Wireless Mouse is a computer mouse without chord. This post will discuss about Computer Mouse and its types, Wireless Mouse, it’s types, difference between Wireless and Bluetooth Mouse, uses, advantages and disadvantages.

What is Computer Mouse

Computer Mouse is a hardware input device that helps you to control the cursor on a Graphic User Interface screen to select text, icons, files, and folders.

Intro to wireless mouse

Fig. 1 – Wireless Mouse

The mouse is placed on a flat surface such as mouse pad or a desk, in case of Desktop Computer. Desktop Computer Mouse has two buttons to left-click, right-click and a wheel/button to scroll as shown in Figure 1. With the evolution of Digital Electronics, Mouse designs have evolved dramatically over time.

Types of Computer Mouse

When personal Computers were first launched, Computer Mouse was simple and had few functionalities. A wide range of Computer Mice are now available to meet every computing requirement. Three different types of Computer Mouse that are currently in use are:

  • Wired Mouse
  • Bluetooth Mouse
  • Wireless Mouse

Types of Computer Mouse

Fig. 2 – (a) Wired Mouse (b) Wireless Mouse  (c) Bluetooth Mouse

Wired Mouse

Wired mouse connects to your computer or laptop through USB (or a serial cable connector on older hardware) and transfers data across the cable. Because of the chord connection, the wired mouse provides significant advantages. For starters, wired mice offer a quick response time since data is transferred directly through the connection.

Gamers, digital painters, and other users who require high precision and response time may benefit from wired models. Major disadvantage of Wired Mouse is that it is physically attached. It has limitations that only allow you to travel within a certain range. It’s possible that you’ll need to tweak the chord to find the best position for your grip and hand movement.

Wireless Mouse

Wireless Mice, as opposed to Wired Mice, connect with a receiver linked to your computer via radio waves. When the computer receives the signal, it decodes how the cursor was moved and which buttons were clicked. Wireless versions have a number of benefits, including range and flexibility, but they also have some drawbacks. Wireless Mouse is often less sensitive to motions than a Wired Mouse due to the decoding process.

However, with advancements in technology, latency has decreased to near zero (The delay between your command and the cursor movement is 1 to 2ms). Even Gamers have switched to Wireless Mice because of this.

 Types of Wireless Mouse

Types of Wireless Mouse include:

  1. Optical Mouse
  2. Mouse with RF Frequency
  3. Bluetooth Mouse

Optical Mouse

One of the most prevalent and oldest forms of wireless mice is the optical mouse. The optical mouse is operated using infrared technology (IR). When you turn the mouse upside down, it emits a vibrant red glow. This Infrared Sensor helps in wirelessly transmitting the mouse’s location to the computer.

Mouse with RF Frequency

RF (Radio Frequency) mice use RF signals to communicate with their host computer. USB port on the host PC must be used to connect an RF receiver. The mouse’s location is controlled by signals sent by an RF transmitter inside the mouse. The signals transmitted by the mouse are received by an RF receiver in the host computer. The mouse decodes the signal as it moves around and delivers the location of the mouse to the computer very instantly.

Bluetooth Mouse

Bluetooth Mouse is similar to Radio Frequency (RF) mouse. Bluetooth Wireless Mouse, like all Bluetooth devices, includes a transmitter that automatically connects to your host computer using Bluetooth Technology. The range is usually around 33 feet in most cases. Bluetooth Technology uses 2.4 GHz frequencies to connect not only mice, but also keyboards, PDAs, and some printers.

Difference between Wireless Mouse and Bluetooth Mouse

Bluetooth Mouse is a Wireless Mouse with a design that is almost identical to other Wireless Mice that use RF or IR technology. The dongle that most Wireless Mice come with, connects to your computer and allows the mouse to interact with it.

Bluetooth Mouse, on the other hand, uses your PC’s built-in Bluetooth receiver and protocol stack to connect the mouse to several devices at the same time. But keep in mind that not all devices have Bluetooth Receivers. If your computer doesn’t have an integrated Bluetooth Receiver, you can buy a USB receiver to plug into it and use with your Bluetooth Mouse and other Bluetooth devices.

Wireless vs Bluetooth Mouse

Fig. 3 – Wireless Vs Bluetooth Mouse

Things to Consider before Buying Wireless Mouse

If you are planning to buy a wireless mouse, here are the aspects to consider before making a decision:-

  1. Latency
  2. Compatibility
  3. Ease of Use
  4. Battery Life

1. Latency

Also known as response time, is the time between a user’s activity and the cursor’s response on the screen. In an ideal world, there should be no latency. In this regard, a wireless (RF) mouse outperforms a Bluetooth Mouse. The response time of a wireless mouse is 1 to 2 milliseconds, whereas the response time of Bluetooth Mouse is 10 to 15 milliseconds. This delay is barely perceptible unless you are an expert gamer or a high-tech professional. Bluetooth mice have recently matched the latency of RF mice, however they are more expensive.

2. Compatibility

Wireless Mouse that is based on Radio Frequency (RF) requires the host computer’s USB connector to connect an RF receiver (USB dongle). Bluetooth communication, on the other hand, is available on all devices, including laptops and PCs. So, if you get a Bluetooth Mouse, you’ll be ready to use it wherever and whenever you choose. This is especially beneficial if you need to connect many devices to your computer. Bluetooth mouse is the clear winner when it comes to compatibility.

3. Ease Of Use

Setting up Bluetooth devices can be a pain in the neck. This can be a nightmare, especially if you are a computer newbie. In this case, RF-based wireless is more usable and reliable.

4. Battery Life

When it comes to battery life, RF Mice outperform Bluetooth Mice in most cases. A Bluetooth Mouse’s battery normally runs out faster, and it also places a strain on the host computer’s CPU.

Uses of Wireless Mouse

The mouse’s primary function is to move the cursor around the computer screen and control it. Other features and capabilities are described below.

  1. Item Selection: To select an item, move the cursor over it (icon, folder, menu item, etc.) and then click the left button.
  2. Double-click: When you double-click the left button on an item, it will do an action based on the item. Double-clicking an application icon, for example, will launch it.
  3. Text Selection: You can choose a word, a line, a paragraph, etc., and perform actions on the selected (highlighted) text by right-clicking to open the context menu while editing a document.
  4. Drag-and-drop: Select an item, hold down the left button, drag it across the screen to where you want it, and then release the left mouse button to drop it.
  5. Scroll: The scroll bar of a document editor can be controlled by the Mouse wheel/Button.

Wearable device

Fig. 4 – Wearable Mouse

Advantages of Wireless Mouse

The advantages are:

  • You can freely move your hand or change your seat without worrying about the cable because a wireless mouse communicates to your computer via RF or Bluetooth.
  • Your desk appears tidy and pleasant because there are no tangled cables around you.

Disadvantages of Wireless Mouse

The disadvantages include:

  • Expensive compared to wired mouse.
  • Mouse requires additional power, which can be supplied by a replacement or rechargeable battery.
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