New Mouse for Laptops: Wired or Wireless?

Hello all!

Thought I'd get the opinion of the collective here as part of my "informed decision." So, back in August 2007 I got my first laptop (the Dell XPS in my sig) along with a Logitech VX wireless mouse (for reference, here: Amazon.com: Logitech VX Revolution Ergonomic Design Cordless 2.4 GHz Wireless Laser Mouse for Notebooks/Laptops/PCs with Hyper-Fast Scrolling: Electronics). Since then, the mouse has served me faithfully and has actually outlived the laptop which is now showing signs of giving up for the last time. The other day I started having some tracking issues with the mouse for the first time in its history though, and it got me thinking maybe it's time I got an upgrade. While it's now working fine again after a bit of cleaning, there are a few things about it I'd like to correct with a new mouse:
1. Gripwise - Contours fit the palm and shape of my hand, but my fingers are a bit long relative to my overall hand, so I'd like a mouse that's a bit larger (though not monsterous)
2. Battery life - The VX goes through a single AA about every 2-3 months which, from what I've read is about average for a gaming mouse. I'm just getting kind of tired of having to worry about a battery
3. Overall life expectancy - I've heard that wired mice have a longer lifespan than wireless, though I suspect this may be due to the added abuse wireless mice receive while on the go

The new mouse will be for use with both laptops in my sig. While I do take my MSI to class for notes every now and then, I don't tend to take my mouse then so it's function will be restricted to just sitting on my desk in my room going between laptops depending on which I'm using more at the time (though with two mice I may just dedicate them to each laptop or keep the VX as backup).

Now the real question: Are there any real disadvantages to using a wired mouse with a laptop that I should know of? I've got plenty of desk space for it (as well as a large mousepad that dwarfs the VX).

For the desktop listed in my sig I got a Logitech MX518 - a wired mouse that so far I've been very happy with (the system is kept at home for my family's use as well while I'm at school) as the overall size and fit suits me just fine. For options for the laptop I've been looking at these:
Amazon.com: Logitech G500 Programmable Gaming Mouse: Electronics
or
Amazon.com: Razer Deathadder Infrared Gaming Mouse (RZ01-00151400-R3): Electronics

Any feedback is much appreciated!

Edit: For now let's say my budget is below $80. Thanks

 

I'd suggest a wireless mouse for the wire clutter alone, however it's higher maintenance due to having batteries.

on a side note, there's a lot more better wired gaming mice than wireless at this point, personally if it's not that important I'd take a look at the different options first like comfortability and grip before deciding on wired or wireless.

on the other hand there are options like the logitech g700 that has options as both wired and wireless (battery life however is limited to a few days at most but it's rechargeable so you can go wired while it's recharging).

 

The DeathAdder is an excellent mouse with one of the best optical sensors out there. I highly recommend it. Especially if it's primarily going to stay at your desk, then a wired mouse is not bad at all. That said, any wired mouse can be transported. I used to bring my DeathAdder to and from campus every day, just stuffed in a sock with the cable wrapped up.

 

The M705 is the best mouse ive seen to date; perfect shape and size, battery lasts a few years, it has the unifying receiver and its gotten real cheap.
Only downside is the refresh model is made of cheaper parts and the scroll wheel is damn loud (by my standards at least) which i just cant get over. If you dont mind though its an excellent mouse.

 

Short answer: Get a Logitech G400 and be done with it. It is the successor to the Logitech MX518.

Forget wireless mice. In your original post, the things you mentioned that are important to you are convenience of long battery life, mouse shape, and budget. The buyer for wireless mice look for different criteria.

You want a simple, reliable wired mouse. IF you like the MX518, stick with the design and get a Logitech G400.

 

I know wireless mouse is a blessing and too easy to use but a wired mouse is seriously the best. No hectic of changing batteries, or connectivity issue. Wired performance is far better than wireless. Also, if you are a gaming person then surely, wireless is NOT an option to go with.

 

False on both counts.

 

If you made these statements over 5 years ago, I may have agreed. Now, both of these statements are completely false. Sorry but this isn't even close to being true anymore.

 

I think it depends on preference. I currently own the Logitech MX518 which i love. But i also take it to school with me everyday and i find it annoying having to pack it away and bunch up the cords so they aren't flying every where. Sometimes I'm even tempted to splurge on a good wireless mouse just for school.

So in my opinion:
If it stays on the desk more often = Wired
Constantly travelling = Wireless

 

Hmmm... wired vs wireless for gaming... I go with wireless because I tend to kill things without being tethered to a string R.A.T 9

 

I vote wireless, Bluetooth to be specific. Gaming with one is nice. It may not be uber accurate or some super mouse, but they work well. The Razor Orochi is great.. and you have the option to use a wire with it.. or the bluetooth.

 

Bluetooth has almost twice the delay of non-gaming USB wireless; 14ms for BT vs. 8ms for USB. Gaming mice, wired or wireless, typically have 1ms. The Orochi is a nice mouse and Bluetooth is handy for portability, but I would only ever game with it in wired mode.

 

after many many years of using a wireless mouse, I just bought a deathadder. I am hoping the wiring isn't as annoying as I think.

 

well for me its either wired or wireless on gaming, but preferably and personally wireless coz the wire annoys me a little. and most of the mouse they omitted the bluetooth dependece instead they just made a dedicated receiver for the wireless mouse itself

 

You might end up returning it. Iv'e been using wireless for 4 years now and every time I try to play with my G700 in wired mode while charging it, I end up feeling like the wire is getting in my way and holding the mouse back. It just doesn't feel as free (because it's not).

 

I would definetly go with a wired mouse, you will never have the added expense of batteries and you will never have to worry about response time.

 

I prefer the convenience of a bluetooth mouse if portability on the go is needed. Doesn't require any usb ports or adapters it's just all built into the laptop. I think the best option is the razer orochi mouse. It can be run in wired mode where it also charges and has gaming grade precision and 1ms response and it can be run in bluetooth mode when you are doing everything else

 

I currently use a G700 which is a wireless mouse. There is no added battery cost and it's response time is the same as wired gaming mouse.

Any current wireless gaming mouse will have the same response time as a wired mouse. I also believe most wireless gaming mouse are rechargeable which means there is no added cost in battery's.

 

The Razer Orochi mouse is a dual-mode mouse that can be run in either USB mode or Bluetooth mode. The batteries in the mice do not charge when connected under USB. The mouse simply does not draw battery power in USB mode.

A pair of AA alkaline batteries will last 1-3 months of use in Bluetooth mode, and will tend to make the mouse rear-heavy balanced. A pair of AA Lithium batteries will last 6-12 months of use in Bluetooth mode, and will give a lighter center-balanced mouse.

 

I'm coming from a Microsoft/Razer Habu and I would like to move to a newer mouse (open to BT/Wireless/Wired solutions).
According to this I have a Palm/Fingertip grip (with about 30% Palm and 70% Fingertip) mainly depending on the game and (I think) I'm a midsenser (6/11 Windows sensitivity with 2000dpi @720p).
I was looking for the G700 because of the good performance also on the wireless side. Considering the Orochi and the Pyra the only Wireless/BT alternatives (i'm open to suggestions), what about a wired solution? What do you suggest? The budget is about 60-70€. Thanks in advance

 

I have the G700 but the battery life is very poor .. most likely only few hours of full gaming performance .

I need one that is good

 

You need to change the polling rate of the mouse. I don't care what high performance gaming mouse you use. If you are running it at a polling rate of 1000, your only going to get around 15 hours of gaming time. This is what I'm getting with my G700. Although I never used the stock battery so I'm not sure what that gets. I just use Energizer Rechargeable's so I never have to charge the mouse. I just swap out batteries. If you change the polling rate to 250 when not gaming, it will last a lot longer. Look for the polling rate option in Set Point under Pointer Options.

High performance gaming mice aren't meant to last long on the battery. If you want long lasting. Get the Logitech Marathon Mouse. Or a Bluetooth mouse. The sensors/high polling rate that come equipped with gaming mouse will suck down a battery.

 

Just gonna back this guy up - DeathAdder is one of the best mouses I have owned and would recommend it.

 

Why not get the Logitech g700 and get the best of both worlds.

 

I would go wired.

 

Wow wasn't expecting this many responses. Thanks to all!

After checking out the selection in my closest store, the Logitech lineup seem to generally fit my hand a bit better than the Razer mice so I'm leaning toward Logitech.

One question I have about the G700 concerns me: Does it use two USB ports simultaneously when charging? One to charge, the other for the wireless receiver? If so, this would be a deal-breaker for me as my gaming laptop only has three USB ports, two of which I use for my laptop cooler and mic. Besides that detail, it's pretty much between the G700 and the G500. Now the only mouse I've heard good things about that I haven't been able to find in store is the G9x. Would anyone recommend that over the G500/700 assuming no preference between wired/wireless?

Again, thanks for the help!

 

You do not need to use two USB ports when charging the mouse. The mouse itself can be used in charging/wired mode without the USB receiver. If your low on USB ports, all you need to do is unplug the super tiny receiver and plug the USB cable in. You could also do what I do. Since the G700 only uses a AA rechargeable battery, you could purchase a 4 pack of Energizer rechargeable's that has the charger included. That way, you always have batteries charged and you can just swap them out as they die. You will never even need to plug it in. This is one of the reasons I love Logitech wireless mice. They don't use docks or proprietary batteries that can only be purchased from the manufacturer.

Lastly, if you like the feel of Logitech mice, you will not like the G9X. It is not your typical Logitech design. That doesn't mean it isn't a good mouse but I just didn't find it comfortable. I used it for about 2 weeks but just couldn't get used to the feel. It is made for a claw type grip where my grip is a mix between claw and palm. I wouldn't buy one unless you can feel it.

 

I just ordered a Razer Orochi with my laptop which could be wireless or wired... anyone have experience with it wireless gaming so I dont have to make another topic?

It seems like a pretty cool looking mouse, if anything.

 

It's a good portable Bluetooth mouse, and a good wired gaming mouse. It is not a wireless/Bluetooth gaming mouse, though, only because Bluetooth itself is an extremely laggy form of wireless connectivity. Typical Bluetooth input delay is 14ms, compared to 8ms for non-gaming USB wireless mice, and 1ms for gaming-grade wireless mice.

The Bluetooth mode is fine for non-gaming stuff, and when you want to game, that's where the little 3-foot cord comes in handy.

 

Thats what I figured... Thx its not like the cord causes issues anyways its detachable =P pretty epic

 

I think ive finally decided on the Logitech G700 myself. Thanks for the info guys. I figure its the best of both worlds and I really do Love Logitech products. I wont lie the RAT 9 was tempting but its way too expensive and I think pointless for a laptop (IMO)