller-ball mouse?


Let's clarify a few things he -

1) The plural of 'mouse' is 'mice' (though, in this instance, some would
say 'mouses' or 'pointing devices')
2) The word is 'expensive' - 'expansive' means 'capable of expanding'
amongst other things.
3) Where on /earth/ did you get the notion that optical = wireless?! I
had a wireless ball mouse years ago, just like I have a corded optical mouse
now.
4) You only don't like optical mice because you think they're all
wireless. A Google search will disprove that.

Let's see...Advantages of optical over ball mice: -

1) More accurate
2) Nothing to gum up, therefore never needs cleaning. A ball mouse worked
(and the past tense is deliberate, since I think they're pretty much
obsolete now) by moving the ball against four rollers (up/down and
left/right) and, the gunk and lint it picked up from the desk, would be
transferred to the rollers, therefore you would need to disassemble the unit
at regular intervals to remove the crud (I used to have to physically take
mine to pieces to remove all of it) and the ball would need washing in mild,
soapy, water.
3) Works on virtually any surface (except glass) no mouse mat required.
4) You can't buy anything other than optical these days
5) Funky red light (though these days other colourways are available)

Disadvantages....

Erm, none.

Now, if you were to ask for the advantages/disadvantages of corded vs
wireless

Advantages

1) Greater freedom (some can be used up to 50 feet away from the computer
(if your study is that big!)
2) In the case of Bluetooth (rather than plain old wireless) the ability
to use more than one device with the same receiver.

Disadvantages

1) Heavy - (the Logitech MX700 that I use weighs in at 170g. My old -
corded - MouseMan weighs 48g - nearly 4½ times as much.
2) Depending on what you buy, they munch batteries (unless you use
rechargeables - the 1800mAh that I use last 4 days on a charge. Logitech's
latest offering is said to last 30 days on a single charge, using a single
lithium ion cell).
3) Because they are so heavy, they are a major cause of RSI (if my MX700
didn't glide better over the desk than the MouseMan, I'd still be using the
MouseMan). I suffer from CTS, and I'm seriously thinking about changing back
to corded.

So, there you go, does that answer your question?



--
My great-grandfather was born and raised in Elgin - did he eventually
lose his marbles?

"Miss Perspicacia Tick" wrote in message
...
Disadvantages....

Erm, none.

Although optical is much much better it does have some disadvantages. Cost
is higher although not much and it doesn't work on some desks (eg mine)
without a mat and the red light is kinda wanky.

Michael

In message "Michael C"
wrote:

Although optical is much much better it does have some disadvantages. Cost
is higher although not much and it doesn't work on some desks (eg mine)
without a mat and the red light is kinda wanky.

Wanky?


--
Jack: So what's your impression of Alar?
Teal'C: That he is concealing something.
Jack: Like what?
Teal'C: I am unsure - he is concealing it.

Michael C wrote:
"Miss Perspicacia Tick" wrote in message
...
Disadvantages....

Erm, none.

Although optical is much much better it does have some disadvantages.
Cost is higher although not much and it doesn't work on some desks
(eg mine) without a mat and the red light is kinda wanky.

Michael


I did say "most surfaces" - your desk is obviously too reflective.
--
My great-grandfather was born and raised in Elgin - did he eventually
lose his marbles?

"DevilsPGD" wrote in message
news.com...
Wanky?

Derived from the term ******. Someone who visits Mrs palmer and her 5
daughters often. :-)

Michael

"Miss Perspicacia Tick" wrote in message
...
I did say "most surfaces" - your desk is obviously too reflective.

I'm suprised it doesn't work on my desk, it is a painted wood desk that
isn't that shiny anymore. It also doesn't work on my spare desk which is
black laminate but does work on my desk at work which is a beige laminate.
So for me it doesn't work on 66% of the desks I've tried it on. Maybe I'm
unlucky? :-)

Michael

On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 16:06:45 +1100, "Michael C"
wrote:

"Miss Perspicacia Tick" wrote in message
...
I did say "most surfaces" - your desk is obviously too reflective.

I'm suprised it doesn't work on my desk, it is a painted wood desk that
isn't that shiny anymore. It also doesn't work on my spare desk which is
black laminate but does work on my desk at work which is a beige laminate.
So for me it doesn't work on 66% of the desks I've tried it on. Maybe I'm
unlucky? :-)


Maybe it's just that particular mouse?

On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 19:12:06 -0500, Bill
wrote:

Don't know much about mouse but have to buy one. Look at
the prices, optical mouse is more expansive than the
traditional roller-ball mouse.

Barely, they can be had for under $10, something decent like
a logitech can be hand for under $15 for the lower-spec
models.


Is it better too?

On average, yes a lot better.

Does it
last longer?

Depends on how you intend on breaking it?


I don't like optical mouse because they need batteries. If
the roller-ball mouse can do the work without batteries, why
not just buy roller-ball mouse?

It has nothing to do with optical or roller-ball, it's
wireless. WIreless roller-ball mice use batteries too. If
you don't need a wireless mouse nobody's twisting your
arm...

Ive got my Logitec MX 700, Optical Cordless mouse, and would never go
back to corded .



On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 13:00:49 GMT, kony wrote:

On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 19:12:06 -0500, Bill
wrote:

Don't know much about mouse but have to buy one. Look at
the prices, optical mouse is more expansive than the
traditional roller-ball mouse.

Barely, they can be had for under $10, something decent like
a logitech can be hand for under $15 for the lower-spec
models.


Is it better too?

On average, yes a lot better.

Does it
last longer?

Depends on how you intend on breaking it?


I don't like optical mouse because they need batteries. If
the roller-ball mouse can do the work without batteries, why
not just buy roller-ball mouse?

It has nothing to do with optical or roller-ball, it's
wireless. WIreless roller-ball mice use batteries too. If
you don't need a wireless mouse nobody's twisting your
arm...