Do you think a wireless mouse is worth it for a laptop?

[Skyzoomer]

Have used corded mice with desktops forever. Being a new laptop user I don't know if it would be worth it to buy a wireless mouse for my Dell Studio 1537 or not. What's your opinion of buying a wireless mouse for a laptop?

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: Skyzoomer
Have used corded mice with desktops forever. Being a new laptop user I don't know if it would be worth it to buy a wireless mouse for my Dell Studio 1537 or not. What's your opinion of buying a wireless mouse for a laptop?

For Windows? Absolutely. In my opinion, 99% of trackpads on laptops are crap, the only exception being Apple laptops. However, in Windows, even its trackpad is crap since either Windows handles it so differently that I can't adjust (sensitivity wise) or Apple makes bad drivers. However, I lean toward the first one since as I said before, 99% of all trackpads are crap.

So, for Windows, get the wireless mouse. I like Logitech myself and the VX series are fantastic. Pricey, but fantastic.

 

[fffblackmage]

I have the VX nano for my laptop, and it's awesome =)

 

[Zap]

I decided to buy a Bluetooth mouse when I got a new notebook (MSI Wind) that had BT built-in. I don't really like the idea of a dongle sticking out, but the integrated BT took care of that. Mouse works fine.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: fffblackmage
I have the VX nano for my laptop, and it's awesome =)

Likewise! I would not be without it. Trackpads are not my thing. Wireless helps, especially in areas where you have to put the mouse on something nearby - like when flying.

Nano

Note how tiny that receiver is.

 

[IlllI]

Originally posted by: TheStu
In my opinion, 99% of trackpads on laptops are crap,

same here. i can do twice as much twice as fast w/ a wireless mouse

 

[Net]

i got my logitech wireless mouse from newegg for $5.99 after mail in rebate. i love it.

 

[compman25]

Originally posted by: corkyg

Originally posted by: fffblackmage
I have the VX nano for my laptop, and it's awesome =)

Likewise! I would not be without it. Trackpads are not my thing. Wireless helps, especially in areas where you have to put the mouse on something nearby - like when flying.

Nano

Note how tiny that receiver is.

Same one here, it's great and that receiver is so small.

 

[Brutus04]

...batteries! small corded lazer for me.

 

[xSauronx]

yeah, definitely. i have a 1000h and the trackpad is, like any other, meh. i hate the damn things. i wish people would put trackpoints on the netbooks.

my mom got me this as a gift and i love it, because its slim it fits in my bag easily, and if the battery dies inside the shell is a cable that can plug into the receiver
http://us.kensington.com/html/13313.html

 

[fatpat268]

Originally posted by: Brutus04
...batteries! small corded lazer for me.

Come on now.

A majority of notebook mice have a battery life of months.

 

[LikeLinus]

Originally posted by: fatpat268

Originally posted by: Brutus04
...batteries! small corded lazer for me.

Come on now.

A majority of notebook mice have a battery life of months.

Agreed..the batteries on my logitech wireless mouse last forever! I change them maybe three times a year..lol

 

[Skyzoomer]

Hi folks,

Appreciate all of your feedback. You convinced me so I just ordered a Logitech VX Nano wireless mouse from ebay for $39.99 with free shipping. Used the Microsoft Live search to do it so got an additional $3.20 rebate, so the VX Nano will cost me $36.79. If you buy anything off ebay, be sure to check out the Live search rebate. I've used it about 5 times previously and got the rebates every time. It works.

Thanks again,
Skyzoomer

 

[DaveSimmons]

Cordless might make sense if the latop has built-in bluetooth.

A $10 corded USB mouse is fine too unless you are parking the laptop under a desk and using an external keyboard and monitor.

 

[Hacp]

Its the alps! They all switched from synaptics!

 

[Skyzoomer]

Hi folks,

I Received the VX Nano wireless mouse yesterday and it works great. All I did was plug the receiver in a USB port, turn the mouse on and boot the laptop. Vista found the hardware and loaded the drivers. The USB receiver is so tiny that I'm amazed it even works, let alone work as perfectly as it does.

Just for kicks I measured the range of the mouse. It worked well up to 23 feet from the USB receiver. At that distance, I could barely see the mouse cursor arrow head. It appeared to get intermittent at about 25 feet but it was hard to tell since I could hardly see the mouse cursor at that distance.

The wireless mouse is just so much better than using the touchpad that I doubt I'll be using the touchpad anymore except in emergencies. Thanks all for recommending getting a wireless mouse, and especially recommending the VX Nano. I love it!

Have a question on how to program the buttons on the VX Nano:
I bought a refurbished VX Nano and it came without the User Guide and without a CD. I was able to find the user guide online and downloaded it. It only has sparse information in it and does not cover how to program the buttons on the mouse. Could any of you VX Nano users tell me where to download the software and documentation to get the programmed buttons working?

I already downloaded the following software from the Logitech website:
Setpoint472_x64.exe (Setpoint for 64 bit systems)
logitech_connect460.exe

Does either software above contain documentation on how to program the buttons on the VX Nano? I'm reluctant to install either software until I have an idea of whether they are necessary and what they do.

Thanks,
Skyzoomer

 

[DivideBYZero]

VX Nano FTW.

 

[fffblackmage]

Originally posted by: Skyzoomer
Have a question on how to program the buttons on the VX Nano:
I bought a refurbished VX Nano and it came without the User Guide and without a CD. I was able to find the user guide online and downloaded it. It only has sparse information in it and does not cover how to program the buttons on the mouse. Could any of you VX Nano users tell me where to download the software and documentation to get the programmed buttons working?

I already downloaded the following software from the Logitech website:
Setpoint472_x64.exe (Setpoint for 64 bit systems)
logitech_connect460.exe

Does either software above contain documentation on how to program the buttons on the VX Nano? I'm reluctant to install either software until I have an idea of whether they are necessary and what they do.

You'll need SetPoint.

I wasn't sure what Logitech Connect was, so I looked it up. Apparently, it's for connecting the Nano to a new receiver. You don't need this.

Once you have SetPoint installed and opened, it should be pretty straightforward on programming the buttons.

 

[Brainonska511]

I just use a basic, wired Logitech wheel mouse. I had considered wireless in the past, but the USB ports are so close to my mouse, there was no point looking for a good wireless mouse. I've had good and bad experiences with them, but the wired ones have always been consistently good.

 

[Skyzoomer]

Originally posted by: fffblackmage

You'll need SetPoint.
I wasn't sure what Logitech Connect was, so I looked it up. Apparently, it's for connecting the Nano to a new receiver. You don't need this.
Once you have SetPoint installed and opened, it should be pretty straightforward on programming the buttons.

Thanks for that info blackimage. I'll install setpoint and give it a go.
Sky

 

[HannibalX]

BT all the way.

 

[wolfman11]

I agree with the above - a touchpad is useless to me on a notebook, so a mouse is a good idea. That said, I always buy thinkpads and LOVE the trackpoint. 🙂 So no external mouse for me though either...

 

[LS21]

BT hogs battery...

i like the VX Nano because the plug virtually disappears... so it can be left in the laptop . since my dell has recessed usb port, the plug actually sits flush with the external form factor.

additionally, the range of the nano is so good, i use it as a slide advancer when doing ppt presentations
in fact, the range of the nano mouse is superior to that of a random dedicated slide-advancer remote i bought at best buy....

 

[fffblackmage]

lol, I don't think I have removed the VX nano receiver for over a year now.
I got the VX nano mostly because of the tiny receiver. But the mouse itself is really nice. I only wish the forward/back button are on the side like they're normally supposed to.

 

[armstrda]

I use this mouse: http://www.microsoft.com/hardw...ctDetails.aspx?pid=099

you can usually find it for $30 after instant rebate in most weekly ads. It's great - works with the built in BT software in windows and has an on - off switch. switch on to detect is less than 3 seconds. I've had it for about 6 months and only replaced the battery once.