Can I use two mice at once?

[jfelano]

I have carpal tunnel and using the computer 8hrs a day is getting worse and worse. I decided I need to buy a left handed mouse, wireless probably cause I have so many cords already my desk looks like a spaghetti factory, but anyways I want to learn to use a left handed mouse to take some strain off my right hand.

I figured I need a new keyboard anyways so I'll just buy a wireless key/mouse combo and keep using the wired right handed mouse as my primary mouse.

My question is will this work? Can I use a wired right and a wireless left at the same time in Windows? I don't actually need to use them together at the same time, I mean just be able to switch from one to the other without having to unplug the usb mouse every time.

I imagine not many people have actually tried this, so maybe it's gonna be a plug and pray and I will be the one that ends up telling YOU guys if it works. lol

Thanks

 

[Mr Evil]

You can plug in as many mice and keyboards as you want, and they will all work correctly at the same time. I actually use two mice myself, but one has been modified to work as foot switches.

 

[corkyg]

Not a problem at all. I am running 2 wireless mice right now.

 

[jfelano]

Interesting so what happens when you move two at the same time, where does the cursor go?

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Maybe it's time to try a vertical mouse, like this one (4.3 out of 5 stars: 3,495 reviews). Here are the reviews mentioning carpel tunnel.

_

 

[corkyg]

Interesting so what happens when you move two at the same time, where does the cursor go?

Not easy to do - the cursor struggles a bit, and goes with the one that may have had a microsecond headstart. If they are truly and precisely simultaneous in opposite directions, the cursor shakes like a cold puppy. ")

 

[mv2devnull]

I have carpal tunnel and using the computer 8hrs a day is getting worse and worse. I decided I need to buy a left handed mouse, wireless probably cause I have so many cords already my desk looks like a spaghetti factory, but anyways I want to learn to use a left handed mouse to take some strain off my right hand.

I figured I need a new keyboard anyways so I'll just buy a wireless key/mouse combo and keep using the wired right handed mouse as my primary mouse.

My question is will this work? Can I use a wired right and a wireless left at the same time in Windows? I don't actually need to use them together at the same time, I mean just be able to switch from one to the other without having to unplug the usb mouse every time.

I imagine not many people have actually tried this, so maybe it's gonna be a plug and pray and I will be the one that ends up telling YOU guys if it works. lol

I know many, who have simply moved the one mouse to the left side. Some, because they are left-handed, others due to issues like yours. Those mice are usually cheap, generic, and symmetric. I did so as well, but swapped the primary button too in the settings. In my case it took about two weeks to become proficient. (Occasionally using their "primary-button-on-the-left" is now confusing for my left hand.)

What kind of keyboard do you (plan to) have? I had MS Natural Ergonomic and that made an ergonomist ask: "WTH is that?" With its split layout it is rather large, and assuming one aligns with the split, the numpad is far right pushing mouse even further out to the right, which is genuinely bad for the bits and pieces in the right hand. The left side is indeed more healthy, unless you have one of those compact keyboards: https://deskthority.net/wiki/60%


To answer the formal question:
* Saitek X52 (HOTAS) has on its throttle a mouse nub (to be used with left thumb), so effectively I've had "two connected mice" with no ill effect (but I use neither mice in the games that I have the X52 for).
* Many have used laptops that have touchpad with an external mouse (e.g. for apps that need three buttons). That too makes two simultaneously connected input devices that both generate "mouse events".

It is up to the hardware and OS to merge the various (possibly conflicting) events.

 

[jfelano]

Thanks guys.

I tried a MS Natural keyboard probably 20yrs ago and I couldn't even type a sentence with it. Too awkward.

 

[jfelano]

Oh and moving the right mouse to the left side is not an option it's an ergo right handed gaming mouse.

 

[XavierMace]

Maybe it's time to try a vertical mouse, like this one (4.3 out of 5 stars: 3,495 reviews). Here are the reviews mentioning carpel tunnel.

There's quite a few people in my office using them, they like them.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

There's quite a few people in my office using them, they like them.

I'll have to look into it.

Ever since I jumped into "microcomputing" in the early '80s, I've redeployed things like keyboards and mice. I have this absolutely wonderful PS/2 Logitech keyboard I hate to give up. It's too quirky with my USB KVM connected through a USB-to-PS/2 adapter. It seems to work fine when connected directly to the computer with the adapter for which I want to use it at a given time. I'm looking at pricier USB keyboards to replace it, with a Dynex and a Staples ($12) USB kybd for the interim.

My mouse is a Dynex optical mouse. Cheap -- but seems to work fine.

I'd shied away from wireless mice and keyboards for too long. I have a wireless mouse for my laptop, and discovered it even works with the KVM switch and no problems.

And -- yeah -- you can have as many keyboards and mice connected at the same time as you wish. USB makes that an easy thing to do. I just wouldn't see a point in using two mice at the same time on the same computer . . .

 

[bigboxes]

First off, have you tried different mice? They vary by size and by ergonomics/non-ergonomics (bi-dextrous). Also, do you have your mouse on a keyboard tray that is where your arms normally lie or do you have to lift your arms on top of a desk? Do you have adjustable arms on your chair that take the pressure off your arm? Do you increase the mouse's pointer speed in Windows? Doing so will allow you to move your arm/hand less to get the desired action of the mouse. Also, look into a mechanical keyboard. They are easier on your hands than a membrane keyboard.

My years back worked in a payroll office and did ten key. First, she got carpal tunnel on her right hand. Switched hands and got it in the other. Eventually, she had to quit the job. Two years of not doing data entry and the use of her hands returned.

 

[William Gaatjes]

It makes a difference how you hold your mouse when moving and your posture. For short periods, when i game i rest my wrist on the desk and move the mouse with high mouse speed. I do this to make use of more accurate movement.
But i noticed this puts a strain on my wrist and hands.
So when i am just doing anything else then gaming and shooting at the same time, i lift my arm and move the mouse by use of my whole arm with a fixed neutral (straight position) wrist. To do this, i lower the mouse speed otherwise i would not be able to aim properly. For accurate movement in the last part of the movement, i rest my wrist again on the desk and make the move with my hand. But just a tiny bit, like for example 5 degrees to the left and right.
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens because of bad posture. When you sit straight and shoulders pulled back and your desk is just a cm( or half an inch) lower then your arms when they are bend 90 degrees, you are forced for a straight up posture and the movement for typing and moving the mouse comes primarily from moving your arms and shoulders around.
This way, the strain on your wrists and hands is much lower. In the beginning it can feel as if you become tired quickly. But in the long run it is better for you.

edit:
I should note that i sit behind a computer at work all day and at home as a hobby.