Mice

Is your mouse on its last legs? Fed up with pushing it round in circles to try and find your cursor?



Computer mice are one of the least expensive accessories you can buy. From as little as a few pounds, you can replace your worn out mouse with a stylish and comfortable design that suits the way you work.

As with keyboards, mice can be purchased that connect to your computer through the PS/2 socket (the round connector with pins) or via the USB ports. Check your particular machine to make sure you have the necessary port or socket required before purchasing.

There are also wireless mice that free you from an endless trail of cables and wires. These work like your television remote control and run on batteries, so you need to make sure the batteries are always fresh or have a supply stashed away nearby. Often you can purchase wireless (or optical, as they are sometimes called) mice and keyboards together in one complete package.

Designs range from the standard 3-button basic mouse to wheel mice that use a rotating ball, eliminating the need to move the mouse at all. You can also purchase more complex units that have as many as five buttons which you can program via the included software.

Optical or wireless mice are particularly useful if you are left-handed, as the mouse will work no matter where you position it on your desk. A wireless mouse might be worth considering if you have a lot of other peripherals (printers, cameras, web cams and storage devices) connected to your machine and space (as in ports and sockets) is limited.

If you simply want to replace your existing mouse with a newer version, many manufacturers provide mice compatible with both right- and left-handed users. Most mice use the standard 3-button concept, while a growing trend includes a programmable centre button. This can be used to create shortcuts and help you work faster, such as one click instead of double clicking, or the ability to zoom in on any page.

Newer units also incorporate the comfort factor, so you can get a stylish design that’s easy to use. If you prefer your mouse to move around while you work, some of the latest models feature technology that allows them to work on any surface. If you use a conventional 8 x 10 mouse mat, you will know how frustrating it can be when the mouse suddenly slips off the edge.

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