UKC

.... the computer variety, that is.

I need to get a mouse to use with a laptop via the USB port. There seems to be so much rubbish sold by dodgy on-line outfits, so I'm just wondering if there are any brands or suppliers to avoid. I don't need anything fancy, just something functional. How much should I pay for something I won't be binning next week?

Cheers

Rog

I have a Logitech Bluetooth mouse with 2 buttons and a wheel that has worked well for years on my Mac. I think it was £9.99

Anything by Logitec will be fine.

I second this. £10 - £12 for a perfectly fine wireless one 

I also use logitech, they're great but the scroll wheel does eventually wear out after multiple years use i've found. But that's no biggie. 

Not sure why people are talking about wireless mice when you have specifically said you want to use a mouse via the USB port.

My suggestion would be to get a new Dell or HP wired USB mouse from Ebay - should be under a tenner.

That's really helpful, guys. Thanks for your replies.

Why use a wired mouse when a wireless is far more convenient. 

I always prefer the Microsoft Intellimouse whatever you fancy model, I find the shape works best

I don't see any advantage at all with a wireless mouse: if you're sitting at a desk or table on which you can use a mouse, why does the presence of  a wire make it any less convenient?

The disadvantages with a wireless mouse are: more complexity; and the need for batteries.

The only time I have seen that wireless mice and keyboards are useful is in 'presentation' scenarios where the PC involved is physically at a distance from the mouse/keyboard.

However it's obviously up to Rog Wilko what he prefers: I was just giving a straight answer to a straight question.

Agree, wired mice for me; why faff with batteries?

Every wireless mouse I’ve ever used, has used the USB port on the computer. I assumed he meant USB as opposed to the older PS/2 or whatever it was called 

The presence of a wire does make it less convenient in many scenarios, I won’t bore you with details. One example though, is that a wire gives you an additional mechanical weak point for potential failure 

They are not vastly more complex.

Batteries, fair point. I always have a stash of charged rechargeable AA and AAA batteries in the office. 
 

Or a wired one.

There. Everyone happy 

Or someone with the right aptitude and plenty of time could invent a self charging wireless mouse; perhaps one of the old style ones but with a magnetised ball in it and some kind of internal dynamo configuration - negating the need for either a wire OR a battery?

There are solar powered ones but they appear to be unreliable. 
 

Maybe a clockwork one could work

<snip>

I've used a wireless mouse for years and wouldn't go back to a wired one - the cable always finds something to get caught on, either the keyboard or whatever else on the desk, especially as my current set-up has my docking station to the left of my screen and I'm right handed.

And you can leave the micro dongle plugged into the laptop port.

Just replaced my ancient Logitech M505 and original Anywhere MX, as the buttons have finally worn out and now have an MX Anywhere 2, which is brilliant. USB rechargeable, so just plug it in every couple of months to top up - or you can leave it plugged in as a wired mouse

I have a technet wireless mouse and usb thingy.  It is second hand and it seems to work fine.  I believe they are about a tenner.  

The main advantage I can see of a wired mouse is that it makes it harder to lose.

Yep, that cable can be a right pain. 

Re batteries, I use a basic logitech mouse, the dongle only sticks out by about 5mm so I never remove it. 

It's not in heavy use and I get well over a year to a single aa battery. 

They are simpler: they don't have a wire!

I used to feel the same but switched a while ago as it was so cheap (£7) I thought it wouldn't hurt to try and I was a bit irritated by the wire getting caught under things on my desk. Couldn't believe how much better I found it. Batteries  lasted 2 years. Wouldn't go back but I kept the wired one for emergencies. 

Wireless ... and get a wireless full size keyboard while you're at it.  You'll never go back to wired.

Logitech/£18.95 - for both:  

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CL6353A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_...

Batteries good for 1 year (maybe).  Change them as soon as you start to perceive a lag.

Cheers.

A +1 for the MX Anywhere 2.  It will work on almost any surface including the glass topped dining room table I'm working from now.

Microsoft wired mouse and keyboard for me - simple cheap and reliable.  Used dozens of different types of wireless contraptions and, without exception, the dongle has failed before the mouse/keyboard.  And by the time this happens your dongle will be out of production and you'll have to buy the whole lot again.

I've been a software engineer for 30 years - so I've spent an awful lot of time sat in front of one of those computer thingies.

By 'eck.

To go with my original IBM AT keyboard - still the best keyboard ever made - I'm using an Intellimouse 1.1, beige with the cute red light at the back. You can still get them on ebay; they're £25 - 30 mind you.

For the keyboard, the 5-pin DIN goes into a PS/2 connector and thence to USB. Astonishing that it still all works really.

Old mechanical keyboards are indestructible.  I worked on the shop floor team at nissan ( a very long time ago) and i used to wash the grease of the keybaords with fairy liquid and hot water.  Try that with a fancy new wireless one.

The OP only wanted a mouse recommendation, not your war stories 

That's ok.  He can have both for free.

I stuck mine in the shower once, no fairy liquid mind you. Gave it a good seeing to with the loofah, dried it out for a few days, worked fine except that the space bar was a bit reluctant as the finger grease had been removed, however it sorted itself out pretty quickly. Needs doing again. The main problem is that it's at work and I'm at home

Specially for Blue Straggler, PC World Advent wireless mouse. Costs a tenner, works on any surface except *clean* glass, batteries last forever, USB dongle fits in its base for transport. Avoids strangling other passengers with the wire when working on the train.

My £7 wireless mouse comes with a free 'dongle'

I agree I'm a developer I prefer light weight mice without batteries. There is also the hassle of charging / batteries and lag.

Personally I don't mid spending proper money on something I use every day.

This is the mouse I use its excellent!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ENDGAME-GEAR-XM1-Optical-Switches/dp/B07QQ1KW4G

I always prefer a relatively cheap mouse, if it breaks it's no big deal.

Also there's a chance a mouse would simply feel wrong for your hand.

No battery to replace. Guaranteed that your input is received without lag or error. I prefer wires for mice, but even more so for keyboards. 

Working? 🤣