Gaming & Streaming Gear

Mice

Purchasing a new mouse can be a very subjective process, as the ideal solution can vary from person to person. However, there are general considerations that hold true in most situations.

Dots Per Inch (DPI)

This refers to the resolution of the mouse, with higher DPI meaning more sensitivity. Some users may prefer higher DPI, but it can vary from person to person. High-DPI mice are usually marketed towards home consumers and tend to cost more than mice not marketed as high-DPI.

Size

The size of the mouse is largely a personal preference, but can affect portability. Smaller mice are more portable than larger ones, so professionals that use their laptops on business trips can benefit from smaller mice. Mice for desktops can be larger, as they usually will not be moved away from the workstation much.

Connectivity

Wired and wireless mice each have their own advantages and your purchasing decision will need to factor in the needs of the user as well as the computers that they will be used with.

• Wired – The more cost-effective option of the two, wired mice are less portable since the wire can tangle while in transport. Most wired mice are USB though they usually do include PS/2 adapters. One disadvantage is that they are less portable and fit for travel than wireless mice.
  
  
• Wireless – Wireless mice can be split into two camps, Bluetooth® mice and radio frequency (RF) mice. Bluetooth mice require the laptop or desktop to have Bluetooth functionality, which can be either built-in or added with a Bluetooth USB accessory. RF wireless mice all include USB receivers that specifically work with them. Whether you purchase a Bluetooth mouse or RF mouse, both are more portable than wired mice.