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Are wired keyboards/mice becoming phased out/obselete???

A

AmberClad

Diamond Member
I've personally never really thought I need a wireless one, although granted, not having the mouse tethered to a wire would be a bit more convenient I suppose, esp for games. But you'd have to weigh all that against the cost of having to change batteries every so often and interference/response, wouldn't you?

Anyways, the reason I thought about it was that I was shopping around for a keyboard+mouse combo, and I could barely find any wired ones, the wireless type were much more common. Is this something that's being hyped by the online/retail shops, or this going to be the way it is from now on?

Thoughts?
 
Anytime someone uses the word obsolete I have to ask them how they define the word. Especially when using computers.

Just because its the latest and greatest doesnt automatically mean everything else is usless. Some folks dont like to swap out batteries all the time.
When they make one that recharges from a magnetic field in your room or on your computer, I'll be impressed.

And some of us work in areas where we cant have RF floating around. Such is life.

But anyway, I dont think wired equipment hurts me while playing video games at home, so I'll probably stay corded for a few more years.
 
Wire = security. Wireless = broadcasting and reception of other signals. Unless you have a need to separate yourself from your computer and monitor - what's the point?

Wireless makes sense in a LAN or a laptop. But, wire is still more secure and faster.
 
I don't think she means "obsolete" more than she means "phased out." Then again, some people still swear by wired mice for gaming. Also, forgive me for being ignorant, but how do wireless keyboards and mice sacrifice security?
 
Originally posted by: wpeng
I don't think she means "obsolete" more than she means "phased out." Then again, some people still swear by wired mice for gaming. Also, forgive me for being ignorant, but how do wireless keyboards and mice sacrifice security?
Click to expand...

I'm guessing he means that someone in the next room could possibly defeat the Bluetooth security/authentication protocol and then intercept your (password or CC number) keystrokes?
 
I doubt I will get a wireless keyboard anytime soon. Maybe mouse..but...I don't mind having a wired keyboard at all, and I never have to worry about anything screwing up.
 
I don't think so. I've had so many people go back to wired after using wireless gear for a while - simply because they've learned to hate wireless: ongoing transmission problems, having productive downtime in the hunt for new batteries, getting more RSI from the added weight in the mouse, etc. etc.
 
Yeah, I kind of figured that there were plenty of people out there who are fine with, or even prefer wired. It's still plenty frustrating though, looking for a decent keyboard and/or mouse and most of what you see being offer is wireless. It almost seems like manufacturers are designing their wireless models to appear more attractive and offering better color combinations than their wired ones to get more people to buy them.
 
Originally posted by: wpeng
Also, forgive me for being ignorant, but how do wireless keyboards and mice sacrifice security?
Click to expand...

Depends on the wireless technology used. Bluetooth and wi-fi are RF - that means the signals are broadcast 360 degrees, and can be picked up. Back in the 70s, we had equipment that could read the keystrokes produced by a IBM Selectric typewriter from a van parked outside of an office building. 🙂

Infrared wireless is much safer - but has been more or less phased out - requires LOS (line of sight.)

 
I like wireless keyboards with integrated pointing devices for HTPC type use. For a 'desk duty' I prefer wired keyboards with 'light up keys' actually. Wireless mouse I love in any situation. Also there is no need to replace batteries since the newer ones like the Logitech MX-1000 have a built in rechargeable battery, LED battery indicator, and charging base station.

That being said, no I do not think wired mouse or keyboards are being replaced, especially in a corporate type enviorment where you want to remain as hassle free as possible. I could not see a business counting on thier employees to remember to 'recharge thier mice' ect.

So overall I do see wireless keyboards and mice gaining in marketshare for home or enthusiast type use(media pcs, htpc, ect). At the same time I expect wired options to stick around for a long time as well since they are reliable and maintenance free solutions.
 
i had used both wired and wireless mouses and i have to say wired mouses are much MUCH better. Wireless mouses tend to "lag" if you move it too fast and it uses A LOT of batteries (excluding the newer mouses--MX1000). If you really MUST have wireless mouses, i would only recommend you getting a good brand mouse like the logitech mx1000. Overall, i would rather have a mx500 (wired) than a mx1000 (wireless)
 
i use wireless mice\trackballs, but not keyboards. too much of a security risk for that at the office. not so much at home though.
 
I've had no transmission problems or lag with my wireless kb/mouse combo, and I game a lot, so I'd notice. Essentially, as with all other hardware, stay away from the bottom of the barrel stuff. Get something a bit more expensive & higher in quality. The only problem I did have was when the wireless mouse of my kb/mouse combo broke. Logitech sent me a whole new combo :Q The old mouse would only go a few days on a full charge, but the new one does much better, a couple weeks it seems. KB doesn't use much battery power at all, a new pair of alkalines every year or so, depending on use. I honestly can't think of a single downside, other than security. But I'm not exactly a defense contractor... And my neighbors are well out of range of my wireless electronics anyway.

Anyway, check online if you're having trouble finding tethers. Places like Newegg have tons of wired kbs/mice.
 
1. Retail stores generally don't sell what comes with a PC--they need to sell something. People already have wired products. For making PCs, Lie-On and Keytronic make great cheap wired keyboards, and Logitech makes the only cheap wired optical mouse worth buying.

2. Obsolete? Not in my lifetime!
Link for new ones!

Buckling spring, no windows keys--how can you go wrong?

If I could build a $10,000 PC tomorrow, it would still have my 1989 (I broke my '86 one w/ a coke spill), dingy, beige IBM Model M keyboard. There simply is no substitute.
 
As long as there are gamers, there will be costumers for high-quality, wired keyboards and mice. While I do have a wireless MX3100 duo, I still pull out an oldschool keyboard and wired mouse when I play competitive games, because wired mice have tracking problems "they jump up alot when you move sideways too fast" and wireless keyboards do lag occasionally.
 
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