Which is the better mouse: USB Mouse, of PS/2 Mouse?

[SuperGroove]

You thoughts please.

 

[goophie]

i like my new usb mouse

not really a difference from ps/2 though

 

[Portend]

USB not detected in safe mode

 

[AndyHui]

PS/2 allows you to have refresh rates up to 200Hz; USB is locked at 125Hz.

PS/2 mice work in all situations under all OSs; USB won't work in safe mode and DOS mode.

 

[Virtus]

I upgraded to an optical USB mouse a few months ago and it's really nice, but now my mobo's USB ports are all full - mouse, printer, scanner, & webcam - and I don't really want to pick up a hub yet.

So it looks like I gotta slap that USB->PS2 adapter onto my mouse if I pick up another USB device...

Also, it seems like the USB mouse occasionally stutters when my CPU and hard drive are under maximum load... I don't remember my old PS2 mouse doing that.

 

[Erasmus-X]

I don't like USB mice. I tried using my MS Explorer mouse with the USB connection when I first got it, but under heavy system loud the cursor would stutter or go beserk. Anyone who thinks USB equals smoother is misinformed, because the refresh is always adjustable either way (use ps2rate for 9x and the mouse control panel in Win2k).

 

[PliotronX]

The USB some how seems more "stable" than OC'd PS/2 port mice. I can't use PS/2 mice with >40hz else the mouse goes insane at inappropriate times (like in FPS games)

 

[AznBruin03]

wow, i always thought that usb mice had faster refresh rates than ps2, but i guess i was wrong..

 

[Loggerman]

They are nice for just surfing around.But when you are doing a few things at once they stutter.fighting with other progams for for CPU power.But still like my longiteck.

 

[FirmPete]

My 'USB' mouse is plugged in my ps2 port. I sometimes use it as an usb mouse on my laptop when I want to use an external keyboard and an external mouse.

Using it as a USB mouse might be usefull when you have both com-ports in use.

 

[moose21218]

I like USB mouse. Faster refresh rate.

 

[edblor]

Yeah I think AndyHui is incorrect...USB has faster polling of the port than PS/2.

You can OC the PS/2 port, to get the same (or roughly the same) polling.

I like USB for quick connecting and disconnecting abilities!

BUT, older OSs and most Linux don't supprt it (or support it weakly).

Edblor

 

[psteng19]

If you get a USB mouse, you can always use the PS/2 adapter so you have your choice of which to use. I've had no problems with my MS Intellimouse Optical. And you can plug in several USB mice in at the same time and they all work. Kinda useless, but what the heck...

 

[AndyHui]

edblor: read my post carefully. I said up to 200Hz refresh rates for the PS/2 port. I never said anything about default. Default speed is 40Hz, using PS2Rate (which everyone ought to use), the refresh rates can be increased to 200Hz. USB is locked at 125Hz.

 

[jsbush]

I use my intelli mouse explorer in PS/2 with the converter that came with it. I don't see the point in wasting a USB port for a mouse.

 

[edblor]

Let's not also forget that using the PS/2 port takes up precious CPU cycles whereas the USB does not!

Andy...my apologies, you are correct, I was mistaken!!

I was thinking about CPU usage and for that, USB is better!!

Edblor

 

[AndyHui]

edblor: USB actually takes up more CPU cycles than PS/2, although the overhead does increase when overclocked to 200Hz. CPU usage is negligible on the PS/2....USB can and does take a significant chunk of CPU time.

I think you have all your specs around the wrong way.

As Erasmus-X pointed out regarding USB mice, under heavy system loud the cursor would stutter or go beserk and I completely agree with him.

 

[chuckieland]

wireless mouse is the best

 

[mustang659ut]

Agreed wireless is the best ever.... you never run out of wire that way.... I like the logitech...

 

[damien6]

Don't mean all that much either way since I don't play too much games but one of the benefits of USB is if you're running low on IRQs. It's funny how most motherboards these days have up to 6 PCIs but you fill up more than 3 (plus AGP) you start pushing your luck. If you move keyboard, mouse, modem, webcam + even printer to USB, disable both COM ports + serial ports + parallel port, you can allocate the highly endangered motherboard resources to plug the holes cause by their limited numbers.

 

[damien6]

Don't mean all that much either way since I don't play too much games but one of the benefits of USB is if you're running low on IRQs. It's funny how most motherboards these days have up to 6 PCIs but you fill up more than 3 (plus AGP) you start pushing your luck. If you move keyboard, mouse, modem, webcam + even printer to USB, disable both COM ports + serial ports + parallel port, you can allocate the highly endangered motherboard resources to plug the holes cause by their limited numbers.

 

[Mday]

USB is great for a modern system. you can save the IRQ from the PS2 mouse controller.

ps2 is needed though, since older systems can't use USB. OSes without USB support can't use them (DOS, win95, older linux kernels)

of course some motherboards have "legacy support" which makes life better.

--

i am using USB on buttass one. and ps2 on buttass two.

 

[Mday]

and one more thing:

FOR GOD SAKES, NO SERIAL MICE PLEASE!

 

[crash2much]

Maybe I'm just being to practical, but PS/2 just because thats what thats ports for. I'd hate to use up a usb port just to throw a mouse to it. Anyway, that's the way I'd go, at least until someone gives me another use for my PS/2 port

 

[rmd2001]

I would get PS2. Keep USB ports for something different.