Time to buy a new computer mouse

[AndrewMeronek]

Who has experience with testing computer mouses, specifically with regard to durability? The last several mice I've bought, the first thing to fail is the index-finger click. Consistently. And many of them are built to not be easy to take apart and clean or otherwise service.

[Elow]

I’ve had a razer mouse for about 4 years and it hasn’t failed me. Got it when i played video games religiously.

[LeTromboniste]

I would look at gaming mice, they are often built to take quite a bit of click abuse. And I would say look at Logitech. Their cheap consumer mice are probably not much better than other cheap mice, and their high-end gaming ones are all bells and whistles and weird designs that may not always be the most durable, but if you look at the less expensive gaming models (in the $40-80 range), you'll find options that are well proven, simple classic designs, all the functionalities you could need (programmable extra buttons and modulable sensitivity) , usually pretty durable hardware, for not that much money. And I've never needed it but their customer support is reportedly really good.

I've had my Logitech G3 for about 14 years now, and it's still going strong! (knocking on wood) I did a fair bit of gaming with it in the first 6 years or so, and it's always been my daily use mouse. It's been packed in suitcases and flown around a lot, never damaged. Quite astounding how sturdy it ended up being.

[Burgerbob]

Just FYI, modern Logitech mice have cheaper switches used for the left and right click. I just had to retire my 9 month old G902 because it started double and triple clicking almost every other click. This is a well-documented problem, not just my own issue.

I replaced it with a Razer mouse... can't tell how long it'll last! Seems good so far.

[Finetales]

I had an ambidextrous Razer mouse for about 2 years or so before it broke. No abuse, just daily use. I replaced that with a Logitech MX Master that I've had for almost 3 years and still works like new. And I'm not a light user!

[LeTromboniste]

Just FYI, modern Logitech mice have cheaper switches used for the left and right click. I just had to retire my 9 month old G902 because it started double and triple clicking almost every other click. This is a well-documented problem, not just my own issue.

I replaced it with a Razer mouse... can't tell how long it'll last! Seems good so far.

Yes, I've heard better things about the lower priced G models like the G203, G305 and MX518 then about the more expensive ones. Wasn't yours still covered by the warranty?

[hyperbolica]

I've been using a Kensington trackball Slim Blade in my home office where I work daily for at least 10 years. Clean lint occasionally. Doesn't require charging or a mouse pad, doesn't need space to move around, doesn't hurt my wrist. I'm a CAD user and writer, so it sees a lot of daily use.

https://store.kensington.com/products/k ... rsQAvD_BwE

[Burgerbob]

Just FYI, modern Logitech mice have cheaper switches used for the left and right click. I just had to retire my 9 month old G902 because it started double and triple clicking almost every other click. This is a well-documented problem, not just my own issue.

I replaced it with a Razer mouse... can't tell how long it'll last! Seems good so far.

Yes, I've heard better things about the lower priced G models like the G203, G305 and MX518 then about the more expensive ones. Wasn't yours still covered by the warranty?

Nope, warranty didn't count. My G502 before that died as well. To be clear, they were great mice when they worked!

[DDoghouse]

I've had my HP mouse modded by one of the top Mouse technicians in the Northeast. Had a Razer body put on the HP guts, swapped out the left click for a Logitech switch (much more agile, especially at the top end of the page) and had my man custom build an ergonomically advanced right click, especially good for quick response in the lower case.

[AndrewMeronek]

I’ve had a razer mouse for about 4 years and it hasn’t failed me. Got it when i played video games religiously.

I currently have a Razer, and the left click is going on its way out. For all I know, it may have a piece of lint in it, but the way this mouse is designed, I have no idea how to open it up and clean it without damaging it. There are no obvious access screws.

[Finetales]

I've had my HP mouse modded by one of the top Mouse technicians in the Northeast. Had a Razer body put on the HP guts, swapped out the left click for a Logitech switch (much more agile, especially at the top end of the page) and had my man custom build an ergonomically advanced right click, especially good for quick response in the lower case.

Today I learned there are mouse techs. Guess I shouldn't be surprised.

[SimmonsTrombone]

I've been using a Kensington trackball Slim Blade in my home office where I work daily for at least 10 years. Clean lint occasionally. Doesn't require charging or a mouse pad, doesn't need space to move around, doesn't hurt my wrist. I'm a CAD user and writer, so it sees a lot of daily use.

This. I daily use a trackball that’s at least 12-years old.

[timothy42b]

I like the idea of a trackball; space on my computer stand is limited.

What I'm using is a handful of regular wired mice I picked up at thrift stores for 50 cents or a dollar. But I might see how I like the trackball.

[Doubler]

FWIW - I have had good success with the Logitech M325 series. I currently have four of them, and one is so old that it was made before they put model numbers on the mice. I had to replace one maybe 2 - 3 years ago; it was one of the two I had at the time, the type with the larger plug-in receiver. My wife and I each spend anywhere from 3 - 8 hours a day in front of our devices.

[Mikebmiller]

A mouse costs 20 bucks max. Just get a new one if it breaks.

[pompatus]

...but the way this mouse is designed, I have no idea how to open it up and clean it without damaging it. There are no obvious access screws.

Often the screws, if “hidden”, will be under the plastic pads on the bottom of the mouse. You can pry the pads up with a small flat screwdriver, and the remaining adhesive is usually sufficient for re-sticking them when done.

[Burgerbob]

A mouse costs 20 bucks max. Just get a new one if it breaks.

You get what you pay for!

[Doubler]

A mouse costs 20 bucks max. Just get a new one if it breaks.

You get what you pay for!

You don't always get what you pay for. Sometimes you get more, sometimes less, but you always pay for what you get, fairly or not.

[Finetales]

A mouse costs 20 bucks max. Just get a new one if it breaks.

I used to just use cheap mice from Best Buy or whatever. My favorite one was a Logitech M185...$20 for a no-frills wireless mouse that did what it should. Never broke either. Lots of people would never need or want to upgrade.

The reason why more expensive mice are nice is because they offer things basic mice don't. I chose my MX Master for two reasons: one, it's SO comfortable in the hand. I'm at the computer a lot and I don't want to have hand/wrist problems when I'm older from using a non-ergonomic mouse (which is the category most mice fit in, especially cheap ones). This mouse is immensely comfortable and satisfying to use, and that alone is worth the price of admission. The other reason is that it also has a thumb-operated horizontal scroll wheel, which is AMAZING for Sibelius and Photoshop and other programs where you need to frequently scroll horizontally. Now I can't live without the side-scroll wheel anymore.

Cheap mice are a solved product. So are cheap computer keyboards. For most people a single one could last them for many years and they'd be perfectly happy. But it's also totally reasonable to want something nicer, especially if you use your computer a LOT and want it to be a more pleasant experience. So the techy nerds among us buy fancy mice and mechanical keyboards (which for the most part are still really not that much money in the grand scheme of things).

Plus, once you try out one of the nicer ones, it's hard to go back. It's like the first time I tried a Palomino Blackwing (the best pencil in the world). After that, even the venerable Dixon Ticonderogas felt disappointing. So now I spend $25 for 12 Blackwings instead of about 200 Ticonderogas and am happier for it.

[ericcheng2005]

Love my Logitech M705 Marathon Mouse, been going on 3 years now with it still being perfect!

[timothy42b]

I've been using a Kensington trackball Slim Blade in my home office where I work daily for at least 10 years. Clean lint occasionally. Doesn't require charging or a mouse pad, doesn't need space to move around, doesn't hurt my wrist. I'm a CAD user and writer, so it sees a lot of daily use.

This. I daily use a trackball that’s at least 12-years old.

Old thread, but I bought a trackball this week.

I went with the wired Kensington Orbit because it had good reviews and it was cheap. It fits nicely on my small computer desk, works well, but.............

no scroll bar? I habitually scroll with the scroll wheel on top of the mouse, and I keep reaching for one that's not there.

It didn't occur to me there wouldn't be a scroll function.

[hyperbolica]

0n the slim blade you scroll by spinning the ball on a vertical axis.