Over the years I’ve used a lot of different computer mice. Off the top of my head…
- Original Macintosh mouse
- Mac LC mouse
- Original PowerMac mouse
- Kensington Mouse-in-a-Box (I had the beige one)
- Microsoft Intellimouse
- iMac Round Mouse
- Apple Pro Mouse
- Kensington Mouse-in-a-Box Optical Pro
- Logitech Cordless Comfort Mouse (I had the flat keyboard though)
- Kensington Pocket Mouse Pro Wireless
- Kensington PilotMouse Optical Wireless (Special Edition Midnight Metallic)
I’ve probably spent the most time with the original Kensington Mouse-in-a-Box (back in the ADB days), the Logitech Cordless (on a PC at work), and the Kensington Mouse-in-a-Box Optical Pro. Ergonomics and feel are important to me and I think the original Kensington MiaB probably had the best feel of any mouse I’ve ever used. The high back end encouraged your wrist to stay high the way it is supposed to (think 
piano posture 
I’ve never been a fan of the newer Microsoft mice because they promote a tilting up of your wrist with the front of the mouse higher than the back. This can cause strain and RSI – things I’m happy to avoid if possible.
Last week, I replaced the Kensington MiaB Optical Pro (which I’d had for several years on my home system) with the Kensington PilotMouse Optical Wireless. I miss the thumb button a little1, but overall I’m pleased I made the switch. The overall shape of the mouse isn’t as good as the original MiaB, but it’s better than those I tried from Logitech and Microsoft.
The feature I like best are the ribbed rubber sidewalls. With many mice, the oils from your hand will build up on the mouse over time causing a slick feeling in certain areas (like where the thumb rests); the ribbed rubber sidewalls appear to prevent this entirely.
What was/is your favorite mouse?
- I had the thumb button set up to Cmd-Click, I have the scroll wheel button set up to double click. [up]
I think the slick feeling is actually the texture of the plastic rubbing off, rather than the oils from your fingers building up. I have a Logitech with a semi-translucent base, and the spot where my thumb lies has been rubbed smooth and is now more transparent then the rest, so I think it’s the texture being buffed down by repetitive touching.
My favorite pointing device is the Microsoft Trackball Optical.
We got my daughter one of those small optical laptop mice to play her games, and that’s surprisingly comfortable to use as well.
My fav. is an A4 mini optical usb. It cost me $28 and enables me to pick it up with my fingers and move it around while keeping my wrist on the wrist-rest that’s attached to my mouse mat.
I’ve also used a bunch of different mice over the years. My favourite – no that’s not spelled wrong, I’m Canadian, eh 🙂 – is my new Logitech MX1000. Be careful though. I had to return the original one as the mouse pointer would ‘jump’ randomly every so often. Highly annoying. There’s discussion of this phenomenon on the Logitech forums. The replacement has been working flawlessly. So far.
It’s very comfortable and very accurate.
I believe that this
is exactly what you aren’t supposed to do (if you don’t want a RSI). 🙂
I almost got the MX1000, but it wasn’t as comfortable to me… again the upward slope from the back towards the fingers. I love the charging cradle though – wish the Kensington had that.
Microsofts Trackball Explorer, it’s almost alien to use aything else.
Between my Trackball Explorer and Ergonomic keyboard it can be pretty entertaining to watch people try and use my workstation.
I have the PilotMouse optical and bought it because it is the best shaped mouse I have ever tried. I also have a Kensington Studio Mouse wireless; But I don’t like it at all. It looks great but feels bad.
omg I simply love my Logitech MX900 (bluetooth rechargeable)
May I also note that the DiNovo keyboard is also excellent and is worth the cost if you spend a lot of time at your computer 🙂
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